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General High mileage 1.2 advice

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General High mileage 1.2 advice

Super Uwe

Super Uwe

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Well...I have to say we never did get rid of the 500 bug in this house!

Since my wife got rid of hers last September, we moved house in the new year. Now we are potentially looking at getting a second car again, nothing too expensive but reasonably new.

A white 59 plate 1.2 Lounge has come up for sale with a local car sales place, it's got 120k on the clock and is up for £2700, which seems a pretty decent price.

Mileage wise I know the 1.2 should still have plently of life in it as long as it's been looked after. And I guess if it's got 120k on the clock, then it must have been pretty solid to get to that stage!

But just wondering if there is anything else to look out for with high mileage 500s? It really wouldn't be used for much other than 5-10 mile trips.
 
I would happily do my 200 miles a week in this 500 subject to cambelt kit and water pump, new battery and regular servicing. The first Panda I owned still going apparently at nearly 14 years old and 170k. I assume the 500 will last until beyond economic repair. Enjoy. (y)
 
John202020 said:
Is that really the going price for a nearly 10 year old car?
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It's a crazy price :eek:.

At 10yrs/120k, it's likely at or very close to the end of its economic life. The engine might well be good for another 100k; it's the rest of the car I'd be concerned about.

My rule of thumb for valuing small family hatchbacks is that at 10yrs/120k, they're worth between 5%-10% of the price of a new one. A Panda of similar age and mileage would likely only fetch a few hundred pounds.

Or to look at it another way, if I had a 10yr old 500 with 120k on the clock and someone offered me close to three grand for it, I'd bite their hand off.

Anyone depending on a garage for servicing and repairs might well find they could run a new one on a pcp for less each month than they'd be spending on a car like this, with far less hassle.
 
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Thanks both. Yep, early 500s are still fairly expensive even though they are now 10 years old. If you can keep an 08/09 plate going for another 10 years I doubt it'll lose much value.

I don't think this one is priced too badly, but I guess it depends what sort of condition it's in. I'm happy enough I know most of the vulnerable areas in the 500 (like the door handles, top mounts etc), it's just older and "more used" than I would normally go for :)
 
jrkitching said:
It's a crazy price :eek:.

At 10yrs/120k, it's likely at or very close to the end of its economic life. The engine might well be good for another 100k; it's the rest of the car I'd be concerned about.

My rule of thumb for valuing small family hatchbacks is that at 10yrs/120k, they're worth between 5%-10% of the price of a new one. A Panda of similar age and mileage would likely only fetch a few hundred pounds.

Or to look at it another way, if I had a 10yr old 500 with 120k on the clock and someone offered me close to three grand for it, I'd bite their hand off.

Anyone depending on a garage for servicing and repairs might well find they could run a new one on a pcp for less each month than they'd be spending on a car like this, with far less hassle.
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You'd think that would be the case, but surprisingly not. A quick search of Pandas that are 2009 or newer on Auto Trader and there are only two cars in three figures - the cheapest being £900 with an electrical fault.

I do get your point though. As always, you pay a premium for having a 500 over a Panda because them's the rules ;)
 
Super Uwe said:
Yep, early 500s are still fairly expensive even though they are now 10 years old.
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Super Uwe said:
As always, you pay a premium for having a 500 over a Panda because them's the rules ;)
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It's the market price for a car dealer (WBAC would pay about £1700 for a similar car, and you'd likely get upwards of £2k if you sold it privately); I just don't think a 500 of that age and mileage is worth that sort of money, or anywhere near it.
 
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Super Uwe said:
Haha...if I said it was, would that be better or worse?;););):p

(PS, it's not)
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Yes, I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek :p
Everything has a lifespan and I’m now starting to agree that Dualogic doesn’t last forever before giving problems; a leak from the front of the actuator affecting the gear position sensor seems to be a higher-mileage fault.

If buying a Dualogic of more than 100,000 miles, I’d budget for a complete actuator/pump replacement along with the clutch, if not already done. Which will probably be 50% the price of the car.

