Used 2014 FIAT 500 Consumer Reviews
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Terrific Car
I have held off on writing my review for a couple of years (so my car is actually a '13) in order to see how it fared over time. I don't think they have made many changes since them to the Abarth. I did not give it a poor rating on things like ride quality and storage simply because the car is great for what it is. The ride quality is very stiff due to the sport suspension, as is the steering. It's what I wanted and what I expected, so it has not disappointed me in these regards. It is also noisy due to the awesome exhaust (which one dealer told me is made by Ferrari). My only "poor" rating is on the visibility. Even looking out the front you have to be vigilant. There just isn't a lot of clarity no matter how you slice it. Two other things I do not like: no Bluetooth connect from phone to audio (unless calling someone) so if you want to listen to Pandora, you have to have cords. This is probably not the case if you get the navigation package. The other thing I do not like: terrible turning radius! Crazy. Feels like driving a boat when trying for a tight turn. These things being said, I thought that when I bought this car I would get tired of it after two months. It's loud, fun, stiff, small, fast, manual. I got it on lease for three years, so it was a gamble. Well, I have not tired of it at all. It has been great. You will get close to 40 mpg on the highway, and I average about 30 in mixed city driving. Also, I fit a Laz-y-Boy in the back! (Only because you can separate the seat from the back with a Laz-y-Boy.) This is not a super fast car, but it FEELS super fast and it is a blast to rocket around. I will say that the turbo lag is a bit much. I hear that it is not so obvious in the automatic transmission. Also, Fiat often offers some great deals. I got this as a lease so had to pay the list price. The same car was on sale for about $4,000 less when purchasing. So leasing may not be the most economical choice. I have noticed that a lot of American reviewers are pretty hard on Fiat. I don't know why. Consumer Reports rates them with awful reliability yet I have not had a single issue. I test drove the VW GTI, and that is a great car, but a whole different animal. The GTI is faster, way more refined in terms of ride quality, but the Abarth feels like it is made for rallycross and wants to chew something up. It is just bursting to go when you put it in sport mode. You can only get a sense of the Abarth by driving it and really pushing the pedal. Again, I'm not sure why it doesn't get amazing reviews, but I am not a car expert. One person described the driving experience as "driving an angry hornet." That is right on. On the highway, it holds very firm. I have driven it fair distances and been very comfortable, but again, it is quite loud. I would seriously consider getting another Abarth when my lease is up in 2016, but the girlfriend is not in favor. She says it makes her dizzy and it is too loud for us to talk on a road trip. Also, the racing seats are not conducive to her reclining to take a snooze while I drive. So....a word to the wise. In a nutshell, if you test drive this car and finish by getting out and telling yourself you feel like you just got out of a cocktail shaker, this may not be the car for you. If, on the other hand, you get out and you find yourself eager for more, then you know you have found your next car. It will not disappoint.
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Love the retro Pop!
After 2 months of ownership, I can tell you great things about my blue green Pop. It's retro styling is so fun--it makes me smile every time I see it. I love the manual transmission; it is fun to drive and very fuel efficient. I average 36.5 mpg combined, and reached 44mpg using premium gas on a highway only trip. I am still evaluating using premium gas in town, but performance is definitely worth it for a highway trip. The seats are comfortable, and I love all the manual climate control. The bluetooth works well from both front seats. The standard audio system is really good and versatile. There is good headroom without a sunroof for taller drivers.
- GQ Edition ConvertibleMSRP: $7,79537 mi away
- Sport 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $9,999136 mi away
- Pop 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,995136 mi away
From Pop to Abarth
My 2012 Pop was a wonderful car and I enjoyed getting into it every day but I knew in the back of my mind that an Abarth would eventually end up in my garage. I waited for the 2013 model to arrive and then I went for a test drive - don't do this unless you are ready to buy one. The Abarth is everything I liked about the Pop raised to the tenth power. Comparing the Abarth to the Pop is like comparing an Alpina to a base 3 series BMW - you know the cars are related, but so many components have been upgraded that it is a completely different car. If you appreciate what FIAT has accomplished with the 500 you are going to love the Abarth.
Great niche car...think before you buy
Up front I'll say that I love this car and it is great for my needs. But this is absolutely a niche vehicle that is lots of fun as a run-about but gives up a lot in utility/flexibility. There is no way I would have bought this as an only car in the household--something like a GTI would make way more sense or a Focus ST if you wanted more edginess. That said, I felt the Abarth had way more character, was more fun, and was more unique for a hot hatch. It feels a more raw and simple than the competition--which I like. It gets me to work every day, puts a smile on my face when I drive it, gets good gas mileage, and for short trips fits a family of three and groceries for a couple of days.
