General Am I mad?

[digimonsta]

Hi all.

Just thought I would say hi and that I am looking forward to taking delivery of my 1.4 Sport in Crossover Black in a few days. I have just had the phone call from the dealer saying it will be with them shortly.

However, I just thought I would confirm or deny what my friends think is an insane purchase. I will be trading down (or up dependant on your viewpoint) from a two-year old Honda Civic Type-R. This is mainly due to the fact that the running costs of the CTR are astronomical. Sub-25 mpg was normal.

The Honda has also sadly been the most unreliable car I have ever owned, coupled with appalling dealer service. I don't expect a gearbox to pack up at 10K and the clutch to follow it at 20K (the latter of which they wouldn't cover under warranty). Before anyone asks, no I don't thrash it or take it to Santa Pod.

Admittedly when I took the Fiat for a test drive, I fell in love with it, despite taking a corner at what would be considered "normal speed" in the Civic. The poor guy accompanying me looked terrified as the car nearly finished up on two wheels.

So, am I going to hate the Fiat after a while? Is it too much of a step down in terms of power and handling? Or am I now going to learn to drive properly once more, without reliance on horsepower and end up each month wondering where all that extra cash came from? I would welcome your thoughts.

 

[A84RTH]

i work at a car garage and loads of ctr's come in with these problems. you can easily change the springs which will help abit. i wouldve suggeted the Abarth model but can be a little pricey but worth the money ive enjoyed mine ever since a picked it up only done 12000miles but never had any problems really just small things like panel rattles. have you got the grande punto or 500?

 

[eki]

Hi all.

Just thought I would say hi and that I am looking forward to taking delivery of my 1.4 Sport in Crossover Black in a few days. I have just had the phone call from the dealer saying it will be with them shortly.

However, I just thought I would confirm or deny what my friends think is an insane purchase. I will be trading down (or up dependant on your viewpoint) from a two-year old Honda Civic Type-R. This is mainly due to the fact that the running costs of the CTR are astronomical. Sub-25 mpg was normal.

The Honda has also sadly been the most unreliable car I have ever owned, coupled with appalling dealer service. I don't expect a gearbox to pack up at 10K and the clutch to follow it at 20K (the latter of which they wouldn't cover under warranty). Before anyone asks, no I don't thrash it or take it to Santa Pod.

Admittedly when I took the Fiat for a test drive, I fell in love with it, despite taking a corner at what would be considered "normal speed" in the Civic. The poor guy accompanying me looked terrified as the car nearly finished up on two wheels.

So, am I going to hate the Fiat after a while? Is it too much of a step down in terms of power and handling? Or am I now going to learn to drive properly once more, without reliance on horsepower and end up each month wondering where all that extra cash came from? I would welcome your thoughts.

Coming from a corolla sportivo (like the civic with the lift), and having driven/family owning 335s, e55s, hsvs (or as you call em vauxhall vxr8s)etc etc, simple answer no.

Although i must warn you if speed is all your after then you may want to rethink your purchase. My friends told me i was nuts saying i wouldnt be able to cope with the slowness etc etc but hey, its yet to happen. Sure there have been times when i was like "damn i wish i had the speed" but even then i was like "ah **** it, i have a 500 here, its got everything else

 

[digimonsta]

have you got the grande punto or 500?

I've gone for the 500. The Punto just looked like every other car on the road and I didn't even give it a second glance.

 

[A84RTH]

have you looked at the Abarth Grande Punto looks alot better looking not everyones taste though. i think if you the grande punto then you dont like the 500 and if you like the 500 then you dont like the punto. each to there own.

 

[gib1970]

i work at a car garage and loads of ctr's come in with these problems. you can easily change the springs which will help abit. i wouldve suggeted the Abarth model but can be a little pricey but worth the money ive enjoyed mine ever since a picked it up only done 12000miles but never had any problems really just small things like panel rattles. have you got the grande punto or 500?

trouble is, after a honda ctr the abarth would most likely feel a little sluggish

best to do as the op has, and go for something totally different and much more economical, rather than buying the a500 and then missing the power.

