General First time soon-to-be 500 owner

Currently reading:
General First time soon-to-be 500 owner

oncepastthepost

New member
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
34
Points
6
I went to Italy and few months ago and totally fell in love with a pasadoble 500 with red cloth ivory ambience. It was stunning - even convinced the doubting other half. Fast forward to today and I've just found a nice used, 2008, 20k mileage, black 1.4 sport with red leather interior.

I have been reading a few threads on this forum to get aquainted with some regulars and am impressed with the 500 community. I am mainly concerned with any issues with the car before I go collect - specifically the 1.4 sport.

It is an approved used through a fiat dealer. It was making a sqeeling sound when i took it for a test drive and i was assured that that would be taken care of before i go collect. Also, it would have a full service and mot done.

What other issues should I be concerned with and what should I check for?

I read Kay500's Yet more problems with my 500 on this post (sorry can't post link as I'm losing my virginity with this post) and I will be asking about brakes and suspension.

thanks everyone.
 
I went to Italy and few months ago and totally fell in love with a pasadoble 500 with red cloth ivory ambience. It was stunning - even convinced the doubting other half. Fast forward to today and I've just found a nice used, 2008, 20k mileage, black 1.4 sport with red leather interior.

I have been reading a few threads on this forum to get aquainted with some regulars and am impressed with the 500 community. I am mainly concerned with any issues with the car before I go collect - specifically the 1.4 sport.

It is an approved used through a fiat dealer. It was making a sqeeling sound when i took it for a test drive and i was assured that that would be taken care of before i go collect. Also, it would have a full service and mot done.

What other issues should I be concerned with and what should I check for?

I read Kay500's Yet more problems with my 500 on this post (sorry can't post link as I'm losing my virginity with this post) and I will be asking about brakes and suspension.

thanks everyone.

I had a '08 1.4 Sport with Red leather and it was a cracker of a car.
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/272258-500-twinair-3.html?p=2782937

Back discs sqealed on it but that's normal. Easily solved with a good clean and some de-glazing. Down to a design fault and the rear discs not getting a 'work-out' - nothing to worry about.
Shocks - the rear ones generally need replacing at 3 years irregardless of mileage but the Fiat ones can be bought cheap for around €59 each. They go in fairly easily since the springs are seperate to the shocks. Symptoms of a little rattle and the car crashing at the potholes are signs of them needing replacement.
On the full service check to see if the brake fluid has been changed since registration - a test can be done on the fluid to see how good it is - but after 2 years and definitely 3 years the fluid is supposed to be changed.

I loved the red leather and it's an expensive option at £775.
Sounds like a nice car.(y)
 
My first response - yeah!! :)

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely be asking about the brake fluid and making sure the discs get a deglazing.

Interestingly, the dealer tells me the car hasn't been for a service which sounded strange to me. Not one in 20k miles!? Is that normal? He tells me the service cycle is 20k miles so is due one now and will have one done before i collect. Should I be concerned?

Look forward to posting a picture when i take delivery..
 
My first response - yeah!! :)

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely be asking about the brake fluid and making sure the discs get a deglazing.

Interestingly, the dealer tells me the car hasn't been for a service which sounded strange to me. Not one in 20k miles!? Is that normal? He tells me the service cycle is 20k miles so is due one now and will have one done before i collect. Should I be concerned?

Look forward to posting a picture when i take delivery..

I recently drove a 2010 Abarth 500 Esseesse and it had no oil change from new with 14,500 miles on the clock. For that kind of a car I reckon you would be having a spot of bother 'down the road'.

You could do a little search on here on the service intervals required for the 500 but on a 2008 it should be very 12 months or 18,000 miles - whichever comes up the first.
IMHO I would take a chance on it since the 1.4 has been reputed to clock over 100,000 miles with no problems. But I would probably beat up the dealer a bit :) since this car is coming through a Fiat approved dealer.
 
The dealer was giving me a standard 3 month warranty but i managed to get a more extensive 12 month warranty so am not too worried. But I just don't want any hassle with the car when i take it on. Brakes and suspension seem to be the things i have read about that need attention. I can't contain my excitement... this is going to be a long week.
 
