General Shall We Get A 500X?
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Shall We Get A 500X?
Before I speak further I'll qualify this reply as a Fiat owner for 45 years. More importantly I'm a 500X 1.4 Turbo Cross Plus 2015 owner.
Prior to my 500X I had a spacious and powerful Croma 2005 150BHP 16 Valve Diesel. Before that a Stilo Abarth 5 Cyl 20 Valve 2.4L, Tempra 1.8ie, Punto HGT 1.8ie and Tipo 1.6ie. ALL towing vehicles with no regrets.
I/we also have a Strada Abarth 130TC and Barchetta 2005.
GIVEN this background then I would offer:
1) The 500X 1.4 MultiAir II Turbo is a really good go-er and fun car
2) It pulls like a train in near comparison to a 1.9 MJet Diesel
3) Space is more than adequate for a 3 week trip to Europe with two people
I can't comment on (from experience) etc usage for a family (with kids) experience but I would say that for us, including two house rabbits and all their required support kit we can make "it work".
Bottom lime. The 500X is a really creditable "MID" to "UPPER" capable vehicle and you should determine this for yourself.
Prior to my 500X I had a spacious and powerful Croma 2005 150BHP 16 Valve Diesel. Before that a Stilo Abarth 5 Cyl 20 Valve 2.4L, Tempra 1.8ie, Punto HGT 1.8ie and Tipo 1.6ie. ALL towing vehicles with no regrets.
I/we also have a Strada Abarth 130TC and Barchetta 2005.
GIVEN this background then I would offer:
1) The 500X 1.4 MultiAir II Turbo is a really good go-er and fun car
2) It pulls like a train in near comparison to a 1.9 MJet Diesel
3) Space is more than adequate for a 3 week trip to Europe with two people
I can't comment on (from experience) etc usage for a family (with kids) experience but I would say that for us, including two house rabbits and all their required support kit we can make "it work".
Bottom lime. The 500X is a really creditable "MID" to "UPPER" capable vehicle and you should determine this for yourself.
My 4x4 9 speed auto has now done 25500 miles, about 18000 of them with me. I haven't had a single glitch with the transmission, although I'm aware that others have some concerns about a strange noise. I don't seem to have it.
The 2.0 Multijet engine is easily beefy enough to make it a smooth, progressive experience, quite exciting in Sport Mode.
It's far more economical than I expected it to be, and whilst my car has suffered a few gremlins along the way, I'm sticking with it.
I do believe this box is fitted to several other makes including some 'prestige' names, so presumably it's well regarded by the manufacturers.
I presume it isn't always available but I was able to have a 24 hour Test Drive, and I was hooked.
TrevC
Established member
Can't comment on the auto because I haven't driven it, but two other areas of feedback have occurred to me:
Ride quality - our Lounge trim is fitted with 18" wheels and 45 section tyres. They look nice, but the ride is quite firm, albeit well damped. I don't mind it, but if you want a softer ride consider a variant with smaller diameter wheels and higher profile tyres.
Fuel economy - my 1.4 MA petrol (140ps) gives just over 40mpg on a motorway run. Some people are disappointed with that, but I don't have a problem. My son told me today that he'd just been on a long motorway trip in a Vauxhall Mokka 1.4 turbo (140ps) and had acheived just over 40mpg, so it seems par for the course for this type of car.
Had mine (used) since February, a couple of minor issues were sorted by the dealer, no problems since. I'm enjoying it more the longer I have it. Good luck with making your choice.
Ride quality - our Lounge trim is fitted with 18" wheels and 45 section tyres. They look nice, but the ride is quite firm, albeit well damped. I don't mind it, but if you want a softer ride consider a variant with smaller diameter wheels and higher profile tyres.
Fuel economy - my 1.4 MA petrol (140ps) gives just over 40mpg on a motorway run. Some people are disappointed with that, but I don't have a problem. My son told me today that he'd just been on a long motorway trip in a Vauxhall Mokka 1.4 turbo (140ps) and had acheived just over 40mpg, so it seems par for the course for this type of car.
Had mine (used) since February, a couple of minor issues were sorted by the dealer, no problems since. I'm enjoying it more the longer I have it. Good luck with making your choice.
FiatInFrance
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Well that's that then. My wife is over in the UK and tried out the car. It's a no.
Thanks for all your help and advice.
Thanks for all your help and advice.
TrevC
Established member
Well, you like what you like. Very few bad cars out there now, good luck with choosing. I'd be interested to know what you end up with.
