"fhrblig" (fhrblig)
02/23/2014 at 11:34 • Filed to: None
3
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"fhrblig" (fhrblig)
02/23/2014 at 11:34 • Filed to: None | 3
| 23 |
About a month and a half ago, I traded my '09 Ford Ranger for an Azzuro '12 Fiat 500 Sport with just under 14k on the clock. I loved my truck, but I had the itch for something new. Here's how I like it so far, along with a few little niggles that annoy me.
I LOVE the way this car looks. The color is exactly what I wanted, and the wheels are what first caught my eye. You can be sure you've bought the right car if you park it and as you're walking away you keep looking back at it. I do that a lot now.
One thing that hadn't occurred to me when I bought it was how quickly I'd be able to wash it. I took it to a do-it-yourself wash and it took about 5 minutes. Its size is definitely a plus there.
So far, I've gotten an average of 34-35 mpg. The best tank so far is 37. It would be higher, but unfortunately my commute is right in the heart of both rush hours. Sometimes I have to avoid the highways completely. I can tell that if I went on a road trip I'd be getting 40+, though.
It's a lot more comfortable than I thought it would be. I love the seats in it. I do wish I could lower the seat just a touch, though. My head can touch the side of the sunroof opening. This 500 does not have a height adjuster.
I really like the Blue & Me bluetooth integration. That is way more handy than I expected. Ecodrive is a weird feature, but interesting. I don't know that I'm going to be using it too much, but it's still a neat idea. Basically it stores your driving data and you can download it onto a flash drive, then upload it using the Fiat Ecodrive app. It shows you statistics on how you drive and how you can save gas, and so on.
It drives about how I expected, and I am not disappointed. First and second gears are lots of fun, and the engine note is great. Third gear and above it could use just a few more ponies. I think if I were buying a brand new 500 I would probably spring for the Turbo, even though I wouldn't be able to get it in this color. I'm looking forward to spring and summer, because I'll be flinging this little thing up and down some mountain roads as soon as possible.
Inside the cabin the fit and finish are mostly good, but the build quality is a bit suspect. The door handles inside feel loose. The driver's side window rattles constantly when it is rolled down. One of the anchors for the driver's side floor mat broke. The plastic cover under the steering wheel is loose and clunks when I hit it with my knee. The driver's seat back release that you would use to let someone climb into the back seat is not working. I can still adjust the seat back angle, but the release is broken somewhere because it will only release one side of the joint. I can get all of these things fixed under warranty when I take it in for service in about a month, but they all are kinda disappointing.
My partner Jason likes it much better than the Ranger, but the first couple times he got in it he hit his head on the door sill. That negative reinforcement doesn't help. The first time he drove it, though, was not what I expected. He drove the Ranger a couple times and wasn't exactly smooth with the transmission, but he got into my Fiat and drove it like he was trying to set a track record or something. He didn't redline it or anything crazy, but he drove it like he was a seasoned automobile enthusiast (he is decidedly NOT an enthusiast). I didn't expect that at all. Made me proud!
I am not digging the sport tires in the snow. Snow tires would definitely be useful. I'm able to get around ok, they just struggle to get any traction.
All in all, I'm loving this car. It's easily the most loaded car I've ever owned, at least where all the features work ('91 Sable, I'm looking in your direction). I'm not used to having things like cruise control or automatic climate control or power anything, but I'm enjoying the hell out of them.
Mikeado
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 11:36 |
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That really is a very nice blue indeed.
AM3R
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 11:43 |
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I love that blue!
Also for the whole lowering the seat debacle, can you buy aftermarket rails that sit lower? I know that's a common thing to do for tall people who buy coupes (S2K's, Miatas, etc.)
PushToStart
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 11:46 |
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A few days ago I sat in a 500 with a manual, and I absolutely love where the shifter is. It's seriously in the perfect spot, you don't have to move your hand too much off the steering wheel to get to it, and it feels so natural to row through the gears. Fantastic little car, and that color on yours is awesome.
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fhrblig
> PushToStart
02/23/2014 at 11:48 |
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I thought it would be weird having it there, but you're right. It's absolutely perfect where it is.
Brian Silvestro
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 11:49 |
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Damn the blue with those wheels are perfect! Great looking car.
