Hi from Russia

[blackspades]

Hi! I thought I'd post here. If I'm correct, I'm the only member from Russia here, yet. I don't have a 500, but am looking forward to buying one. There are a couple of things that make unsure about getting a 500 for myself, I guess I'll ask questions in this topic. And the other thing that prevents me from buying it is crappy official service, I mean real crappy, but I can judge only from Russian Fiat forums. And, guess what, there are like ten 500's on the streets of Moscow, but I haven't read any feedback from the drivers (one feedback by a girl with comments like "oh it's so cute, and red too" I don't count as a feedback :))
So I'll start with the questions that, hopefully, wil make me get a 500:)
- From what I read from the journalist, plastic in the car is not very soft and pleasurable to the touch. Also it was said that it makes different noises while driving. The roads in Moscow are pretty crappy, and it's a kick in the teeth for the plastic, as most cars with firm plastic start making noises in the first 10 000 km. Any comments on this?
- What's with the quality of interior leather? Can you compare it with other cars?
- Audio. Does stock audio system sound good? Or should I get the Interscope sound system, and also does its sub take any place in the trunk? I need a high quality sound system in my car, but I can't listen to the Interscope, as it there are no cars available from the dealers that have one. Also does it have an AUX, or a line-in?
- What is the maximum size of a bag that I can put in a trunk? I have to take someone to the airport from time to time.
- My driving style is quite agressive, and I'm wondering if 1.4 Sport (though it's only a name, right?) will be suitable for me? The Abarth version is not for sale in Russia:(
Thanks in advance, sorry for such a long text and lots of questions :rolleyes:

[.Lefteris.]

:welcomeon500:
I have only 1.000km on the clock and so far so good, am sure that our high miles members will help you with your questions best!

All the best! :)

[blackspades]

Hi and thanks for the forums! :)

[ewandougie]

Здравствулте!, понадейтесь что вы имеет потеху с ваши 500

(Note I got that from babel fish it should be fairly accurate, I use it to translate the text on old soviet aircraft :-) )


I think that youre our first real russian member :-) Anyways :

:welcomeon500:

[wreckmaster]

:welcomeon500:
I have the 1,2 pop and I have driven 14000km`s. It is still tight and nice without any rattlings or noises. It has soften up a bit suspensionwise, but that is a + in my book:) Norwegian road ain`t the best eitherlol. About the sound system it is OK, but if you want really great sound you should go for the interscope. There is no aux input on it, but you have the usb port between the seats.
You will definatly enjoy your 500 if you decide to go for one:icon_thumleft:

[VilleV]

Welcome to 500fans!! Hope you enjoy your time here!

-About the plastics, I think they (doors and dash) are pretty hard but they are discuised well so that they dont meet the eye. But its a small, quite cheap car so I think that certain amount of hard plastic is acceptable. Ive driven 7000km so far and have no rattles or any other sounds coming from the car, and finnish roads are quite rough too.

-Cant really comment about the leather because I dont have it in my car.

-Sound quality is ok, but certainly not excellent. Ive read on the international forums that the interscope system is not that much better that it would be worth the extra money. I quess everyone has to decide for them selves if they want to pay the extra, but you´d definitely have to try it out first.

-The booth is small, you may be apple to get one medium sized luggage to fit, but normally I have had to turn down the back seats to get luggages (2 bags) to fit in.

-the 1.4 is, from what I hear, an excellent choice. Its got more go than the 1.2, but obviosly it more thirsty too. The noise it makes is supposed to be great too. But then again, the 1.2 is a great little engine too and if you´re driving mostly around the city its certainly fast enough! I believe you´d have to test drive both before deciding.

Sport and lounge are only trim levels and you can have 1.4 engine in both, only thing you have to decide for yours self is which things you want to have in your car. Lounge has the class roof, chrome moldings and the option to have the ivory interior + some little differerences. Sports got the better seats, no chrome or class roof as standard, but you can opt for them for extra money.

What ever you deside, go for the 500. Its a marvelous little car and there just simply is non other like it. Even with its little faults it makes me smile every time i see it and it still feels very special after over a year having it!

-Ville

[blackspades]

ewandougie thanks! Your wish is understandable in Russian, though babel fish always makes quite a funny translation :) If you need any help with translating something from Russian to English - I could give you a hand on it, after I pass my exams;)
wreckmaster thanks! Have you tested it with iPod/iPhone?
VilleV thanks! I think I'm getting closer to buying a 500 :) 1.4 is not available here with an automatic gearbox, only manual, but I don't think that it's a bad choice for a first car, the other car that I'm looking at (LR Defender) also comes with a manual transmission:) I probably will travel to other cities by means of my car, and traffic in Moscow is quite crazy, I mean everyone's speeding here :D It's just that official dealers here are not very friendly to their customers, and there is a huge problem with service from what I read, there are even some cases when people sued our "one and only" official dealer because of violating guarantee rules :( And when it comes to selling it, it will be a great problem. But I guess I'll give it a try and go to the dealer after I finish my exams.

[Cadbury]

Well Blackspades, you certainly joined a super forum !! As you can see above, there is a wealth of knowledge on here.

Pleased to meet you and let us know what you opt for

[5OO]

Welcome!

[wreckmaster]

I dont have a Iphone yet. But I have the Ipod touch and the usb/B&M does not work with the Ipod touch:mad: From what I have read the Iphone works OK with B&M except for the phone book and the Ipod part of the phone. But OK as a handsfree.

[blackspades]

Thanks for answers, on the next week I'm going to a dealer :)

[.Lefteris.]

Thanks for answers, on the next week I'm going to a dealer :)
:icon_thumright: