Styling Help with Colors?

[macdebbie]

I need some help with colors - pictures would be really helpful....

I'm set on Bianco for the exterior (plain white, not the pearl white).

Now that I've seen the leather, I am also set on the leather, and although I considered the Rosso Brilliante car, I think having red leather seats is the perfect amount of red. Funny, I didn't like the red cloth seats in the Pop, but like the red leather - go figure. I generally like tan leather, but didn't seem to like it much with the black car interior (not black ambience, just the black door panels, etc.) for some reason.

Now need to decide on ivory or black ambience, and, Pop or Lounge...

Opting for heated seats also, so it's a big bite out of the budget...

If anyone has these color combinations (would also like to see what the tan leather looks like) would love to see the pictures.

Thanks for all the help.

Funny thing is my husband doesn't give a hoot about all this stuff, and thinks I'm overanalyzing things. He says "just pick one!" so having this forum is a lifesaver, and possibly a marriage saver!

 

[loveshandbags]

I need some help with colors - pictures would be really helpful....
I'm set on Bianco for the exterior (plain white, not the pearl white).
Now that I've seen the leather, I am also set on the leather, and although I considered the Rosso Brilliante car, I think having red leather seats is the perfect amount of red. Funny, I didn't like the red cloth seats in the Pop, but like the red leather - go figure. I generally like tan leather, but didn't seem to like it much with the black car interior (not black ambience, just the black door panels, etc.) for some reason.
Now need to decide on ivory or black ambience, and, Pop or Lounge...
Opting for heated seats also, so it's a big bite out of the budget...
If anyone has these color combinations (would also like to see what the tan leather looks like) would love to see the pictures.

You seem quite gutsy and I think you know what you want. This is a LOT of information in this forum and using the search button might put you in a spin. Here's one of the threads on the Pearlescent Red that might park that colour...
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/273034-raggamuffin.html

Your instinct of
Plain white - we call the Bosso Nova White (BNW)
Red leather - this is my favourite colour in the Leather and highly recommend it but I'm open to Tan and would possibly buy it on the Volare Blue. Remember Europe has had problems with sagging but that's a whole thread in itself. Some people who had bought the leather ddn't buy it again. I understand that your seats are bigger and possibly better than ours and may not suffer the same leather problems - most of them were fixed under warranty and yours is 4 year warranty.
White Ambiance. This is the most popular and is the prefered choice and in the UK/Ireland - it cannot be got on the Sport model. I reckon you wouldn't regret this choice.
Given your artic weather and the cold and your preference for leather despite the expense - looks like you will have to opt for heated seats.
If you wish to look at colour combinations you could have a look around Members motors and do a search on Tan Leather for other pics and threads.

 

[306maxi]

This person is a US member

I'll try and finf the pic of my red leather interior that Grimwau loves so much

 

[jrkitching]

This person is a US member

I'll try and finf the pic of my red leather interior that Grimwau loves so much

Do you mean this one?

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/273825-leather-seats-bnw-funk-white-opinions-please.html?p=2792574

IMO the Black Ambience is the right choice with the White/Red Leather combo - and it's much easier to keep clean too

 

[loveshandbags]

Do you mean this one?

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/273825-leather-seats-bnw-funk-white-opinions-please.html?p=2792574

IMO the Black Ambience is the right choice with the White/Red Leather combo - and it's much easier to keep clean too

I know that I have contradicted myself but I would agree with JR on the BNW, Red leather and black ambiance but if you opted for the Tan I would go for the White ambiance. I do like the Gucci idea of a different coloured dash on the BNW with the white ambiance - I have mixed views about the BNW and the white ambiance but on my expensive to repair Funk white the white ambiance 'works'. I saw a BNW very recently with red leather and the white ambiance and it didn't really work IMHO.

 

[306maxi]

Do you mean this one?

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/273825-leather-seats-bnw-funk-white-opinions-please.html?p=2792574

IMO the Black Ambience is the right choice with the White/Red Leather combo - and it's much easier to keep clean too

Yup, this is the one

 

[macdebbie]

Wow! That's a beauty!!

Yes, I am a US member. This forum is alot more fun (and responsive) than the US one - not a whole lot of action over there, so hope you all don't mind me jumping the pond so to speak.

If I decide to go for the Pop and not spring for the leather, are there any decent Pop seat colors? I haven't had cloth in a long time, and just remember them being a bear to clean.

I wasn't crazy about the Lounge brown check seats. Didn't get to see the gray ones.

Fiat told me they could add heated seats to the cloth seats for $499.

