Used 2018 FIAT 500 Consumer Reviews
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My angry little car
Here's the thing--there are a lot of cars with more room, better build quality, more cache, better reliability, and more room. There are cars that have way more updated electronics, navigation, etc. and are more functional in terms of rear seat space, ergonomics and the like. None of them will be more fun than this car. None of them will make you smile, laugh, look forward to driving them, talk to people about them, or write a review. The Abarth (mine is a 2016 automatic in yellow) puts fun first and functionality second, but don't take that to mean it's a toy or not a good everyday car. The automatic is a hoot (I own three other stick shift cars including a Porsche 911 in NYC) and blips the throttle with a roarty exhaust backfire when you get on the brakes. It pulls hard in point-and-squirt traffic when in "Sport" mode (the only mode you should be in) and hugs off-ramps like velcro to wool. It's fun. No one looks twice at your Mini Cooper S or your GTI. I catch people looking at this yellow bee all the time. The amazing thing is how good the ride is. Short wheelbase and stiff springs don't add up to comfort, but on the highway and terrible pavement, those dual-mode shocks work their magic and it is amazing. Seriously. Front seat space is good, visibility is great (a by-product of the high seating position) and when you fold the rear seats down (or delete them) it's like the world's smallest SUV. It's as much car as you want, but no more car than you need 94% of the time. Can humans fit in the back? Better than you think...but it's tight. Can I park anywhere? Yes. Do what I did--find a used one with less than 5K miles on it, with a full factory warranty, let someone else take the depreciation hit, and drive off into the sunset. Does the exhaust sound better than a Ferrari? Yes. Is it fast? Not really, no. Does it know it? No. It's like the chihuahua who thinks it's a Pit Bull, but it's tongue-in-cheek. It's fun. It's probably just what you need.
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Most smiles per dollar available!!
I have owned this car for about 8 months and have put just over 6k miles on it. I drive it daily in city traffic, take it for spirited drives through the mountains, and have taken it to the local track day a few times. This car has never let me down, had any real issues, or made me regret buying it. The dealership has been very helpful with the 2 issues I have had(a bad clamp on the A/C condenser and a bad clamp on the coolant overflow reservoir). I am 6'2" and simply don't fit in a lot of the sportier cars on the market. I tried the MX-5, Toyota 86, and Ford Fiesta ST and this was the most comfortable to me and I don't even have to put my seat all the way back to fit! Incidentally this car is faster than every one of those cars that cost at least a couple grand more. My 8 year old that is 4 and a half feet tall fits easily in the rear seat and I have room in the hatch for a surprising amount of groceries. The interior is good quality and I have yet to hear a single rattle or squeak. The driver's screen is very easy to read and all controls are intuitively placed and easy to reach. The window controls in the middle throw people off but to me it just makes sense since my hand is already there for the shifter anyway. Is this the most practical or fastest car....not at all. Will this car have you looking for any excuse to do a rev-matching downshift and cost you hundreds of dollars in plastic surgery to remove those smile lines....DEFENITELY!
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- C Pop ConvertibleMSRP: $16,99875 mi away
- Pop 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $17,495358 mi away
- Pop 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $12,995238 mi away
Surprisingly adequate and just a little fun too
Spouse and I found ourselves in a rush and needing a rental car. The only car immediately available was a Fiat 500 with automatic. We took it. On a 100 mile road trip to the event venue, the car proved to be more than adequate to the task. While acceleration was slow, once at speed the car maintained interstate speeds without trouble. We drove 80 and even 85mph, passing many more powerful cars. If you know how to drive a small engine, this thing will do the job. It was comfortable for two and luggage space was adequate for a long weekend trip.
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Great Car for the Money!
The 2017 500C Pop is the same as the 2016 500C Easy. I ended up purchasing the 2016 Easy, because there was one in a color I liked at the closest dealership. This model is an extremely affordable way to have a convertible, manual transmission, cruise control, great climate control, and bluetooth (U connect is super user friendly, I've never had a vehicle with bluetooth and started using it the day I bought the car). I have enjoyed shifting gears in my 500C IMMENSELY, and I'm sure the experience is similar in the 2017 Pop. I honestly don't miss all the extras the lounge offers, because I'm not a fan of leather seats (freezing in the winter when I leave for work around 7:15 A.M.). I also love the simple knobs for A/C and heat, as well as the interior air filter, etc. The design of the interior is simple and intuitive. Plus, the 500C offers the best of both worlds in practicality and owning a convertible.
