General Ordered

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General Ordered

Not a diesel, they will ban them from French cities (where I live), I don't want a car I can't use in 5 years. I already have a 1999 motobike I can't use in town coz it is banned.

You should get on the streets and throw rocks at les flics.. :D Can the government just "ban" old vehicles.. or just the newer ones (the old vehicles gradually disappear).

I will try the 95bhp petrol next week, I'd imagine it is ok for sitting in traffic jams :) or crawling along at 10 mph - which is my daily commute. I don't really have a need for performance as such, I'm banned from overtaking if the missus is in the car anyway.

Yes... I'm tempted by a Tipo for my commute which is just a bit of motorway and then small lanes. My average speed (on the computer) is about 30mph/50kmh. But we don't get the 4-door here... just the hatch which I'm not very keen on.. :(



Does anyone know if the Tipo body is Galvanized? It seems the 500s and Panda are still treated but not sure about a cheapo-Tipo.

If the metal is not actually galvanized, it will be rust-resistant steel. I imagine the rear wheel arches and sills are galvanized.. but potentially the floor isn't. Anyway, it won't rust seriously for more than 10 years. I don't worry about rust on new cars any more.



Ralf S.
 
Yes... I'm tempted by a Tipo for my commute which is just a bit of motorway and then small lanes. My average speed (on the computer) is about 30mph/50kmh. But we don't get the 4-door here... just the hatch which I'm not very keen on.. :(

I looked seriously at the 4 door, it has something of a BMW series 1 4 door but with more Italian flair about it. The only thing a bit sucky in the design, apart from little flairs on the rear wheel arches, is the radiator grill - but if they'd made it nicer no-one would buy Alfas :)

As I mentioned above, most of the floorplan is covered with a plastic protection sheet which should help against stone chips. If I buy one I'll probably add some protection to the rear - My Toyota suffered pretty severe surface rusting due to insufficient paint underneath - whereas the wife's 12 yr old Panda is still in perfect nick underneath.
 
Not a diesel, they will ban them from French cities (where I live), I don't want a car I can't use in 5 years. I already have a 1999 motobike I can't use in town coz it is banned.

I will try the 95bhp petrol next week, I'd imagine it is ok for sitting in traffic jams :) or crawling along at 10 mph - which is my daily commute. I don't really have a need for performance as such, I'm banned from overtaking if the missus is in the car anyway.

Does anyone know if the Tipo body is Galvanized? It seems the 500s and Panda are still treated but not sure about a cheapo-Tipo.

I was answering in relation to the UK - whilst it's a concern that diesels may be banned in London and some other big cities in the UK, there'd be uproar if they tried to do it more widely here without giving years (and years) of notice, as it flies in the face of not-too-distant Government policy, which encouraged people to buy diesels.

The 95bhp will be fine for a bit of commuting. I personally wouldn't want it with the motorway driving I do, but it has its use, definitely.

I'd not be worried about the main body of a Tipo rusting in less than 10 years. The add-on components like suspension, springs, bolts are likely to get ropey within about 5-7 years if recent Fiats are anything to go by, but the main bodies of Fiats seem to be pretty decent, even compared to makes that you'd expect to be far better (Ford, Mazda, Merc). People go on that some early (2009) 500's are starting to look incredibly rusty underneath but as far as I'm concerned, most cars are so complex now, that if some electronic kit fails at 10 years or more, they'll likely be uneconomical to repair anyway, so putting vast efforts into rust proofing to allow a car to go much beyond 10 years seems a little pointless. As sad as it is, in the throwaway and recycle society we're in now, people won't want a 10 year old car in a few years.
 
Took the 1.4 petrol hatch for a test drive today. It is ok around town, good on rough roads (I guess built for Italian/Turkish conditions). Comfortable in the back. On the autoroute it isn't exactly the swiftest at getting up to speed. I managed 20 seconds for 0-62mph - I think you'd have to be the Stig to get the claimed 11 seconds time. I'm used to a Turbo diesel so with a bit of practice maybe I could do better. The missus tried the car and said "oh I've left the handbrake on", no it is just a biggish car with a tiny motor. At 130kph it was drinking around 8.5l/100km.

I took it up a mountain road and it wasn't too bad accelerating out of bends etc. Handling wasn't bad, a little bit of roll.

