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500 Fiat 500 - 2012 Sport or 2013 Lounge?

Currently reading:
500 Fiat 500 - 2012 Sport or 2013 Lounge?

Which is a better choice?

  • 2012 Sport Coupe

    Votes: 5 62.5%

  • 2013 Lounge Coupe

    Votes: 3 37.5%
  • Total voters
    8
  • Poll closed .
C

Cyberdrake

New member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
6
Points
1
Hello all,

Hope everyone's great. A bit of background - am from Dubai, and we have only 2 Fiat dealerships here. For some strange reason, for 2013 we have access only to the Lounge trim (both the coupe and cabriolet) as well as the Ferrari Abarth 695 trim. We get the Euro spec version of the 1.4 16V engine, with very limited color choices. We also dont have a Fiat customization centre.

Am looking to join the Fiat family and make my first purchase soon - but am confused between opting for the 2012 Fiat 500 Sport trim or the 2013 Fiat 500 Lounge.

Keeping in mind both have the same engine, could the forum members please advise which is a better car as the price difference between the them is USD 2,500.

Would also appreciate if someone could shed light on the seat comfort factor of the Lounge vs the Sport, as well as ride quality, etc.

Many thanks,
Mark
 
Cyberdrake said:
Hello all,

Hope everyone's great. A bit of background - am from Dubai, and we have only 2 Fiat dealerships here. For some strange reason, for 2013 we have access only to the Lounge trim (both the coupe and cabriolet) as well as the Ferrari Abarth 695 trim. We get the Euro spec version of the 1.4 16V engine, with very limited color choices. We also dont have a Fiat customization centre.

Am looking to join the Fiat family and make my first purchase soon - but am confused between opting for the 2012 Fiat 500 Sport trim or the 2013 Fiat 500 Lounge.

Keeping in mind both have the same engine, could the forum members please advise which is a better car as the price difference between the them is USD 2,500.

Would also appreciate if someone could shed light on the seat comfort factor of the Lounge vs the Sport, as well as ride quality, etc.

Many thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...


I have a 1.4 Lounge and am very happy for it. Can you list to us the differences in spec of the Sport and the Lounge in UAE?
Obviously for you unlike bankrupt Europe you don't have to worry much about fuel consumption = )
My friend said he was filling his Range Rover in Dubai for the equivalent of 25 pounds.
 
Last edited:
If the differences between the Sport and Lounge are the same in the UAE as they are in the UK then the ride quality will be the same, as the differences are all cosmetic.

The Lounge has a fixed glass roof which might not be a great idea in the summer in Dubai. The sport has nicer seats in my opinion.

Otherwise the differences are quite minor - they both sold for the same price here so it was wrong to say one was "better" than the other.

Hope I understood you correctly and that this helps.
 
RobinPJ said:
If the differences between the Sport and Lounge are the same in the UAE as they are in the UK then the ride quality will be the same, as the differences are all cosmetic.

The Lounge has a fixed glass roof which might not be a great idea in the summer in Dubai. The sport has nicer seats in my opinion.

Otherwise the differences are quite minor - they both sold for the same price here so it was wrong to say one was "better" than the other.

Hope I understood you correctly and that this helps.
Click to expand...
I have the lounge in Greece and in the summer it can get annoying but if you park in the shade and have ac on otherwise it is bearable. You wont be worrying about fuel consumption so I guess ac can be on all the time!
 
ahmett said:
I have the lounge in Greece and in the summer it can get annoying but if you park in the shade and have ac on otherwise it is bearable. You wont be worrying about fuel consumption so I guess ac can be on all the time!
Click to expand...

I should imagine fuel is only half of the story, in UAE, you're going to *need* a/c on all the time during the day, really.

The roll back blind would be pretty feeble against the fierce sun, but the glass roof is quite heavily tinted, and seems not to turn my car into an oven during the summer months.
 
bgunn said:
I should imagine fuel is only half of the story, in UAE, you're going to *need* a/c on all the time during the day, really.

The roll back blind would be pretty feeble against the fierce sun, but the glass roof is quite heavily tinted, and seems not to turn my car into an oven during the summer months.
Click to expand...
In Greece mid summer at 35c it actually does bake it = ) After parking the car in the sun and driving off it takes about 10-15 mins of ac at full blast to cool the car!
 
