ahmett
Prominent member
The Alfa Romeos with selespeed seem to have countless issues! And once they do wrong there is no easy fix !
Technical Euro6 1.2 Throttle Response, Hill Start Issues & Watchdog report
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Technical Euro6 1.2 Throttle Response, Hill Start Issues & Watchdog report
The Alfa Romeos with selespeed seem to have countless issues! And once they do wrong there is no easy fix !
As for you said:
Yes absolutely! And thank you for your supportive response.
I know that we can all become swayed for or against a brand of vehicle based on a good or bad experience. I had no reason to doubt Fiat as a brand - indeed, we have relatives who have owned Fiats for years and who have not had any problems.
I am astute and savvy enough to do suitable research prior to buying any car - alas, when I was looking into purchasing this car, the hill start issue had not come to light publically enough to catch my attention.
I have made the point to the finance company that I feel that I have been missold a faulty car and as such would never have considered buying it in the first place had I been made aware of the issues.
Earlier ones, which are often older cars which haven't been maintained, maybe so, but the later systems (generally) are better and as with anything, abuse it and don't maintain it and it'll eventually fail.
They are also easy to fix if you take to the right place, but most people seem to be tight arses and like all things you get what you pay for, take it to joe blogs to repair rather than a specialist and you'll get the bodge you've paid for rather than a proper repair.
ahmett
Prominent member
so 1500 euros to replace the whole unit is an easy fix? lovely! and mind you i have been to FIAT MAIN DEALERS ABOUT 20 times regarding these issues. So if a Fiat main dealer cannot fix it, then who can?
Mind you, its not only the fact that my car broke down that bothered me (i mean cars can break down), its the FIAT AFTERSALES service that really bothered me! Just like the 'special 1.2 Euro 6'!
No, it's a sign of a crap dealer with poor diagnostics skills, something you've confirmed with your postings time and time again. Replacing the whole thing is one step before replacing the whole car. Surprised hey haven't suggested that yet
ahmett
Prominent member
No, it's a sign of a crap dealer with poor diagnostics skills, something you've confirmed with your postings time and time again. Replacing the whole thing is one step before replacing the whole car. Surprised hey haven't suggested that yet
They did but that's not so easy in Greece, the used car market is a joke
Let's be absolutely clear here - the 1.2 engine in the 500 has always proven to be a really solid unit that drives well, is cheap to run and is very good on fuel economy.
Whatever the hell has happened in the past year or so is a crying shame.
Whatever the hell has happened in the past year or so is a crying shame.
Here here, Super Ewe. I purchased the 500 1.2 on the strength of these qualities and to be told that I've learnt a lesson is frankly ridiculous and insulting.
I love my little car and just want it to work properly. I'm just hoping and praying that the fix in April does the trick.
I love my little car and just want it to work properly. I'm just hoping and praying that the fix in April does the trick.
TrevC
Established member
ab4444, I don't think any amount of pre-purchase research would have prevented your unfortunate experience. As others have said, the 500 is generally a reliable car, as supported by the Warranty Direct reliability index. My experience backs this up - my Twinair Lounge is 4 years old in 3 days, having done 31000 miles. Apart from a tiny coolant leak, fixed by me, nothing has failed, broken or fallen off. It was serviced by Fiat when under warranty, and although this wasn't cheap, I found them to be helpful and efficient. At the first (oil change only) service the turbo was replaced under a service campaign that I didn't even know about, so it really suprises me that Fiat have, as you say, dropped the ball on your issue. I hope your car gets sorted soon, then if you haven't lost all confidence you should be able to enjoy owning a characterful, fun little car.
I'd agree it was an insensitive choice of words by Ahmett. From what I know of Ahmett, though, I think he meant it as a dig at Fiat, not a dig at you.
IMO any blame for this must rest firmly at Fiat's door. Folks who bought one of the latest cars on the strength of their experience with the Euro5 version have perhaps been misled most of all.
