General Buying a 2012 colour therapy 500- should I avoid?

[Cheeky123]

Hello everyone,

My local dealer has a 62 plate colour therapy 500 for sale.

It’s process at £3.5 and has 61000 miles on the clock.
Current mot has no advisories but look back last couple of years there have been issues. I have attached some mot history for you.

Should I consider or avoid the car? I want a cheap run about.

 

[Cheeky123]

It’s price is £3500 I mean. Thank you.

 

[typecastboy]

If the rear springs were advisory and then not it’s most likely they’ve been done. Nothing there that should cause concern.

 

[John202020]

The brake light issue would make me think rear hatch wiring issue, has it been bodged or correctly fixed?

Does it have climate control, check this works as expected?

At 9 years old you could be looking at a cluster of things that may need fixing, ours is 12 years old I have replaced almost everything bolted on suspension wise including the rear axle look at the sump too?

 

[jrkitching]

I want a cheap run about.

If that's what you want, I think there are better ways of spending £3500. It's a lot of money for a 9yr old car.

The 500 carries a substantial fashion premium for its 'pretty' looks; the price of an equivalent Panda (essentially the same car mechanically, only more practical and with fewer inherent weaknesses) will likely be significantly less.

At 9 years old you could be looking at a cluster of things that may need fixing

:yeahthat:

It could turn out OK, or it could be an absolute moneypit; I'd say it's very much a gamble; over the next three years, the repair bill could be anywhere between almost nothing and close to what you paid for it in the first place.

One thing you absolutely must check is the extent of corrosion on the rear beam; if the springs have suffered, chances are the spring pans may be affected also, and that means replacing the beam.

The Colour Therapy was a relatively low spec model in its day; it's main distinguishing feature was its special wheel trims; if they're not pristine or original, be aware that replacements cost an absolute fortune and are hard to find.

 

[RichardH13]

Its quite a low spec, based on the Pop, if memory serves.

As JRK says, I'd look at a Panda, better value, just less fashionable, but more practical

 

[John202020]

Just an example of what you could get for the same price?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...nesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

 

[jimboy]

I agree, the 500 sells on its looks, but a car has to be more robust and not rely on it’s cuteness. Every car forum will have issues with their vehicles, but It’s quite surprising to say the least the amount of things that break, stop working, on the 500, and on relatively new cars.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Just an example of what you could get for the same price?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...nesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

No No No No. If you dont go 500 get a Panda.

My local garage man speaks poorly of the 500. I think its because they are tight to work on.

Personally I think if you have found a 500 you like and it looks good you should get it. They are a fashion statement and if you love the looks go for it. Me I would love a soft top.

Above all. Remember these are common cars, there is plenty of choice. Only buy a real gem clean inside and out, no accident damage and a full service history!

 

[Ralf S.]

Just an example of what you could get for the same price?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...nesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

Yeah but... Sandero... Your soul will die.

The Colour Therapy is essentially a Pop.. but with the white mirrors, antenna and wheel trims, plus the body-coloured gear knob.

If the car doesn't have pristine white (FIAT original) wheel trims, then half the reason to pay the extra premium for a Colour Therapy has gone. You'd be better off looking for a regular Pop, which are a bit cheaper.

500 is a learner car, so a lot of them probably get a fair bit of clumsy use and inexperienced owners, which is why I think they seem to have all sorts of problems. They're usually not serious and can be fixed with just minor knowledge/financial outlay.

Your one ^^ would worry me a bit, since taking a car in for an MOT, not realising the rear indicators/lights don't work.. or that the tyres are knackered suggests and owner that was better suited to owning a vacuum cleaner than a car... but it needs a look to be sure.

If the sub-frame/arms/springs at the back look rusty/crusted in dirt and the engine bay looks like it could be used for growing potatoes, it may be a "No" from me.

