Missus wants a new car, her decision on what she gets (although I'm part funding it). Her requirements in order are:
- its pretty
- it's a lovely colour
- she can trundle the kids around the local area
She's set on a Fiat 500 having looked at a few options (Mini, Audi A1 etc etc). Currently considering new and nearly new, although 2nd hand car prices are so high that new isn't much more expensive.
Any things specific to the 500 I should look out for when making the final decision? Must have or must avoid options? Specific things on nearly new (i.e. less than 3 years old) to look out for?
And no, apparently the Abarth 500 does not meet criteria 2 as the colours available are not acceptable. Shame.
We have a 1.2 Lounge 2017 which we share. I think it is a good car for the price, I wouldn’t want to buy a full price or electric fancy one.
Trim levels are (or used to be) Pop, Pop Star & Sport, Lounge in that order spec wise with Lounge being top.
I’d either buy a sport (looks sporty) or a lounge. The pop is very basic. Lounge has rear parking sensors, AC, front fogs, chrome grill, split folding seats, cruise, half glass roof etc and isn’t really much more money.
1.2 engine is older design now but fine. 1.4 is more powerful but needs a few more revs, think the 1.4 is 6 speed too, but then has a slightly bigger turning circle. No idea on Diesel engines. The Twinair thrums nicely and has good power but costs more and possibly less reliable, test drove one but didn’t buy it.
Running costs, service every 9k which is oil and filter, every other service is air filter and plugs iirc. £120 or £200 a time. Cambelt and water pump after 4-6 years. Just had ours done at 5 years (£300 labour & parts).
Front discs and pads wear quite quick as they are 140mm solid discs only, had ours changed at about 35k (3 years) but then they are only £120 to replace both.
Tyres depends how you drive… changed the original continentals at 20k, got 31k on the Michelins replaced those with and still going. Not a cheap stock size 185-55-15. £75ish each. Sport model might have different profile and some people spec 16” wheels.
The wiper motor broke (started screeching) under warranty, but I changed it myself £100. The sump is/was quite rusty as it catches the stones/weather (painted it to reduce wear). Rear hatch inside the boot can have thin paint.
We paid £9660 for ours pre-registered (16 miles) as a march 2017 model so we pay £20 VED. This has gone up for models after that to £120 iirc.
So after 5 years and 51k, it has had 6 regular services, replaced cambelt and one set of tyres and brakes. Only part to break is the wiper motor. Mechanic advised slight play in rear suspension bushes this year but nothing else. Average about 48mpg. Our model doesn’t have apple carplay which would be good to have, you can connect phone up via Bluetooth for calls and/or cable to use it as iPod. The larger touchscreen was an expensive option which might do CarPlay, I’m not 100%.
Edit: forgot to add, they were face lifted in 2016ish, I assumed anything you’d be buying would be newer than this. They made a lot of small changes but the most obvious ones are a different alloy design and the rear lights are totally different from the older version.
