I also liked the driving position, which for me was just about ideal. I traded it in recently, just before the warranty was up, because at this rate I figured it would just become a money pit, and definitely not worth the expense. Tuscany comes to mind, but this is not Italy. Those figures are probably pretty accurate, perhaps a tad pessimistic. Send Kelsey an Hide full review.
It is perfect for two, however. The liftgate spoiler is a must. The 500's been on sale for years in Europe; now it's been engineered to meet U. Inside, drivers will appreciate small items like the addition of an armrest, plus more comfortable seats. It features a reinvention of the cylinder head that's called MultiAir technology, to get 101 horsepower and 98 foot-pounds of torque. It comes on at 4000 rpm and redlines at 6800, a point that's unfortunately hard to judge because of the difficulty of reading the tachometer, especially the red numbers and lines over 6000 rpm.
These 16 inch aluminum alloy wheels are standard on the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth These 17 inch wheels are forged aluminum alloy for lightness and track strength and weigh in at 18. The quickest way to describe it is by its well earned nick name. Hard, hollow black plastic makes up the top of the dash, the door panels, and the center console. The lack of horizontal space behind the wheel can make it difficult to place a foot on the accelerator, since the center dash stack bows out into leg space. A who friend worried that the tiny Multi-Air engine would not be able to handle highway cruising was dead wrong. Fiat 500 Prima Edizione number 29 is for sale! Rarely does any manufacturer understand what clean really means, but Italians do.
Our car has a redesigned rear suspension with more roll stiffness, as well as revised front-suspension geometry said to keep the car flatter. Doors cleverly lock with an inward push of the handles. I have owned many vehicles in my time, but I must say that this is my favorite car. It's not a great family car, though my kids loved it for a week 10 and 16 years old , I don't think they'd feel quite the same way after a few years. You will also want to hear the exhaust because this car does not take prisoners my friends. We get additional subframe bracing and revised shocks all around, and our car should be substantially quieter inside. The Abarth receives 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels with a race-inspired design.
Would I recommend the 500? But you have to look closer to see the distinctions in the models, which are worth pointing out. . On the other hand, there are cars like the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris. Over the recent holiday I made the 3 hour trip to visit my family and the 500 eagerly ate the miles. The base trim level, the Pop, includes power windows, locks, and mirrors; seven airbags; air conditioning; and cruise control.
Thankfully all the repairs were under warranty. They also like the fact that the car stands out from a crowd and has a uniqueness factor, which gets owners noticed. All trims except the Lounge also get a rear spoiler, while all but the Pop include front foglights. The transmission is one of several substantial changes Fiat made to the 500 to bring it to the U. The nine-segment gas gauge and eight or nine segment temperature gauge provides less information than an analog version though, really, it provides enough , and the 140 mph maximum speed and 8,000 rpm maximum engine speed markings are foolish in a car that is unlikely to go past 120 and certainly will not pass 7,000 rpm, with an electronically controlled redline. The cup holders are too small in the front and the oil filter is very hard to get to in order to do an oil change! The power is addicting - just like driving a fast sport bike - you'll want to just roll on the throttle every chance you get to feel the the torque pull and pull.
I have a long commute that is mostly highway driving so, it was important for me to find a car that has the fuel economy that I was looking for but was also able to make my pulse race. Zippy around town and easy to park, this two-door subcompact seems the ideal urban runabout. Our day-long test took place over winding and uncrowded roads east of San Diego in the Sport , and around the city in the Pop and Lounge. Fiat even intends to adopt all these U. As a bonus, although the 500 might need a lot of time to reach top speed, at redline in every gear, the tach needle points to 120 mph on the speedo.
The driver seat on Sport models is height-adjustable, but not nearly enough to make a big difference. With two aboard, you'd be ill advised to try passing uphill--and yet, in the heart of its powerband, with the transmission in third gear, the 500 feels flexible and lively and eager beyond its power figures. Heel-toe clutch work took a bit of adjusting to for my size 11 feet due to the smallish space. All gauges in the instrument cluster are located in a single large circular display, and frequently used controls and knobs, as well as the shift knob, sit high and within easy reach of the driver. Thanks to its unique styling, retro interior, wide variety of customization options and sheer fun-to-drive factor, the 500 has endeared itself to many owners.
Since its initial launch in 2007, more than half-million Fiat 500s have been sold. Instead of a spare tire, buyers get a tire repair kit with an inflater and flat-fixer goo. Well thought out interior, split folding rear seats, power options and best of all. I haven't even replaced the original brake pads on this car! On the way back to the hotel, I pondered whether to give up my Fiat 500 for a new Fiat 500 Abarth. Fiat is reentering the U.