Out of interest, which is the better car to drive out of the 1.2 and mjet? I've driven the 1.2 and thought it was ok for town driving. I drove a 1.3 mjet MiTo and thought it was c***. It didn't feel like it was a turbo diesel at all!
I've driven a MiTo 1.3 JTDm and know what you mean about it not feeling like a turbo, but it still shifted fairly well in 'D' mode on the DNA switch. Fiat diesels (my Stilo JTD included) seem to have a lot less sudden shove than other diesels like VW's TDI engines, and do feel less turbo-like. My Stilo will only really surge along if I floor it, but it still feels pokey enough. The power band is a lot more progressive, which I actually prefer. Even a mate who's very pro VW Group says the VW TDI engine has to be 'rowed along', which is a lot less relaxing than driving a Fiat diesel.
On residuals, it is pretty much just the 500 & Panda 4x4 that are good. The Panda's over the longer term seem to hang onto quite a bit of their value, if you think a 2004 1.2 Eleganza is worth about £2000 today, it was only £8000 brand new, so that's a pretty good return. However in the short to medium term they can't compete with the 500 for residuals.
The rest of the current range does lose money heavily in the first 1-3 years, but I've noticed the higher spec Bravos in particular seem to hang onto their value reasonably after 4 years, especially compared to the Stilo. My Stilo was bought (by me) for £3950 at 4 years old & with 50,000 miles, 1 owner, leather interior, bigger wheels & stereo upgrade. That was a dealer price. I couldn't get a 4 year old, 50,000 mile Bravo Multijet Sport without finding at least £5500 for a private sale, let alone a dealer with warranty etc. So the residuals (while partly helped by the scrappage scheme and general new car price rises) are moving in the right direction for Fiat, and i'm sure the reception of the 500 will have gone some way to helping this.