A Very Happy Experience
I have now had the Fiat for 30 months. I still love the car. I have had no problems with it, and the dealership where I bought it gives great service. The only complaint that I have is that with the stock tires, that it does not do well in deep snow. This is only a problem on my street which is not plowed. If Fiat sold the awd 500x with the six speed in the US, I would buy one. After having had my Fiat 500 for two months, I feel that I know the car well, and can comment on it. This car replaced a turbo diesel car, so needing fast acceleration was not a requirement. The first week of ownership, I put mine and my wife's road bikes on the back and took off on a thousand mile drive to participate in a week long bike ride in Northern Idaho. We had to cross the continental divide, and drive over many types of roads. This car has extremely comfortable seats, and except for the extreme climbs, has enough power. We averaged 35 mpg, for the trip. Since then, it is averaging 35-39 mpg with mostly city driving. We have had no problems, great a/c, and no rattles. Love this CAR
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Italian Tardis
I bought a used 2013 with 7k miles and an automatic transmission and use it as our "fun" car for my daily work commute. We've got 4 kids and our other car is a minivan so this Fiat is a much needed injection of small car sprightliness and tossable fun. Great commuter car. I am amazed at how much "bigger on the inside" (for the Dr Who fans) it feels compared to how it looks from outside. Perhaps it's the tallness of the cabin but the front 2 seats are plenty big for adults, comfortable and well supported. Plus I just like that it's small. I've owned an SUV and it always felt like I was carrying around a bunch of extra space back there. Not so with this.
AWESOME FUN MY LITTLE TIGER
Abarth is ultimately more fun than my old mustang or Z a little power house that doesn't shy away from a fight love the engine growl and the kick more room than you think awesome bang for the buck . Fun the most fun than any car I have ever own worth every penny a pleasure to drive.
Awesome car that will surprise & make you smile!!!
I test drove many cars looking for a cost effective economical car that would be a fun everyday driver while still be great on gas. I test drove a Mini Cooper S convertible for 7 days and found it to be a noisy cheap car that really felt like a poorly built cheap car (shame on you BMW). I looked at the beetle (just ok), focus (awful style), fiesta (nothing more to say), and many more, but just could not find the fun factor I wanted. Then I happened upon a Fiat Abarth 500C and thought that looked interesting. I test drove it ... and wow ... it was incredible. It was perfect! It had the fun factor with the exhaust note, convertible, 5-speed, and the power is great. It also gets great gas mileage, low insurance cost, can seat 4 (yes the back seats are small but work just fine), feels solid/stable, and best of all a low mileage used car can be found for under 19k ... and then I find that the warranty is 4 years/50k ... Bonus! I have since put over 25000 trouble free miles on this car including a couple of long distance trips. This car never fails to make me smile and always a willing partner to have some fun. On top of that, I get many comments on how nice the car looks because it is a limited edition Abarth 500c. For 2013 there were only 250 imported to the USA ... so it is extremely rare to even see another one. LOVE my car!
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C'mon it's lot's of fun
I am an old dude 53, I have a Light seafoam green with ivory interior 2013 500 pop 5 speed with a sunroof , alum wheels, and beats stereo , on top of all the other goodies that just come standard on this car . It rocks , fun , fast , stable, quiet , I've owned one of just about everything over the years from Pintos to Porsches , literally. This is hands down one of my favorites. My only complaint is that the turbo doesn't come in ANY color I want! after 11,000 miles in just under 3 months not a single problem , rattle , or squeak . Maybe I bite the bullet and go for an Orange Turbo at the end of the year, anything but silver or grey . I'm sick of seeing silver cars .
3,000 miles a month and I love it!
I have a long commute. 113 miles round trip. My 500 Pop does what I need it to do. Great gas mileage and no drama. I’m getting 44 mpg in strict interstate driving!
Stylish convertible with novel top
I bought this car used two years ago. It had about 15k miles on it but the price was GREAT. I guess that's a caution if you plan to buy a new Fiat, but I got virtually a new car for under $11K. I thought I wanted a used Miata but when I test drove the Fiat I knew that was the one for me. Not as sporty a driving experience perhaps, but a helluva lot more fun. The top can be stopped at any stage of opening, but has 2 built-in detents in addition to fully open. 1st position is basically a sunroof, second is as open as you can get without affecting rearward visibility, fully down is the quietest but like an old VW bug the folded down top is in the way of rear vision. Not really an issue out on the road but not the best idea in a parking lot environment. Styling is charming, capturing the retro feel but also seeming practical and logical for modern driving. My city driving in Sport mode yields about 36MPG. Also note that the storage capacity is quite limited compared to the non-convertible which has a full hatch. The convertible has a small trunk lid not a hatch. So I don't think this could be a grownup's only vehicle, but it's a blast to drive and every time I look at it or meet one on the road I feel happy! Reliability has been excellent. Only trips to dealer are for recalls and to add a conventional spare tire. Service here at Hendrick Dodge in Cary, NC has been excellent. November 2017 Update: The car continues to be fun to drive and I have had no reliability issues whatsoever. I have yet to see another convertible I'd prefer. May 2018 Update: Changed the spark plugs at 30K miles. Still runs great and love the car.
