500 re-welcome

[samdavis]

Hello all,

I used to be semi-active on here a few years ago when I owned my mk2b Punto. I've had a Ford Fiesta Zetec for the last 4 years and I'm trading up to buy a 500 1.4 sport.

Very excitied, test drove the 500 yesterday and really liked it. Bought back lots of happy memories of cars that need revving!

I don't think that I will be modding this one very much but there are a few things I need to find out about the car.

Anyways, I'm pleased to be back!

 

[Melanabb]

Welcome back! I hope you enjoy your new car...

 

[dave]

welcome back

they always come back :devil:

 

[samdavis]

Thanks guys! It wasn't until I test drove the 500 until I realised how much liked cars that handled like go karts. Only difference being this one corners like its on rails!

Well I went back to D Salmon's Fiat today and put down a deposit on '58 500 1.4 Sport in Paso-Doble red. Very exciting. All fingers crossed I'll be able to pick it up around this weekend!

 

[samdavis]

Here's a pic of my last Fiat from back in 2007, when my photogrpahy sucked!

 

[dave]

you shouldnt have gone to Salmon's :bang:

 

[Loop]

Talked to you already but Welcome Back!
Already proven to me (and probably others aswell) that you would be a great asset to the forum

 

[samdavis]

Cheers loop, I'll be around, thats for sure!

you shouldnt have gone to Salmon's :bang:

I'm sure it won't be as bad as the local Ford dealer, they are the definition of totally incompetent!
Care to spill the beans? PM me if you prefer..

 

[dave]

they are bunch or cowboys, they tried to sell me the wrong gear oil twice one would have killed the gearbox i wanted it for, when i ask why they are trying to sell me the wrong oil they said oh we dont stock the other one :nutter: there are posts from others on here with same story!

another time i was in there they has just serviced an old couples saab and woman on desk told them 2 front springs are broken but its safe to drive it, and head gasket had a slight leak, they could try to fix it bt re-torqueing the head for a cost of £200

their parts department charge more than epers list price for parts

i'd get deposit back if i was you, i'd personally drive to Glyn Hopkin chadwell heath if i was buying a new fiat or even the fairly new Glyn Hopkin in Ipswich. probably get a fiat forum discount too or some free bits

 

[samdavis]

Hmm, in my experience most Franchised car garages are.

Dovercourt Ford (now Lookers) couldn't even detect that an AC unit need re-lubricating, instead they filled it with just gas! A taxi driver I knew took his Mondeo there but walked into town and realised his car keys were still in his pockets. Walked back to Dovercourt and they said 'you car is all done!'

I don't imagine I'll be taking the car for servicing to Salmon's in the long term. I prefer independent garages and always took my Fez and the MX5 to Titan Motors in Copford. The 500 will probably go there next summer for a detail.

The car I'm buying has a low mileage for its age and no major problems in its history, so I'm fairly certain its a good buy. There also very no other red 500 Sport 1.4s out there for sale. They are also ginving me a good amount of moolah for part-ex of my Fez.

I've asked for the dealer to fit side rubbing strips on the car, pricewise they seem to tally with prices I found on the net, so I'm probably quite lucky with the options I've chosen.

Probably a lucky/safe purchase, but I hear what your saying. I don't really like main dealers!!

 

[dave]

there are some good main dealers, you just have to search the reviews to find them

 

[samdavis]

Very true. Its justy amazing how few of them are located in and around Colchester! :chin:

However if there are any problems with this car from Salmon's you'll be able to say 'I told you so!'

 

[dave]

when lancaster did volvo they was good, often they would let a tech go out in a car with me and help sus out what was wrong for no charge, and the coffee in their waiting room was nice too, not instant crap.
vauxhall parts department is ok too, i needed a sump washer for my croma went in there told the bloke its a fiat and what engine it was he came back with right part not needing any vin or reg numbers

 

[samdavis]

Thats pretty impressive on both fronts. In m,y experience getting parts from most dealers is a nightmare. Worst has been a 2 week lead time for to order some interior trim clips! You'd think items like that might be in their stock room!

 

[samdavis]

Still waiting to hear back from the dealer about collection, hopefulyl it will be Saturday of just after the bank holiday.

Anyways these were delivered to me late yesterday afternoon

Always good to have a decent set of mats. I was pleasantly surpised by the feel of the carpet, the gel badges and red stitching is also a nice touch!