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Great Car for a Great Price
I've been a fan Fiats for years, mainly because I always thought they were just so cute. When it came around to buying a new car, I was more inclined to Fiat because the bang-for-the-buck factor- I tell people that constantly, and it's one of the reasons I recommend Fiat so much. How many brand new cars can you get for less than $20k, taxes and fees included? Not many. One of my favorite things about my 2016 Fiat 500 Easy is the turning radius. The smaller size of the car combined with the tight-turning ability allows me to make a U-turn in the tightest of spaces with ease. It's zippier than I thought it would be too! I decided against the Sport and Abarth because I don't personally need the extra power (that, and it might be tempting), but the acceleration is just fine and SO MUCH FUN. Another one of my favorite features is the space inside- I recently went on a 6-hour road trip with a passenger, dog, 1 luggage, and a dog bed and we all fit wonderfully. Just fold the back seats down and bam, you basically have a mini SUV. I'm still surprised at how well this car handles in snow and rain. It's not GREAT in snow, but I was pleasantly surprised for how well it did in 2-5 inches. In rain it's fine, however I do find going over the large, unavoidable puddle to be terrifying because this car is small and light. However, it feels good to drive- what I mean is although the car itself feels light in snow and rain, it is SOLID. Whether you're driving or in the backseat, Fiat's feel like quality vehicles to be in. The interior is beautiful with the houndstooth fabric seats, comfortable, high quality, and durable. Sure, the backseat isn't the greatest for comfort as the seats are slightly firm, but it's better than you'd think. It's quiet, gets great gas mileage and is a smooth ride. My only negatives are that in cold weather it takes a long time to warm up, and the blindspot when looking over your shoulder at odd angled intersections is bad. Overall, the style, the drive, price, comfort/interior make me love this car so much. I highly recommend.
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Cutest car ever owned
This car gets so much attention, convertible, easy to park, good on freeway, surprisingly fun car, runs/drives very good. Virtually a two seater, they should redo speedo cluster pkg, don't need tach, somewhat confusing overall interior gage itinerary just simplify, no spare tire, AC good, handles well. Retro look very snappy, not a cheap car. They don't need rear seat headrests, throw those out, better visibility, has some Chryslers good features, buy one if you can drive a smaller car, however I am 6'2 and @275 lbs, pretty comfortable, this is our Florida winter car for city driving. Have a Chrysler 300 for total comfort..
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“My angry little Car” part 2
I just want to say that Brian’s review titled “my angry Little Car” is the best summary of the abarth fiat 500. I’ve owned mine for 3 years and almost 40k miles and it’s been one of the best cars and nearly trouble free I’ve ever owned. It is definitely a little beast to barrel around town in yet it’s also really comfortable. I don’t truly understand how that is even possible, but I can drive several hundred miles on road trips and still have a good time and it’s relatively smooth and comfy all things considered! 🚙🚙🚙🚗🚗🚗
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Great little car
I had my doubt of buying my fiat. It was a great buy I love my car. It drive beautiful and so easy to fit. Love it!!!!!!!
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Seaside Perfection
I live close to a public beach and I can always parallel park this stylish ride with ease. Holds beach chairs, beach tent, cooler perfectly. Getting around town is a breeze. People always comment how cute it is and ask me how I like it. I’ve taken her on long highway trips and am amazed how comfortable it is. More spacious feel than I originally would have thought it to be. My husband enjoys it too. WE LOVE IT!!!