The wife didn't like it, she needs no explanation we are just here to serve 
I have the 6 speed auto which has been great so far as I knew it was tried and tested. I'm never gonna use 9 anyway.
I have the 6 speed auto which has been great so far as I knew it was tried and tested. I'm never gonna use 9 anyway.
FiatInFrance
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Hello again.
I must apologise for not getting back earlier. To say we've been busy would be an understatement.
As I said in earlier posts, my wife is very sensitive to the design of head rest- had a neck injury- and she did not feel comfortable with the 500X. The physical size may have been an issue as well, and long story short for the first time in around seven years she is without a Fiat. Glad to say that my brother now has her 4X4 Panda, which I will miss.
Thanks to a brilliant French online site we have sourced a new Renault Kadjar at an incredible price. It has more space than a Nissan Qashqai and there are loads of places to choose from when we come to get it serviced.
It's a 1.6L petrol 'Black Edition' version and we've had it exactly one week today. I appreciate that this is a Fiat site, but (he whispers) I think that it's great.
I'll miss having a Fiat, and will especially miss the thrum of the Twin Air engine, but this suits our needs very well.
Here's a shot of it- thanks for all your help.
I must apologise for not getting back earlier. To say we've been busy would be an understatement.
As I said in earlier posts, my wife is very sensitive to the design of head rest- had a neck injury- and she did not feel comfortable with the 500X. The physical size may have been an issue as well, and long story short for the first time in around seven years she is without a Fiat. Glad to say that my brother now has her 4X4 Panda, which I will miss.
Thanks to a brilliant French online site we have sourced a new Renault Kadjar at an incredible price. It has more space than a Nissan Qashqai and there are loads of places to choose from when we come to get it serviced.
It's a 1.6L petrol 'Black Edition' version and we've had it exactly one week today. I appreciate that this is a Fiat site, but (he whispers) I think that it's great.
I'll miss having a Fiat, and will especially miss the thrum of the Twin Air engine, but this suits our needs very well.
Here's a shot of it- thanks for all your help.
Am glad you have sourced a vehicle to your family choices. OK so it is not a Fiat but I won't hold that against you
You could always buy yourself an additional Fiat for your personal indulgence
You could always buy yourself an additional Fiat for your personal indulgence
FiatInFrance
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Am glad you have sourced a vehicle to your family choices. OK so it is not a Fiat but I won't hold that against you
You could always buy yourself an additional Fiat for your personal indulgence
Many thanks. My car is sorted out so no Fiat on the horizon.
TrevC
Established member
Good choice. A fair bit bigger than the 500X, which is more Captur sized. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as we are (mostly) all liking our Fiats. It must go well with that motor.
Out of interest, do Renault give a 4 year warranty in France like they do in the UK?
Out of interest, do Renault give a 4 year warranty in France like they do in the UK?
FiatInFrance
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We have been going out with friends who have a Captur and my wife sits in the back- I drive as I don't drink! She found it too cramped, and as my car is a strict two seater we needed something that can handle jobs required for a house renovation over here.
As to the warranty, to my chagrin (good French word) I actually don't know!
That all said with 10,000 Euros off list price, that should help.
TrevC
Established member
That's a great discount! Fortunately, our other car is a Suzuki S-Cross, similar in size to the Kadjar, so the 500X serves well, with occasional transporting of grandchildren. Most importantly, with the seats folded it can accommodate my r/c aircraft!
I looked at the Kadjar briefly, I like the fact its essentially a Qashqai but with a bit of extra boot at the back. Prices in the UK ain't bad too if you look around.
That said the styling is awkward in my eyes. Even in what is probably the optimal deep maroon colour I couldn't get past it.
I have just driven 1,200 miles in mine (2l cross AT9 4*4) over Xmas fully loaded, taking it from about 600 miles to 1,800. Mpg averaged out just a shade under 40mpg across all driving which I expect will improve towards the mid 40's as time goes on. The 4*4 came in handy briefly up in Sheffield a few days after Xmas when it snowed.
I love the car.
That said the styling is awkward in my eyes. Even in what is probably the optimal deep maroon colour I couldn't get past it.
I have just driven 1,200 miles in mine (2l cross AT9 4*4) over Xmas fully loaded, taking it from about 600 miles to 1,800. Mpg averaged out just a shade under 40mpg across all driving which I expect will improve towards the mid 40's as time goes on. The 4*4 came in handy briefly up in Sheffield a few days after Xmas when it snowed.
I love the car.