Yes, I have to agree on the White (BNW) and White Ambience. Didn't look quite right to me. Think that's one of the things I disliked about the cabrio I was looking at. BNW exterior, Ivory ambience and red cloth seats. Something was just a bit off. I wasn't sure I liked red, red seats either with a burgandy top, which isn't really red. I know, a bit picky.

Thanks for letting me know where I can see more photos, and thanks for sharing this photo. Love it!

 

[RobinPJ]

I'd be careful not to assume your seat fabric will be the same as ours. They may change it for your local taste.

 

[306maxi]

I'd be careful not to assume your seat fabric will be the same as ours. They may change it for your local taste.

True

 

[macdebbie]

OK, know that song "you can't always get what you want..."?

I'm a leather girl, I admit it (that doesn't sound quite right!) but I also am trying to save money.

I saw a car yesterday that I liked the color scheme on - wondering what you all think -

In USA it's called Verde Chiaro - it's the light green (sort of a celery color) and it had Ivory "ambience" and grey and white cloth seats. It was a Pop but really looked nice.

I'm thinking that, or the Rosso Brillante, with Ivory ambience and the gray and white seats (I really like that seat color) although I am concerned about the premium for the paint and the fact that it will be more to fix (thanks to whoever told me that here).

The other combination I like is Bianco (BNW to you all) and the red and white cloth seats, but unsure about the Ivory ambience with the white, and not sure I like the black ambience.

Anyone have or seen any of these combos?

I'm thinking I'll give up on the sunroof and the leather and heated seats and save $1,299 + $499 + $850 - not a small amount of money - and have a reasonable payment, and get a car that's cute, fun to drive, has A/C that works (mine no longer does - it's brutal!) and something that's different than everything else that's out there.

There's one on the dealer lot for $19,250, but thinking if the base Pop here is $15,500, and I am adding auto trannie at 1K, not sure where the extra is coming in. Don't care about Bose stereo or other extras - so if I could get any of these combos for $16,500, it's a bargain.

One think I can't quite figure out. The salesperson told me there IS no bargaining with these. However, I know alot of people are ordering, because they can't find exactly what they want. You'd think then that either the dealer would charge a premium for the car to order, or would discount one on the lot to move them. What am I missing?

Would love opinions on my top 3 color combos.

 

[306maxi]

One think I can't quite figure out. The salesperson told me there IS no bargaining with these. However, I know alot of people are ordering, because they can't find exactly what they want. You'd think then that either the dealer would charge a premium for the car to order, or would discount one on the lot to move them. What am I missing?

If you want a good deal I would hold on. The sales of the 500 in the US have been rather crapulent so there will be discounts if you hang on

 

[loveshandbags]

If you want a good deal I would hold on. The sales of the 500 in the US have been rather crapulent so there will be discounts if you hang on

Hi Macdebbie. Maxi has a point. My wife got a Mito Diesel in Lusso spec (leather and all the goodies) brand new in 2009 in the month of June with €4k off list price - few cars were selling at the time. It had been sitting in the showroom for months. It was Alfa Red. Red is either you like or you don't !

I would suggest that you ask the dealer for a 'lend' of a car for a day to work out if
Glass roof - is it worth it for the extra light in the car
White ambiance - if this really tickles you (going back to the black is never easy)
If you want Red somewhere - be it in the leather, the colour and the canvas roof if you end up with the 500c !
I would sway you away from a Pop (i.e. without the glass roof/sunroof) with the black ambiance - a bit dark inside.

That green you mentioned sounds like a Ye Ye Green. Very limited re-sale.
Rosso red at the $500 might be a good choice. It should wear well. Repair costs for pearlescent over standard colours is 30% but you need a really good repair workshop. I sent you a URL on this Ragamuffin - some interesting posts on this colour.

The basic BNW with white ambiance and Red. This combination is often asked for specially in Irish garages and is good for re-sale (this may not be true in the UK). I found the Red a little cheap and thought that the grey was more classy. You will get used to the white on white. Did you consider a passodalo red (paint maybe a little soft) with the white ambiance and the grey ? I have attached a picture of a European Pop model with the Chrome and Alloy wheel upgrade.

That chequered cloth you mentioned is probably on the Lounge model. The fabric is of higher quality than the Pop interiors but it gets dirty more easily. (I'm ASSUMING the fabrics on the US models are similiar to the European models - a dangerous assumption to make )

One of the benefits about being the first to buy a 500 will be the 4 year warranty. I reckon this might drop to 3 years in 2012 in the US as it did in Ireland & the UK.

 

[macdebbie]

OK, you've talked me out of the green. What red is this in the photo? It looks like the Rosso Brillante (the one with the $500 premium).

Is it?

I'm sorry, I didn't see the link about the red paint...