The 1.4 16 valve engine is a great little engine. Not as economical as the twin are or 1.2, but ive not read about anyone having issues with the engine. It sounds great and performs brilliantly.

From what ive read on this forum if parts to the suspension need replacing (particularly the rear dampers) they seem to get replaced around the 3 year mark. Though 20,000 miles for a 2008 is not that high. You could ask the dealer if they have already been replaced.

If the dealer is going to carry out an MOT the brakes should last you nearly a year before they need replacing, depending on your milage and driving conditions. My brakes only squeal occasionally when i reverse down my steep drive.

I'd ask the dealer to sort out the noise first, then test drive it again before buying.
 
Tbh i would just go for a 1.2. Cheaper to tax, insure, run and the 1.4's need regular attention to their rear brakes (probably the squealing you heard) or else they can do damage to wheel bearings, pads, discs etc etc.
 
thanks for the tip there 306maxi but i think i've fallen for this 1.4. These forums have been great to get a good idea of potential problems and what to look out for. I've used users' posts to compile a list of things to make sure the dealer checks and confirms before i part with money. I will definitely be taking another test drive and crossing off everything on the list... when i post a pic i hope you will see why on this occasion the heart ruled.
 
thanks for the tip there 306maxi but i think i've fallen for this 1.4. These forums have been great to get a good idea of potential problems and what to look out for. I've used users' posts to compile a list of things to make sure the dealer checks and confirms before i part with money. I will definitely be taking another test drive and crossing off everything on the list... when i post a pic i hope you will see why on this occasion the heart ruled.

Maxi's point about the running costs of a 1.2 is valid. The 1.4 is dearer to run - your '08 is a Euro 4 engine with 149 grs/km and will average around 35mpg compared with typically 42mpg on a 1.2 (although some are getting in the high 50s). In my case it's still cheaper to run than A500. Verything is relative. But there's a nice rasp off the 1.4 and it's a pseudo performance like engine and suits the 500. The new TA being new wouldn't have the value for money of a secondhand 1.4.
Re glazing of discs this is more deglazing the pads. But if the pads have been sqealing for a long time it can cause premature wear of the rear discs - these are cheap to replace and generally go around 40K. I don't know about the bearings. The disc setup on the 1.4 is pretty good with ventilated discs at the front. But yours being an early 1.4 Sport it is quite likely the calipers are painted red - this became an optional extra later on (in Ireland). Brakes are very good on the 1.4 and stop the car quicker than the MINI. If you have the red ringed hub caps quite a lot of them have lost a bit of paint - replacement cost £15 each - wouldn't break the bank.

Will this car be for the OH with yourself getting the odd blast in it ?
 
Maxi's is a valid point about cheaper running costs on the 1.2. I've done a lot of homework before taking the plunge. It suits our usage profile.

I think i will be focusing on brakes and suspension with the dealer. Hopefully the full service and the MOT should pick out anything major. Anything else should be covered under the 12m warranty. At the end of the day it is what it is, a used car. The low mileage for an 08 and our relatively low use should make it a great first car.

Also, you were right about the red wheel caps flaking and showing wear. They do look cool though. They're not thaat bad. I've done my research with that one as well on this forum. I got the dealer to throw in some replacements all round but he said they may not be like for like, in other words, they won't be like for like. I also got him to retain the red ones just in case i don't like the new ones.

Oh and you hit the nail on the head with the car for the OH and me getting the odd blast in it :D
 
Ive not had any issues with my rear brakes. I brake hard every now and then, and use the car every day. Maybe this is preventing the brakes from glazing? I'm not sure.

Plus the rear discs and pads are cheap if you buy from places like halfords. Not tricky to fit, even if you've never tried before.

The best ive had out of my 1.4 is 42mpg which was after 70mph motorway driving. Around towns up to 50mph i get an average of 36mpg. This would be more if i was more concerned about economy though. But is soooo much fun driving the 1.4 up to 5or6000rpm!:cool:
 
I'll be making sure the dealer is aware of my concerns in the coming week. Brakes being a priority and confirmation of all my other issues.

