500 Hello from West Sussex

[Liz2000]

I'm back. The car drove very well, as expected. The interior is literally like new. The exterior is good apart from some scratches on the rear bumper.

I tried to get photos of the underneath of the car, however this was quite difficult as I was lying down and tried to shine a torch and operate a camera with my head under the car. I did not see what I would consider excessive rust, but I would appreciate opinions. I did see something dripping (I've encircled the area in red) however there was no smell of coolant and it appeared to just be water - condensation from Aircon?

 

[rmjbn1]

Rear axle looks good (at the point where you want to start future-proofing it)
That drip almost certainly not coolant, as you say could be air-con drain, or possibly the rubber 'duckbill' scuttle drains below the windscreen (which block easily and need clearing out every now and then).

 

[jrkitching]

Bloody hell can you imagine the carnage if that had snapped completely at speed! jeezz man !

Which is why it's an MOT failure if they are seriously corroded.

 

[Liz2000]

Unfortunately there was one fairly significant problem - something I hadn't expected. I got out of the 20 minute test drive with quite bad lumbar back ache and pain in my right hip. During the drive I felt I was sitting askew (the right side of my body properly supported in the seat but the left side not). I can't explain it, but it's left me very worried because I want/need an affordable small runaround, and I can't think of anything else which appeals.

It may be possible for me to get my sewing machine out and construct a little pad for the left side of my body, or find a slim cushion.

 

[steveras57]

Unfortunately there was one fairly significant problem - something I hadn't expected. I got out of the 20 minute test drive with quite bad lumbar back ache and pain in my right hip. During the drive I felt I was sitting askew (the right side of my body properly supported in the seat but the left side not). I can't explain it, but it's left me very worried because I want/need an affordable small runaround, and I can't think of anything else which appeals.

It may be possible for me to get my sewing machine out and construct a little pad for the left side of my body, or find a slim cushion.

Dont help that the pedal box is quite skewed to the left so your twisted in the seat at an angle !

 

[Liz2000]

That's what it must be. My right leg is still quite numb and my back is still sore. I didn't notice any discomfort on the first test drive I did of another Lounge a week or so back, but that was a much shorter test drive. Much as I wanted today's car, I might need to view a couple more to see if they are any different.

I wonder if the Sport model's seats might be better for me (though at the expense of the cheerful ivory ambiance).

 

[steveras57]

That's what it must be. My right leg is still quite numb and my back is still sore. I didn't notice any discomfort on the first test drive I did of another Lounge a week or so back, but that was a much shorter test drive. Much as I wanted today's car, I might need to view a couple more to see if they are any different.

I wonder if the Sport model's seats might be better for me (though at the expense of the cheerful ivory ambiance).

You could always try and find an Alfa- romeo Mito to test drive!

 

[Liz2000]

I think the Mito is a great looking car - but we've had Alfas in the family but unfortunately my memories are of poor reliability and expensive servicing!

I suppose there is always the Mini.

As for the Fiat 500 - I've always believed that most comfort problems can be solved. I've had back pain with a few cars in the past and usually a bit of trial and error with lumbar supports and suchlike sorted it out. One has to buy the car to get to that point of course. I'm not throwing in the Fiat towel just yet, and I'm going to drive a few more and try the Sport version. It's long been a dream to have one of these gorgeous little cars.

 

[rmjbn1]

That's a pity, but I like your optimism, hopefully you can find a solution that works for you.
I remember finding the Panda seats uncomfortable on long journeys until I experimented with different positions, I now sit much more upright than in other cars.
At least there are options for seats with the 500: different trim levels, Abarth, Panda and Ford Ka can be swapped over if you find other seats more comfortable for you.

 

[jrkitching]

Personally I find the seats in the mainstream versions of the 500/Panda to be 'just about adequate' for a city car. For me, I can stay reasonably comfortable for about two hours; after that, I get back pain.

If you're getting pain after twenty minutes, I'd go look at something else entirely. I've never found that seating which is uncomfortable for me can ever be properly resolved.

It's a bit like that 'just a bit too tight' pair of shoes that I've bought thinking I'll wear them in. A few wearings later, things haven't improved and then they just sit on my shelf for a couple of years gathering dust before I donate them to a charity shop.

The seats that I've found most comfortable for long journeys have generally been in German cars; take a look at an Audi A1 maybe?

And the best seats for long journeys can often seem underwhelming when you first sit in them.

 

[Liz2000]

I think you're right - I may be too optimistic about trying to 'sort out' my seating discomfort on the Fiat. I think looking at other models is something I am going to start doing. The Audi A1 is on the list - all my current and previous cars are German so I'm in my comfort zone. My friends do rave about their 1.5 litre Mini Coopers, so I will look at those as well.

Great analogy about the shoes, something I have been guilty of in the past (but not anymore).

 

[jrkitching]

My friends do rave about their 1.5 litre Mini Coopers, so I will look at those as well.

They are nice cars but do have something of a reputation for poor reliability and high repair and servicing costs. They also attract a price premium because they're fashionable. A car which perhaps gives better value to its first owner than the subsequent ones.

I'd only consider one if buying new and planning to trade away before the end of the manufacturer's warranty. Not a car I'd want to own in the second half of its life, which realistically means anything before 2018.

