Technical Stop Start Story

[jrkitching]

No doubt Fiat have one.

With a turnover exceeding 80 billion Euro, they could probably afford two

.

I doubt the dealers have them, though.

Jaysus, I like endlessly discussing tyres, but this takes the cake

's OK, I've made sure this thread has a 'technical' tag .

 

[306maxi]

Sometimes I think you can overcomplicate a topic. I rather suspect the best course of action for anyone with s&s issues is to do a recondition charge and if that doesn't sort it then it's bye bye battery time.

 

[306maxi]

I don't mean you personally btw, I just think that the thread has gone a touch too far in the pursuit of knowledge whilst not going that far in practical terms.

 

[UFI]

We've got enough S/S threads that conclude with 'charge the battery' already

 

[jrkitching]

We've got enough S/S threads that conclude with 'charge the battery' already

Not quite.

Generally they start with 'charge the battery' and conclude with 'change the battery' .

Following those two steps will likely fix at least 90% of S/S related issues.

Sometimes I think you can overcomplicate a topic. I rather suspect the best course of action for anyone with s&s issues is to do a recondition charge and if that doesn't sort it then it's bye bye battery time.

Agree completely - but for some reason, folks seem reluctant to replace the battery if it'll still start the car.

 

[306maxi]

Just went and started our Legacy which is in storage at the moment today, battery is as dead as a dodo, didn't even have power to run the central locking or the alarm.

Have popped it on charge and I'll wager after a recon charge it'll be just fine

 

[UFI]

Yeah, but will it stop/start?

 

[306maxi]

Well, stopping and starting are an issue at the moment. The brake pedal was veeeery soft and went down to the floor but some pumping brought it up and there was absolutely no life in the battery and only the tiniest signs of life after it had a short run. Cars don't like sitting still!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

How much is a SS battery normally?

Looking at a 2012 Lounge this evening and want to be preclued up ready for haggling if its not working properly

 

[jrkitching]

How much is a SS battery normally?

Looking at a 2012 Lounge this evening and want to be preclued up ready for haggling if its not working properly

Around £100 from the factors; double that if you buy it from Fiat (not that you would, but it might help you negotiate )

If buying a s/h Lounge, check (carefully) the blind for the glass roof opens & closes smoothly - it's a known weak point and ridiculously expensive to fix. Apart from that, it's a Panda with more fragile door handles, door mirrors & hatch wiring, though all of these can be fixed cheaply enough.

Do let us know how you get on.

 

[wellfan]

How much is a SS battery normally?

Looking at a 2012 Lounge this evening and want to be preclued up ready for haggling if its not working properly

Out of interest, as the owner of a 2012 plate Twinair Lounge, how much are they asking, and what mileage?
Just trying to get an idea of how much ours might be worth when we sell early next year.
Hope you don't mind me asking

 

[Mick F]

When we bought our TA Lounge - 2011 61 plate - it was £8,400.

The car was immaculate with 13,700miles and one lady owner, serviced only by Fiat.

I knew it was S/S but I hadn't done my homework, sadly. The car was a delight to drive, but it was a week or so before I concluded that the S/S wasn't up to scratch.

As I said, I could go back to the car dealer and get him to fix it.
It's an 80mile round trip for him to probably tell me that it's a fair wear and tear item. If I had proof the battery wasn't good, I might have some ammunition. The only proof I could possibly get would come from Fiat ...... at a price.

Combine a costly test from Fiat, and a 80mile round trip, an argument, going back home whilst the dealer gets a new battery, then another 80mile round trip .................. I think there's no contest.

If I'd have been in full knowledge when we road-tested the 500, I would have gone back and said that I'd buy it ............. providing he fitted a brand new battery.

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't buy any S/S car unless it had a brand new battery fitted by the dealer immediately before I drove it off the forecourt. This would include a brand new car too.

Regards,
Mick.

 

[jrkitching]

Out of interest, as the owner of a 2012 plate Twinair Lounge, how much are they asking, and what mileage?
Just trying to get an idea of how much ours might be worth when we sell early next year.
Hope you don't mind me asking

Prices do seem to be softening somewhat.

