[mdosu]

I'm thnking about recommending the Fiat 500 for my mom.

Anyone other there know if it's reasonably reliable? will last for at least 100k?

I know it just came out, and Fiats haven't been sold in the US for a long time, but I'm not sure if there's any "long-term" Fiat 500 owners since day 1 on here.

[Cptn Mo 703]

Ask Kameri, he has one!! I think he was actually tryin to sell it to a while back

[acdHQK713K]

The Fiat 500 has one of the worst interiors EVER. The thing feels so cheap. I would much rather have a mini.

[Artmasterx]

I see a lot of Fiat 500's and other Fiats here in Belgium, and every car should last well over 100k if it is well taken care of.

I can't speak from first hand experience, but Fiats here do not have a bed reputation for reliability (unlike Alfas for example).

So I would imagine that any new-ish Fiat is going to have normal new-ish car reliability from a mechanical point of view. I can't speak to the quality/longevity of the interior bit though.

[MikeyV]

Originally Posted by Stangorang

The Fiat 500 has one of the worst interiors EVER. The thing feels so cheap. I would much rather have a mini.

I don't think you've ever been in one, the interior is nice, especially in the Abarth's or with leather, there is nothing wrong with the quality, it's easily a match for the MINI.

[Robert]

I wouldn't get your mom a fiat 500 unless she is familiar with lift off oversteer. When the road surface is wet or lack of traction it's easy to get the 500 in oversteer which is quite unsettling for average drivers.

[acdHQK713K]

Originally Posted by MikeyV

I don't think you've ever been in one, the interior is nice, especially in the Abarth's or with leather, there is nothing wrong with the quality, it's easily a match for the MINI.

You're right, I lied about driving a Fiat 500

Granted this was a bare bones model used by rental car companies, it was an absolute pile of dog crap. The interior looked like it was put together by a 2 year old. The steering was way too light and numb.

Overall a disappointing car. Maybe the premium models are different, but the base was utterly uninspiring.

[Robert]

I can see Fiat 500 for a city dweller, like SF and NYC. Its dimensions make it easier to park and get around. The styling is not bad, it's hipish, material used is not on par with premium vehicles but Fiat is not a premium brand and a base level cooper is not much better.

[spanner1751]

Reliable? I think not.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/...eakdown-875312

[blittle887]

My wife bought a Fiat 500, top of the line lounge edition. She has had the car since July and has about 5,000 miles of trouble-free driving so far. She says it's a blast to drive and she gets compliments wherever she goes. I guess we'll see how reliable it is in the long run but you can't beat the price. I think she paid about $21500 for a fully loaded lounge version.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by blittle887

My wife bought a Fiat 500, top of the line lounge edition. She has had the car since July and has about 5,000 miles of trouble-free driving so far. She says it's a blast to drive and she gets compliments wherever she goes. I guess we'll see how reliable it is in the long run but you can't beat the price. I think she paid about $21500 for a fully loaded lounge version.

Holy F*K.. Who would pay $21,500 for that car? I thought these would be going for 10k..

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Yeah, I'd rather buy a Corolla or the like over a Fiat.

[blittle887]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

Holy F*K.. Who would pay $21,500 for that car? I thought these would be going for 10k..

The same can be said about your choice of car! Why buy a BMW, Audi or MB when you can buy a Toyota for a fraction of the price of those cars. In this day 21.5k for a fully loaded car isn't that much money. Like the old saying goes if the wife is happy you're happy and this is the car she wanted.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by blittle887

The same can be said about your choice of car! Why buy a BMW, Audi or MB when you can buy a Toyota for a fraction of the price of those cars. In this day 21.5k for a fully loaded car isn't that much money. Like the old saying goes if the wife is happy you're happy and this is the car she wanted.

I didn't know that Toyota or Honda can do 0-60 in 4.8 seconds from the factory.

What perks does a Fiat have over a Corolla or a Civic? It is smaller and less reliable compared to under 20k cars.. Pretty sad people pay 25k for a fully loaded one.

[blittle887]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

I didn't know that Toyota or Honda can do 0-60 in 4.8 seconds from the factory.

What perks does a Fiat have over a Corolla or a Civic? It is smaller and less reliable compared to under 20k cars.. Pretty sad people pay 25k for a fully loaded one.

Who said anything about 25K? She got the top of the line FIAT with everything she could for 21.5K. She didn't want to be like every other person driving a civic or corolla. Why do people feel the need to degrade someone for a choice that they made? I personally don't care if you like it or not, I was trying to respond to the OP's question regarding the 500. She gets WAY more attention and people asking her questions about the car than I ever get in my 2011 M3.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by blittle887

Who said anything about 25K? She got the top of the line FIAT with everything she could for 21.5K. She didn't want to be like every other person driving a civic or corolla. Why do people feel the need to degrade someone for a choice that they made?

"It's Chinatown, Jake." You're attempting to have a reasonable discussion with someone that isn't basing his opinion on reason.

As for the OP, as has been pointed out the Fiat 500 just got here but it's been available for about 5 years overseas and it's pretty well thought of there. It was European Car of the Year in 2008, World Car of the Year in 2009, both Top Gear and Fifth Gear named it best subcompact car, and the 1.4L MultiAir engine won Engine of the Year for 2011.

It's essentially a cheaper take on the Mini Cooper - not as powerful, not quite as nice outside of the Lounge versions, but also with a more compliant ride, more comfortable seats, better design, and - in the US - a pretty good feature set. I'd suggest having your mom at least test drive one. It doesn't have near the poor reputation for reliability of the Mini.

[rhouck]

Originally Posted by Stangorang

You're right, I lied about driving a Fiat 500

Granted this was a bare bones model used by rental car companies, it was an absolute pile of dog crap. The interior looked like it was put together by a 2 year old. The steering was way too light and numb.

Overall a disappointing car. Maybe the premium models are different, but the base was utterly uninspiring.

I have been in one and it does feel like a pile of crap. I was actually rather baffled because I figured it would be highly comparable to the Mini.

I'd buy a Yaris before I'd buy the Fiat

[1GhostRider]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

I didn't know that Toyota or Honda can do 0-60 in 4.8 seconds from the factory.

What perks does a Fiat have over a Corolla or a Civic? It is smaller and less reliable compared to under 20k cars.. Pretty sad people pay 25k for a fully loaded one.

I would, it maybe made of cheap parts,but does your BMW get 60+mpg. Gotta love the mpg out of the 1.3L diesel which will run a long time. Rather spend the money on that, then spend the money for a Volt or a electric car like that, rack up my electric bill, have it die on me on the road, then have to pay for gas too! Just to make it to the place I want to go, then repairs on them things no way.

[1GhostRider]

Forgot to say its a turbo diesel and it can do 112mph. There was a guy on the news that got 71mpg highway across country.

[bigbacon]

Get her an old 80s MR2.. way more fun. Lots more space

[1MOREMOD]

did you buy this for your "mom"?

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

did you buy this for your "mom"?

Nope KIA soul