General Just had a test drive.

[Nuova500]

Just got back from the test drive, I drove a 1.3 Lounge with 16"s.
Got very comfy really easily, found all the controls to be simple to use, lovely gearchange. Thought the clutch bite was a bit high but Ill get used to it. Loved the diesel, makes a really nice noise and loads of torque was nice, but I just cant afford £1400, it would mean Id have to have the car in a colour I didnt want and no climate and still have to find more cash!
Salesman was hard to pinpoint on how good the 1.2 is, he says the one he drove was still very tight but he thought it good.
I found the suspension really nice, but it did crash a little over bumps, Im wondering if the 16"s were to blame, is it much different on the 15"s.
Anyway, I want one but need some advice on wheels first, will having 15"s really improve the ride that much, I could live with the 16"s but rather have a smoother ride tbh.
Very different car to the new Panda, despite its underpinnings
Oh, and the azure blue looks stunning outside as well as in the showroom

 

[Baerius]

Good review, Nuova, There is a huge discussion on the 15s and 16s a few threads back, but you're a veteran so you prob know that

I basically surmise from the posts there that if you are very sensitive to smal differences in the ride quality it's best to go for the 15s but that in actual fact the difference is very hard to detect.

So that's why I'm going for the 16s, personally I think they look better, but the 500 being so customisable, everyone will be able to tailor it to their own preference.

There is also the after market option; if you go for the 16s and don't like them you can always change around after market and sell your 16 or part ex them....buying a set of 15s has gotta be cheaper right?

 

[Nuova500]

The one I drove had the really fancy looking 16"s, thought they were a little OTT though. They had a sport with 16" multis and decided I didnt much like them in the flesh... still think the std 15"s look a bit tame... so looks like the 15" sport wheels... this is so hard!
I keep changing my mind... anyone got a pic of an azure blue with the sport wheels 432.

 

[Baerius]

I'm sure suasexed got 20!

 

[Suasexed]

I'm sure suasexed got 20!

It's a first! I don't! I've only got images of Cha Azure with the 15/16 multispokes and steelies. I've uploaded the standard 15" mutlispokes anyway to get an idea of the size with the colour.

nuovapanda - Have you thought about the two-tone sport wheels? They look really nice. They're a bit different to the standard sport alloys but would go really nicely witht the Azure paint and the contrast of the black glass roof

 

[Baerius]

These are nice! Have you got some of those two colour sport wheels you mentioned?

 

[T14086]

Loved the diesel, makes a really nice noise and loads of torque was nice, but I just cant afford £1400, it would mean Id have to have the car in a colour I didnt want and no climate and still have to find more cash!
Salesman was hard to pinpoint on how good the 1.2 is, he says the one he drove was still very tight but he thought it good.

but diesel is cheap tax & low running costs

 

[porlus]

but diesel is cheap tax & low running costs

plus easy performance tweak if need be

 

[seadragon]

plus easy performance tweak if need be

Which is what mine will be getting, ie, a remap ( an extra 25bhp, + 45 lbs/ft of torque + 2-4 extra mpg, i cant go wrong), its all good

 

[T14086]

mmmmm I would be careful incase any problems arise as Fiat UK are very carefully monitoring the 500.All faults (no matter how small) must be reported & are/will be thoroughly inspected on site and HQ.

 

[Suasexed]

but diesel is cheap tax & low running costs

The 1.2 is in the £35 tax band too. Plus petrol is roughtly 5-6p a litre cheaper than diesel. It's all things worth considering when making your engine choice

 

[T14086]

economy (despite slight more expense of diesel) would still work out alot better on 1.3 also 1.3 feels more comftable at motorway+ speeds.would certainly be my choice.

 

[Suasexed]

Will the petrol not be cheaper to service too? Running costs wise I would have thought the 1.2 and 1.3D are pretty similar, especially when you counter in the extra £1400 which you have to pay (although yes you will get some of this back when you come to sell it, but it's unlikely the 1.3D will carry a £1400 premium over a 1.2 on the second hand market).

 

[T14086]

depends if you prefer petrol or diesel.I know what I would choose.

 

[Simon Bell]

We were looking at the diesel but with the £1400 extra and us doing only 10000 miles per year it would have taken 11 years to recoup the difference in purchase price.

Even if you allow for getting 50% of the 1400 back when you sell it on its still going to be 5 years before you break even.

And we all know diesel is the fuel of satan.

 

[Suasexed]

depends if you prefer petrol or diesel.I know what I would choose.

I was never making a point about which is better petrol or diesel, I was simply arguing your statement about the 1.3D having cheap tax and low running costs. And you're right, it does. But the 1.2 petrol also has low running costs; including cheap tax. When you enter in the fact of the hefty premium for the diesel running costs for the 1.2 don't look that bad.

I just wanted to expand on the diesel vs petrol argument

 

[T14086]

I just wanted to expand on the diesel vs petrol argument

cant really though,as you pointed out the 1.2 will (in long run) be cheaper to run all in,so its down to choice....the 1.3 is great willing engine & would get my vote everytime (I would pay the extra) but each to his/her own.

 

[ensonricky]

"Each to his/her own" or a rough translation, "I'm right".

 

[gib1970]

this is all academic. they're all 'crarp' relatively speaking...wait for the abarth

 

[Scrogg]

they're all 'crarp' relatively speaking

Relative to what?