Hi All

This is my first time post as a prospective 500 buyer. I plan to visit my local dealer soon for a test drive and a proper look around the car. Unfortunately I am currently suffering from ' severe man flu' and was hoping you could help me answer some questions in the mean time?

My Wife and I have a 6 month old son and our main car is a diesel Nissan Qashqai which does the job perfectly. Our second car (my wife's), is a clio which I am hoping to change for a 500. We both work so need a car each. My first question is how well a rear child seat fits in the 500? The Qashqai will be the main workhorse, however i'd like to know the three of us would fit in a 500 if need be! Also, is the boot really that small? Has anyone tried fitting a Phil & Teds buggy in the boot?! (I will be when I go to the dealers!)

My other question relates to the 500c. I have been looking at a 500 Lounge but would be willing to stretch the extra for a 500c Lounge just for the extras included and the awesome folding roof. My question is how the 500c stands up to British winter? We used to live on the coast of Pembrokeshire which was always fairly mild. However, since moving inland to higher ground the difference in winter weather is huge!! Snow and cold cold winter days are guaranteed now and this is what worries me with the 500c. How resistant is the 500c to our British winters? Does the hood stand up to the ice, snow and frost? Is it worth it for the glourious few days of summer we get? Unfortunately we don't have a garage in our current home which means the car would be exposed to the elements year round (including bird poo on the hood as our neighbour has pigeons!).

My first car was a Triumph Herald convertible which was such a wonderful summer car but the engine always let me down. The idea of a modern engine with a retro look is what really makes the 500c appealing. Or should I be sensible and stick with the 500 lounge?

(I hate being sensible...)


Cheers
geo

I have not seen the 500C but to answer your 500 questions

I also have a SUV as the main workhorse, and 500 mainly for me

Boot is not tiny, but not very big either .. think Quinny Zapp and thats probably what u can aim for.

I have ISOFIX rear car seats and they fit pretty well - but some car seats are not suitable (e.g. maxi cosi ones with supporting leg) - in either case you will need to get yourself down to a fitter e.g. mothercare and test - but I have a car seat in the back and there are no problems (my child is 2)

Good luck with the man flu ..

As I've only ever been in and driven a 500c the I can only answer some of the questions relating to that.

I've had mine since September and she's parked outside the house in all weathers. So far so good. Although I live in Cornwall so our winter wasn't as harsh as some areas of the UK we did have plenty of frost and occasional snowfall and she stood up to it absolutely fine.

I've not had too much bird poo on it, but when I've noticed it I've made sure that I've washed it off asap.

As for getting a buggy in the back, I can't be sure, but I'd be highly doubtful of it, it is a pretty weenie sized space.

Kiddies car seat shouldn't be a problem, but as always, try before you buy.

I think you'll have the roof down much more than you think. I've had it down plenty times already this year, in fact, I've had the roof down every day this week. Even in the winter if it was sunny and dry I'd get wrapped up with hat and gloves and pop the roof down too, there's plenty of scope for it.

A 500c is guaranteed to make you smile every time you look at it.

I also have a 500c. Can't comment about car seats as my children are bigger now and past that stage. The boot is bigger than you think but even so probably would not accommodate a buggy. You can fold half the back seat forward and you might get one in that way but would depend if you want the hassle.

I have had my 500c since early October and she was out on our driveway through all the snow, ice, frost etc in the winter. In fact she was better in the snow than our estate car which is automatic, rear wheel drive. The roof held up very well in the elements and still looks like new with no leaks or trouble. I did get the car 'detailed' by a professional when I first got it and he did put some kind of protector on the roof so perhaps that has helped. Like Anniebee, I remove bird poo as soon as it plops on it!

Personally I love having the option of putting the roof down - it is such fun and does make you smile. Unlike other convertibles I have owned in the past, the 500c feels like a hard top car when the roof is up so as far as I am concerned it is a win win situation.