Anyone who bought a problem car based on a test drive of the previous version would IMO have a good legal case to reject under the Sale of Goods Act.
ahmett-wrote "lets face it italian cars have never had a good reputation for reliability "
I am on to my 16th Fiat if they were as unreliable as you say i would not of bought another ,if you look after them service them as you should they are as reliable as more expensive brands and sometimes more reliable ! sorry to see you have had problems with yours but not everyone is the same ,for those with the 1.2 500 awaiting a fix i hope yours are sorted sooner than later as they are cracking little cars
I am on to my 16th Fiat if they were as unreliable as you say i would not of bought another ,if you look after them service them as you should they are as reliable as more expensive brands and sometimes more reliable ! sorry to see you have had problems with yours but not everyone is the same ,for those with the 1.2 500 awaiting a fix i hope yours are sorted sooner than later as they are cracking little cars
ahmett
Prominent member
ahmett-wrote "lets face it italian cars have never had a good reputation for reliability "
I am on to my 16th Fiat if they were as unreliable as you say i would not of bought another ,if you look after them service them as you should they are as reliable as more expensive brands and sometimes more reliable ! sorry to see you have had problems with yours but not everyone is the same ,for those with the 1.2 500 awaiting a fix i hope yours are sorted sooner than later as they are cracking little cars
If you change your fiats that often they don't have time to break
MY 1st 13 were 2nd hand only the last three have been new so i can say with a positive view ,in between new cars as i moved home i purchased a 2004 hgt Punto 1.9 jtd it was bullet proof with 65,000 miles i traded in at 89,000 miles i only needed servicing parts for itIf you change your fiats that often they don't have time to break
,p.s. nice reply ahmett may have lacked a little finesse with his comments but I am sure he meant you no offence.
He is right though. All of us affected by this should learn from it. Myself included. I never thought that in this day and age it would be possible to make and sell a brand new car that can't make it up a hill. I also never thought the response from a company like Fiat could be so poor.
Naivety on my part I guess but I have learned my lesson. Next time I will definitely carry out an extensive test drive on any car I intend to buy including hill starts!
As for Fiat, well there won't be a next time for them. Whilst I am happy with the 500 diesel I have now due to their attitude they have definitely lost a customer for life as far as I am concerned and I would always advise anybody else to avoid them from now on.
So yes ahmett, I have learned my lesson
That Fiat 500 1.3 diesel was the 1st new car i had in 2008 ,had to sell her due to moving etc,anyway it was a great little car ,very confident on the motorways and returned high 60,s on a run and around 53 round town ,hope at least for you it is reliable as mine wasahmett may have lacked a little finesse with his comments but I am sure he meant you no offence.
He is right though. All of us affected by this should learn from it. Myself included. I never thought that in this day and age it would be possible to make and sell a brand new car that can't make it up a hill. I also never thought the response from a company like Fiat could be so poor.
Naivety on my part I guess but I have learned my lesson. Next time I will definitely carry out an extensive test drive on any car I intend to buy including hill starts!
As for Fiat, well there won't be a next time for them. Whilst I am happy with the 500 diesel I have now due to their attitude they have definitely lost a customer for life as far as I am concerned and I would always advise anybody else to avoid them from now on.
So yes ahmett, I have learned my lesson
ahmett
Prominent member
I should have compared fiats service to Alitalia's from when they tried to rip me off many times I really should have known better!
I really should have known better!There is a general lesson to be learned here, I think, which applies to pretty much anything of significance you might be considering buying:
Do not assume that the latest version of anything will be better than, or even as good as, the version it replaced.
I've noticed an ever-increasing number of products which just don't seem to be as functional, or as well made, or as durable, as the ones that came before. Environmenal issues, health & safety & the relentless quest for cheapness have all contributed to a general downward slide in the quality of most anything you can buy.
Relying on a good experience of past performance is, sadly, often a recipe for dissatisfaction.
:Offtopic:
I am currently tearing my hair out to find a 'long lasting' path weedkiller which will actually keep the pesky things out of my block paving for more than a fortnight.
Do not assume that the latest version of anything will be better than, or even as good as, the version it replaced.
I've noticed an ever-increasing number of products which just don't seem to be as functional, or as well made, or as durable, as the ones that came before. Environmenal issues, health & safety & the relentless quest for cheapness have all contributed to a general downward slide in the quality of most anything you can buy.
Relying on a good experience of past performance is, sadly, often a recipe for dissatisfaction.
