General Is the 500 still competitive?
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General Is the 500 still competitive?
griff74
Member
Here - "While the new car looks different from the old one, its design is an evolution of the radical second generation styling with a longer and more rounded appearance"
And as for the handling of the one I test drove, I too had read the road tests praising it, thus why I was disappointed, I expected much more than it delivered, it wasn't bad, just not very exciting.
The Swift isn't a bad car, it's just not that good either, esp in looks inside and out and those 2 points are part of the main deciding factors for a lot of people buying cars, it's just a very beige car, like a lot of Japanese cars.
griff74
Member
Cost I would imagine, and it does need good working over or replacement, most, if not all the large manufacturers base engines are newer, cleaner, more economical, better performing for their size etc.Why all this propaganda for a Swift?
I'm a bit surprised that some people want an improved 1.2. Why? If you don't like the 1.2, then buy a TwinAir!
It says:
The third-generation Swift is being produced at Suzuki's plant in Hungary from where it will be supplied across Europe. The new car has its wheelbase extended by 50 millimeters over the previous second generation and has many visual updates. While the new car looks different from the old one, its design is an evolution of the radical second generation styling with a longer and more rounded appearance.
Personally, I don't care one way or another, and I couldn't say whether I've ever seen a Suzuki Swift of any guise or not.
Regards,
Mick.
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Granted, I haven't driven 1, but I do like the Swift, and if I was to buy something from a different manufacturer, I would consider a Swift. However, they just don't appeal to me in the same way as Fiats do. I own a Grande Punto, which going by what people say on this forum, is generally considered an old, outdated car, and not even 1 that is particularly highly rated by a lot of Fiat enthusiasts, yet I absolutely love it to bits. It has that style and character which you only seem to get with Fiats. I love the 2003- onwards Pandas, both the current shape, and the previous 1. I wouldn't necessarily drive 1, but I also really like the 500. It still looks great.
This all seems quite a silly discussion to me - you have to decide what the 500 competes with. Someone decided it was the Swift, which is funny as there are so many other cars in that segment (Polo, Fit/Jazz, Yaris). FIAT has the Punto...
The closer competition is the Suzuki Splash, Toyota iQ, and VW Up, but who really cares - you could buy a 2001 7-series and pretend to be Jason Stratham (The Transporter) for the same price as a 500 - more solid, faster, etc. etc. point I'm making is that no-one is forced to stick to this type of car.
I personally think the 500 is a modern-day 126 - it has the fun character of having been produced cheaply in Poland and will probably carry on for a long time. When the 126 first saw the light of day, it was considered completely uncompetitive, yet the design soldiered on for more than 20 years. I'm not sure whether the 126 had any competitors - they probably all came and went in that time.
-Alex
The closer competition is the Suzuki Splash, Toyota iQ, and VW Up, but who really cares - you could buy a 2001 7-series and pretend to be Jason Stratham (The Transporter) for the same price as a 500 - more solid, faster, etc. etc. point I'm making is that no-one is forced to stick to this type of car.
I personally think the 500 is a modern-day 126 - it has the fun character of having been produced cheaply in Poland and will probably carry on for a long time. When the 126 first saw the light of day, it was considered completely uncompetitive, yet the design soldiered on for more than 20 years. I'm not sure whether the 126 had any competitors - they probably all came and went in that time.
-Alex
ahmett
Prominent member
what we are saying, alex, is that the Fiat 500 has very outdated technology for a car still being sold new in 2015 = )
ahmett
Prominent member
and pay 2000 GBP more? Not all of us are millionaires! Fiat can easily 'improve' on their base model without increasing the price!Why all this propaganda for a Swift?
I'm a bit surprised that some people want an improved 1.2. Why? If you don't like the 1.2, then buy a TwinAir!
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If they can get this glitch sorted, then there will be absolutely nothing wrong with the 500
ahmett
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Would you buy a fiat 500 new in 2015? I most certainly wouldn't it's the same car I bought in 2010!
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I wouldn't buy a 500, but if I was in the market for a brand new car, I would buy a 2015 Punto.
I have driven the pre euro 6 500 1.2 as a courtesy car. I found it to be quite fun little car to drive and capable enough on the motorway. The engine itself was perfectly fine in the 500, however completely gutless in the heavier GP.
Base models can be picked up cheap new and are fine for a run around car with character. Character is something that is missing say from the VAG group three UP/Mii/Citigo.
It's doesn't ride/steer anywhere near as good as an original MK1 KA and that car itself had an ancient 1.3 59bhp pushrod engine, although like the 500 that had a very long run and was based on old underpinnings and old engine. The current KA has sold no where near as well as it does not have the character of the 500 or the drive of the original MK1 which was better.
The thing that keeps the 500 going is the character and looks.
Base models can be picked up cheap new and are fine for a run around car with character. Character is something that is missing say from the VAG group three UP/Mii/Citigo.
It's doesn't ride/steer anywhere near as good as an original MK1 KA and that car itself had an ancient 1.3 59bhp pushrod engine, although like the 500 that had a very long run and was based on old underpinnings and old engine. The current KA has sold no where near as well as it does not have the character of the 500 or the drive of the original MK1 which was better.
The thing that keeps the 500 going is the character and looks.
I think we've had this discussion in various forms over the past few years, and every year the 500 just keeps on selling!
For every reason other than looks, you'd buy a Panda 99 times out of 100. There is no valid reason for buying a 500 when you see how much cheaper a Panda is. But that is the reality of the market.
So whether it is outdated or not is probably irrelevant; it's still perfectly competitive at the moment.
For every reason other than looks, you'd buy a Panda 99 times out of 100. There is no valid reason for buying a 500 when you see how much cheaper a Panda is. But that is the reality of the market.
So whether it is outdated or not is probably irrelevant; it's still perfectly competitive at the moment.
ahmett
Prominent member
i think sales are falling recently no?
AGH1965
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In 2014 both a 500 Lounge 1.2 and a 500 Lounge TwinAir 80 costed €16695 in my country. Price difference ZERO! In 2015 the 500 Lounge 1.2 became €200 cheaper and the 500 Lounge TwinAir 80 became €600 more expensive, all due to changed taxes. So the difference is €800 now.
TrevC
Established member
Latest SMMT figures for March 2015 in the UK show the 500 as the 10th best seller. No sign of the Mini, Up, Aygo etc. in the top 10. I guess that shows why Fiat haven't been in a hurry to facelift it.
AGH1965
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I totally agree!
AGH1965
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In 2010 you couldn't choose a 500S, a 105 hp TwinAir engine, nice 16" Cult wheels, a TFT dashboard, ......
ahmett
Prominent member
Yes they just changed the engines and wheels. Nothing to address the ancient chassis handling or 'retro' interior upgrade. The TFT dashboard is meaningless essentially.
i want a complete reworking of the bouncy handling of the car so some changes in the suspension and chassis, interior update with modern radio system. LED lighting would be nice as well.
And an automatic transmission that is actually in the 21st century with dual clutch technology, no 1990's Dualogic tech!
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