Thanks for replying guys.

We get the Euro spec Fiat 500s here, as opposed to the wide bumper US versions.

Yes, petrol isnt a worry - it takes 21 GBP to fill up BMW 330i. I reckon 25 GBP for a Range Rover is accurate. But we have crazy summers where temperature average around 42C, and some weeks even above 50C.

I dont have the complete spec sheets - dealers here are a pain in the neck, but this is what I have managed to pry outta them:

2012 Sport Trim

Engine Configuration: 1.4 16V 4 cylinder petrol
Horse power: 101hp
Max Torque: 131NM at 4250rpm
Fuel Consumption: 6.3l/100km
Transmission: 5 speed dual logic

Equipment
Manual Control AC
Heat reflecting Windows
Trip computer
Dual drive power steering
Height adjustable driver's seat

Exterior
5 spoke 16" sport two tone alloy wheels with diamond shape
Painted side moldings with 500 logo
Body coloured bumpers
Chrome wing mirrors
Lockable fuel filler cap

Interior
Sporty leather trimmed steering wheel with radio controls (Black Color)
Sunroof with sunblind
Split rear seat (50:50) with height adjustable black head-rest
Semi-Leather seats (Black leather + Grey fabric) - No other options

Audio
"Interscope Sound System" hi-fi audio system with 100W amplified subwoofer
Hands free Blue&Me system with Bluetooth, voice recognition and USB port
Radio/CD/MP3 player, 4 speakers + 2 tweeters
_________________

2013 Lounge Trim

Engine Configuration: 1.4 16V 4 cylinder petrol
Horse power: 101hp
Max Torque: 131NM at 4250rpm
Fuel Consumption: 6.3l/100km
Transmission: 5 speed dual logic

Equipment
Automatic Climate Control
Heat reflecting Windows
Trip computer
Dual drive power steering
Height adjustable driver's seat
Xenon lamps

Exterior
15" alloy wheels
Painted side moldings with 500 logo
Body coloured bumpers
Chrome wing mirrors
Lockable fuel filler cap

Interior
Fixed Glass roof
Split rear seat (50:50) with height adjustable head-rest
Leather seats (5 color choices available)

Audio
"Interscope Sound System" hi-fi audio system with 100W amplified subwoofer
Hands free Blue&Me system with Bluetooth, voice recognition and USB port
Radio/CD/MP3 player, 4 speakers + 2 tweeters
 
Most cars have all windows heavily tinted in the UAE - much more than we do in the UK, even front side windows. There's no way out of it really when it can be over 50 degrees outside....
 
ahmett said:
In Greece mid summer at 35c it actually does bake it = ) After parking the car in the sun and driving off it takes about 10-15 mins of ac at full blast to cool the car!
Click to expand...
:yeahthat:
Having had a 2008 Sport (standard roof) and a 2009 Lounge (fixed glass roof) and having lived in Riyadh for a year as a expatriate I would strongly advise against the Lounge. The seats are much better in the Sport where you sit into them more. If you were based in a cooler climate I prefer the spec of the Lounge with the white ambiance despite the 'hard to keep clean chequered fabric seats'.
 
It appears that the models differ more over there than here. I think you need to try them both. The Sport has larger wheels, so the ride and feeling are likely to be different to the Lounge with 15s.

As to equipment etc, only you can say what you would prefer. I suspect auto AC/climate control could be more useful for you than it is for us though!
 
On a trip to Dubai about 2 years ago for a week I thought the roads were good so the 'big' wheels of the Sport should be fine. Climate is nice on the Lounge but where you're based you'll probably have the A/C on full blast or the window down in the 'winter'.
 
Cyberdrake said:
Thanks for replying guys.

We get the Euro spec Fiat 500s here, as opposed to the wide bumper US versions.

Yes, petrol isnt a worry - it takes 21 GBP to fill up BMW 330i. I reckon 25 GBP for a Range Rover is accurate. But we have crazy summers where temperature average around 42C, and some weeks even above 50C.