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Replaced a great car
Turbo charging changed the driving experience for the 500. I drove my Neon for 13 years / 180 K miles. I loved its reliability ($300 in parts outside of scheduled maintenance), and getting 37.5 MPG over its life. It's hard to replace a car like that. Saving for 4 years, I test drove them all. I came close to buying the Fiat 124, but this little guy had similar pizzazz, as well as being practical. Performance is excellent, even in Oregon's heavy rains and, though marketed as a city car, it was comfortable on a 250 mile trip. I read the back seats are uncomfortable but, if the passengers are under 6', it seems adequate and it carries 5 bags of groceries w/o folding the rear seats. The controls are well thought out and the speedo provides lots of useful information. The drawback is that the stereo is part of the control system. I would like to upgrade it, but best I could do was replacing the speakers. It lacks navigation, except thru a phone, and its voice recognition is inadequate at freeway speeds. For value, the car was CHEAP, $14K out the door (tax, license, etc). Fuel economy is OK at 35 MPG freeway, compared to the Dodge's 41. I don't know about maintenance, except oil changes are dealer-only, $100 every 8K miles, due to special spec oil. It is a hard car to customize, and parts are limited to bling. Mostly, with its pep, decent fuel economy, and 15' turning radius, it's a joy to drive as my retirement car. Update 2 years later: It had 3 faults work during the first 8 months, all covered 100%. I deleted the rear seats, which provides decent room for cargo and transporting 3 dogs. I added sound deadening, upgraded speakers and amp, so the sound system is better than any I've heard in any new car. It's a blast to drive and it's been years since I've hard a car that navigates city traffic/parking like this one.
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As good as my GTI Autobahn
Car is wonderful, as much fun as any car I've owned. Enjoy driving it as much as if not more that my GTI. Enough power for this light car. Manual tranny great. Ride and handling great. The Abarths extra power must ,(I have the non turbo) be a real treat in this Italian tomato on wheels. Mine is red,adorable. Highly recommend good quality throughout. On the highway on cruise control doing 60 mpg I’m getting between 42 and 55 mpg. Highly recommend this vehicle. I have the 5 speed manual as stated, not sure how the auto grant performs with this small engine.
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It's a conspiracy
Fiat is very popular in Europe and that success enabled them to buy Chrysler motors. These days cars are mostly built well and if maintained properly will provide good service, why not drive a car that looks good doing it? I think people tend to abuse a small sporty car like the 500 and then give a bad review, NEWS FLASH! Even though it sounds like one, driving it like a Ferrari In Affordable Trim is a mistake. Driving this car feels like you're going faster than you actually are so you needn't abuse it to get the fun Italian sports car feel. That in itself is my daily reminder of why I bought a Fiat, but in all honesty I bought it for it's super cute looks, I think the bad reviews are unfounded and highly recommended Fiat despite them.
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"Get over here!" - Scorpion (mortal combat)
So I have had a 2018 for nearly a year now. I drive about 20k miles yearly and my drive includes driving through the blue ridge mountains. With me owning a 5spd and driving normal I averaged 38mpg. One the rare occasions that I have driven it on flat land at 55 I've turned 42-44mpg. The thing I can say is best about my car is the smile that I have while driving it. A freind has a stage 2.5 Jetta gli came back after a short drive with a huge smile and saying how fun the car is. The exhaust note is great for a 4cyl. Unlike many car companies the Abarth doesn't need to have sounds pipped through the speakers to sound great to the driver. I do have a couple of younger children and they fit fine in the back of the car. I have done a week's worth of grocery shopping using the small trunk. If I can be completely honest though, buy one used as the depreciation is crazy. Low mileage used ones can be had for half the cost of a new one. At the end of the day life is too short to drive boring cars. A golf gti is all around better, but damn it's sooo boring. This is a car for those who don't want to be boring. 2020 update: The car now has 20K on the clock and I have yet to have a single issue mechanically. I have developed an intermittent rattle from somewhere. The car drove well enough the only time we got snow on stock Pirelli all seasons.
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Looks Cute but no quality
Check with dealer about service-it takes 4 weeks to get appointment to correct engine issue-car two month old have two warning lights-unreliable and poor quality built
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love my new "littlePOP"
everything you could want if you are looking for a small car..peppy ,( it was a must for me) cute , great interior colors . My only complaint so far is there is hardly any room to put the key in the ignition to start the car.
