General 1.2 vs 1.4

[Steve Swan]

Does the 1.4ltr (6 gears) command a premium over the 1.2ltr (5 gears) or vice-versa assuming both cars are the same age, colour, mileage, trim level etc?

 

[puntodeltathema]

I would think so though condition will be the main driver given the newest 1.4 will be about 13 years old now. The 1.4s are perky little crackers - a Panda 100HP in a frock . Look out for noisy top ends (sign of oil being run low or poor service history) and head gasket issues. A murky coolant reservoir a sign of the latter.

 

[jrkitching]

By now the 1.4's will be so old that their price will be determined largely by condition and length of remaining MOT certificate. Most of those that are left will by now have seen too much abuse by too many owners to be worth buying at any price; properly fixing what's wrong with them would likely cost more than the value of the car.

Personally if I were looking to run something as old as that, I'd go for simplicity, which would rule out a 1.4 for me.

 

[puntodeltathema]

Well, maybe swings and roundabouts - another camshaft (gear driven, no maintenance) and gear set, but no VVT and (apart from the late ones), no stop-start. Plus I'll take the 1.4's Bosch engine management over Marelli any day - no cambelt change tantrums here . Hydraulic tappets too....

Admittedly the rear brakes are discs rather than drums, but all standard Fiat fare. Though to change the discs, the rear hub carriers have to come right off to get to the caliper carrier bolts. Tiresome but do-able.

 

[jrkitching]

Insurance, fuel and road tax will cost you more with a 1.4; also some service parts are more expensive.

Though to change the discs, the rear hub carriers have to come right off to get to the caliper carrier bolts. Tiresome but do-able.

On a 500 of this age, every bolt is going to fight you.

no cambelt change tantrums here

That's a definite plus over the 1.2 !!

 

[puntodeltathema]

On a 500 of this age, every bolt is going to fight you

I won't argue with that

 

[Steve Swan]

Age doesn't worry me as long as the body and underpinnings are not rotten. There's plenty of 14 year old 1.2's around, not so many 1.4's, I'd just like to know if either car has known mechanical problems and which would depreciate the least given the same level of care or abuse. BTW my current car is 18 years old, has no rust and drives like new.

 

[puntodeltathema]

On either, the rear axle beam is the place to look for rot. But both 1.2 and 1.4 (i.e. drum and disc) variants are available on the aftermarket and not too expensive. Engine-wise I suspect there is not a lot in it (or perhaps the 1.4s are even a little more reliable). Marelli engine management on the 1.2s can have a lot of grumbles (poor idling, errors after cambelt changes, misfires especially at speed). 1.4s can be known to get through (individual) coil packs especially if plugs not changed to interval. Both engines are not immune from head gasket issues. Both cars have worse ride compared with later cars (post 2011). I was amazed in trading up from my 1.4 Sport to a late Abarth that the ride was somewhat better on the latter....

I wonder if the 1.4s will be a mild choice of the enthusiast in a few years' time - so maybe more depreciation-proof due to rarity - though classic status might still be a couple of decades off . A nice 1.4 with some ritzy bits (leather, pan roof, decent alloys) can be a joy with noticeable extra pace and mild rortiness.

 

[Steve Swan]

On either, the rear axle beam is the place to look for rot. ........

- though classic status might still be a couple of decades off . A nice 1.4 with some ritzy bits (leather, pan roof, decent alloys) can be a joy with noticeable extra pace and mild rortiness.

Thanks for the info. An Abarth would be nice but I'm after a convertible and haven't seen an old, good one at a nice price yet.
I was thinking the 1.4 would respond to mild tuning more than a 1.2 would and be more fun on Welsh B roads.

 

[jrkitching]

Both cars have worse ride compared with later cars (post 2011).

The revised rear beam came in with the 2010 model year changes; 500's registered from around March 2010 should have it. Easy to check if you look under the car from the rear; the stiffening bar is obvious on the revised type.

And IIRC, the convertible got the revised beam from launch.