Hi. Most people come on these forums when they have a problem with their car but I just wanted to take the opportunity to say how pleased I am with mine. I purchased a 2015 Fiat 500 Twinair last year and have completed about 5000 miles in it. I have a large 2 litre diesel as my main car but really wanted a runabout that I could use around town dropping off/picking up kids, going to the supermarket etc. I purchased a 500 mainly because it looks so good and wasn’t too concerned about the engine. However, one test drive of a twinair converted me and I only considered that engine afterwards. My ownership experience has been nearly all positive but I have scraped together some negatives:
Positives
1. Looks (enough said)
2. Twinair engine. Absolute delight. Plenty of poke, lovely sound. Heats up quickly which is good for small trips. Chain driven cam. Haven't needed to top up oil.
3. Solid feel to the car. Different to My 1988 Fiat Uno
4. Reliable so far.
5. Small size great for getting about and parking around town.
6. Generally Ok to work on so far.
7. Like retro cabin and instrument cluster.
Negatives
1. Handling. I’m no racing driver but I cannot help feel that the car is a little imbalanced - maybe too much weight over the front wheels. My car has an accident free history and I have changed all four tyres and had tracking done. However, It doesn’t always feel settled at higher speeds. Doesn’t affect me that much in that the majority of miles are around town. I may test drive another 500 just to compare. Never pushed it around a corner on a wet road so not sure how it would react.
2. Cost of servicing parts. Was a bit shocked by the cost of oil and spark plugs. I could only find Carlube recommending oil for the engine and that was nearly £50 per can. Spark plugs were £25. Don’t get much change from £100 for a basic DIY service.
3. I will never ever forgive Fiat for the location of the cabin filter on a RHD car.
4. Speed bumps. Car too low to straddle speed bumps so have to ride them out.
5. Keep having to reset front seat positions after someone has accessed the rear of the cabin. I’m sure there is a way around this.
6. Climate control. Not as accurate as other cars I own or have owned. Temp selection is pretty random.
Other than that, car is great.
Positives
1. Looks (enough said)
2. Twinair engine. Absolute delight. Plenty of poke, lovely sound. Heats up quickly which is good for small trips. Chain driven cam. Haven't needed to top up oil.
3. Solid feel to the car. Different to My 1988 Fiat Uno
4. Reliable so far.
5. Small size great for getting about and parking around town.
6. Generally Ok to work on so far.
7. Like retro cabin and instrument cluster.
Negatives
1. Handling. I’m no racing driver but I cannot help feel that the car is a little imbalanced - maybe too much weight over the front wheels. My car has an accident free history and I have changed all four tyres and had tracking done. However, It doesn’t always feel settled at higher speeds. Doesn’t affect me that much in that the majority of miles are around town. I may test drive another 500 just to compare. Never pushed it around a corner on a wet road so not sure how it would react.
2. Cost of servicing parts. Was a bit shocked by the cost of oil and spark plugs. I could only find Carlube recommending oil for the engine and that was nearly £50 per can. Spark plugs were £25. Don’t get much change from £100 for a basic DIY service.
3. I will never ever forgive Fiat for the location of the cabin filter on a RHD car.
4. Speed bumps. Car too low to straddle speed bumps so have to ride them out.
5. Keep having to reset front seat positions after someone has accessed the rear of the cabin. I’m sure there is a way around this.
6. Climate control. Not as accurate as other cars I own or have owned. Temp selection is pretty random.
Other than that, car is great.
