Author Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Fiat 500 Turbo (Read 9736 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** March 17, 2015, 06:29:03 am »

Tiny bundle of joy.
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JohnnyMac · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2015, 07:39:02 am »

Sorry but if I was going to shop in this category I'd be going for the Mini Cooper. It's a much better drivers car and won't depreciate to the point you are upside down on your loan until it's paid for. Not saying the Mini will be a more reliable vehicle but it shouldn't any worse than the Fiat.

Snowman · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2015, 07:52:16 am »

I never liked the 500 to begin with and after hearing all the quality and reliability horrors I can`t see why anybody would want to buy one.

jamesautos · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2015, 08:21:06 am »

and the one in the review cost 30k???!!! whoa

Noto · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2015, 08:37:56 am »

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The mission was simple. Fiat-Chrysler’s Jeep division had a car we needed for a massive compact-crossover comparison test – the Jeep Cherokee. It was the only non-Trailhawk version in the fleet, and the only one that fit within our $35,000 price bracket. One catch: It was in Montreal. We are in Toronto.

so THAT'S why the Cherokee had a Quebecois plate. I was wondering.

Folks, this is exactly why the comparos are difficult - look at the lengths to which Jacob had to go just to get car #7!

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Also, snowy weather is hilarious fun when your car is small and nimble, even when FWD.

On the 401? Nah. Wide-open areas? Kinda.

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By relaxing my fingers and being gentle with the tiller I was keeping well inside the lines (my pre-school teacher said I never would!)

This is why I love you, Jacob.

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The point? It was snowy, and windy, and treacherous, but the little ~~Fiat~~Jacob soldiered on.

I give it 3 hours before someone else would have posted about this...but chalk it up to idiot drivers and not the car. The Fiat is not an ideal winter beater by any stretch of the imagination.

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The fuel light would come on at around 380 km into my trip each time, which would cause me to hit the next fuel station only to find the 500 drank just 27L of juice.

I found this, too, in all of my rentals. It was irritating to say the least. The light should come on in your last 50km of range...at 7L/100km, that means 3.5L remaining. Maybe it should come on with 5L remaining, who knows. Either way, 13L is ridiculous.

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Price as Tested: $30,370

mlin32 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2015, 09:20:50 am »

Good review Jacob, enterta-- err um....informative as usual.

JacobBlack · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2015, 09:47:22 am »

Quote from: mlin32 on March 17, 2015, 09:20:50 am

Good review Jacob, enterta-- err um....informative as usual.

Um, thanks... I think!

I would love to get hold of one of these, lower it on stiffer coilovers, somehow expand the track and somehow lower the centre of gravity - then it would be a proper punter.

EV-Light · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2015, 09:48:30 am »

had a 2013 and it was a POS...avoid them at all costs and, for that matter, anything from Chrysler...

if you want something fun, just buy a Golf...the turbo engine will be as lively and at least the rest of the car won't fall apart.

Fobroader · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2015, 10:17:59 am »

Nope, unreliable, too small and hella expensive, thats FR-S/BRZ territory easily or add in a bit of cash, WRX.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2015, 10:42:11 am »

Quote from: Tauri13 on March 17, 2015, 09:48:30 am

had a 2013 and it was a POS...avoid them at all costs and, for that matter, anything from Chrysler...

if you want something fun, just buy a Golf...the turbo engine will be as lively and at least the rest of the car won't fall apart.

For sure the Golf is 100x better than this Fiat. But some want cute and small, to them I say go for a Mini instead.

Fobroader · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2015, 10:43:30 am »

Quote from: JohnnyMac on March 17, 2015, 10:42:11 am

Quote from: Tauri13 on March 17, 2015, 09:48:30 am
had a 2013 and it was a POS...avoid them at all costs and, for that matter, anything from Chrysler...

if you want something fun, just buy a Golf...the turbo engine will be as lively and at least the rest of the car won't fall apart.
For sure the Golf is 100x better than this Fiat. But some want cute and small, to them I say go for a Mini instead.

But thats just as unreliable....you want "cute and small"......how about a Miata

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2015, 10:47:42 am »

I got a huge kick out of the Abarth. The noise alone was worth the price of admission. Having said that, I'd think long and hard about putting money down on one. Lots of reliability and assembly issues, which is really too bad, because the car gets so much right, relatively unsorted suspension aside.

The sensible choice for a small road rocket is the Fiesta ST. Excellent suspension, great engine, slick shifter, terrific seats and is screwed together well.

Fobroader · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2015, 10:51:47 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on March 17, 2015, 10:47:42 am

I got a huge kick out of the Abarth. The noise alone was worth the price of admission. Having said that, I'd think long and hard about putting money down on one. Lots of reliability and assembly issues, which is really too bad, because the car gets so much right, relatively unsorted suspension aside.