This is a link to Parkers current guide for a 2012 TA Lounge. Strangely they value the equivalent 1.2 slightly higher - make of that what you will.

Personally I think it means Parkers 'valuations' are a load of carp.

Another possibility is that these cars are being bought by younger drivers and insurance premiums are a consideration.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Out of interest, as the owner of a 2012 plate Twinair Lounge, how much are they asking, and what mileage?
Just trying to get an idea of how much ours might be worth when we sell early next year.
Hope you don't mind me asking

Sure, was 2012 '12' plate, 1.2, 35300 miles, priced at £6840 as a private sale, and has just been sold prior to my visit this evening :bang:

Was £50 cheaper than the Parkers valuation I'd checked.

Prices do seem to be softening somewhat.

This is a link to Parkers current guide for a 2012 TA Lounge. Strangely they value the equivalent 1.2 slightly higher - make of that what you will.

Personally I think it means Parkers 'valuations' are a load of carp.

Links don't work, enter prices

 

[jrkitching]

Sure, was 2012 '12' plate, 1.2, 35300 miles, priced at £6840 as a private sale, and has just been sold prior to my visit this evening :bang:

Was £50 cheaper than the Parkers valuation I'd checked.



Links don't work, enter prices

2012/'61 500 Lounge, 30k, Private Sale : TA £6605, 1.2 £6655.

Sorry you missed it - price seems about right.

I guess it also shows that a decent car priced sensibly will sell. Sadly there seem to be a lot of 500's advertised on AT & elsewhere that aren't priced sensibly.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

2012/'61 500 Lounge, 30k, Private Sale : TA £6605, 1.2 £6655.

Sorry you missed it - price seems about right.

Why is twin air cheaper, seems strange (and a pain as I prefer the 1.2 - I'll get my coat )

 

[jrkitching]

Why is twin air cheaper, seems strange (and a pain as I prefer the 1.2 - I'll get my coat )

My best guess is that these cars appeal to younger drivers and the cost of insurance may be a significant factor.

and a pain as I prefer the 1.2 - I'll get my coat

FWIW, me too. Mechanically the 1.2 must surely be a safer gamble bought secondhand - particularly if you plan on keeping the car awhile. Apart from the liability of that turbocharged engine, less power (and less temptation) means less wear on many other components, too - plus consumables like oil filters & brake parts are about half the cost.

But that 2012 1.2 still sold for more than I paid new for my 1.2 Panda, and IMO the 60HP Euro4 is a better and safer engine than the 69HP Euro5.

I've just noticed that Parkers are giving a private sale guide price of just £2795 for a 2010 1.2 Panda - with £30 RFL, A/C + remote locking that surely has to be the used car bargain of the century, if you can find one. I'm definitely keeping mine.

 

[wellfan]

Just goes to show 'Buyer Beware'. My wife's 500 Twinair Lounge 12 plate in white is in immaculate condition. Totally unmarked body and interior. 20,000 miles. FFSH. On paper it is a perfect buy. However, this car has been a fecking nightmare in terms of problems. I would not sell it to anyone I knew, or indeed to anyone on this forum.
I could easily advertise it at £7,000.
BTW. Parkers valuations are fantasy compared to Glass guide. They are always way too optimistic.


Edit. Just checked on www.webuyanycar.com. A couple of months ago the car was valued at £6950, now valued at £5840. Looks like the 500 is taking a hit in terms of its value.
BTW. I have sold two cars to this company before. Great price offered, and received.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

and IMO the 60HP Euro4 is a better and safer engine than the 69HP Euro5.

I'd beg to differ going by our 2009 1.2 Panda, but I'm sure it's a duff one, just feels very slow

 

[jrkitching]

I'd beg to differ going by our 2009 1.2 Panda, but I'm sure it's a duff one, just feels very slow

Is yours the £30 VED* version? IMO that's the one to go for.

It certainly has more torque below 3000 than our 500.

Did you see David Bliss's rolling road comparison with the Euro6 1.2?

*thanks Mick