Main issue for me is it is too big to fit in my drive - the garage is too small and the car port has a tight bend it won't go round.
 
Not a diesel, they will ban them from French cities (where I live), I don't want a car I can't use in 5 years.

Does anyone know if the Tipo body is Galvanized? It seems the 500s and Panda are still treated but not sure about a cheapo-Tipo.



Only paris (in France at least) has announced a plan to ban diesels and only then they have given a time scale of around 10 years.

London has made similar noises but the main problem is 99% of the delivery vehicles, works vehicles and public transport (busses and taxis) are all diesel powered. To ban diesels from London would destroy the city's infrastructure over night and leave it unable to operate. I can't imagine cities like Paris are any different.

They make these big announcements as a way of trying to encourage manufacturers to find alternatives, but I don't see fleet buyers replacing all there vans or busses with electric or petrol options any time soon and they simply don't exist and where they do the costs are phenomenal.

As for galvanised, as I stated above fiat did this briefly in the 90s but it is very costly. Now all cars are dipped in a phosphate conversion coating prior to painting, this is a lot easier and cheaper than galvanising. Also where a car is damaged this can't be re -galvanised but phosphate conversion coatings can be reapplied. Cheap cars get a cheap dip and will last as pointed out, something like 10 years. Steel is also better produced than it used to be so less susceptible to rust. Unlike cars built in the 70s and 80s where the raw materials were brought into the factory with a healthy coating of rust and it was just painted over.

So again NO! It will not be galvanised
 
Only paris (in France at least) has announced a plan to ban diesels and only then they have given a time scale of around 10 years.
The pollution controls in Grenoble, Lyon are now quite strict. Grenoble has had about a month so far this winter in which pre 2005 diesel cars were banned from the city and 49 surrounding districts (as far out as the peages). No point buying a car that will be rapidly obsolete, if only for the resale value.
 
The pollution controls in Grenoble, Lyon are now quite strict. Grenoble has had about a month so far this winter in which pre 2005 diesel cars were banned from the city and 49 surrounding districts (as far out as the peages). No point buying a car that will be rapidly obsolete, if only for the resale value.



I wouldn't call a 12 year old 2005 diesel car "rapidly obsolete".

A 2005 will be Euro 4, since then we've moved through euro 5 onto euro 6, meanwhile modem petrol cars are under the microscope for having particulate filters installed in the next incarnation of euro emissions category as well as having more stringent real wold testing.

Let's face it all internal combustion engines are a dying breed.
 
Just for info for you all, I have the 95hp Diesel.

I just spent two days visiting the NEC, travelled from Kent coast to Birmingham at 75mph mostly on cruise control. Didn't struggle at all and plenty more speed when I needed it. Returned an average 65mpg on the computer (which works out genuine about 60mpg), motorways and a bit of town work, covered 520 miles.

It was much more relaxed and economical than my old 500L twin-air despite having a bit less power and 1 less gear.

I can't fault the little diesel so I imagine the 95hp 1.4 will perform adequately for the size of car too.

I've commented here to provide information and report on my experience with the little diesel. I hope it will be useful to someone.

Panda. :D(y)
 
Pandabloke... I have a 500L and am seriously considering a Tipo to replace it.

Would really appreciate your thoughts on the differences between the two cars; comfort, practicality, driving, handling, visibility etc etc anything and everything really, whether good or bad.

Just for reference I have a longish daily commute and currently have the 1.6 diesel; would most likely choose the same engine again in the Tipo although it has an extra 15bhp in that guise.

Many thanks in advance :cool:
 
Pandabloke... I have a 500L and am seriously considering a Tipo to replace it.

Would really appreciate your thoughts on the differences between the two cars; comfort, practicality, driving, handling, visibility etc etc anything and everything really, whether good or bad.

Just for reference I have a longish daily commute and currently have the 1.6 diesel; would most likely choose the same engine again in the Tipo although it has an extra 15bhp in that guise.

Many thanks in advance :cool:

Hi there,

I didn't like the 500L from the moment I got it, to be honest.

I use the car for occaisional chauffeuring andthe rear lef room is about the same. The 500L had a funky interior, but the Tipo has a much more adult interior, nearly all black. The front seats in the Tipo seem to hug you more and it is a pleasant environment to be in. All the toys are a much of a muchness, in both. The 500L had slightly better rear headroom though.

