So has anyone driven the Fiat 500 yet?

[dino_martini]

I've seen quite a few out on the roads but they all seem to have rental car plates on them. I sat in one at the auto show and thought they were nice. It would be an interesting little city car. I wonder if you can actually get four adults into the 500 comfortably? Have any beyonders got behind the wheel of one yet?

[ExtraSlow]

I know Avis rents them in Calgary. I haven't driven one yet.

To me, if I want a small and fuel efficient car, I'm not looking at the 500 or Mini, I'm going Hyundai. Accent and Elantra get better fuel economy, use regular gas, cost less, have more power and hold more cargo.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by dino_martini
I wonder if you can actually get four adults into the 500 comfortably?

No.

I have seen Motoring TV showing 2 6-footers trying to fit front and back and it wasn't pretty.

Just like the Mini, it's more of a fashion statement than a fuel efficient transport.

[whiskas]

I tried to get in the back seat, the head rest was digging into the bottom of my shoulder blades. And my head was perma-tilted because the ceiling was too low. I'm 6'5"

[Tak]

I have driven one from Eastside, and having owned 2 smart cars, I was very curious how the Fiat would be.

It drives like a cross between the GE8 Fit and the 08+ smart. I felt like I was sitting quite high up even with the seat in it's lowest position. The inside was nicer than most of it's competitors, I'd put it on par with the Fit. It has options that I really like seeing in this market, like auto climate control.

The only interesting thing I found was the Sport button on the dash that changed the throttle mapping to increase response. The car felt very sluggish and slow (almost laboured) without the Sport mode on, so I would never turn it off.

All in all, I'd hold out for an Abarth. The engine and chassis are excellent and every time I turned the wheel I had a huge smile on my face. I just felt that it just needs more torque to be able to pull itself out of corners in slow city driving so it doesn't feel like an old EG hatch with a dragging e-brake.

After driving it, I annouced back at the dealership that I will be holding my breath until the Abarth SS makes it's way over here. If it does, I'll be first in line to order one.

BTW, the back seat had the same amount of head and leg room as my brother's old Fairlady Z 2+2. Good for small children and stuff. Anyone taller than 5' will be challenged getting in and out of the back of the Fiat 500.

[adidas]

Originally posted by whiskas
I tried to get in the back seat, the head rest was digging into the bottom of my shoulder blades. And my head was perma-tilted because the ceiling was too low. I'm 6'5"

how tha hell do u drive a s2000?

[whiskas]

Originally posted by adidas


how tha hell do u drive a s2000?

I wonder the same thing sometimes. Head room isn't an issue, but I am at the limit as far as leg room goes.

[Cooked Rice]

I'm 6'1" and can't fit comfortably in the driver seat. My head is nearly to the roof. Unless you like driving with a mad lean, it is cramped for head room.

[Maybelater]

I've pretty much only seen them through rental companies, they must have gave them a sick deal to rep their vehicles.

[tawheed]

I drove one, sport model. Honestly didn't feel much more spirited than my 05 Echo RS DD. I'd wait for the Abarth. Even then the models we get here are mexican assembled.

[afif]

Drove one last summer in Beirut. Beautiful interior but the car is so weak. Brakes are ok and handling is fine. Nice car to take to the beach and its easy to park in a busy city like Beirut.

[zipdoa]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
I know Avis rents them in Calgary. I haven't driven one yet.

To me, if I want a small and fuel efficient car, I'm not looking at the 500 or Mini, I'm going Hyundai. Accent and Elantra get better fuel economy, use regular gas, cost less, have more power and hold more cargo.

I'd take a Mini over a Hyundai any day. Putting aside the differences in build quality, driving pleasure and resale value, the Mini is still a more comfortable chassis for me (and I'm 6'7).

I would recommend the Hyundai to anyone looking for an inexpensive A->B car with no concern for resale value. Hyundai does cheap really well, but they certainly don't make an exciting vehicle.


/fanboy