Fiat Ownership - Good and bad?

[Mengster]

Hi folks, 

 

probably feeling a tad suicidal or something but was wondering if any of you here owned fiats before?

I saw a listing for a used Fiat 500 manual and got me tingling abit. Was wondering if it is really as horrific as it was thought to have been?

Or perhaps in some ways, the drive and ownership is somewhat rewarding? or the tradeoffs perhaps? 

 

Some tips of the trade or some some? 

 

Any tip would be good. Thanks 

[Beehive3783]

I only hear and read that Italian cars are a joy to drive and a b1tch to maintain.

 

Best if you do some reading up on some overseas Fiat 500 forums and take note of any potential issues that may arise.

[andrewyewkc]

Hi folks, 

 

probably feeling a tad suicidal or something but was wondering if any of you here owned fiats before?

I saw a listing for a used Fiat 500 manual and got me tingling abit. Was wondering if it is really as horrific as it was thought to have been?

Or perhaps in some ways, the drive and ownership is somewhat rewarding? or the tradeoffs perhaps? 

 

Some tips of the trade or some some? 

 

Any tip would be good. Thanks 

 

 

Being suicidal is not enough, you also need to be a real masochist.

[serpent07]

I have owned a Fiat for 5yrs. Bought it brand new, service on time and using oem parts.

Of the 5yrs, the HU failed twice, gear sometimes unable to engage but put to N and back to D, it will be fine.

There will be some minor happenings as above but being Italian, if you like them, you can forgive.

Nothing major happened, served me well.

There is something about Italian makes, simply different.

Having said that, you need to buy the seller.

What previous owner did, modifications, service records, using of parts..etc all play important part.

If the above was not being done proper, you can’t blame the brand having breakdowns.

 

[Sunset73]

Are you a petrolhead? if you are, pls carry on.

If not, give it a miss.

 

But honestly, since it's a manual gearbox, the gb issue is non-existent. It should already be a relatively old car, so be prepared to spend some money on wear and tear. And not many workshops can handle Fiats. The ones i know of are in Sin Ming.

 

Otherwise, Fiat cars are fuel efficient, and nice to drive.

 

Hi folks, 

 

probably feeling a tad suicidal or something but was wondering if any of you here owned fiats before?

I saw a listing for a used Fiat 500 manual and got me tingling abit. Was wondering if it is really as horrific as it was thought to have been?

Or perhaps in some ways, the drive and ownership is somewhat rewarding? or the tradeoffs perhaps? 

 

Some tips of the trade or some some? 

 

Any tip would be good. Thanks 

 

[Soya]

Being suicidal is not enough, you also need to be a real masochist.

F-I-A-T = Fix It Again Tony

 

Would suit a masochist who loves Tony

[serpent07]

F-I-A-T = Fix It Again Tony

 

Would suit a masochist who loves Tony

I think VW has won over that slogan

[Mengster]

I only hear and read that Italian cars are a joy to drive and a b1tch to maintain.

 

Best if you do some reading up on some overseas Fiat 500 forums and take note of any potential issues that may arise.

 

Am looking for some context in Sg.. having driven an abarth overseas.. this baby is making want to do something crazy.. but I wanted to know roughly how deep is it before I tip in. 

Being suicidal is not enough, you also need to be a real masochist.

 

 

From experience?

I have owned a Fiat for 5yrs. Bought it brand new, service on time and using oem parts.

Of the 5yrs, the HU failed twice, gear sometimes unable to engage but put to N and back to D, it will be fine.

There will be some minor happenings as above but being Italian, if you like them, you can forgive.

Nothing major happened, served me well.

There is something about Italian makes, simply different.

Having said that, you need to buy the seller.

What previous owner did, modifications, service records, using of parts..etc all play important part.

If the above was not being done proper, you can’t blame the brand having breakdowns.

 

HU as in head unit? Thing is I am not sure who actually brings them in.. the previous distributor seems to be in the shadows or sth

[Beregond]

Hi folks,

 

probably feeling a tad suicidal or something but was wondering if any of you here owned fiats before?

I saw a listing for a used Fiat 500 manual and got me tingling abit. Was wondering if it is really as horrific as it was thought to have been?

Or perhaps in some ways, the drive and ownership is somewhat rewarding? or the tradeoffs perhaps?

 

Some tips of the trade or some some?

 

Any tip would be good. Thanks

 

Good for ppl who want to be unique.

Special1

[Mengster]

Are you a petrolhead? if you are, pls carry on.

If not, give it a miss.

 

But honestly, since it's a manual gearbox, the gb issue is non-existent. It should already be a relatively old car, so be prepared to spend some money on wear and tear. And not many workshops can handle Fiats. The ones i know of are in Sin Ming.

 

Otherwise, Fiat cars are fuel efficient, and nice to drive.

 

Thanks for the heads up. 

 

Can't say I am a "petrol head" nothing in Sg is really going to boil our blood. At least not the tiny 500 which is quite pedestrian in most other country. Well for the manuals just worried about the clutch wear .. but it is the electronics and etc. Just scared that the 500 had the previous punto issue of knocking or dying after trying to move from stop. Like move from Gas from brakes after a traffic stop. 

F-I-A-T = Fix It Again Tony

 

Would suit a masochist who loves Tony

The last I heard it was "Feeble Italian Attempt at Transportation "

[serpent07]

Yes HU - Head unit.

U can choose a girl next door, looks OK, obedient, does whatever u need, no worries any day but don't expect her to be drop dead gorgeous and hot.

Or

Want a sexy one who turns head wherever u go, makes u happy and jumpy whenever u see her, satisfies u (ahem), but throws tantrums and don't listen to u all the time?

End of the day, what u want in a car?

Trouble free, any box that moves does the job.

U want something extraordinary, go for it.

[Vinceng]

F-I-A-T = Fix It Again Tony

 

Would suit a masochist who loves Tony

 

Failure In Automotive Technology

[andrewyewkc]

 

From experience?

My business partner drove one once. Every part that could fail failed. He needed a dedicated mechanic and a tow truck membership.

[Toeknee_33]

Failure In Automotive Technology

 

First In All Troubles too!

[Hamburger]

Fiat 500 was on my bucket list.

 

But still chickened out in the end.

[tweek79]

I bought a 500c earlier this year that had 10 months left. Relatively low mileage and low depreciation. Did one comprehensive servicing to give it a fresh lease of life and so far it has been enjoyable. There are a couple of workshops that specialise in Fiat, but so far I haven't had any major breakdowns so no parts issue. It was a relatively cheap way for me to experience this delightful car (with the top down) at a low risk (since it was close to scrap).

[Ara84]

Generally I would say that they are pretty reliable mechanically. You shouldn't expect deplorable levels of reliability like you would from the ones in the past unless it's a lemon. My dad and uncle had a string of italian cars made in the 80's throughout the mid 90's and even as a kid I noticed that the later the models the better the reliability. This was supplemented by my dad's comments too.

 

If you're used to conti like reliability then it shouldn't be too much of a shocker. Little things are going to fail but usually easily repairable albeit annoying.

 

I say bite the bullet and take a dive into italian motoring. I'm still overdue for my personal italian experience. 

[Ct3833]

Good for ppl who want to be unique.

Special1ð

I just saw one stalled on the road yesterday.

I still remember during the 70s or 80s, Fiat has got the highest breakdown rate on the road when there was heavy rain.

Edited July 24, 2019 by Ct3833