The main difference for me was the economy. The 500L twin-air was often returnin only 36 mpg around town and despite my best efforts, I only ever once got 50mpg and that was on a long run late at night at 70mph. The 1300 diesel in the Tipo has yet to return less than 45mpg on average and as I say, under genuine motorway conditions it recently returned an average on the computer of 65mpg for 520 miles over 3 days. A run down the coast road of (twisty A road) return journey of 140 miles returned a computer reading of 76 mpg!

The 500L handled surprisingly well for a tall fat car, but I definitely find the Tipo much more car like in its performance.

In the end, the 500L was a much better car than I gave it credit for but the Tipo is much more the car for me. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 500L but I was hugely disappointed with the economy of the twin-air engine.

Hope this helps.

Panda (y)
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. You've pretty much summed up what I thought would be the case about the Tipo.

Your comment about the front seats rings a bell... I've never found mine very comfortable, they're too short in the squab and don't really hold you either. I have had to kind of adapt to the driver's seat but have never got properly comfortable.

I also agree about the 500L's handling... it's surprisingly capable if a bit too roly poly; there's decent grip available and I can chuck it around a fair bit although the missus and the dog tend to complain!

The Tipo sounds in effect like a lower, comfier and better to drive option without sacrificing much in the way if space. Sounds like it could be just the ticket!

Thanks again (y)
 
Saw my first one on the road last week. Is it me, or does it look a little bit 1-Series-ish from the side/rear? Those colours though - dull, dull, dull.
 
Saw my first one on the road last week. Is it me, or does it look a little bit 1-Series-ish from the side/rear? Those colours though - dull, dull, dull.

Hi there,

Yes someone mentioned to me that they thought mine was a little bit Series 1 as well. It does have that look. Mine's in black so the colour is ok.

Further to my earlier comment about the 95 hp 1.3 diesel, I continue to be astonished by this little engine. It is certainly not as powerful as the 1.6 diesel, but I would describe the 1.3 diesel as 'cheeky' in the tradition of small Fiat engines. It certainly seems to suit the Tipo. After 9000 miles, it has come alive.

It constantly surprises me. I find it'll pull away just that bit quicker than I expected, overtake a wee bit more enthusiastically than I expected and return just that bit more MPG than I thought it was going to and it sits at 75mph on cruise control all day long without a hint of complaint.

I can only speak as I find, but I have rather fallen in love with the 1.3 diesel lump.

It's no sports engine, but it is more than adequate for everyday use in the Tipo.

Panda (y)
 
The missus tried the car and said "oh I've left the handbrake on", no it is just a biggish car with a tiny motor. At 130kph it was drinking around 8.5l/100km.

Hi, I have just received Tipo 1.4 last week and I can see what your missus meant by the handbrake as at times, putting your hand on it, it felt like it was applied but it wasn't since it is close to me, probably for ergonomic reasons.

But I have found 1.4 95 HP to be more than sufficient for Tipo as my previous car Panda 1.2 stuggled pulling up a couple of steep hill on nearly full load on my road but with Tipo, it's just effortless. It pulled away on little throttle input with ease on steep hills.

While Panda was a great car, sometimes I wished it would sacrifice some MPG for more pulling power. I upgraded to Tipo due to a couple of new additions to my family.
 
Fiat Tipo Station Wagon 1.6 Multijet 16v, White, Lounge ordered previous month. Delivery time 2-3 months.

Little back story: 6 years ago we bought S-max 1.6 Ecoboost. After 4,5 years (out of warranty) there was an engine problem and engine needed to be replaced - cost 10.000eur. After a little e-mail war with supplier, final repair cost was 3000eur. Since some issues returned (occasional strange noise from front side of the car when accelerating), that in my opinion indicated that engine problem is back, so we decided that S-max is going for a sale. We've sold it for 8000 to the same car dealership were it was serviced.

Since our car dealership sales Ford and Fiat cars and we are in friendly relationship and wife wanted Fiat 500 for years now and basically we need two cars in our family ...decision was made to buy two Fiat cars. Fiat 500 for short daily runs and Fiat Tipo for other longer family runs. And that's about it :D :)
 
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