Hatchback 500 owner here. Haven't been in 500c but the boot looks quite tiny. I have a 4 year old and 7 weeks old baby. Both fit in the 500 - 4 year old on Britax Evolva 2-3 seat in the back (isofix) and the baby in the front. I have tried the Maxi cosi 1st stage baby seat and it wont fit in the back. Britax one is worse as is bigger. If you go for next stage car seat (we had Bebeconfort one when my daughter was younger) that will fit also in the back. Buggies: I have Oyster pushchair and it fits with room to spare for shopping. Also, Outnabout Nipper (huge one with all terrain weels) fits, but with the two wheels off and no room for even a needle

Of course, it would be best if you can try all out in person.

Good luck!

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all your kind replies.

We went to our local fiat dealer today and took a 500 pop 1.2 for a test drive. Was really impressed with how zippy the engine was both on the dual carriageway and around a busy industrial estate! Our Britax child seat fit perfectly in the back and our little 6 month old son seemed very happy there. We even managed to fit our phil & Ted buggy in the boot (with wheels off and standing on its side!).

There was just one problem.....

They also had a 500c which despite being pink, was amazing! We couldnt take it for a drive as it was on display but after playing with the roof I was very impressed. Unfortunately there is no way the buggy would fit in the 500c boot (new buggy I think!). I suppose the split folding seats could go some way to fix this.

After speaking to the sales person, I was very impressed with the apr on the Fiat PCP finance deal (3.3%!). Just have to persuade the wife now as she still thinks its not practical despite me pointing out that we have a nissan for practical!

I'm tempted by the 1.3 diesel for the extra torque. Just two questions though...

1) Does the steering wheel only adjust for height and not reach?

2) What colour paint/hood/interior?? Too many choices!!

Geo

Go for the 500c - it is SO much fun. Hey, you have a big sensible Nissan as a safety net and for major journeys so go for it From the tone of your post I think you might regret not taking the plunge. In my opinion it would be worth the expense of a new buggy to fit in the 500c - but I am biased of course.

Can't advise on colour as had enough difficulty deciding myself. Go on the Fiat website configurator and have a play around with the options. I saw the Barbie pink one yesterday when taking my car to the dealer - it is pretty shocking in reality have to say They have sold 3 already and in fact my daughter spotted one on the M25 other week.

I've got a 500c and the boot isn't that tiny, it's only 3 litres smaller than the hatchback. Did you try getting the buggy in the pink one? The opening for the boot is smaller because of the roof, so that might have made it more difficult. But as you say, buggies come in all shapes and sizes.

However, your kids won't need them forever, and the 500c is soooo much fun especially with the weather we're having, although I'm slightly concerned about the amount of volcanic ash I'm getting in the car with having the roof down!

I agree with Anniebee though, if it's not raining the roof comes off. Instant stress relief after a hard day at work!

Forgot to say - the steering wheel only adjusts for height - not reach.

Also I can't advise on colour either as I changed my mind three times after ordering. Very happy with my final choice though.

Does anyone have the lounge? Everyone so far with a 500c seem to have the pop spec. The seats are more retro but don't you get other goodies with lounge spec?

Picking the right colour is a nightmare! I like BNW with red hood but what does the red leather interior look like?? (fiat website doesn't help!!)

Is it worth the pop for the better retro seats and just add all the Lounge extras? I wish it was the same choice of interiors across the range!

Geo

geo uk said:

Does anyone have the lounge? Everyone so far with a 500c seem to have the pop spec. The seats are more retro but don't you get other goodies with lounge spec?

Picking the right colour is a nightmare! I like BNW with red hood but what does the red leather interior look like?? (fiat website doesn't help!!)

Is it worth the pop for the better retro seats and just add all the Lounge extras? I wish it was the same choice of interiors across the range!

Geo

Click to expand...

WOW!

Not a big fan of red normally but in BNW and red roof it just looks right!

Anyone have the 1.3 diesel? I was very impressed with the go in the 1.2 but felt it wane on the hills slightly. I'm a big diesel fan and like the idea of the nip of the 1.2 with the extra torque that the diesel offers.

New 95bhp diesel has as much torque as the Abarth. Must go like stink in gear.

geo uk said:

Does anyone have the lounge? Everyone so far with a 500c seem to have the pop spec. The seats are more retro but don't you get other goodies with lounge spec?

Picking the right colour is a nightmare! I like BNW with red hood but what does the red leather interior look like?? (fiat website doesn't help!!)