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Best Car I Ever Bought!
It's like driving in a Grand Prix, just going to the store! And I've owned Dodge Vipers, Corvettes, AC Cobras, Honda S2000's, Mazda Miatas, GM Kappa convertibles. I have the optional forged wheels with summer tires. Handling is unbelievable. I can stay with anything on a country road. Sound is unbelievable. It comes from the factory with no muffler! Visibility is great. Sunroof is large and far enough forward that you can see the sky. Plenty of power. It goes 140 mph. Roomy, huge storage with the rear seats folded down. I have the optional leather interior and it rivals premium luxury cars. Bright, airy, a really great place to spend time. I've owned the car seven years and had zero service issues. Highly recommended. Recently added K and N cold air intake, Madness 500 ECU module, and Magnaflow exhaust. Probably added 40 hp. It flies now. Get one while you still can.
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Fun little beasty
When Fiat left the US market oh so long ago, I was not happy. By that time I had owned a very used 128 wagon, a new X-1/9 and then a new 131 Brava. Each one a wonderful little car....as long as you loved sporting little Italian designed automobiles. I did, and I do, so I was thrilled when Fiat returned to our market. Then, when they tossed in the Abarth engineering along with a Turbo and strengthened trans, equal length half-shafts etc. I knew I was going to own a Fiat again. Hooray, because I own one now. This Abarth is truly a fun car to drive. Sure, it has quirks, but like Fiats of old, they are endearing to a "Driver".
I still love my fiat
I bought my Fiat in January of 2014 and have put just over 22,000 miles on it. I love the drop top which I can drop going up to 50 mph and my gas mileage is at 40.2-I drive 30% city and 70% road. I live in the upper Great Lakes and this little bulldog is surprisingly good in snow, plus with heated seats I can drop my top and watch the snow fall inside my cabin! After 28,000 miles, my Fiat has averaged 41.2 mpg. Now it is October of 2016 and my odometer shows over 36000 miles on it and I still LOVE my Fiat. No issues to report other than a ton of fun! Now it is October 2017 and I have racked up 51,000 miles on my Fiat-the love affair continues. I have had only one repair on little cha cha cha and this is a new headlight switch installed. The Fiat 500 thinks it is a big bad bold car stuck in a little car's body! Now it is April of 2018 and my Fiat is still running proud and loud! Do not underestimate this little car's ability in snow-as long as I am not "pushing" snow the traction and ability to get around the snowy Great Lakes is surprising plus I can fit my skis inside. I love this little car after 56,000 miles It is now October of 2018 and my little bulldog of a Fiat has turned over the 60,000 mile mark. My mileage the past 3,000 miles has improved to 40.2 mpg and my little champ has been into the Canadian Bush in Algoma. Love the car Now it is October of 2020 and I have 76,459 miles on my fiat. Still really love this car and have just one complaint-the passenger side headlight I have had to replace 5 times. Other than that, this has been a great little car! It is now April, 2021 and my fiat has 81,345 miles on it. This past winter I took it up to the Keweenaw Pennisula in Michigan's UP where it performed like a bulldog in a lot of snow. No signs of rust, the steering is still tight and I still love my Fiat! My little Fiat has now passed 85,000 miles and is still running very well. I am averaging 40.9 miles mpg
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2013 Fiat Sport Manual Black on Black w/Leather Seats
We purchased this little beauty new on 12/29/13, so we have owned it now for 15 months. The wife is 5'2" and I am 5'11". We both fit comfortably whether driving or riding. The wife is the primary driver and loves everything about this car, the look (with the chrome appearance package) the acceleration (with the manual), the ride comfort (with the leather seating), the upright seating position for a great all around view, and the wonderful handling. The Sport model is the Fiat 500 to get. The Sport model offers much better handling than the Pop model, but does not diminish ride comfort, especially when the leather seating upgrade is included. Also, huge difference with "stick" vs "auto".
2013 Abarth manual - highest fun/$
You have to try it.. you may love or hate it - but it really is a fun car for 'enthusiast' drivers. Great value, provided you don't pay the MSRP (I got mine (with 3 year tire insurance - which I already used once for a repair) for 19K US$ + tax with end of year discounts of 6K.) Was considering other small/light 'fun' cars such as the Mini/Mazda Mx5/BRZ-FRS, but for similar performance/features it would be 10K more, anyway, I just kind of fell in love with it after a test drive. With the 17-inch wheels and P-zero tires this light weight car feels fast and nimble, not always stable on the edge. Provided you keep it in the mid-rev range the torque is strong and turbo lag is not an issue. Update: now at 22,000 miles/3 years later.. still a lot a fun to commute with - still puts a smile on my face.. - added a GoPedal (major improvement to response/lag), Craven Speed Short shift kit (feels much better than stock shifter long throw), a Madness high-flow intake (actually made some difference to holding boost and also the turbo sound)...... tiring for long drives such as San Jose to LA - no telescoping steering/high seats.. still love this car.. concerned about the San Jose dealership closing.. so far it's been reliable (even though I drive like I stole it (when alone - when very little traffic/clear road ahead/back-roads)) - except some minor interior back-light issue on the air controls - fixed under warranty.