I enjoy driving but i'm not a hard driver and the OH will be the main driver so we should get good mpg. I'll look out for the 5-6k rpm
 
Also, you were right about the red wheel caps flaking and showing wear. They do look cool though. They're not thaat bad. I've done my research with that one as well on this forum. I got the dealer to throw in some replacements all round but he said they may not be like for like, in other words, they won't be like for like. I also got him to retain the red ones just in case i don't like the new ones.

Oh and you hit the nail on the head with the car for the OH and me getting the odd blast in it :D

Picture here of a new hub cap. Well worth the £15. The 1.4 is the only model with all round disc brakes. I wouldn't be happy with a near likeness. You have to show them off. :)

There are a lot of members on here where the 500 is 'owned' by their OH - so you're not alone.

The 1.4 is supposedly capable of returning 50mpg at 50mph. I've got 48mpg driving sensibily on a country road. I get the impression (I could be wrong) that the 6 speed gearbox was developed for the 1.4 (100HP, GP )and again the 1.4 is the only model in the 500 range (including the Abarth 500) that has the sixth gear. The six gears are needed to keep the engine 'on the boil' if you're in the mood since its peak torque is only reached at 4,250rpm. First will take 6,800rpm (I rarely go there) with 2nd starting at 4,000rpm.

For safety you have the ESP which has a 'built-in' form of traction control although it does not go 'as far' as the TTC in the Abarth. Only available as a extra on the 1.2 & TA. So you get a lot on the 1.4.

The 500 1.4 Sport was often thought of as 'half-on-Abarth' but that has now gone to the TA (personal opinion - others might think differently).
 
Picture here of a new hub cap. Well worth the £15. The 1.4 is the only model with all round disc brakes. I wouldn't be happy with a near likeness. You have to show them off. :)

There are a lot of members on here where the 500 is 'owned' by their OH - so you're not alone.

The 1.4 is supposedly capable of returning 50mpg at 50mph. I've got 48mpg driving sensibily on a country road. I get the impression (I could be wrong) that the 6 speed gearbox was developed for the 1.4 (100HP, GP )and again the 1.4 is the only model in the 500 range (including the Abarth 500) that has the sixth gear. The six gears are needed to keep the engine 'on the boil' if you're in the mood since its peak torque is only reached at 4,250rpm. First will take 6,800rpm (I rarely go there) with 2nd starting at 4,000rpm.

For safety you have the ESP which has a 'built-in' form of traction control although it does not go 'as far' as the TTC in the Abarth. Only available as a extra on the 1.2 & TA. So you get a lot on the 1.4.

The 500 1.4 Sport was often thought of as 'half-on-Abarth' but that has now gone to the TA (personal opinion - others might think differently).

I can see why people say the TA is the 'half-on-Abarth' due to its turbo. But the 1.4 is still slightly quicker. :D
 
loveshandbags - once i am happy that the car is mechanically sound i will be focusing on making the car look perfect. I have my eyes on the red wheel caps. The car has the red brake calipers all round and even though i negotiated the dealer to replace the wheel caps i won't be satisfied unless they are of the red variety. watch out for a future post on that...

thanks for all your suggestions and time loveshandbags... much appreciated
 
Thank you twocokes for the show of appreciation. I have had a lot of help on the FF and its my pleasure to reciprocate.

On the colour - the Black on the 500 is Crossover Black (Metallic) whilst on the Abarth it is Scorpion Black (slightly different shade). The paint costs an extra €495 or in the uk it is just under £400.

When I saw Jon's BNW 1.2 Sport 'sat in the garage' thread I thought of Vicki's 'shoot-out' video between the MINI & the 500 but it was the new version 1.4 ONE and the 1.4L 500. This has been posted before but it is only works now through Streetfire. Anyway I thought I would lead into it with a little teaser beforehand to get you salivating before the keys are handed over.:)




[ame="http://www.streetfire.net/video/295-fifth-gear-mini-one-vs-fiat-500_178984.htm"]http://www.streetfire.net/video/295-fifth-gear-mini-one-vs-fiat-500_178984.htm[/ame]
 
Last edited:
Just got back from a trip "down south" in my 1.4 Sport, did 200+ miles of which 150 were at a fairly steady 60mph on the motorway (I did go up to 80ish for a little while to have a closer look at a Diesel Special Edition that passed me!) and averaged 50.8mpg according to the trip computer.
 
Back
Top