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fhrblig
> AM3R
02/23/2014 at 11:51 |
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I'm not sure. I think the big circular switch blank I have on the side of the seat is where the height adjuster would go. Fortunately it's not enough of a bother to me that I'd need to try to fiddle with it. Unfortunately for my stepdad, he won't be driving it anytime soon (he's 6'5).
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fhrblig
> Mikeado
02/23/2014 at 11:51 |
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It's nearly the same color as my Ranger was. I love this color.
Big Bubba Ray
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 11:52 |
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I really don't like blue cars, but the color on this one just works, and I really like it! I'd love to get the chance to drive one of these. They look like a damn good time.
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fhrblig
> Brian Silvestro
02/23/2014 at 11:53 |
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I'm sad you can't get a Turbo with Azzuro. I might consider getting a new Turbo 500 in a couple years, but the only blue with it is a blue-green color that I do like, but it isn't as good as this color.
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fhrblig
> Big Bubba Ray
02/23/2014 at 11:54 |
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I smile a lot while driving this car. Funny, I bet it gets a really low score on the Jalopmeter.
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Brian Silvestro
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 12:06 |
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Yeah that's really a shame! I really like that color. That or the brown would be my choice if I were buying the car.
McChiken116 - Patrick H.
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 12:07 |
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That color blue is amazing. If I had gone with a new car, rather than a used one, I probably would've gone with a 500
hethoughtofcars
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 12:08 |
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I've only sat in a 500L (which is pretty much an entirely different car) but when I was working the shifter, the I finally learned what auto journalist when they describe it as "ropy"... Shifting from 1st to 2nd or 3rd to 4th practically required your elbow to touch the backseat! First thing I would do with that one is a short shifter kit.
How do like the shifting on this Fiat?
(And yes, that is a gorgeous blue) :)
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fhrblig
> hethoughtofcars
02/23/2014 at 12:13 |
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I love the gearbox on it. The throws seem just fine to me, but I went to this Fiat from a manual Ranger. Truck transmissions can be a bit agricultural and have long throws, so this one feels much sportier.
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Big Bubba Ray
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 12:14 |
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Oh no, these do quite well on the Jalopmeter! There are a few other Jalops who own them and love them. Your car's a stick right? If so, that scores you plenty of points! haha
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fhrblig
> McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/23/2014 at 12:14 |
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I got this one used because the mileage was so low, and it was a great deal. $12k! Still has 35k of warranty left on it, too.
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hethoughtofcars
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 12:16 |
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Well it's placement certainly looks better, even reminds me a bit of that Civic Si hatch we had back in the early-2000s
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fhrblig
> Big Bubba Ray
02/23/2014 at 12:19 |
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I went through it and it only got 30.
-20 for 4 cupholders though? COME ON.
Kailand09
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 12:30 |
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Do you live in a more suburban area of rural?
How does it feel going along on the highway? I always imagine I'd be really uncomfortable driving along the expressway in one, so I'm curious to hear what someone who owns one would say lol.
They look like a lot of fun, glad you like it!
FlimFlamMan
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 12:36 |
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Do I spy and OPPO sticker?
It's a good lookin' little car, and I agree about the wheels. It sharpens it up nicely. I would certainly spring for the turbo/abarth myself, but that blue is indeed appealing. Personally, I think a subtle amount of vinyl would be a nice touch (an uber thin racing stripe maybe?). I see these in the canyons of the LA area all the time and they almost always have a big shit-eatin' grin.
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fhrblig
> Kailand09
02/23/2014 at 12:49 |
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Suburban. It doesn't feel that small on the highway, actually. I don't get tossed around in winds nearly as much as I did in my old Hyundai Accent. It could use more power at highway speeds, but it has enough to get by.
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fhrblig
> FlimFlamMan
02/23/2014 at 12:54 |
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Yup. I got it last year, but I waited to put it on the Ranger because I had the feeling I'd be trading it in.
I think I might chance it and see if the roads in the foothills are dry today...
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Kailand09
> fhrblig
02/23/2014 at 13:01 |
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Interesting thanks for the input!
My uncle rented one once and said he liked it too. A bit small for my tastes, but otherwise seems to be a great car.
Imagine an LS swap in that shit. LOL