The sensible choice for a small road rocket is the Fiesta ST. Excellent suspension, great engine, slick shifter, terrific seats and is screwed together well.

There we go, reliability, speed and, as a man, I could rock a Fiesta, a 500, ummmmm....no.

Noto · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2015, 10:52:52 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on March 17, 2015, 10:47:42 am

I got a huge kick out of the Abarth. The noise alone was worth the price of admission. Having said that, I'd think long and hard about putting money down on one. Lots of reliability and assembly issues, which is really too bad, because the car gets so much right, relatively unsorted suspension aside.

The sensible choice for a small road rocket is the Fiesta ST. Excellent suspension, great engine, slick shifter, terrific seats and is screwed together well.

...and cheaper than this

by $3,000!

redman · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2015, 11:20:47 am »

Nice review.
Seems like a nice choice for those who don't want to anti up to the Arbath but still enjoy more power and looks. Reliability on Mexican built products lately make me queasy, this car included.
As far as the small fuel tank, I think there are packaging limitation here but under 400km range sounds frustrating.

Some say VW (Mexican built) or Ford Fiesta (Mexican built)

My answer would be the 500e. Don't know where the final assembly takes place on the EV but reviews have been very favorable. To bad we can't get it.

To bad the 500 came out of the gate in N.A. with such poor reliability. The Europe version made in Tychy,Poland does not seem to be plagued with the same issues.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:22:34 pm »

Quote from: Fobroader on March 17, 2015, 10:51:47 am

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on March 17, 2015, 10:47:42 am
I got a huge kick out of the Abarth. The noise alone was worth the price of admission. Having said that, I'd think long and hard about putting money down on one. Lots of reliability and assembly issues, which is really too bad, because the car gets so much right, relatively unsorted suspension aside.

The sensible choice for a small road rocket is the Fiesta ST. Excellent suspension, great engine, slick shifter, terrific seats and is screwed together well.

There we go, reliability, speed and, as a man, I could rock a Fiesta, a 500, ummmmm....no.

Somehow I don't see the Fiesta as "cute" like the Mini or Fiat 500. I think that's the issue. People who are buying it for the cuteness won't cross shop a Fiesta. I totally agree that the Fiesta would be a much better choice.

EV-Light · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2015, 01:09:13 pm »

Quote from: redman on March 17, 2015, 11:20:47 am

Nice review.
Seems like a nice choice for those who don't want to anti up to the Arbath but still enjoy more power and looks. Reliability on Mexican built products lately make me queasy, this car included.
As far as the small fuel tank, I think there are packaging limitation here but under 400km range sounds frustrating.

Some say VW (Mexican built) or Ford Fiesta (Mexican built)

My answer would be the 500e. Don't know where the final assembly is on this version but reviews have been very favorable. To bad we can't get it.

here another design consideration: the tank for the windshield washer is so tiny, it doesn't even hold a full gallon. When I had it, I was filling it up every 2 days!...what a pain.

Harry · « **Reply #17 on:** March 17, 2015, 03:32:48 pm »

As the owner of one, it is really surprising to see the amount you guys are charged for one of those.
Comparing it to a BRZ? A Mini? That's just nuts! I paid R$43,600.00 for my loaded 500, while a BRZ costs around R$170,000.00 here! It's unbeliavable.

All issues aside (I haven't had ANY with mine), the huge price difference makes it a no brainer, especially when compared to the domestic crap we have here.

Noto · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2015, 03:35:37 pm »

Quote from: Harry on March 17, 2015, 03:32:48 pm

As the owner of one, it is really surprising to see the amount you guys are charged for one of those.
Comparing it to a BRZ? A Mini? That's just nuts! I paid R$43,600.00 for my loaded 500, while a BRZ costs around R$170,000.00 here! It's unbeliavable.

All issues aside (I haven't had ANY with mine), the huge price difference makes it a no brainer, especially when compared to the domestic crap we have here.

BRZ starts at $27,395 + dest ($1,650) to $31,395 (+$1,650).

So, yeah, base BRZ is cheaper than this Fiat 500 Turbo that Jacob tested.

redman · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2015, 03:35:58 pm »

Quote from: Harry on March 17, 2015, 03:32:48 pm

As the owner of one, it is really surprising to see the amount you guys are charged for one of those.
Comparing it to a BRZ? A Mini? That's just nuts! I paid R$43,600.00 for my loaded 500, while a BRZ costs around R$170,000.00 here! It's unbeliavable.

All issues aside (I haven't had ANY with mine), the huge price difference makes it a no brainer, especially when compared to the domestic crap we have here.

Where is yours built ? First digit of Vin or sticker of drivers door will show assembly.

SU-SZ Poland
3A-3W Mexico

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/TORONTO/VIN/WMI.html