Fiat 500 solidity question

[spiderman80]

I'm in the US so I cannot test drive a 500, but I am curious how solid these cars are. I am hoping they are sturdier then the Japanese compacts that you can buy in the States, since I will likely buy an Abarth 500 if they send them here. I currently have a 1980 Fiat Spider 2000 so I have a bias towards Fiats, and my brother runs a Dodge dealership so he may be selling Fiats in the future.

In the past, I owned a Subaru Forester XT which was really fast, but felt a little flimsy, or "tinny." Now I drive an Audi Allroad which is rock solid, but so heavy that even a 250hp biturbo V6 takes 9 seconds to get to 100 kmph. Same goes for the Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 4.7L V8 that my wife drives; rock solid, but kinda slow.

I learned to drive on a 1981 Mitsubishi Colt - 65hp and only 980kg - which the Fiat 500 reminds me of, but this car also felt flimsy. But it could fly, literally. I should have died one of the many times I had that car airborne.

So, if anyone can tell me how solid a Fiat 500 feels compared to a Subaru, I would appreciate it.

[cjay]

hi spiderman

they are very solid little buggers, much better than japanese cars that are very popular in my part of the world. they have a 5 star crash rating which no other small car here has.

i have only been in a few subies i would rate the 500 above them. i get to drive toyotas at work, they are crap compared to the 500

hopefully u will get fiats in the us soon :)

[.Lefteris.]

hi spiderman

they are very solid little buggers, much better than japanese cars that are very popular in my part of the world. they have a 5 star crash rating which no other small car here has.

............................................

hopefully u will get fiats in the us soon :)
X2
And :welcomeon500: spiderman80

All the best :)

[VilleV]

In my opinion the 500 feels much more solid compared to even some cars in a class above it. In the past I´ve had for example ´03 Seat Ibiza and ´01 Peugeot 206, both European cars which are definitely more solid than Japanese counter parts, and I have to say that the 500 is better built and feels a lot more solid. There´s a lot less road noice in the capin too than in the cars mentioned above. Offcourse it wouldnt be fair to compare a car like the 500 with Audis, Mercs or BMWs, but if you compare it with other cars in its price class I think it´s very good indeed.

I had my reservation towards it when I was buying it it being a Fiat. Fiats have a lousy reputation over here due to some past models and we have a saying that goes something like "Fiat, a car for the year, sometimes even for two". But I´ve had mine for a year now in has been trouble free, so it shows that Fiat has really step up its game and has built a good car. I´m sure it will last at least another year...:D

[Cadbury]

Check out the NCAP rating

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/Fiat_500_2007/298.aspx

Could help you

[Cadbury]

Oops... sorry ...

Pleased to meet you :)

[wreckmaster]

:welcomeon500: Spiderman80:icon_thumleft: I dont think it is right to compare the 500 with larger cars, after all the 500 is a very small car based on the platform of the Fiat Panda. I have not had many problems with my 500 and thinking of it`s size I think it is a amazing little car. But compared to other cars I have had and drives it feels a bit simple, I think. My other car is an Opel Astra( Saturn in the US) wagon and it feels much more comfy to drive and I think it also feels like more quality. But much of this is because the differences in wheelbase.....And I guess nothing feels like German / Japanese quality. But the 500 is fun to drive, handels well, fun in corners, feels rather quick alltough I only have the 1,2 - 70HP engine....
I always choose the 500 before the Opel:icon_thumleft: And for beeing such a small car it feels great.... The 500 makes you feel good anytime:) It is not just driving it is a feeling( a cool feeling:icon_thumright:))
The only real drawback I think is the wheel / road noise when driving, especially with the 16" summer wheels. It is much more quiet with the 15" winter wheels:icon_thumleft:

Anyway, you cant go wrong when buying a 500(especially an Abarth:p )

[ewandougie]

Nothing has fallen off mine as far as I know, its not like the fiat coupe from about 10 years ago then fell apart after 50,000 miles lol

[calie]

i feels like you are driving a bigger car feels solid drives smooth