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If you have a clean Abarth 500 you should keep it!
Traded my Abarth 2 years ago for a BMW 228i. The BMW is great and a much better car overall, but I do miss the rowdy little Abarth. I've actually been looking around for clean used ones and there don't seem to be that many around. I probably should have kept mine, but my local Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealer service department is the absolute worst and I just couldn't deal with that circus anymore. And they totally gave up on Fiat and I doubt they had any actual Fiat techs there anymore. If you have an Abarth, please take care of it because I think the prices have bottomed out. In 10 years they'll be going for $30k on BringATrailer!
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Ask the man who has owned all three...
I never thought I'd be writing this review, but I am. I traded my 2012 Pop (which I loved) for a 2013 Abarth, figuring more is always better. In my case, this turned out not to be true. The Abarth is a very cool car, but in real world daily driving it was just too much for this old guy. The heavy controls, harsh ride (on the optional 17 inch wheels), and painful seats did me in and I traded it for a 2013 Sport after a brief ownership experience. The Sport works better as a real world daily driver and has more than enough upgrades to justify picking it over a Pop. I'm very pleased with my decision.
If you're a real "driver" get one
As I said in the title, if you enjoy driving and take it seriously, get one. I was very pleased with my 500 Sport (35000 mi) but longed for a bit more 'oomph' to play with. It's handling and overall demeanor was really good and involving but getting up to speed was lacking. Enter the Abarth. As someone else stated in a previous review, the many changes made to the car to cope with the added power turned it into a different animal. The power is there, the steering more direct, the brakes (helped by the 17"tires) are like hitting a wall, the shifting is more direct and positive. Short of driving a race kart on the streets, this is 'it'. You just have to hear the engine fire up. Love it!
Fun, Fuel Efficient and safe
UPDATE: I've become a little less pleased with this car, at 67000 on the clock, an oil leak has developed, half of the instrument panel lights don't work and the odometer blinks And I don't have a clue what that's supposed to mean. The driver side seatbelt doesn't retract anymore and the hatch handle cover fell off. I knew it was a Fiat, but I expected they would have fixed their reputation on their 2nd attempt to make it in the USA. When my wife's' Hyundai blew up after a timing belt failure. We looked around at several sub compact cars that that she could drive confidently. When we tried the Fiat, we walked away from the dealer because the salesman tried to sell us one with a sunroof and I did not fit at all due to the decreased headroom. We later tried a standard pop and I fit perfect. The little Fiat was available in Green which was the wife's most important feature . Safety was mine. It has traction control, 5 airbags, anti lock brakes and great safety ratings. We were rear ended by a impaired driver on the highway and the traction control saved us from a potentially horrible situation. 6 months later a guy in a mustang ran a red light and smashed into the side..(Southern California Drivers) Both times were minor injuries although I was banged up a bit in the rear end collision. It gets about 30 - 40 MPG with the automatic and is a great value. I would advise anyone NOT TO GET WHEEL COVERS and step up and get aluminum wheels or zip tie those caps to the wheel as they always FALL OFF. irritating....
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Hardcore Hatchback!
Fiat was a sponsor of the US Grand Prix in Austin and had some Abarths on display. I really liked the look of the thing. Nice interior but not as quirky as a Mini Cooper. For such a tiny car it just looked mean. A week later I test drove one. I decided that buying the car just didn't make sense for me. A week later I bought one. Sense had nothing to do with it. This car is loud, raw and rides like an ox cart. It is also FUN! I traded in the best car I ever owned, a 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI, that averaged 40 mpg. The Abarth seats look great but hurt my back. The shifter is rubbery. It could use a sixth gear. It only holds 10 gallons of gas. Go drive one. You will either get it or not....
Pop
I was going to buy another Mazda, but my local Dealer low balled me on my trade. Went to the local Fiat dealer, I had been wanting to test drive the 500. Got a great deal on a 2012 Pop, wanted a 2012 Sport, ut they didnot have any left. I had the car for little over a month. It is fun to drive, with the 5 speed, I would not get the automatic if you are buying one with base engine. Tha gas mileage is good. I called l and got the complete Owners Manuels for the car. The car is smarter than I am...<G> At the end of this model year I might have to buy the Turbo Model...<G>
Best FUN subcompact money can buy!