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Fun little bambino
The 500 Abarth is a cool little car. Starting it up always makes me smile. It sounds like exactly what it is, a fun-to-drive toy. Gas mileage is good, and the front seats are fairly comfortable. It's not as quiet and composed and 'grown up' as a Miata or other more-expensive 2-seater, but it is a hoot to drive. Switchgear is plain at best, 'crude' if you want to call it that, compared to a Toyota or Kia, but it works. FIAT has a reputation for poor quality, but there are thousands of these motors out there with 100k miles and few problems. Seating position is comfortable, upright but still close to the ground. Ingress and egress are easy. The leather seats feel great. The driver's side mirror has a second small pane to extend your vision and helps cover your blind spot. Steering wheel is very good. Climate control is good; the cabin is small and cools or warms quickly. Infotainment is so-so, but that doesn't worry me too much because I enjoy hearing that motor talk. The 500 Abarth is fun, it's cheap, it's eye-catching and it's comfortable for one or two. A great second- or third-car. (Update) A minor weakness of the vehicle is the infotainment system, but there is now an aftermarket head unit available to replace the OEM. The display is about 4 times larger and now includes Apple Play and other updated apps. It’s pretty much plug-and-play, and the steering wheel controls still work, so the vehicle is now even better than it was before. Still a great little runabout car for one or two people. Update: still love this little ride after a year or two. Great noise on startup and still surprisingly comfortable for a six+ foot tall driver. Other people seem to like it, too. I wouldn’t recommend it as a primary vehicle for an older person like myself, but if you’re single or an empty-nester with another primary vehicle, this car is a blast.
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Exceeds Expectations with a smile
We have had our 2017 Fiat 500 for almost three years. We bought it to tow behind our motor home, it needed to be small and light and that's how we chose it. What we never expected, was to fall in love with this amazing little car with lots of room for us up front and even space for weekly grocery store trip. I remember as kid in the seventies that folks would joke that Fiat stood for fix it again tony. Well, bad news for Tony, like the Maytag guy he has nothing to repair. In almost three years we've changed the oil, air filter, cabin filter and rotated the tires, three times or once a year. Other than that no hiccups no issues with anything and we've had so much fun in this little Italian car that we smile everytime we get in and take off. We also smile at the infrequent fuel stops that we've had to make. We mostly drive in our rural area in town at 35 to 40 and we use cruise control as much as possible and get 40-55 mpg typically. Our highway speed limit in Idaho is 80, now at 80 we get 32-38 depending on grade and conditions. To sum up our experience, it has been excellent and we wish Fiat sold their full line up here as we certainly would buy a second Fiat in a heart beat. It has exceeded all expectations and feels like a small Ferrari, as I shift through those 5 gears. Only Italian car that I can afford and she's a real special one. They deserve a reputation that is much higher than the nay sayers whom never drove and certainly never owned one. Most reviews I've read by owners, share that nearly 90 plus percent would recommend and love their Fiat 500 and we do as well. Don't hesitate to buy one, you to will be amazed.
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Pity the 1%! Loving our 500C
Everything to love, nothing not to like-- one button retracting top (up to 50 mph)-- spunky turbo, vanilla leather inside, fun quotient: off the chart. Feels and drives much bigger than it looks. When we replaced our problematic aging A4 as 2nd car, my wife (the emotional buyer) and I (more practical) settled on the 500C going Italian all the way and haven't looked back. Frequently we opt for the 500C vs. our Stelvio. It is the PERFECT 2nd car as I approach retirement and an inexpensive thrill. In a way, we flip the bird at the consumer culture and are really enjoying the ride. While there are a few compromises (trunk space the biggest), like so much of life and fine art, our 500C is perfect in its imperfection. When the 500E comes, we plan too trade 'up' as we will be fully retired at that point in time.
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Year two required monthly drop-offs at the dealer.