If it looks reasonable, check the oil level and condition (ask the owner when it was last changed, just to hear the answer) and in particular look for signs of accident damage under the bonnet. 90% of pranged 500s seem to have hit something, rather than have been hit.. so bent/flaked paint on the scuttle, odd paint shades between wings/doors/bumper/bonnet etc. might be a bad sign.


Don't go for a Panda... since you obviously want a 500 and you're only young once... the Panda is more sensible for sure.. but where's the fun in that? Whatever you go for, the same checks/tests apply to any car. £3.5k should get you something reasonably tidy and in great condition, so you can be a bit picky, that's all.

Ralf S.

 

[rmjbn1]

My other half would definitely rather have a 500, but I would struggle to justify a premium of £1000+ over an equivalent Panda, when it's the same car but with fewer doors and more issues.

If it has to be a 500, then a manual 1.2 without climate control and with history is the way to go.

Nothing obviously wrong with the car you're looking at, but at that age and mileage I would assume it's still on its original timing belt, clutch, brakes, springs & shocks (unless stated otherwise).

If you can maintain the car yourself, then yes, parts are cheap, but otherwise labour bills could rack up.

 

[jimboy]

Horses for courses and all that, nobody is twisting any arms, but when you come on here looking for advice/answers and choose to ignore well know issues, that’s up to the individual. I do get it, I’m no fan, but there are people who love the wee car.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

The daughter of the family across the road from us took up with a flashy (read arrogant) young man with a very noisy, but otherwise unremarkable, Ford Fiesta. Before long she'd bought a 500 Abarth and they spent a whole weekend fitting a very noisy after market exhaust to that as well. Didn't take long for them to have annoyed just about everyone in the street.

After a while the young man moved in - that set the tongues wagging - and when summer came round they went off on holiday together. The daughter returned but no signs of the young man was seen. Then the 500 was traded in for a Renault Twingo! Guess the great romance is over then?

 

[jrkitching]

I would struggle to justify a premium of £1000+ over an equivalent Panda, when it's the same car but with fewer doors and more issues

That sums it up well in a sentence.

the 500 sells on its looks, but a car has to be more robust and not rely on it’s cuteness. Every car forum will have issues with their vehicles, but It’s quite surprising to say the least the amount of things that break, stop working, on the 500, and on relatively new cars.

:yeahthat:

The 500 is fun, stylish and fashionable, but can be nigglingly problematic, particularly in the second half of its life. If you can't do much for yourself, the niggles can also become costly.

Because of its fashionability and cuteness, residuals are surprisingly high and that makes a well used 500 objectively poor value.

So game the system. Buy it new, then take advantage of the high secondhand prices and sell it or trade it away before it become a liability. And if you're looking for a cheap, reliable older runabout, forget the 500 and look elsewhere.

 

[jimboy]

There are other small cheap cars out there that fit the bill for some one looking for a pretty reliable mode of transport, useless me recommending anything as it would be disregarded simply not being a Fiat by some

 

[John202020]

Ok some time ago we paid £2400 for a 6 year old 50k Mazda 6, offer £2500 and use the other £1000 to replace everything as long as you can DIY?

 

[rmjbn1]

I don't want to put the OP off; there are plenty of happy 500 owners out there enjoying fun & cheap motoring

I've been hugely impressed with my little FIAT, the main body is galvanised and the 1.2 engine is a tough, reliable, tried and tested little unit, so there are unlikely to be any massive bills.

But there are some cheap components fitted that I suspect fail more regularly than on the Mazdas & Hondas I had before (although I'm happy that parts are a fraction of the cost of Mazda).

I only chose the FIAT because I figured it's more fun than, say, a Toyota Yaris. It cheers me up in a way a Yaris wouldn't.

But would I recommend it as a cheap, trouble-free run-about? Maybe, but, personally, behind a Yaris, Suzuki Swift and Mazda2 (although insurance on Mazdas can be strangely high).

 

[typecastboy]

The Panda is a completely different market to a 500. The vast majority of people I have sold my cars to wouldn’t be seen dead in a panda.