If one of your priorities is a FUN car to drive back and forth to work, than this is the best car for your money hands down! I have over 90k miles on my car now and the only repair has been normal ... oil replacements, tires, & brakes. I even still have the original clutch. The car has never left me stranded and still gets 38mpg. Do yourself a favor and get the Abarth version though as it has much more power and really sounds great too.
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2103 Pop 10 day review
Purchased my 2013 10 days ago. I'm impressed and very excited. The value of the Pop for the money cannot be overstated. After researching many used cars and new I was thrilled to pay $15,560 out-the-door for a new car with 4 year warranty, comfortable ride, fun ride, cruise control, power windows, usb, bluetooth... It does great on freeways and curvy roads. The Sport button is especially fun on the curvy roads. Parking and maneuvering is great. Excellent gas mileage - exceeds the 31-40 mpg ratings. The car meets the needs and satisfies the wants. The engine delivers. I pulled the rear headrests and keep the rear seat down and enjoy the open space in the back.
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I love my FIat!
I have had my little yellow Fiat since October 2013 and have 37,000 miles on her, having driven across country twice. Everyone is amazed at the amount of stuff the little car can carry! The only problem I have had, head lights sprung a leak and CDs get stuck in the player. I have wanted one since seeing one in Italy 15 years ago. When my Toyota 4 Runner with 200,000 miles decided to die, I bought my Fiat. A very happy Fiat owner.
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In love with my lil Veleno
I was considering a Mini or an MX5 around the time the Fiat came back to the US. I purchased a Fiat 500 Sport instead. It was not a complete dog like the regular mini cooper and I loved the extra space that the MX5 did not have. I can go to the grocery store in the Fiat! About 9 months ago I purchased an Abarth. Best idea I ever had. I have a 45 minute commute each way in traffic. The car zips in and out of traffic and I have had no mechanical problems. I have driven many of my friends Mini S, which cost a lot more (I paid $19,000 for new Abarth at year end clearance sale). Abarth drives so much better and the sound is spectacular. The sport button turns the car into a monster. :)
Very fun to drive!
Update 10/2017: This car has about 40k miles on it now at 3 years old. It has had no maintenance or breakdown issues. Shows no signs of mechanical issues. Some things that do show the wear are the paint. It chips rather easy and is somewhat discolored on the bumper areas, not too noticeable unless your washing it. Resale value of the fiat is still in the tank, even though this is one of the special editions of abarth, which is a bummer and the biggest reason I can not recommend buying this car at any price new. Resale is ATROCIOUSLY low. If you buy it new, you are stuck until the car is 3/4 paid off at least. So the value just isn't there on the financial side and I have had way better value in, well, every other car I have ever owned. Better off with a mini cooper, honda, kia, hyundai or toyota by far. Original review I've owned this car for over 2 years when writing this review. The good: This car is fun to drive, its eye catching , and people always comments on the sound of the exhaust. If your looking for something fun to drive this is a good catch. The cabrio top is great on non rainy days, really enjoy the air and blasting the sound system, which is ample to blast through any wind noise. The steering and response is there,, it wont disappoint on the steering and grippiness of the road. Once the stock tires wore down I replaced them with Michelen Y rated tires which will last longer. The stick shift is this car is super easy,, you wont have a problem even if your a novice. And the hill assist is money. If your on a hill and need to go from 1st gear, no need to rev the engine and grind the clutch, the car holds break for you for about 3-4 seconds which is plenty to get going (really nice feature) and if its not your thing, you can turn it off in the settings. Interior: its a unique design for Fiat so theres not much in the Fiat line to compare it to,, its a nice leather finish to the seats and really compliments the white exterior. I get lots of compliments on the interior design. Gas milage will vary depending on how you drive it,, if your enjoying that punchy turbo motor,, expect gas milage to suffer,, if your easy on it,, it'll realistically be in the mid to high twenties maybe get into 30s. Parking assist is money and works as advertised All the controls are easy to use, reach and understand. If you want to know some cons: Might second biggest gripe would be the stock radio head unit. Its really cheap garbage. Which is sad because this car is priced high when compared to what you get in other brands for mid-high 20k range. I replaced it with a Kenwood KVT7012BT, which is the best thing you can do. Not only does it allow you to adjust the EQ the fidelity, apps, screen size and capability is just better. Sound is well improved. The Beats system is junk and is pure marketing for beats, the consumer is benefiting nothing from this system. Second gripe would be the headlight power,, the illumination is underwhelming and in many cases will have you wondering if your seeing everything you need to be. There are some blind spots with the front windshield pillars which when in a lengthy turn scenario have blinded me to cars that were there so you have to have your head on a swivel when taking corners to ensure there is no one coming head on. Resale value on these cars is terrible!!! The number 1 reason I wont purchase again. If you buy it be prepared to keep it for many years. I do find myself wishing for some illumination around the interior at night. Even grabbing a drink from a cupholder can be difficult when its pitch black in the car, so some subtle illumination like the mini has would be stellar. Especially since this car isnt too far off the pricing of a mini. It really is a decent car I wish I could recommend. I have had zero issue with it mechanically. I had a family of four in it without issue cruising around. And taken several trips with 2-3 people in it.
