500 Hello from West Sussex

[Liz2000]

Apparently the offset is not apparent on LHD variants, and is due to s***e RHD conversions. I've been told it's the same across many marques when it comes to the smaller models.

It will be interesting to see if I suffer from the same discomfort when I test drive a Mini.

 

[steveras57]

Apparently the offset is not apparent on LHD variants, and is due to s***e RHD conversions. I've been told it's the same across many marques when it comes to the smaller models.

It will be interesting to see if I suffer from the same discomfort when I test drive a Mini.

Only by nature of the fact that your driving "noddys" car!

 

[Liz2000]

I think my hands may be tied on this one. Not helped by having size 4.5 feet, and having to lift my leg to operate the pedals at times.

If I'm comfortable I'll gladly embrace a Noddy car!

 

[icheatatscrabble]

Test drive and Abarth - Competizione has Sabelt bucket seats which are very supportive. I've used Monza Sport a couple of times in the past for my Abarth. Work has been good, but expensive (only Abarth UK approved service centre). I have been using Small Car Services in Bishops Waltham for two or three years now - they're very good and well priced too.

 

[Liz2000]

I love the Abarth - but I suspect it will be out of my 'runabout' budget on purchase and servicing (and possibly insurance). I might just take a look at one though, so I've covered all bases.

I saw a metallic blue Abarth yesterday whilst driving in Pulborough and swooned over it.

 

[jrkitching]

I have been using Small Car Services in Bishops Waltham for two or three years now - they're very good and well priced too.

And accessible from West Sussex, also. Worth considering by the OP if they buy any Fiat and aren't going to service it themselves.

I love the Abarth - but I suspect it will be out of my 'runabout' budget on purchase and servicing (and possibly insurance).

They're nice cars, but you can't run one for 1.2 money. You've still got the pedal offset to consider.

Do test drive one - it'll likely be a fun experience - but make the decision with your head and not your heart.

Insurance will be very much dependent on age and experience. For a younger driver with little or no no claims bonus, it'll be expensive. If you've twenty years claim free driving history, it's less of an issue.

 

[Liz2000]

They're nice cars, but you can't run one for 1.2 money. You've still got the pedal offset to consider.

Do test drive one - it'll likely be a fun experience - but make the decision with your head and not your heart.

Insurance will be very much dependent on age and experience. For a younger driver with little or no no claims bonus, it'll be expensive.

100% agree.

You're right, I mustn't digress too far from my 'affordable runabout' criteria. It's easy to fall for something, but I'm quite pragmatic and always take my time making decisions. This can mean I miss out on the odd thing, but at least I don't buy on impulse. I'd love to test drive an Abarth, but as you say the comfort factor is paramount for me.

Luckily I'm no longer young, and insurance is pretty cheap on most cars. But I will have to keep costs down nonetheless. I have a modest car collection, but they're mostly for car club activities and track days - so I like to keep those as pristine as I can and avoid supermarkets etc. My small car needs to be something I won't worry about too much and will gladly squeeze in a multi storey or on a street.

As the years have rolled on I'm enjoying driving less and less - too many cars on the roads, too many potholes, too many aggressive drivers, parking spaces seeming ever smaller. I used to love driving but now I almost dread it.

 

[rmjbn1]

But if you do get on with the Abarth seats then you could pick up a used set of seats and swap them into a 1.2

 

[rmjbn1]

My old boy's back problems are why we only ever had Citroens (floating armchair DS & CX or the hammock in a storm that was the 2CV).

No longer the case with Citroen sadly, but I can fully appreciate if it's affecting your comfort that much it can be the most important factor

 

[jrkitching]

As the years have rolled on I'm enjoying driving less and less - too many cars on the roads, too many potholes, too many aggressive drivers, parking spaces seeming ever smaller. I used to love driving but now I almost dread it.

Me too; I can relate to this. In recent years, I've made far more use of trains for longer journeys.

My small car needs to be something I won't worry about too much and will gladly squeeze in a multi storey or on a street.

A 1.2 Panda would meet these requirements well, but you'd have exactly the same seat and pedal issues as the 500. I like the complete lack of attention it attracts when I'm parking in a public place.

 

[Liz2000]

But if you do get on with the Abarth seats then you could pick up a used set of seats and swap them into a 1.2

A possibility, but I suspect a lot of my pain (the askew position and compressed right hip) was likely due to the offset. Frustrating, but cars are very personal things and sadly we sometimes have to walk away and look at something else. I'm a great believer in a car feeling right from the get go, rather than trying to find solutions to things there are no easy solutions for.

 

[steveras57]

Maybe you could sorch a left hand drive fiat 500 and spend your time thinking your on the wrong side of the road whilst pretending the suns out
Or thinking left field a bit have you considered a Renault twingo?.

 

[Liz2000]

The saga continues. I test drove a 2019 Mini Cooper today, which was very nice indeed but for one thing - a very heavy/sprung clutch which immediately made my knee and the ball of my foot sore. I tried the clutch in two other Minis the dealer had and they were the same. I own two manual cars which have very comfortable clutches by comparison, so the tight clutch seems to be a feature of the Mini.

I sat in a 2015 Abarth and I liked the seats (the pedal box also seemed better aligned), but an Abarth isn't practical for me for a host of reasons - I loved it though! The Abarth clutch seemed much heavier than the clutch in the 500, so that would also rule it out.

It seems I may have to consider an automatic if I get a Mini.

I do still intend to test drive a 500 S just to see if the more sporty seats create a better alignment for my back.

 

[icheatatscrabble]

The saga continues. I test drove a 2019 Mini Cooper today, which was very nice indeed but for one thing - a very heavy/sprung clutch which immediately made my knee and the ball of my foot sore. I tried the clutch in two other Minis the dealer had and they were the same. I own two manual cars which have very comfortable clutches by comparison, so the tight clutch seems to be a feature of the Mini.

I sat in a 2015 Abarth and I liked the seats (the pedal box also seemed better aligned), but an Abarth isn't practical for me for a host of reasons - I loved it though! The Abarth clutch seemed much heavier than the clutch in the 500, so that would also rule it out.

It seems I may have to consider an automatic if I get a Mini.

I do still intend to test drive a 500 S just to see if the more sporty seats create a better alignment for my back.

Live a little and get a base model T-Jet Abarth 145hp! You'd get around 35-40mpg, less firmer ride than other Abarth models, the insurance is cheaper and the exhaust sounds great even with the bog standard system.