Trying to choose my first FIAT

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Trying to choose my first FIAT

lgstoian

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Oct 14, 2013
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Hello folks. I'm new on the forum and not yet a FIAT owner.

I used to own a Suzuki Swift but I have sold it recently and I'm looking for a new bigger car. As a big Italian car fan I could't resist the allure of purchasing a new FIAT.
There is no contender when it comes to the brand as I am dead set on an Italian car , would of went for an Alfa if the bugged allowed it ... still might push my budget to get one .. but I transgress.

I have been to the dealer and after seeing the cars and discussing fiances I have arrived to 3 contenders :
- 500L Star Pop with the 1.4 95 HP petrol engine Euro 6
- Bravo 1.4 M-Air 140 HP petrol engine Euro 5
- Facelift Linea 1.3 95 HP diesel Euro 5B

The 500L is my favorite by far as looks go but , sadly enough , I can only afford the worse engine in the lineup and not a particularly high trim level. For the same money I can get the other two with far better equipment and superior engines.

The Bravo would be the best equipped model having stuff like Hill Holder , Cruise Control , Traction Control and an engine that has the potential to be quite entertaining.

The Facelifted Linea attracts me with it's 1.3 Diesel engine that has the best MPG of the three by far. Also after the facelift the interior looks way better and comes with a trim level that is situated between what I get on the Bravo and 500 L.

Thanks in advance for any info you have to share.

As for what I require in a car ... I'd say space for passengers and for my luggage foremost followed by the fact that it would be nice if the car is fun to drive and doesn't become tedious on long drives , going with the Swift on holiday was horrendous to say the least :bang: .

So I wanna know the opinions you , the owners of these cars , have.
Would you still make the same choice after you lived with it for a while?
Which car do you thing would be most suited based on my needs ?
Also is the 1.4 engine on the 500L that bad or not ?
 
Personally I have never found a diesel car fun to drive. You do say that it would be nice to have a fun to drive car. They bog down a bit initially, and the narrow power window does not find favour with me.

A 1.3 diesel sounds a bit in the low zone for me personally-if you want the "fun" zone you mention.

I had a 1.3 diesel once with a turbo on it. 'Great' in its zone on the motorway, but a 1.3 diesel on the steep hills in Wales,where I was living at the time, was not its place for relaxing driving!

I must stress that I have never driven the cars myself you talk about.

How is the rear vision on that 500L? ;-)

As for fuel economy a diesel isn't necessarily the best in real driving. I stress I can not comment on the new Fiats. But on the new Seat Ibiza ST petrol engine 1.4, the best we have got is 58.5mpg on a long economic run, and more usually 45-48mpg on longer fast er runs, (and sure 43mpg if you use all its power). It actually has beaten my friends diesel equivalent in economy.

On top of that the low powered eco diesels (*from VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda*) have fallen out of favour with people that I know that have driven them. Too tall geared (for economy) and leaving them struggling on the road
 
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