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FIAT 500C Lounge
Have been very impressed by this little car. Purchased it new and now have over 60K miles on it. Only things replaced are tires at 40K miles and general maintenance. (one computer reprogram done by the dealer at 10K miles) Automatic transmission makes it easy to drive around town and although the performance is not blistering it is more than adequate for this type of car. Leather interior is holding up much better than my Maserati. It's the perfect beach cruiser for Southern California and weekend getaway vehicle!
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2013 Abarth 500 C is a great fun car!
Some of these reviews are just ridiculous, complaining about about this that they should have seen during a test drive. My car has 22k on it now and I have done nothing besides normal oil changes/maintenance. The car is always ready to have fun and everyone loves the looks/sound! Just completed a 1200 mile trip with wife and daughter (yes in rear seat) and it ran perfect at 85-90 mph the whole way! I would have liked a sixth gear for lower RPMs at higher speeds because at 85mph you are running 3600 rpm. And yes they loose their values quicker than most cars so buy a low milage used car and you will have a perfect car. Update: I sold the car about 6 months ago because I needed more room. Yes I miss it but I needed more room. I would buy another
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Small price, lots of fun/utility/style
I bought my Fiat 500 for $8K with 13,000 miles on the odometer and a few months' warranty left. It was my first used car since the mid 90s. A used Fiat 500 can be a great deal. Things I love: this car has great attention to detail in it's design - it has character and little things that delight, like the white instruments, controls, and steering wheel that make it feel unlike any other car available. The 2013 model has my favorite version of the interior because the dash lights are all orange and match; later models went to a different set of instruments that don't match the radio colors. I've put almost 10,000 miles on mine now going back and forth to work, the gym, and running errands - it has the easiest driving manual transmission I've ever owned and the electric power steering is a pleasure around town. I can always wedge it into that parking spot nobody else can use. You can drive it all out and never get into much trouble, and it has plenty of power for the freeway. The iPod integration, Bluetooth, and stereo are excellent and easy to use. On the down side - the seats have short bottoms and are not the most comfortable things, though that may be personal. Due to the short wheelbase, it can have a busy, sometimes nervous ride compared to a larger car. I feel quite content zipping around town with my little Fiat - it makes me smile. Like most of us, it's faults are the mirror image of it's strengths. I get impeccable, attentive service from my dealer (Fiat of Kirkland, WA).
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Truly is more fun to the gallon!
Traded in a 2010 Prius for my 2013 FIAT Pop four-dr hatchback. Bright Yellow. I loved the Prius but did not care for the Service Dept for Toyota in my area. Happy to not have to return to them. My FIAT has six-gears Automatic transmission. It has a Sport Mode button. I live in a hilly region of AR and appreciate the sports-car feel of my FIAT 500. Attended a FIAT Rally recently with 22 FIAT 500's. Great time on mountainous roads! Staff from Landers in Benton AR made it all the more fun. I highly recommend both the car and the people from Landers.
Great car with a catch..
I admit, I'm pretty blinded by how much I love my Abarth and it's a car that I would definitely recommend to anyone thinking about one. They're super fun to drive, full of character, have great aftermarket support and turn plenty of heads. Mine has 34k miles with a few engine modifications and has been dead reliable. It's a little short on space and has a lot of cheap plastic on the inside (as to be expected from a car with subcompact economy car bones) though this never bothered me as I understood what I was buying. The big catch is that these are not a spectacular deal brand new with the price tag, however the depreciation makes these a stellar bargain with clean, low mileage examples with leftover factory warranty selling sometimes $10k less than new. If this is a unit you plan on keeping for years to come, then go for it. If this is a car you plan turn around and sell a year after your purchase be ready to take a tremendous hit due to depreciation.
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READ THIS BEFORE YOU BUY ONE. PLEASE!
