General Advice :-) 500 S vs 595

[Kateee145]

Morning all!




It’s been a while since I’ve been here but glad to be back! I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get a bit of advice and thoughts on a new car!




After years of a few Puntos and a panda (and an unfortunate couple of 106s in between) I’ve had a Panda Easy for the past three years and, now the uni debt is slightly disappearing, I’ve decided it’s time for a change!




I went into the dealers yesterday to test drive a 500 just to get an idea of size etc and was pleasantly surprised! Compared to the panda, they seem to handle better and seem a bit more responsive. I drove a 500 S and an Abarth. The Abarth is where I’m heading-I couldn’t stop grinning!




The salesmen however clearly weren’t interested and gave me ‘a really good deal’ on a red or black 500 S. I guess it’s target time for them... I’m off to a different dealers on Saturday.




Although I’m fairly set on the 595, it’s quite a change from the Panda and the running costs may be a bit different ;-) I don’t do many miles during the week but tend to do a few hour long journeys at the weekend.




I’d be really interested in your thoughts/any advice on the 500 S and 595. There are a few extras I want (Apple CarPlay, 7” screen) which will have a bearing on price...



Sorry for the ramble and thanks!

 

[Al D]

Did you take any cost to change figures away from the dealer after your test drives? Myself and Goudrons have found Carwow useful. Other websites are available. Enables you to get quotes anonymously. The 500S you were quoted in 2 colours?. Always a chance if Fiat doing £1500 deposit contribution and dealer you visited has cars in the compound, you may get offered a little more. I got £495 more off my Panda Lounge as September delivery. I got a more sensible part exchange figure than I'd hoped too so no complaints.

 

[Goudrons]

There are various avenues to explore for discounts.

Carwow is quite easy to use and gives you a good idea what's available and it's cost.
Most are, as Al D says mainly dealer stock cars as they attract a better discount, factory builds won't always show as good.

These stock cars are new cars that are already built and usually in the country.
Most do this with their popular models, like the 500, so you shouldn't really be short changed on most options and colours.
As they are popular, they don't usually hang around too long, sat in a compound.

Drive the deal and Autoebid are a couple of other sites to look at.


Most manufacturers offer other discounts and favourable finance rates on different schemes for various professions or affiliations.

Fiat, Abarth, Jeep, Alfa (FCA) run their own discount schemes, others farm them out to specialist dealers and suppliers, like Motor Source and Griffin.

FCA's schemes are called Privilege and Affinity, one is for PCP deals, the other outright sales.

They are open to the Police, Fire, Ambulance, Teachers? NHS, BT & M&S staff etc.
I think Fiat still sponsor the British Cycling Federation, so members qualify as well.
Basic membership was around £22. Though you need to check if it'll qualify.

Certain members of family (of a qualifier) can also get these discounts too.

There's some more info here, but the price lists are not always up to date.
http://www.westmidspolfed.com/member-services/services/?/Fiat-Group

If you don't qualify, don't worry, use the information to beat the dealer with!
They can do it for some, why not you!

 

[Al D]

One thing I would consider is comfort above all else. The Abarth has an option of racing seats which may not be to your taste. typecastboy has mostly owned the 500 Lounge which I would say is the match of the Panda and very comfy. He has however had the S spec car and put the interior in a different model. If there was a difference to him am sure he will confirm. If you like the style of both cars and are comfy test the same cars again as planned. I've owned faster cars before. Very few situations I wish I had more power again.

The Pentagon group price for an Abarth 145 appeared to include servicing so that's good. I've gone to track days and got back in a Panda after. I was glad I did too. Make of that what you want. :idea:

 

[Mercky]

It has been said that although not as quick, the 105 twin is as entertaining as an Abarth and easier to live with, cheaper too!

 

[typecastboy]

Depending on insurance costs maybe a sport TA might be an option. Chalk and cheese with an Abarth of course. As for seats I often get offered seats for free and I have put a set of sport seats in a lounge. I love the brown leather Abarth seats but they don’t look very comfy. Are Abarth owners worried about comfort?

 

[Al D]

Appears Fiat doing 0% finance. Abarth aren't. A 500 TA 105 S for example could be similar price to an Abarth with extras. Will do some more digging though.

 

[Thaidai]

I posted this when I got my Abarth, just over a year old now and my comments in post 14 are still the same today...

https://www.fiatforum.com/abarth-500/443036-ta-abarth.html?443036=#post4234707

 

[Kateee145]

Thank you all for your replies! Will have a good read when I get home from work! [emoji3]

 

[Kateee145]

Thanks Thaidai for the link-I hadn’t thought about a TA... now for some research [emoji12] Decisions decisions!

 

[Al D]

Abarth 145 in this may be best value. If can get for £14900. http://www.pentagon-group.co.uk/offer-results.php?franchise=20&offerCat=new-car

TA 105 S in metallic blue with right spec £14700. Mostly Carwow used for these figures. Not the figures you might expect. But as one dealer said when I mentioned a price from Carfile years ago, if you've been quoted that, take it. Though think they dealt in pre reg cars then. Brand new now.

 

[Kateee145]

Thanks for that @AI D

I’ve added the TS 105 to my test drive list-hadn’t considered it previously. I hope the dealer has some patience on Saturday!

 

[Thaidai]

Thanks for that @AI D

I’ve added the TS 105 to my test drive list-hadn’t considered it previously. I hope the dealer has some patience on Saturday!

Enjoy the day - and let us know how you get on!

 

[Al D]

Best prices got now for TA 105S in right spec with met paint £14100 (location Staffs) and a 145 Abarth in yellow with right spec £15300 in Suffolk. gar074 is this any use to you for future?

 

[KateJXT]

Ps. Found old profile so using this from now on

 

[p6baseunit]

Best prices got now for TA 105S in right spec with met paint £14100 (location Staffs) and a 145 Abarth in yellow with right spec £15300 in Suffolk. gar074 is this any use to you for future?

The TwinAir is a great engine and very fun in the 500.
The S is just a trim level - you don't want to go looking for an Abarth and end up with the 1.2 500S LOL
But the Twinair is a happy medium, cheaper to run, insure and good to drive!

 

[KateJXT]

I am quite looking forward to driving one-having an engine the size of a couple of cans of beer that is nippy sounds a bit weird to me! Not going to knock it until I’ve tried it though ;-) Lots of positive comments here about them!

 

[KateJXT]

Huge thanks to everyone for their advice-especially Goudrons and @AI D [emoji106]

I have just purchased a new Trofeo! Was quite surprised that they had an unregistered one in stock, ready for me to collect next Saturday!! [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

 

[Al D]

Wahey. What colour is it? The 160 engine presumably. Rather rapid. Doubt if I had my Renaultsport Clio 182 still I could keep up with you even when you're running it in. If you see gar074 in his Panda Cross TA in yellow overtake him....

 

[KateJXT]

Wahey. What colour is it? The 160 engine presumably. Rather rapid. Doubt if I had my Renaultsport Clio 182 still I could keep up with you even when you're running it in. If you see gar074 in his Panda Cross TA in yellow overtake him....

Yes the 160, black with the red pack. No option for leather seats or the exact wheels that I wanted but they were not the absolute must haves!

Got a good deal with just over £3000 off the list price thanks to NHS contribution [emoji12]