Dudes,

That twin-air 105 is still intruiging me ... 500 is trying to lure my wallet ..

Am I right in that it has a 6-speed gearbox as standard?

If so, is it (the 6th gear) any good on the motorway? I remember reading that the 6th gear ratio is actually shorter (or "more or less" the same) as the 5th gear on the TA 85.

What's the rpm at 70mph on each model, if anyone has one or the other or both?

I like the sound of "105" but if it's a rev-hound, it'll eventually get on my tits.

Ta.

Ralf S. said:

Dudes,

That twin-air 105 is still intruiging me ... 500 is trying to lure my wallet ..

Am I right in that it has a 6-speed gearbox as standard?

If so, is it (the 6th gear) any good on the motorway? I remember reading that the 6th gear ratio is actually shorter (or "more or less" the same) as the 5th gear on the TA 85.

What's the rpm at 70mph on each model, if anyone has one or the other or both?

I like the sound of "105" but if it's a rev-hound, it'll eventually get on my tits.

Ta.

Click to expand...

Have you currently got the 85? @babyferrari has the 105, he might be along shortly! Yes, I believe you are correct re the 6th gear. I'm also interested in the 105 but the more my 85 loosens up the more I think it's adequate for the car that it is. I think if i was upgrading I'd wait for the apparently forthcoming facelift model though.

Rosa, our 85TA does about 3,000rpm at 70mph.

In 4th gear, the rev counter and speedometer needles are in line, but in top (5th) the revs are less. I must say that the speedo reads a few MPH high.

I was going to buy a pre-reg 105TA but it wasn't available to buy at the time as it was out on loan, so we found an 85TA instead. Part of me still hankers after the extra power, but honestly, I don't think it's worth it. I don't think I could be bothered with six gears as I reckon five is enough.

Our 85TA Rosa has done 16,000miles and goes like a rocket, so very pleased indeed. We've had her up to the ton as a test (don't tell the coppers please!) How fast do you want to drive anyway? Rosa is a very nice relaxed motorway cruiser and holds 70mph (or more) with veritable ease.

Regards,
Mick.

Hi. My advice would be drive one. I really think that the increase in power is a significant benefit when compared to the issue of gearing. I haven't driven a 85hp one on the motorway / autostrada so cannot make a direct comparison. Also, mine is a convertible so clearly is a bit noisier at speed than a tin top would be so the difference in rpm would I guess be drowned out. In any case I really can't see it being more than a couple of hundred rpm at most so probably imperceptible unless the two are driven back to back.
As for the gearbox, I love the six speeds. Doesn't mean you have to go through every gear up or down. I regularly go 3 to 5 or 4 to 6. The spacing lends itself to missing out gears. Also remember the 105 has discs all around. Some will say this is not much of a benefit. I say it is.
But back to my original statement, the only way to know is by driving one yourself. And besides I have never heard a 105 driver saying they wish they had bought an 85!!!


500C TA 105

Ralf S. said:

...but if it's a rev-hound, it'll eventually get on my tits.

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It'd be the same for me, too.

I remember nearly buying a Lancia HF in the '80's & pulling out of the deal for just this reason. My best mate bought one & although he was initially impressed, within a few weeks he was cursing it whenever he needed to make a long journey.

That's how I feel with my 5 gear dualogic 1.4!!!

Ralf S. said:

I like the sound of "105" but if it's a rev-hound, it'll eventually get on my tits.

Click to expand...

The last part combined with the avatar of Ralf S. made me smile, but apparently I misunderstood completely...
English is a difficult language!

babyferrari said:

But back to my original statement, the only way to know is by driving one yourself.

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I agree. One test drive says more than 1000 advices.

AGH1965 said:

English is a difficult language!

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Let me help you out.

Here is a picture of a nice pair of tits.

Sorry but I don't think any reference to a rev-hound (whatever that may be?!?!?!?!) is relevant to a105. One of the odd things about the twin-air is that it revs differently. Can't really explain it but it just seems to sound as if it is revving lower than the Rev counter tells you it is. The engine is just so different I. So many ways I just come back to the same advice. Just drive one.
I guarantee that you won't get out cursing any similarity to any story about any mate's car. Just drive it and make up your own mind. You might just like it. You might just like it a lot. But if you don't get out with a big grin on your face I'd be surprised.


500C TA 105

Aye! I don't have a TA at all.. but I've borrowed a couple of 69bhp 1.2s; an early one and also a Cult - one of the latest Euro-6 Watchdog/"hill-climb specials" - which actually weren't too shocking... so I think 85bhp wouldn't be too shabby and 105bhp will be plenty.

I'll try to get a test drive... see where it goes..


Ralf S.

Ralf S. said:

Aye! I don't have a TA at all.. but I've borrowed a couple of 69bhp 1.2s; an early one and also a Cult - one of the latest Euro-6 Watchdog/"hill-climb specials" - which actually weren't too shocking... so I think 85bhp wouldn't be too shabby and 105bhp will be plenty.

I'll try to get a test drive... see where it goes..


Ralf S.

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The 105 likes motorways it cruises along in 6th between 60-75mph i just drove 250 miles over the weekend along the a1,m62,etc ,overtaking is easy ,hills are easy to manage ,go too fast and mpg suffers but that`s the norm

rkt2003 said:

The 105 likes motorways it cruises along in 6th between 60-75mph i just drove 250 miles over the weekend along the a1,m62,etc ,overtaking is easy ,hills are easy to manage ,go too fast and mpg suffers but that`s the norm

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yeah thats due to the fiat's absolutely awful aerodynamics.

ahmett said:

yeah thats due to the fiat's absolutely awful aerodynamics.

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No it is due to my size 12 right foot

ahmett said:

yeah thats due to the fiat's absolutely awful aerodynamics.

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Opinion? Fact?


500C TA 105

babyferrari said:

Opinion? Fact?


500C TA 105

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Or just another moan?

babyferrari said:

Opinion? Fact?

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IIRC the 500 has a drag coefficient around 0.35-0.37, depending on which wheels are fitted. 1970's cars could achieve that sort of figure.

The best aerodynamic cars today (Prius, S-Class, Tesla) will come out around 0.24-0.25.

It's a city car, for goodness sake; low Cd wasn't a high priority in its design. You simply can't have the cutesy looks of a 500 & a low Cd - that's basic physics.

Lots of folks have reported that high speed cruising in the 500 has a substantial effect on mpg, regardless of engine variant.

To be fair, Fiat has tried. If you look at the underneath, it's pretty flat. There is the micro-spoiler in the trailing end of the boot lid (on the Cult anyways) and the little plastic wheel arch liners that poke out of the bumper by less than a centimetre.. it all makes the beast as slippery as it can be.

And of course you can wax it.. must be worth 0.1 of an mpg..


Ralf S.

jrkitching said:

It's a city car, for goodness sake; low Cd wasn't a high priority in its design. You simply can't have the cutesy looks of a 500 & a low Cd - that's basic physics.

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Not really, the Mitsubishi Mirage gets 0.27 in it's slipperiest spec. Fiat could have got 0.31 (same as a Fiat Ducato) if they tired. From memory the 500e is around that figure. My goal for UFI is to get into that 0.30 territory, without really changing the styling.

What i do know is anything above 50 mph is pure misery in a Fiat 500 = ) anything below much nicer = )

Pure misery?
Grief! That's a bit strong!

I think ours is pure fun at any speed.
I always have a smile on my face when I'm driving ours.

Drag coefficient?
I couldn't care one way or another. I get 50odd mpg and the car is zero VED rated too. What's not to like or to be miserable about?

Fun all the way with a 500TA.
Mick.