Which grey seats did you think were classy? Sending a link to the ones I didn't think were too bad in the Pop.

I checked the dealer specs - the Pop for $19,250 has a security system I don't care about. Would rather spend the money on a sunroof, or "step up" to a Lounge.

To be honest, I could live with the fixed glass roof and would enjoy the extra headroom vs. the decrease in headroom with the sunroof.

Here are the Pop grey seats available in the USA -

http://www.fiatusa.com/en/build_your_own.html

So I am back to the Red (either the basic or the Brillante) with Ivory Ambience and gray/white cloth seats (as shown above) or a Bianco (BNW in your land) with Ivory Ambience and ???? for seats.

Yes, the checked seats are the same here as you have there with the Lounge. I guess that's a reason not to get a Lounge, but to just get a sunroof in the Pop, because I really don't want to spring for the leather.

And.... I'm willing to wait if I can get a deal.

Love your cat pic BTW.

 

[loveshandbags]

OK, you've talked me out of the green. What red is this in the photo? It looks like the Rosso Brillante (the one with the $500 premium).

Passodoble red - the standard red in European. This red is a bright red and is quite unique and is 'light' in comparison to a deeper red found on the Alfa which is called Alfa red. This passodoble red being lighter and brighter suits the 500. It has been reported as soft and is not wearing too well with stone chips etc. but I still it's very nice and its a free colour in the US.
Is it?
URL below is the pearlescent red (and extra £700 for the UK). This red has not sold much and is slightly orangey. IMHO I'm not too mad on it but it MIGHT be different to your Rosso Brillante.
I'm sorry, I didn't see the link about the red paint...
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/273034-raggamuffin.html
Which grey seats did you think were classy? Sending a link to the ones I didn't think were too bad in the Pop.
The grey fabic looks the same as ours - it's classy and works really well in a red car. Material is not as good as the fabric used in the Lounge - this 'cloth' is called Chequered and comes in blue and black - the blue is 'softer'. Hard to clean and easily gets water stains. Not good if you are covered in snow !
I checked the dealer specs - the Pop for $19,250 has a security system I don't care about. Would rather spend the money on a sunroof, or "step up" to a Lounge.
To be honest, I could live with the fixed glass roof and would enjoy the extra headroom vs. the decrease in headroom with the sunroof.
A problem with the fixed glass roof is that it increases the heat in the car in the summer and on a hot day you want to open it ! Temperature in Dublin varies typically from 5-18 deg with a rare variation from 0-25 deg celcius so the fixed is not really a problem for me. My girly Lounge has Climate control which is nice. The reduction in headroom is about an inch with the opening sunroof and in the European models is OK if you're under 6ft. Your seats are bigger so it might affect the headroom.
Here are the Pop grey seats available in the USA -
http://www.fiatusa.com/en/build_your_own.html
This our link...
http://www.fiat.co.uk/showroom/?id=10843#showroom/new_500/configurator
Looking at the colours
Rosso Brillante = Ragamuffin red (this might be the same)
Rosso = Passodoble red (this looks different)
So I am back to the Red (either the basic or the Brillante) with Ivory Ambience and gray/white cloth seats (as shown above) or a Bianco (BNW in your land) with Ivory Ambience and ???? for seats.
The picture I attached was the Passodoble red with white ambiance and grey fabric seats in a Pop model
Yes, the checked seats are the same here as you have there with the Lounge. I guess that's a reason not to get a Lounge, but to just get a sunroof in the Pop, because I really don't want to spring for the leather.
Upgrading to a Sport/Lounge for the better seats is good enough reason particularily in the case of the Sport with half leather (great compromise and you might not need to heat them).
As a man I would go for the Sport model with the opening sunroof but you might like the retro look of the Lounge/Pop (some might call it the girly look ) . The Sport only has Black ambiance.
And.... I'm willing to wait if I can get a deal.
This might be your best option unless you can negotiate a good price off the showroom models
Love your cat pic BTW.

Can you send us a picture of the Rosso Brillante car and we can then see if its the same. It can be difficult to get a picture of the pearlescent - it reflects back on the camera and the colour looks different from different angles. You an always check the members motors forum here and compare the colours with the ones in your showroom.

 

[macdebbie]

Here is the Rosso Brillante.

http://www.fiatusaofmilwaukee.com/new/FIAT/2012-FIAT-500-9313c064404638d5005d33e1b785980b.htm

I thought this was a nice combination, although I am worried that the Ivory ambience is not "classic" enough and might be a problem in resale.