 

[buzz500]

i traded up / down (delete as applicable) from a porsche cayenne. no regrets at all

 

[DraigFlag87]

The 500 is a car with character and personality, so you should love it wether it's fast or slow! But if you did have an Abarth, you wouldn't miss the power as much, as it still feels pretty quick (mainly due to it's size and weight etc) I did have a 1.4 Pop (i believe it's the same engine as the Sport) and i hated it tbh, far too slow, just my opinion.

 

[tuttogas]

Go for it!
I'm changing from a well-loved 120bhp Alfa 145 Junior to a 1.2 Lounge - might slow me down a bit.......!
The minute I test drove the Fiat 500 (a sport) I felt at home again, as I've always liked Alfas and Fiats.

 

[306maxi]

trouble is, after a honda ctr the abarth would most likely feel a little sluggish

best to do as the op has, and go for something totally different and much more economical, rather than buying the a500 and then missing the power.

It was the same for us. Sure an Abarth is miles quicker than a 1.2 but it's still not quite quick enough and we wanted something cheap to run as reduced running costs are partly paying for the purchase of the car.

 

[jamie 5 sport]

I had a honda s2000 and dont regret buying a 500 at all!

 

[Heidi]

I changed from a Ford Focus CMax 2 litre to a 1.2 500. It's so much better for nipping round town. I do notice that on long journeys the car does have to work a bit harder than the cmax used to, to maintain motorway speeds but as I mostly drive around town it's not a problem.

Had to borrow hubbies honda civic this morning and it was so hard on the steering compared to my 500.

I have no regrets in 'downsizing' to a 500 at all.

 

[digimonsta]

trouble is, after a honda ctr the abarth would most likely feel a little sluggish

best to do as the op has, and go for something totally different and much more economical, rather than buying the a500 and then missing the power.

I agree and that is precisely what I have done. I must admit to having looked at the Abarth. Not long after placing my order back in September, I was fortunate enough for an Abarth owner to want to play on the twisties. Whilst this is something I am not proud of and on any other day, I would normally have let him have his moment, I was curious as to it's capabilities :devil:. My suspicions were indeed confirmed and I left him utterly standing. The CTR does after all have over 60bhp on it, so it wasn't really a fair fight.

Therefore in an effort to preserve my licence and bank balance, I went for the standard 500. Having had a succession of high capacity cars and with petrol prices going through the roof, I decided that economy was the future. Due to the fact my trip to work involves a couple of 'A' roads, I couldn't quite bring myself to go for the 1.2 or 1.3 diesel, therefore the 1.4 seemed to fit the bill.

Thanks all, you have allayed my fears somewhat.

 

[Simondo]

Hi,

this is my first post on here, you will have to let us know how you get on with the new 500, i am pondering a change to a 500 too. I am currently driving an Audi S3, but fancy a 500 for a while.

On a side note, can anyone tell me if the blue & me is standard on a 1.4 Sport, i would be looking at a 1-2 year old.

Thanks.

 

[mightydquinn]

I have just got my A500
but I kept my rs2000.
very different.
driving both is fun.
A500 is far better
RS2K still seems more fun.
chalk n cheese.
£1000 against £14000.
maybee I am mad.

 

[grimwau]

On a side note, can anyone tell me if the blue & me is standard on a 1.4 Sport, i would be looking at a 1-2 year old.

Thanks.

Yes it is.

And welcome.

 

[The Leebee]

I had a 1.9 Peugeot 206 before, a motorway car if there ever was one, for my daft work commute and trips up and down the m6.

Thought I'd miss the lack of umph but the 500 more than makes up for it in personality. Defo easier for city driving too but also fun for a whiz around the country (whizz as in 40 mph) Besides if I want speed I get on my motorbike ..simple!


The Leebee & Original Cindy

 

[Simondo]

Yes it is.

And welcome.

Cheers Grimwau

 

[FiddyThe500]

lol I think I'm the only one on here who has the 1.4 sport and has noticed the less nippy engine... after all that waiting for the 500 I'm planning the next new car cos this one just isnt speedy enough and i have sport mode on constantly