Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 Sport 3d (2008/08) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I think the car shows that I'm fun, young and modern. The car is very cute and will appeal to lots of female drivers. Since getting mine, a friend of mine brought an Abarth 500 and loves it.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Everyone likes it.. I did question people about the yellow, but they say you can get away with it on such a small car. My boyfriend doesn't mind driving it, and happily hops in and takes over (as long as it has the sport button on :P )

Would you buy this car again and why?

I would.. But if I were to buy it new, I'd opt for more of the options from the website. You can customise these cars so much and I think thats why they're so appealing. They're a cost effective version of a mini.

What are you likely to buy next?

I'm not sure. I love the Fiat 500 with all its gadgets and cute looks.. if I could upgrade to a newer one with start & stop and parking sensors, that would be great :) I am really happy with my purchase, and think it's probably the best car I've owned yet. Just hoping it stays reliable!

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£6,500

When did you buy the car?

February 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

I brought my car from Fiat and because they'd had the car over 30 days, the price was reduced from £7995. I thought perhaps the reason it hadn't sold was due to its colour, yellow. However, this has grown on me, and I think it looks great. The car was a good deal.. I had a few hiccups when buying, but overall it was worth it.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I wanted a car that was quite sporty, looked funky, easy to park and newer than my previous car (2006 Peugeot 107).

What was the dealer like?

They were good when buying the car, and when coming back with issues. Within days, I lost a center cap, so I called to see if these could be replaced. I had to pay £54 for a set of 4, frustrating but the dealer ordered them and dispatched quickly. I also asked about the 1 year approved used warranty (as mentioned on their website) which they seemed to have no knowledge of, but honoured regardless.

What's it like to drive?

It's an incredibly fun car to drive. I opted for the 'Sport' to have a bit more 'go' and it comes with a cool 'SPORT' button. This increases throttle response and stiffens the steering. However, I tend to drive with this off to try and save some fuel, but I do struggle to keep above 40mpg. Obviously this is something you sacrifice when you opt for a sportier model. My boyfriend has managed to get 43mpg, and he has the sport button on all the time!

What's it like to park?

Quite easy to park. The steering lightens up when you go slow, and gets a bit heavier as you drive quicker. The turning circle isn't as good as my old Peugeot 107, but its still good. Visibility is quite good also. Parking sensors are an option which I wish were on my car!

Have you had any problems with the car?

I've had the car a little over a month now, and I have noticed a couple of niggles. I brought the car with damage to the rear light, which meant I had to get this replaced also. The car seems to squeak and rattle more than I expected on such a young car, and I'm looking into going back to Fiat to get these seen to before the warranty is up.

What's most practical about your car?

The boot is a good size, bigger than my previous Peugeot 107.. and probably the same size as my partner's Mini. You can fit 4 adults in the car, but the back seats are not the comfiest I've ever sat in. The front seats are great (sporty ones with half leather) but I do feel the rear lets it down. Rear headrests and split folding seats are also an option (one that I don't have) and would recommend getting.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Blue & me without a doubt. Once set up, the stereo automatically connects to my phone when I get in, and I can happily play my music from a USB. You can also store data on how you've driven, and review this using an 'eco:Drive' application from Fiat's website. Very interesting!