2018 500e New-to-Me!

[WashedUpGaffer]

About fifty years ago I bought a NEW Subaru 360 Deluxe for $400 (pictured below 500e Sport) It was a Kei Car, had a 362cc 2-stroke rear engine, 16 h.p, an oil burner, suicide doors. I drove it for a couple years then gave it to a friend who later told me it was stolen. Now that little car is having a moment -- check sale price for vintage micro car at around $40K. But I digress.

I'm very happy with the 500e. I use the Level 1 120VAC charger, maintain the HV battery between 35% and 85% with about 5 hours charge time. On another forum I read that I should absolutely disconnect the humidity sensor (next to the rearview mirror on the windshield) which I did, easy peasy. Now my wife's 2016 Subaru Outback gets driven so infrequently, I had to put it on a trickle charger...

 

[ZaphodB]

I prefer the Subaru 360

 

[WashedUpGaffer]

I prefer the Subaru 360

Then you must hate the FIAT 500. Because that little Subaru Kei car, in my opinion, is ugly AF. But to each his own.

The vintage Subaru 360 inspired this 2025 Subaru 360 — the NEW 360 — which is an EV with to me, a much nicer design than the one I owned in 1970…

 

[ZaphodB]

that little Subaru Kei car, in my opinion, is ugly AF. But to each his own.

Strange comment from someone who bought one brand new ?

Then you must hate the FIAT 500.

I love the Fiat 500 (new and more so the original) , I said I preferred the 360

I've always liked small cars obviously inc. any Kei car, the original 500 is the first car I got to play in as a young lad (when I was younger than 10), a friend's family had one, not sure if it was a runner or not at the time.

The vintage Subaru 360 inspired this 2025 Subaru 360 — the NEW 360 — which is an EV with to me, a much nicer design than the one I owned in 1970…

Now that also looks very nice indeed

 

[WashedUpGaffer]

that little Subaru Kei car, in my opinion, is ugly AF. But to each his own.

Strange comment from someone who bought one brand new ?

When I bought that 360 (more than fifty yrs ago) I needed a car, and I liked the idea it was new, didn’t care about aesthetics, but appreciated the novelty of a micro car. In 1959 I had admired micro cars in Europe when we traveled there as a family. I especially liked the Messerschmidt “Kabineroller” which we passed on the autobahn in our new Mercedes 219 (Gray paint, red leather, 4-on-the-column). When we got to Stuttgart to pick up the MB, my mom was appalled at its small size (In American cars were huge in 1959). “Madame,” the German salesman said “ This is a full-sized car!”

Then you must hate the FIAT 500.

I love the Fiat 500 (new and more so the original) , I said I preferred the 360

Appreciate the distinction…

 

[steveras57]

I prefer the Subaru 360

me too!

 

[WashedUpGaffer]

(What is it, Steveras57 that moves you to pronounce a preference for the 1970 Subaru 360 "Deluxe" over the FIAT 500e -- generation And this question is asked in the context of me having owned and driven (about 15,000 miles) the 360. Could it be the charm of filling the oil tank which fed into the fuel mixture? Or that 1st gear would rev out at 7 mph, 2nd gear good to about 20, 3rd gear would get you up to 35, and then it was 4th gear all the way to the stoplight. Or the styling? Gotta admit the styling was uniquely peculiar which means it could appeal to some folks, I guess.). I'll confess I like the styling of the 2025 Subaru 360, an EV.

 

[ZaphodB]

For me.... there's no denying the older cars (be it the 360 or the classic 500) aren't suited to the 21st century.

Just like a Jag E-Type isn't.

They're just not practical, but you can bet they're fun, if you're a tiny bit of a glutton for punishment, or a shunner of some aspects of modernity and the 21st century.

But regardless of all that ...... they look soooooo cool , the lines ..... and people will still run them regardless of their foibles and weaknesses.

Horses for course, some people who had them back in the day , want them now in the 21st century...

Some (I'm guessing you: WUG) would rather just have the memory of that ownership and leave it in the 20th century, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that either.

I do have a 2021 595 Abarth right now so I'm not averse to the modern shape of the 500.

 

[steveras57]

(What is it, Steveras57 that moves you to pronounce a preference for the 1970 Subaru 360 "Deluxe" over the FIAT 500e -- generation And this question is asked in the context of me having owned and driven (about 15,000 miles) the 360. Could it be the charm of filling the oil tank which fed into the fuel mixture? Or that 1st gear would rev out at 7 mph, 2nd gear good to about 20, 3rd gear would get you up to 35, and then it was 4th gear all the way to the stoplight. Or the styling? Gotta admit the styling was uniquely peculiar which means it could appeal to some folks, I guess.). I'll confess I like the styling of the 2025 Subaru 360, an EV.

old classic and crotchety is my bag! cant stand the new electric c**p and the everything about it Theres a world of difference between an engine! and a "motor" its got to have a soul or theres no point to it!.

 

[ZaphodB]

Could it be the charm of filling the oil tank which fed into the fuel mixture?

2 stroke... I had no idea .... and a beefy 356cc capacity....

I'm liking it more and more

I'm no fan of 'the electric c**p either

 

[WashedUpGaffer]

This conversation has made me nostalgic for that 360. If memory serves, she had 10” wheels. Like so many of my generation in 1970, I had started backpacking the local mountains. In the winter, I would put my frame backpack and snowshoes in the rear seat, my dog and me in the front. I found snow chains for tires on 10” wheels! A very capable little car. Handled altitude nicely without too much protest. The Ladies weren’t impressed, but hey! To my mind They weren’t keepers anyway. The woman I married hasn’t left me yet (after 55 yrs) though she vows she could still if I give her cause.

 

[ZaphodB]

hough she vows she could still if I give her cause.

Like buying a vintage 360.....

 

[steveras57]

Like buying a vintage 360.....

or trying to enjoy yourself maybe!