I loved FIAT. I loved FIAT so much that I worked for them and then bought a new 500 Abarth six years after working for them. I used to wonder why nobody raced these in any popular series in the states (there was one in PWC that suddenly disappeared after a race; why?) and now I know why. If you’re looking for a commuter car that has a louder personality, then there isn’t a better car for you. If you’re interested in a new car for daily driving plus autocross or track days (because it’s an Abarth, come on!) then do not buy this car. I was obsessed with the history of Abarth and his cars. I’m a member of FIAT Club America and got to meet Anneliese Abarth at our club’s 2018 FreakOut; it was amazing, but my car was off the road getting serviced for two whole months after the trip to Florida, which sums up my second year of new 500 Abarth ownership. Year one was amazing, minus a blown intercooler pipe, mysteriously cracked windshield, and peeling body panels, but the performance was excellent and made up for all that. Once I got a hang of the short wheel base and front wheel drive in monthly autocross meets it was beating MINIs, BMWs, Volkswagens, and WRXs regularly. It won me a 2nd in class trophy my first year competing in the sport. Year two was another story. Every time I went to autocross or a long drive something broke, including the Electronic Stability Control, the Anti-lock Braking System, the exhaust system sensors, the rear wheel bearings (at 18k miles), more peeling body panels, the infotainment system, and a few other minor things. The dealership service was second to none, never asking for anything when I brought it in to get fixed, but the two month service was too much for my daily driver. It’s for sale now and I’m even considering the 124 Spider Abarth. Will it be more reliable because it’s built in Japan instead of Mexico? Am I willing to roll those dice and find out? I just don’t know if I want to gamble like that.
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Horrible dont buy it
Please dont buy the fiat I brought a 2016 fiat last year and last month my car jump in neutral. Well on Friday my check engine light came on brought it to mechanic and and it was two codes U 0001 and U 0402 which is the wire harness and the ( tcm) transmission control module which they were both recalls in 2016 for the fiat 500x I have a fiat 500 it shouldn't matter what type of fiat a recall is a recall I wouldn't recommend this at all!!!
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The latest Topolino
I would get this car as a second car or as an "only" if I lived in the city. I got it because I always wanted a Topolino since the "30's. And I love it! If you are over average height you had better check its fit.
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Fun car!
A car that puts a smile on your face every time you see it. Reliable and efficient, suprisingly spacious. 🚗💨
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500c Pop is a great car!
I really don't mind the small trunk. Or the fact other small cars get better MPG. This car is cute, sporty, and fit my price range. My only complaint is that the touch screen, which doubles as the backup cam. It's completely useless when the top is down. The sun glare is so intense. 32MPG on average. Enough zippy power in town and on the highway. Plenty of room for my son and I. And in a pinch...two adults can fit in the back seat. This is truly an amazing car for the price. My only regret...is the fact I won't be able to replace it with a new one when it is gone.
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I love it
I am 6' and have enough room. The acceleration is excellent, handles very well. You do notice there isn't a lot of room but it didnt take long for me to fall in love with it.
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Fun Sized Adventure!
Tiny and aggressive, this car is a joy to drive in any situation. If Italian sports cars make your day, you won't be disappointed.
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Fighting for my rights for 2 years and counting.
This electric car worked very well for 4 years and all of a sudden the battery faltered and I ended up at the Santa Monica Fiat/Maserati dealership hoping they would fix it. The dealer started by asking me for $10K for a part that the manufacturer finally approved, only to find out that this was not the problem. After 4 months of going back and forth between the manufacturer and the dealer, they asked me for $46K for a battery, at which point I hired a lemon law attorney. After almost two years, The Fiat/Chrysler (Stellantis) attorneys have refused to even acknowledge the issue, until a week ago when they offered me a negligible amount claiming the dealer let the car running for weeks, which is impossible given that the battery was dead since the day I took it to be fixed. The dealer and the manufacturer have been blaming each other for the problem and in the meantime, there is no solution to my situation. I cannot believe how these people can get away with treating their customers in this manner. It looks like I am going to have to stand in front of a judge and hope that he/she can make these people take responsibility for a faulty car that is under warranty.
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Pathetic steering response, awful ride quality
The Abarth 500 suspension is so stiff you would think this thing would handle something like a sports car. It does not. Do not believe the hype, try a real sports car first. The steering is slow and does not feel very direct. Strapping a rocket onto a garbage truck does not a space shuttle make. This is just a cheap economy car with a turbo and hard suspension, not a sports car. There's literally no reason to get this car. Not very sporty, uncomfortable and unsafe. What more could you not want?
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