hey all

were considering getting a used 500 , but i have a few questions first if anyone can help

the panoramic /glass roof cars , do they suffer chips like a windscreen ? if so is that a pain with replacement /insurance costs?

is it true the 500 is the same as a mk2 ka underneath ? if so can you buy parts from ford too?

ive viewed a couple of cars and they had bubbles in the chrome trim on the boot , is this "normal" ?

is there a buyers guide that lists faults /problems i should be aware of when inspecting a used car

thanks all

I'd be surprised if the roof chips, simply because of the fact is is the roof. I've never got stone chips on my roof, not like on front paint and windshield. If so I'm sure a windscreen repair company should be able to do it?

The 500 is very loosely based on the KA and vice versa, but the 500 also derives from the Panda/Punto as far as I know, so not everything would be interchangable. Wheels for example.

We've got three and never had any bubbling in the chrome!

A quick flick through the forums here, maybe look for threads with high numbers of views and replies. I know some twinair 500s were suffering on hills, but that was fixed and can be fixed by a dealership. I'm sure somebody else could give more information here.

As I Understand
The Fiat 500, Panda and the KA are all made alongside each other in Fiat's Tychy, Poland, factory alongside Lancia Ypsilon." The Twin Air engines are unique to fiat but the 1.2 can be found in both fiats and ford.

I have a 2012 registered TA Lounge which I've had about 3 months i looked and test-drove various small cars and fell in love with the 500 TA its not the most powerful small car on the road but its fun quite responsive, like every car if you drive carefully you can get a good return for your fuel but thrash about and and drive as though your on the Top Gear Test Track you will burn more fuel, remember its a 'City Car', it was designed for just that. Saying That I live in Norwich and I've used 'Gabriella' (yes I gave her a name) for trips to Oxford, London & Weymouth, she's comfy at motorway speeds and quite happily sits at the Speed limit ehem.... with enough poke to pass if you need too.

The panoramic roof if fine and has never suffered stone chips, mind you nor has the windscreen, I don't tend to drive to close to the car ahead.
Ive never had trouble on hills with her either the thing you have to remember is that European petrol engines like to be run at slightly higher rev range and as its a turbocharged engine that won't really get its max torque until about 2,000rpm.
The little eco meter on the dash will tell you to change up a bit sooner than necessary I think its more of a gimmick tbh, but its a good reminder.

I hope this helps