500 Newbie in 2 weeks

[Kodama]

Dear All

Just laid down a deposit on what seems to be a hard to get hold of 500 TwinAir Plus in Indigo Midnight Blue. Collecting the car in a few weeks as I'm a driving instructor and didn't think it fair on students to switch the car days before a few tests.

Coming over to Fiat from Audi. Had an A1 for a year and have had the worst car experience of my life. If anyone from here is ever going to consider it, be warned. In 12 months I've had these things replaced

aircon blowers
seat covers x 3
leaks in coolant
pressure plate
clutch
flywheel
numerous electrical issues
dash
exhaust sensor
hand brake
seat backs
seat runners
headlights

... think that's everything. Hope my new little nippy joy will play ball and let me get back to the joy of driving. Really looking forward to it. :slayer:

Already looking for help ... I'm wanting to get the Tom Tom that fits into the predisposition on the dash. Seems that a lot of websites are selling a few different ones. Does anyone know what the latest, best and most reliable is? Thanks in advance all.

 

[FloJo]

Hi! Great choice (& colour!).
One thing I find with the 500 is that visability when looking over either shoulder is pretty rubbish - I find the headrests really block being able to see clearly. Just something to bare in mind if you're teaching in it
My dad is thinking about getting an A1 this year - hope your experience isn't the norm!

 

[loveshandbags]

Already looking for help ... I'm wanting to get the Tom Tom that fits into the predisposition on the dash. Seems that a lot of websites are selling a few different ones. Does anyone know what the latest, best and most reliable is? Thanks in advance all.

Welcome to the Forum.
As mentioned by Flojo you've picked a sought after spec.

If you are looking for a Tom Tom sat nav for the predisposition on the dash which is referred to as 68R option what you are looking for is
the Blue&Me Tom Tom Live 2

Retail price is around £299 but here is an example 'as new' on ebay at £230.
There is a secondhand example at £210 but once it's 'switched on' i.e. used the 'free' first year subscription starts - so you're better off with a 'brand new' one that has not been used at all.
These sat navs come with the specific bracket that 'slots in' and can be got for around £50 seperately.

After 'temporarily' reverting back to an older Tom Tom XL model (I gave it away) I really missed the B&Me T T Live 2 with the better graphics, traffic updates, voice dictation, etc. (the OH had 'borrowed' mine). Compared with the new Garmins its a bit clunky and it's based on the now dis-continued Tom Tom GO Live 1000 series. If you are into the integration 'bits' of the media and the Eco stuff it's a nice bonus not to mention no trailing wires. Probably worth the money.

 

[Kodama]

Thanks for the messages.

I'm used to poor visibility. The Audi has low sunken seats and high doors, which I do like, reminds me of my old minis, but the pillars midway and at the back are huge. The rear window is pretty small too. I thought the 500, when I first sat in it, was incredibly light and airy, could see so much more, especially at the front.

Is it the front head restraints that block the views? Can the read ones be taken out? When teaching in my A-Class years ago, I took the rear ones out to improve visibilty.

Thanks for the Sat-Nav info. I'm very interested in the eco-stuff. Possibly even getting students to see how they've driven during the lesson, if it's possibly to somehow re-set it and just monitor an hours driving. What's the year long free service on the TomTom 2?

Thanks again and nice to hear from you.