General Farewell to Fiat...

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General Farewell to Fiat...

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Mar 26, 2008
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Hi people!

After 7 years, 2 Fiats and lots of memories (good and bad) I'm saying farewell to my Grande Punto Abarth and to Fiat (for now)

I enjoyed the cheekines and character of my 500 and the presence and quickness of my Abarth but time has come to move on to pastures new...

I'll still be a lurker on the forum, if I may, as the little Fiats are close to my heart.

I'm wishing you all the best with your cars. Safe driving!
Mel
 
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Good luck with the new motor Mel.

I guess a few of us will move on as more models of different marques appear. I'd go electric if they weren't so expensive and I could do 500 miles at 70mph between recharges!

Still, we're v happy with our new i10, especially with all of the toys onboard that our previous 500's didn't have. I still miss the little TwinAir engine though, just a shame it didn't deliver the mpg that jumps out of the glossy brochures, but I guess that is what happens when you're testing cars in totally unrealistic conditions.

Keep your hand in with the forum! (y)
 
Right, people- Twingo review coming up (0.9 TCe)

Inside:
It is roomier inside than my old Punto and even more roomier than the 500. Kids are very comfy. The sitting position is higher and the view of the road clearer. It is very cleverly designed inside with all the mod cons you would expect from a top range super mini- I wont go into detail here. I do have to mention the R & Go app that gives you loads of features, including phone connectivity, music, car info and sat nav - all through your smartphone. There is a integrated phone holder on the dash. Genius! Lots and lots of cubbyholes AND proper glove box!

Drive:
Compared to 155BHP 1.4 Turbo in Punto it is remarkably close in feel (abeit slower:)) Compared to my old 1.2 500 it is much more responsive and quicker. It feels nippy and quick enough. The weight distribution is better but something you need to get used to if you've only driven front wheel cars. The steering does not give a lot of feel for the road but its remarkably easy to turn. No foot rest at all. Small boot. Stupidly small turning circle :D

Conclusion:
More rounded city car than the 500. Fiat needs to modernise the inside of its car and do something about the old 1.2 engine - it's becoming inadequate. I cannot comment on the TA engines as I haven't tried. I understand that most people who bought the 500 did so because of its looks but, personally, the Twingo has more interesting contemporary take on the cheeky look with much less obvious retro borrowings. Twingo is looking more interesting, better engined (than 1.2), more practical (4 doors anyone?:cool:) than the 500. If I had to choose on all the above, I'd choose Twingo. Sorry guys...:eek:

All views here are entirely my own

Safe driving all
Mel
 
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