-Alex
 
Cars have gotten expensive, When I bought my Punto in 2008 with 40k on the clock and only 3 years old I paid something like £3700, now try buying a 3-year-old any car for under £4k, A friend of mine recently Got an i10 When I looked on ebay out of interest to see what they are going for, a 2012 with normal milage were selling for £5-6k!

500's have always held their value and you'll still find old minis from the early 2000s selling for more than £3k for the same reason.
Its simple economics, supply and demand, if the demand is there and someone is willing to pay it, then that's what its worth.

£2500 seems to be the bottom end on eBay for a roadworthy 500 that's not been previously written off.

You could probably get a much better deal on a lower mileage car if you're willing to travel.
 
AndyRKett said:
Cars have gotten expensive, When I bought my Punto in 2008 with 40k on the clock and only 3 years old I paid something like £3700, now try buying a 3-year-old any car for under £4k, A friend of mine recently Got an i10 When I looked on ebay out of interest to see what they are going for, a 2012 with normal milage were selling for £5-6k!

500's have always held their value and you'll still find old minis from the early 2000s selling for more than £3k for the same reason.
Its simple economics, supply and demand, if the demand is there and someone is willing to pay it, then that's what its worth.

£2500 seems to be the bottom end on eBay for a roadworthy 500 that's not been previously written off.

You could probably get a much better deal on a lower mileage car if you're willing to travel.
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Yep, good assessment. As you say, supply and demand is what it's all about.

I've noticed the Lancias (sorry, Chryslers!) in the form of the Ypsilon and Delta are very cheap second hand for example - the Ypsilon basically being a 500/Panda, but without anywhere near the same profile or popularity in the UK.
 
Don't think we'll be going down the 500 route this time, the car we saw advertised isn't quite what we're after.

Alternatively, going to have a look at an 11 plate Aygo on Friday! Similar sort of price but four doors, cheaper insurance and only £20 tax. I've never paid much attention to the Aygo/C1/107 but actually they do look alright up close. And this one has A/C which is a bonus.

Intrigued to see how it drives though, not entirely sure what to expect...
 
Had an Aygo ( my only brand new car) Panda is a far better car in almost every respect .Fuel consumption similar .Aygo won't do over 54mpg even if driven like a Nun and 52 is more likely in economical scenarios with little town driving . Aygo hatch arrangement farcical .Forget about bringing appliances home from electrical shop due to stupid lip around hatch area ( i.e. Only window opens !) Aygo also had a clutch recall ..

Panda is pretty rugged mechanically apart from front suspension in my experience .I once decided dead to overhaul rear brakes on diesel panda at 145k miles .The darn shoes were still in fine condition despite my buying replacements .The problem was the handbrake cable ...
 
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ytareh said:
Had an Aygo ( my only brand new car) Panda is a far better car in almost every respect .Fuel consumption similar .Aygo won't do over 54mpg even if driven like a Nun and 52 is more likely in economical scenarios with little town driving . Aygo hatch arrangement farcical .Forget about bringing appliances home from electrical shop due to stupid lip around hatch area ( i.e. Only window opens !) Aygo also had a clutch recall ..

Panda is pretty rugged mechanically apart from front suspension in my experience .I once decided dead to overhaul rear brakes on diesel panda at 145k miles .The darn shoes were still in fine condition despite my buying replacements .The problem was the handbrake cable ...
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Sounds like you loved it then!

Well I'm going in with an open mind, the car will be used specifically as a run around. I do like the current Panda but it's still relatively expensive second hand - would struggle to find one sub £3k. Am prepared for the Aygo to be different to a 500/Panda!
 
At that price point, I'd look for a 2009/10 Panda Dynamic Eco with the 60HP Euro4 1.2 engine. Just possibly the best value small car Fiat have produced in the last 20 years; everything you need (A/C, remote locking, £30 RFL), and nothing you don't.

I don't know what they're selling for now, but back in the day, you could bag a new one for about £6600. I'd buy another tomorrow if they still made them.
 
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