:Offtopic:
I am currently tearing my hair out to find a 'long lasting' path weedkiller which will actually keep the pesky things out of my block paving for more than a fortnight.
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Day 4 of my loan car from Enterprise. I was advised upon collection that the initial hire period was for 4 days (which was the standard initial hire period). This would take me to today, Sunday.
I rang FGA Capital and I also rang Customer Relations at Fiat and spoke to a man called 'Heath' who had previously told me I was 'lucky to get a courtesy car' (I bit my tongue as was incensed by his comment). This same individual assured me that it was nothing to worry about and the hire period would automatically update on the systems both at their end and at Enterprises (clearly he doesn't know what he's talking about).
And so today I get phone calls from Enterprise saying that they have received a phone call from Fiat breakdown to say they were cancelling the payments for the loan car and that unless Fiat agreed to extend the hire period I would personally be liable for the costs of the car.
Despite my best efforts, I cannot get hold of the contact at the Chippenham branch of Enterprise, and of course, Fiat Customer Services & FGA Capital are all closed because it's a Sunday.
Enterprise have confirmed that I can continue to drive it today and tomorrow but Fiat will need to extend the hire or the liability falls to me.
You couldn't make this up. Completely gobsmacked.
I rang FGA Capital and I also rang Customer Relations at Fiat and spoke to a man called 'Heath' who had previously told me I was 'lucky to get a courtesy car' (I bit my tongue as was incensed by his comment). This same individual assured me that it was nothing to worry about and the hire period would automatically update on the systems both at their end and at Enterprises (clearly he doesn't know what he's talking about).
And so today I get phone calls from Enterprise saying that they have received a phone call from Fiat breakdown to say they were cancelling the payments for the loan car and that unless Fiat agreed to extend the hire period I would personally be liable for the costs of the car.
Despite my best efforts, I cannot get hold of the contact at the Chippenham branch of Enterprise, and of course, Fiat Customer Services & FGA Capital are all closed because it's a Sunday.
Enterprise have confirmed that I can continue to drive it today and tomorrow but Fiat will need to extend the hire or the liability falls to me.
You couldn't make this up. Completely gobsmacked.
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:bang:
I think the forum needs a 'sympathy' button.
Yourself, Auditt & Palma500s would all be strong contenders for the top prize.
Keep good records. If you ever do want to try for a legal rejection, the evidence just keeps on mounting.
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Thank you, jrkitching. Enterprise have now returned my call and assured me saying that he's seen this before. When a hire period expires over a weekend, there is no-one from the company paying the bill to acknowledge the ending of the initial hire period and therefore, noone available to press the 'extension' button.
As you say, the evidence does keep mounting...Fiat keep adding nails to it's coffin and the file keeps on building.
At some point, if Fiat have ANY sense about things, they'll decide to just put an end to all of this and I'm sure the finance company will be pushing for this, given my daily phone calls adding pressure. The whole situation is running out of control with neither the left hand knowing what the right hand is doing.
And if it came to it and I wound up in Court, which I'm obviously hopefully I won't be, I don't think there would be a judge in the land who would look at this farce of a case and find in Fiat's favour, particularly given how much evidence I've got demonstrating their ineptitude and belligerence.
It's about time Fiat took their customer's care (and contractual obligations) to heart and actually started to show them some consideration and acknowledge the mess they have put their customers in. I'm sick and tired of it all. I want my car fixed. Simple.
As you say, the evidence does keep mounting...Fiat keep adding nails to it's coffin and the file keeps on building.
At some point, if Fiat have ANY sense about things, they'll decide to just put an end to all of this and I'm sure the finance company will be pushing for this, given my daily phone calls adding pressure. The whole situation is running out of control with neither the left hand knowing what the right hand is doing.
And if it came to it and I wound up in Court, which I'm obviously hopefully I won't be, I don't think there would be a judge in the land who would look at this farce of a case and find in Fiat's favour, particularly given how much evidence I've got demonstrating their ineptitude and belligerence.
It's about time Fiat took their customer's care (and contractual obligations) to heart and actually started to show them some consideration and acknowledge the mess they have put their customers in. I'm sick and tired of it all. I want my car fixed. Simple.