I'm very tempted to just go with the altered Pop I saw (duplicate it as it is sold). Was BNW, had the charcoal leather with white stitching and heated seats, black ambience, and sunroof. I kept going back and looking at it because I liked it so much, so I guess that should tell me something. I guess I am just trying not to be "boring" so was thinking about Red somewhere (interior or exterior).

Here is our Rosso:

http://www.fiatusaofmilwaukee.com/new/FIAT/2012-FIAT-500-2666653c404638120089eb77bb4a0b7f.htm

Will check out the Sport models to see the color combos. Have not looked at them.

It isn't the headroom that was the issue with the sunroof, as I am not tall (5'4"). However, the side rails curve in more, and it feels a bit claustrophobic. I read a driving review where the reviewer said his head was hitting them when he went over bumps! He might have been tall, though.

Getting closer.... Red or White exterior, hardtop, most likely Pop with sunroof, ambience and seats still up in the air. Definitely heated.

 

[loveshandbags]

Here is the Rosso Brillante.

http://www.fiatusaofmilwaukee.com/new/FIAT/2012-FIAT-500-9313c064404638d5005d33e1b785980b.htm

I thought this was a nice combination, although I am worried that the Ivory ambience is not "classic" enough and might be a problem in resale.
Ivory ambiance looks brillant in the red.
I'm very tempted to just go with the altered Pop I saw (duplicate it as it is sold). Was BNW, had the charcoal leather with white stitching and heated seats, black ambience, and sunroof. I kept going back and looking at it because I liked it so much, so I guess that should tell me something. I guess I am just trying not to be "boring" so was thinking about Red somewhere (interior or exterior).

Here is our Rosso:

http://www.fiatusaofmilwaukee.com/new/FIAT/2012-FIAT-500-2666653c404638120089eb77bb4a0b7f.htm

Will check out the Sport models to see the color combos. Have not looked at them.

It isn't the headroom that was the issue with the sunroof, as I am not tall (5'4"). However, the side rails curve in more, and it feels a bit claustrophobic. I read a driving review where the reviewer said his head was hitting them when he went over bumps! He might have been tall, though.

Getting closer.... Red or White exterior, hardtop, most likely Pop with sunroof, ambience and seats still up in the air. Definitely heated.

Your reds look different - they look like real reds if that makes any sense. I would be interested in the comments for other members on here.

Because the Brillant red (I assume this is a pearlescent at at $500 premium) I would nearly go for it. You mention that you have been driving a volvo for 14 years and you had a MG - so you sound like someone who has experience. I reckon the more expensive paint will wear better.

The combo of the Red, the White ambiance and the grey fabric looks great - guaranteed formula (in Ireland !) - and will sell to those who like Red. Pearlescent paint in Ireland is €900 so your $500 is not too bad.

If you plan keeping the 500 Pop I would strongly recommend the mooroof at $850 and not bother with a previously recommended Climate control (Auto temp) on the lounge model.

Also if you are looking for red on the seats - you wouldn't see them when you're driving - the red you will see is the coloured dash and the white ambiance.

IMHO the Sport is more geared for males with its Abarthy look but its half leather seats are unique to this model.

 

[macdebbie]

The reds are both nice, but different (obviously). What I mean is one isn't just a metallic of the other.

The Rosso is a "fire engine" red, where the "Brillante" is more of a cranberryish red, but still red. I prefer this one.

Just curious. If you bought the BNW, what would you do with the interior?

And although I do like the gray seats in the link I sent, I really want leather. So what would you put for leather in either the BNW or Red cars?

I love the charcoal leather I saw but I know that it will get hot. But the tan leather in my volvo gets hot also.

I don't know if Fiat offers a true gray leather. Wish they did. That would be beautiful in either, I would think. If not, I would think the charcoal makes the most sense (?) - since red/red - yuk! and red/black - too much of a contrast. I don't like the tan leather for some reason. Wish it were a lighter tan.

 

[loveshandbags]

The reds are both nice, but different (obviously). What I mean is one isn't just a metallic of the other.

The Rosso is a "fire engine" red, where the "Brillante" is more of a cranberryish red, but still red. I prefer this one.
Just curious. If you bought the BNW, what would you do with the interior?
And although I do like the gray seats in the link I sent, I really want leather. So what would you put for leather in either the BNW or Red cars?
Only leather in the BNW
I love the charcoal leather I saw but I know that it will get hot. But the tan leather in my volvo gets hot also.
I haven't seen a charcoal - but I have seen the 'black'. Littala has this leather colour - but she switched from the Red so she was looking for a change. I would be concerned about heat build-up given your 'hot' weather in the summer.
I don't know if Fiat offers a true gray leather. Wish they did. That would be beautiful in either, I would think. If not, I would think the charcoal makes the most sense (?) - since red/red - yuk! and red/black - too much of a contrast. I don't like the tan leather for some reason. Wish it were a lighter tan.