 

[Liz2000]

I've decided to rule out the Audi A1 on the grounds of size and grim German interior (of which I have too much exposure already - in fact our Porsche Macan is literally depressing).

I used to have a VW Polo which was unreliable, but comfortable and solid on long journeys. It does lack the fun factor and curb appeal I hanker for.

I will of course test drive a Fiat 500 S to see if its seats are better than the Lounge.

 

[steveras57]

I think the Mito is a great looking car - but we've had Alfas in the family but unfortunately my memories are of poor reliability and expensive servicing!

I suppose there is always the Mini.

As for the Fiat 500 - I've always believed that most comfort problems can be solved. I've had back pain with a few cars in the past and usually a bit of trial and error with lumbar supports and suchlike sorted it out. One has to buy the car to get to that point of course. I'm not throwing in the Fiat towel just yet, and I'm going to drive a few more and try the Sport version. It's long been a dream to have one of these gorgeous little cars.

hope it works out! what ever you do dont buy a mini horrible cartoon car IMHO

 

[Liz2000]

.... so what is it about Minis which causes the shudders?

jrkitching mentioned reliability and servicing costs. Agree about the price premium though, I was a bit shocked. It's the 1.5 litre 3 door Cooper I was considering (I'd likely be looking at years 2015 to 2019), which seems to get good used reviews.

 

[steveras57]

.... so what is it about Minis which causes the shudders?

jrkitching mentioned reliability and servicing costs. Agree about the price premium though, I was a bit shocked. It's the 1.5 litre 3 door Cooper I was considering (I'd likely be looking at years 2015 to 2019), which seems to get good used reviews.

The little fiat is an honourable homage to its original forefather! .
Whereas the mini IMOA is a horrid caricature of the original designed by computer with tacky add on instruments- Its EXPENSIVE! and nasty- produced for profit by the Germans rather than owner involvement and feeling by the Italians which is the fiats provenance .

 

[Liz2000]

True.

It's interesting to try to gauge how important heritage is vs driving comfort and modern convenience.

I've been trying to get parts of both, and failed somewhat at the final hurdle (if only the Fiat 500 had more supportive seats, which surely could be done without killing off too much of its roots). My right leg is still partially numb from last night's test drive so it looks as though a mini might be my only other contender, given that it has style and is small in size. A test drive will answer that one.

And if I can't have a Fiat 500, or a Mini as an alternative - then it will likely be nothing. I'm looking for the fun factor, and a few smiles. I don't think any other small cars can meet that.

 

[jrkitching]

I'm looking for the fun factor, and a few smiles. I don't think any other small cars can meet that.

It's well out of your price range, but go test drive the new Renault 5.

It's the first new car I've driven in the past ten years costing under £100k which actually put a smile on my face. It's 'only' 150HP but because of the way that power is delivered, it makes a 595 feel like a snail, at least up to the legal speed limit. The ride & handling are impressive, too.

If Renault ever put the turbo 3E into production, I'll be first in the queue to try it out, and might even consider buying one.

Had a go in the new R4 last week; sadly I found it quite uninspiring and rather ordinary.

 

[Liz2000]

I can imagine the new Renault 5 being terrific to drive. Decades ago I had a Renault Clio (the sporty one) as a work car, and it was a tonne of fun. I loved the hot hatch era. I've had Golf GTis, my favourite being my MkII which was amazingly fast and always made me smile. I miss those days. Cars now seem so generic in appearance and feel. I think that's partly why I wanted a Fiat 500.

I've just got back from a local car dealership and I had a pleasant look around. They had a Fiat 500 mild hybrid with different seats to the Lounge - the mild hybrid seats were much more supportive and bolstered. I didn't test drive it, but I did still feel the offset and my right foot did ache a little when I set it on the accelerator pedal - I find in the Fiat my foot/ankle is crooked at its extreme and ached a bit after last night's test drive.

They have a stunning mini cooper 1.5 with very supportive seats, but a little out of my price range. The other thing I liked was a convertible e-type Jag, but obviously I'm digressing. I belong to two wildly different car clubs so my classic car tastes can be satisfied. If I won the lottery I'd have a garage like Jay Leno.

 

[jrkitching]

I didn't test drive it, but I did still feel the offset and my right foot did ache a little when I set it on the accelerator pedal - I find in the Fiat my foot/ankle is crooked at its extreme and ached a bit after last night's test drive.

I don't think you'll be much impressed; the 3 cylinder engine makes the car feel gutless, even compared to the 1.2. And the mild hybrid components could make the car more expensive to maintain in middle and later life; the cost of replacing the mild hybrid battery is frightening. The same is true for all the other marques of 3 pot cars I've driven; it's one of the reasons why my next car will probably be electric.

That offset pedal position has been talked about on this forum since the car launched; some get used to it, some don't. It may be at least part of the reason why you're feeling uncomfortable after driving it. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can really do to change the pedal position. I wonder if it's unique to the RHD version; I've never driven a LHD 500, so can't say from experience.

There's a place to rest your left foot moulded into the footwell trim; when you test drive the mild hybrid, try placing your left foot there when you don't need it for the clutch; it just might help.