I dont have the complete spec sheets - dealers here are a pain in the neck, but this is what I have managed to pry outta them:

2012 Sport Trim

Engine Configuration: 1.4 16V 4 cylinder petrol
Horse power: 101hp
Max Torque: 131NM at 4250rpm
Fuel Consumption: 6.3l/100km
Transmission: 5 speed dual logic

Equipment
Manual Control AC
Heat reflecting Windows
Trip computer
Dual drive power steering
Height adjustable driver's seat

Exterior
5 spoke 16" sport two tone alloy wheels with diamond shape
Painted side moldings with 500 logo
Body coloured bumpers
Chrome wing mirrors
Lockable fuel filler cap

Interior
Sporty leather trimmed steering wheel with radio controls (Black Color)
Sunroof with sunblind
Split rear seat (50:50) with height adjustable black head-rest
Semi-Leather seats (Black leather + Grey fabric) - No other options

Audio
"Interscope Sound System" hi-fi audio system with 100W amplified subwoofer
Hands free Blue&Me system with Bluetooth, voice recognition and USB port
Radio/CD/MP3 player, 4 speakers + 2 tweeters
_________________

2013 Lounge Trim

Engine Configuration: 1.4 16V 4 cylinder petrol
Horse power: 101hp
Max Torque: 131NM at 4250rpm
Fuel Consumption: 6.3l/100km
Transmission: 5 speed dual logic

Equipment
Automatic Climate Control
Heat reflecting Windows
Trip computer
Dual drive power steering
Height adjustable driver's seat
Xenon lamps

Exterior
15" alloy wheels
Painted side moldings with 500 logo
Body coloured bumpers
Chrome wing mirrors
Lockable fuel filler cap

Interior
Fixed Glass roof
Split rear seat (50:50) with height adjustable head-rest
Leather seats (5 color choices available)

Audio
"Interscope Sound System" hi-fi audio system with 100W amplified subwoofer
Hands free Blue&Me system with Bluetooth, voice recognition and USB port
Radio/CD/MP3 player, 4 speakers + 2 tweeters
Click to expand...

Wow that is fully specced up. I would go for the lounge for sure. In fact my car is pretty much identical to the lounge spec that is written except the xenon and auto climate control.
 
During the winter season (December to Feb), temperatures are a pleasant 21C and they do dip to around 12C. So A/C isnt much of an issue. But yes, from March to November for sure A/C will need to be cranked up.

You guys bring a valid point - the Lounge models fixed roof may be a concern, given the harsh summers.

Yes cars are heavily tinted here - some more than 80%. Downside being, we have a very high accident rate; but that can be attributed to reckless driving.

There are primarily 2 reasons why I wish to opt for a Fiat 500, over other hatchbacks like the Scirocco or the Mini:
- The 500 is still a novelty, its unique on our roads.
- Driving fun factor, or so I've been told.

Ride quality and comfortable seats are important to me, given the crazy constant traffic here. So far, the Sport is edging over the Lounge in terms of better seats and bigger set of wheels.

Though I must earnestly admit, the white ambiance of the Lounge is a cure for sore eyes and it comes with Xenons.

Regarding the exterior color choices currently available:
2012 Sport (Pearl White, White, Black, Yellow)
2013 Lounge (Pearl White, White, Black, Yellow, Red, Metallic Purple, Espresso, Cappuccino)
 
Hahahaha! Yes, the mind is screaming Scirocco, but the heart is gaga over the Fiat 500. :bang:
 
We have a Twinair (sport) and a Lounge in the family.
If you are doing a lot of miles the sport seats are a lot more supportive and comfortable than the lounge seats.
Hope this helps.
Ian.
 
The Twins said:
We have a Twinair (sport) and a Lounge in the family.
If you are doing a lot of miles the sport seats are a lot more supportive and comfortable than the lounge seats.
Hope this helps.
Ian.
Click to expand...

True, in the UK, but the Lounge in the UAE has leather seats according to the OP, available in 5 different colours. I'm thinking that we should not even assume that this is the same as the leather seats you would get if you spec'd a UK Lounge model.
 
RobinPJ said:
True, in the UK, but the Lounge in the UAE has leather seats according to the OP, available in 5 different colours. I'm thinking that we should not even assume that this is the same as the leather seats you would get if you spec'd a UK Lounge model.
Click to expand...

Very good point RobinPJ. Maybe the leather seats in the lounge are same as 'sport' seats.
 
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