Is it worth the pop for the better retro seats and just add all the Lounge extras? I wish it was the same choice of interiors across the range!

Geo

Click to expand...

Mine is Lounge spec, BNW, red roof and the same interior as Maxi's.

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/210700-new-500c.html

I have 500c Lounge - pasodoble red with black roof and black leather. Sounds pathetic but I am not entirely sure of all the extras you get with the lounge but that is easy to find out on the Fiat website. Being a typical woman my decision was mostly based on the fact you get the extra chrome trim and it looks nice

There are not many 500c's on the road so far so haven't seen many other than mine so far. I did see a BNW with red roof in a car park the other day which was first time I had seen the red roof and it was a bit of a different shade of red to what I was expecting. It looked quite deep 'claret/pinky' red somehow, although sure others will disagree. If I had not had red then I think I might have gone for Cha Cha Azure with a beige roof and tan leather. Then again the Tech House Grey with beige roof is also pretty smart. Oh the stress of deciding - I was a nightmare!

I'm also toying with buying a 500C and have a similar dilemma to others:

- The colour schemes on the Pop just seem better than Lounge. I quite fancy BNW with a red roof and red seats, not available on Lounge unless you stump up for leather.

- I like the idea of the 1.3MJT but since I'm considering the 500C as a a downsize from my 3-series convertible (on cost grounds) I'd just struggle to justify the additional cost over the 1.2

- ...but is the 1.2 really going to cut it on the motorway?

I guess a test drive will sort a lot of this stuff out, and hopefully convince me to part with my current car!

Midlife Crisis said:

Then again the Tech House Grey with beige roof is also pretty smart. Oh the stress of deciding - I was a nightmare!

Click to expand...

Indeed it is and with tan leather its amazing

The Lounge C comes with climate control, ESP (on all engines) and rear parking sensors as standard. Plus Blue&Me, heated mirrors, leather steering wheel and 15" alloys and chrome kit, as with the hatch.

Personally (and it is purely personal) you have to get the colour combo right with the C. White and ivory roof looks terrible (IMHO), but white with red or black roof looks good. My Tech House Grey looks great (again IMHO) with an ivory roof and also with the black roof, but I think it looks pants with the red roof.

A tad easier to decide with the hatch, although my partner is considering getting a 500 next and there have been many cross words about the 'perfect' spec, if indeed that even exists! :bang:

Steve

Lol!

Deciding is a nightmare! :bang: I'm edging towards the BNW with red roof and red leather interior.

For those with this spec, how close in colour is the red roof to the red leather interior? I suppose I'm asking if they go well together or clash if different shades?

The other combo thats a possibility is tech grey and ivory roof but which interior? I'm not convinced by tan leather!!



Geo

geo uk said:

Lol!

Deciding is a nightmare! :bang: I'm edging towards the BNW with red roof and red leather interior.

For those with this spec, how close in colour is the red roof to the red leather interior? I suppose I'm asking if they go well together or clash if different shades?

The other combo thats a possibility is tech grey and ivory roof but which interior? I'm not convinced by tan leather!!



Geo

Click to expand...

The roof isn't the same shade of red as the red leather seats, but they certainly don't clash

geo uk said:

Lol!

Deciding is a nightmare! :bang: I'm edging towards the BNW with red roof and red leather interior.

For those with this spec, how close in colour is the red roof to the red leather interior? I suppose I'm asking if they go well together or clash if different shades?

The other combo thats a possibility is tech grey and ivory roof but which interior? I'm not convinced by tan leather!!



Geo

Click to expand...

Well here's a vid of my car which has the tan leather interior. I love it, although it wasn't what I ordered.
I originally had the brown and ivory seats, which I would go for if you were unsure about the tan leather. The seat bolsters are fake leather or leatherette anyway so you almost get the half leather look.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqlKl9wPFQ0"]YouTube- Fiat 500C[/nomedia]

It's a very personal aspect to car buying and many people will love your final idea and many hate it. At the end of the day its your money, you'll own it and you'll be driving it, so have whatever makes your heart beat faster.

For me if I have another 500 (probably hatch next time) it'll be in Funk white. It's a colour I've always leaned too but never ordered.

Steve