Hi macdebbie. What you're going through - we've all gone through - it's the problem with too much choice . The FF will stick with you until you get it right - we're very patient.

To digress a little
http://www.cinquecentisti.com/content/offerta-500c-al-prezzo-di-500/
I came across this where in Italy the dealers offered for a very limited time a Pop 500C for the price of a 500. You will need possibly Google chrome with the translator turned on but it wouldn't translate the spoken Italian !

I have the pearlescent white ! - so I am a little biased. White suits the car really well. In the above clip the Pearlescent white 500C has the Red Canvas roof and in the Pop 500C it has a unique higher quality Red fabric seats which I really like (it should be the same in the US). I would go with the white ambiance with this and it nicely matches the pearlescent white (one being mat and the other sparkly) so it goes well. That for me is the best combination on the 500C OR I would go with the more manly Tech house grey.

Going back to the tintop 500s...

On the Reds - I think the Pearlescent Red (Brillante) is more suited to the Sports model - being a bit more racey - it would need the full monty with the 5o spoke wheels as per the clip but I somehow feel that's not really you. This sport model comes with the good value half leather.

Toning down the red to a Pastel shade - I reckon this suits the standard 500 shape better and I would recommend the white ambiance with this and the grey fabric. Tan or Black leather IMHO wouldn't suit.

If you really like the Pearlescent Red (Brillante Rosso) then go for it - its your car - your choice.

Deciding to go for leather => white is the colour !
And in your case you like BNW and you are not pushed about Pearlescent (Funk) white.

If BNW is the choice I reckon go with your gut instinct on the red leather is the right one and then with the 'flat white' BNW I would go with the Black ambiance. The picture that Maxi posted is how it would look. There is something really nice about the red leather when you're seating in the car and if they're heated - then that's the cold problem sorted.

Now that you paying for heated leather it would be shame not to put in the moonroof (electric sunroof) due to your cabriolet aspirations. It will throw light into the interior and make it nice and bright.

What price would the following be...

BNW Pop 500 + Red leather + Heat + Moonroof + Auto in Black ambiance
OR
Funk white (!) Pop 500C, Red Canvas, White Ambiance + Heat + Auto

I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty of adding the cabriolet back into the melting pot !

 

[Janep1]

The other combination I like is Bianco (BNW to you all) and the red and white cloth seats, but unsure about the Ivory ambience with the white, and not sure I like the black ambience.

Hi macdebbie, I know it's putting the C back in the melting pot, but I have a BNW 500c with red/white seats and ivory ambience. Here are some pics, but I don't know if your seats will be the same with the white piping and leatherette top half. I also had some red mats made up to match.

The advantage of cloth over leather is that you don't burn your bum in the summer or freeze it in the winter ! Although if you had the heated seats, then it would only freeze for a minute or two.

 

[macdebbie]

Well, first off, thank you all for your patience! I didn't think this would be so hard. It IS a matter of too many choices.... And I am not a good decision maker.

It is OK that you threw the cabrio back in the mix. It's still in my heart a contender.

That picture is beautiful! The red seats on ours are not nearly as nice - here they are -

http://www.fiatusaofsouthatlanta.com/new/FIAT/2012-FIAT-500C-0aa6e79b0a0a00e001e10d5713acf0f6.htm

One thing I wondered about was having a burgundy roof (bordeaux they call it here) with really red seats.

The other thing I worried about was the problem I have read about where you can't see out of the rear view mirror. I think I would want to drive the cabrio again and see how much that bothers me.

Loveshandbags, I am curious why you picked the white ambience for the cabrio, yet the black for the hardtop.

Here's the pricing of the 2 models:

Pop - auto, leather, heated seats, power moonroof - $19,148 (NOT with any upgraded , paint)
PopC (cabrio) - with cloth heated seats and auto trans - $20,999. Switch the cloth seats for leather seats, and it brings it to $22,298. That's over my budget. The max I can spend due to what I qualified for and what I can put down is $21,500, and even that is more than I want to spend. I really want to keep it under 20K to keep the payments reasonable.

I think I am leaning toward red leather with BNW (Bianco in my land)- and ???? ambience. Most likely black, with power moonroof.

One very interesting thing I learned today, is the charcoal leather in the Pop I saw this weekend was put in the car via an aftermarket company. they sent the car out - it is NOT Fiat. They told me I could have "any" color that I wanted.

I wonder what - if anything - this does to the warranty.

Thanks again for the help. Where do you both live?