Bought last year with 4000 miles on it. No it’s not a miss print, a 2013 with 4K on it. 4 days after owning the car it started to make a ticking noise. Brought it back to the dealer, on the way to the dealer a boost hose came apart, I limped it into the dealer ship. 3 days of diag later they say the inputshaft bearing went out on the transmission. So they put a transmission in it and fix the boost leak. 3 months after owning it the a/c stopped working. It’s been back to the dealer 3 times for that and they can’t find out why. 4 month after owning it the driver’s side window starts to rattle when it’s 1/2 way down. Bring it back to the dealer and they said the window track bolts were loose, they repaired that. Then around 12k the engine starts to consume 2 quarts of oil every 2k miles. So we start to do an oil consumption report, which is basically drop the car off and have a tech check the dip stick. Now we’re at 18k and on the last dipstick check the dealership calls and says it needs an engine. So they order me up and engine and now it’s sitting at the dealership. I also found out when checking out the warranty coverage at the last dipstick check, the selling dealership put an engine in it at 3k and never disclosed it at the original sale. At this point I called fiat corporate and started this process. The put me with a case worker. I wanted to turn the car in but apparently fiat does not do buy backs and they wanted to connect me to some one in sales to try to “trade” it in on another product. So at this point my warranty runs out in September of 2019, which I will be trading it in. It’s a very fun car to drive. It’s got snap and hugs the corners very well (after I took the stock parrellies off and put on a set of coopers) which buy the way the tires were shot at 10k. Basically when it’s not at the dealer its fun to drive. Would I buy another fiat product again, hell no! Do your self a favor stay away from fiat.
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2014 500 Pop
I have had the 5-speed Fiat 500 for a few weeks now and so far I am happy. My main concern in getting this car was the quality - but getting a warranty with it eased the pain. When driving alone or in a big city: this is the car to have. It has prominent strengths and weaknesses.This car is not meant for offroad, mountain, or utility driving. It dominates normal streets and freeways though with small size, agility, and economy.
Great small car
Fun and economical to drive
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Never again
Everything is falling apart from the inside out. I have already needed a new clutch, fuel pump, and steering column. Worst car ever. Loved it in the begining....... great on gas and fun to drive. BUT NEVER would i recomend this to ANYONE. Oh yeah i have under 30,000 miles on this. I'm going to feel terible even selling this to someone.
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If this car doesn't appeal to you, you're dead.
Fun. Fun. Fun is what you should know about this car. It feels fun, sounds fun, looks fun, and can be used practically as well. I've had mine since February, and have put almost nine thousand miles on it in those three months. I'm someone who usually puts less than a thousand miles a month on my car, but this little monster keeps humming to me to drive more, drive faster, drive farther. It's simply the most fun I've ever had on tires. My one complaint as a driver is the manual shifter has a long throw, more like an old tractor than a sporty car, but there are several inexpensive (~$120) aftermarket adapters available that fix that nicely. So go try one. My car's not the quickest, or the fastest, but roll the roof down, blip the throttle, and you'll be caught too. If you aren't, call the undertaker. Update: 14 months in, and I'm not dead yet.
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DO NOT BUY THIS CAR
By FAR the worst car I have ever owned. From the day I drove it off the lot it had nothing but problems. Steering column replaced twice because of thump when i turned the car, struts and strut mounts replaced, starter replaced 3 times, both regulators broke on power windows, same headlight burned out at LEAST a dozen times, wheel bearings replaced twice, jounce bumpers replaced twice and never resolved the issue,broken shock, exhaust kept loosening up,never resolved. The final straw was after only having 11k miles on it the tires needed replacing because of all of the issues ruined them and Fiat did nothing to remedy. Traded the car after 20 months w/11k miles and only got $7500. DO NOT BUY
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Needs new engine at 45k miles.
Bad car. Bought it at 20k miles. The cheap interior fell apart. I’ve always maintained it at Fiat dealerships , and this last time I took it in due to a weird sound they notified me I need a new engine for $8,000 after parts and labor. Keep in mind the car has a clean title, no crashes ever, and 45k miles.
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Abarth model only 40,000 miles of harsh driving
I never take it easy on this little car, I push it all the time, I perform all my own maintenance and it has always been extremely reliable. I'd suggest getting 10 mm taller sport tires on 16" rims though for daily driving, makes it way more comfortable, a roof rack with a cargo box, keep it extremely aerodynamic though or you will feel a massive difference past 80mph, window tint for really hot days, the AC isnt powerful enough, and a hitch to hold bikes or coolers or whatever. I recently completed a drive from Davenport,IL to Denver, to Oklahoma city, to beavers bend park, and all the way back to denver then davenport again totalling close to 5000 miles! I brought 2 inflatable paddleboards, two chihuahuas, and a big dog cage, and all our clothes and whatnot for a week and a half and never once did I regret it, I got compliments all the time. I love being one of the only people with an abarth, the scarcity, performance, and reliability make this car one of my favorites I've ever owned. P.S. once you start to modify it hold on for dear life lol
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Lotsa! FUN!
This is a good (great) driving car. A pleasure to drive. I have the basic model and still it has quite abit extra's. I'am a driver and like the fun of driving a solid steering car. This one goes from a regular driving car to a Ferrari when the sports button is engaged/push at the console. Great for curvy roads and parking lots or anytime. On the hwy I leave it regular mode and just cruise. Did I tell you it has cruise control too. Anyway don't push the OMG button unless - are you experienced - (Hendrix) I have the auto transmission and this is great. I'am 60 and this shifts a lot in the sports mode (OMG). There you have it.
ABSOLUTE WORST Car I Have Ever Owned
Purchased a 2014 Fiat 500 Lounge April 2015 about 1 week after purchase I was going up a hill had stopped at a stop sign, after the stop I accelerated and the car although in drive would not go forward and just drifted back. I had to wait for traffic to go around me and then drift backward down the hill until i drifted backward into a driveway then drifted forward in drive down the hill until the transmission engaged back into drive. Over the next 2 months the transmission failed to engage 3 more times each a under different circumstances and each of those times when the transmission did engage the car lunged forward. Each time this happened there was someone in the car with me and once someone else was driving. I took my car to the dealer and was told they could find no issues. The problem continued so I called Fiat who advised I take it back to the dealer which I did and the dealer advised again no issues and had a tech from Fiat come into look at it and again they found nothing. Fiat said there was nothing they could do. The car is DANGEROUS, I also called Chrysler and got the same results. Neither FIAT or CHRYSLER was of any assistance and offered no solution perhaps replacing with another car or something, anything ..not that I want another but at least an offer to rectify the situation. DO NOT PURCHASE A FIAT car is unsafe and Fiat & Chrysler customer service is the worst I have ever had to deal with.
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Amazing car for the money
I'm very pleased the Fiat 500 Sport thus far. Very comfortable for my 6' frame despite its diminutive size along with better ease of ingress/egress than its rivals. Handles well and is surefooted in snow. Fits in parking spots others won't. Feature rich- AM/FM/CD power windows, a/c, heated mirrors, fog lights, cruise, automatic door locks, Bluetooth and alloy wheels are standard. Excellent fit and finish. Current incentives for 2013 models make the 500 a steal. This is one small car that doesn't feel like a penalty box. It brings a smile to my face every time I drive it.
Happy Fiat owner
Car is a little noisie as far as road noise Other than that it has lots of head room and surprising room to carry things.
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Best car I bought used
Let me start by saying I got all my moneys worth out of this car! I bought used at 60,000 miles and still hanging on strong at 155,000. I bought used for $6,000 ( car has a salvage title). It’s only needed two repairs that were under $200. One the shift cable broke, and the other was The alternator. So I’m very happy there. Pros: Easy handling Great in traffic Good gas mileage Cons: No place for spare Inside parts broke easily. ( seat adjuster & arm rest) I can’t consider lack of space a con. It’s a subcompact.... so it’s meant to be small. That being said during test drive the front row was more roomy then I expected from looking at it from the outside. There are two back seats but I wouldn’t consider them big enough to fit two adults. The great part I used it as a two seater , I lowered the backseats and it gave me plenty of trunk space for my equipment. The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is lack of spare tire location and the tire size is hard to find. So the three times I had a flat tire my whole day or two days had to be canceled to find a tire and have it replaced. The car was terrific while it lasted but I’m now able to afford a bigger vehicle and ready for something else.
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My little imp
Most fun car I have ever owned. I have a BMW roadster and although it is beautiful and fun the Fiat Abarth is my go to car. Compliments from male female young and old. The sound is thrilling once you turn the key. The 5 speed shifting smooth and let’s you throttle through each shift with ease. Mischievous it is and devilish too. That is why my license plate reads Little Imp
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picoso (hot and spicy)
Recently purchased a 2013 Abarth with 75000 miles. I have previously owned a BMW Z4M, Cayman S, Mustang and MX-5 and this little Abarth is so much more fun to drive!!….it is very addictive!!...the exhaust sound is awesome!!...try one you will like it!!
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Great little car!
This is so much fun to drive.
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CUTE CAR, DANGEROUS VEHICLE
My car has 24,000 2 years old and the stick shift seized up in the middle of driving. Chrysler advised that it only was warrantied for 1 year. Ridiculous!!!! I will never do business with Chrysler again. If you like their vehicles, do your homework and research all recalls for their automobiles. You will think twice before investing in a car that will create a major vehicle repair during the "Warranty".
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dont buy one,junk
2013 pop.struts @ 6000,tires replaced @ 6000at my cost (firestone bulges),struts @ 13000,headlights @ 17000,now @ 18000 alt bad,it gos to dealer every other week,got 0% @60 months,its only worth 4000 less than i owe after 3 years,other things have gone wrong,i just didnt list.by far the worst car i have ever owned,the only car ive had that you can feel falling apart .now has 26000,11-8-16 bought new car to replace it with something i can depend on,i had to keep it,none of the dealers want it,one told me"i wouldnt take it if you gave it to me".if this is the best of fiat,fca will go out of business,in us market
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