2008 FIAT 500 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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User reviews for 2008 FIAT 500
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by Richard B
Mar 27, 2012
Performance is not earth shattering but for a small and economical car, however it punts along eagerly and is very capable at motorway speeds of 70-80mph with enough ooomph to overtake when needed.
Engine is smooth and very quiet for a diesel and gearbox a joy to use. Inside the cabin, you'd actually think it was a petrol model. Handling is stable at all speeds, the cornering very confident and steering direct and detailed. Having previously driven Focuses, the 500 does not disappoint. Ride can be a bit bumpy on certain British A- and B-roads but it's not annoying.
Build quality is excellent - apart from a few hard plastics here and there - the interior controls and steering wheel are excellent in touch and operation, stalks are chunky and positive. Leather teering wheel is chunky and great to hold and has audio controls. The doors shut with a lovely heavy thunk similar to a new Focus or Golf.
The looks is what the 500 is all about. It looks absolutely fantastic from any angle and the Sport model with it's roof spoiler, chunky tyres and tinted windows looks particularly squat The interior is such a pleasant place to be in, the details are lovely and theres so much storage. Space is amazing in the front for me (6'5" tall) - I actually have to pull the seat forward to reach the pedals. Two adults can sit behind me when driving.
Cost of ownership is the main reason I bought the 500. The petrols are very economical but the diesel takes it to a new level. Road tax is laughably cheap (20GBP per year as opposed to 245GBP for a petrol Focus ST) and the economy varies between 46mpg for urban short runs to 72mpg on steady motorway trips. Mar 27, 2012
by Giuseppe M
Dec 08, 2009
This is as cool if not cooler than an ipod. Cheap to run, fun to drive and all the creature comforts you could wish for. Frugal fuel consumption, low carbon emissions (If you are an eco-mentalist)! Build quality ain't bad eitherDec 08, 2009
by Jake C
Jan 09, 2009
Fantastic little car! Drives brilliantly thanks to the
nippy 6 speed 1.4. Lush leather interior and nice big
alloys to scratch on the curbs. It is a little small, which
is a bit annoying, but would lose its charm if any
bigger!Jan 09, 2009
User rating:
by Richard B
Mar 27, 2012
Performance is not earth shattering but for a small and economical car, however it punts along eagerly and is very capable at motorway speeds of 70-80mph with enough ooomph to overtake when needed.
Engine is smooth and very quiet for a diesel and gearbox a joy to use. Inside the cabin, you'd actually think it was a petrol model. Handling is stable at all speeds, the cornering very confident and steering direct and detailed. Having previously driven Focuses, the 500 does not disappoint. Ride can be a bit bumpy on certain British A- and B-roads but it's not annoying.
Build quality is excellent - apart from a few hard plastics here and there - the interior controls and steering wheel are excellent in touch and operation, stalks are chunky and positive. Leather teering wheel is chunky and great to hold and has audio controls. The doors shut with a lovely heavy thunk similar to a new Focus or Golf.
The looks is what the 500 is all about. It looks absolutely fantastic from any angle and the Sport model with it's roof spoiler, chunky tyres and tinted windows looks particularly squat The interior is such a pleasant place to be in, the details are lovely and theres so much storage. Space is amazing in the front for me (6'5" tall) - I actually have to pull the seat forward to reach the pedals. Two adults can sit behind me when driving.
Cost of ownership is the main reason I bought the 500. The petrols are very economical but the diesel takes it to a new level. Road tax is laughably cheap (20GBP per year as opposed to 245GBP for a petrol Focus ST) and the economy varies between 46mpg for urban short runs to 72mpg on steady motorway trips. Mar 27, 2012
by Giuseppe M
Dec 08, 2009
This is as cool if not cooler than an ipod. Cheap to run, fun to drive and all the creature comforts you could wish for. Frugal fuel consumption, low carbon emissions (If you are an eco-mentalist)! Build quality ain't bad eitherDec 08, 2009
by Jake C
Jan 09, 2009
Fantastic little car! Drives brilliantly thanks to the
nippy 6 speed 1.4. Lush leather interior and nice big
alloys to scratch on the curbs. It is a little small, which
is a bit annoying, but would lose its charm if any
bigger!Jan 09, 2009
by John E
Jan 02, 2009
I haved owned my new 2008 Fiat 500 now for a few months and it's adorable!
It's the first Fiat in years - actually, make that ever, that I've really liked the looks of. It is a head turner. The dash is one of the car's most unique points. Interior and exterior styling is fantastic and there are tons and tons of options to go for. Alloys are a must, but stick to the smaller ones for better handling.
Okay, economy wise it's fantastic. Mine is a 1.2 petrol and has been averaging 40 mpg in the town (although I do stick it in 5th gear whenever I can to go easy on petrol). On the runs I've had out of town it's returned about 55 mpg. Tax is lowest band. Insurance is really low. Performance is fine for engine size, but not quick. Ideal for town or city driving.
The car got a 5 star NCAP rating, which is excellent for it's size.
Gear change is one of my gripes, could be more refined. Also steering wheel makes a subtle, but annoying, ratchet type noise when turned. Seat position is a little high, although I'm 6'2". Rear seating is 'snug', but I rarely carry any passengers. Front has plenty of cabin space. Another gripe is that the windows seem to freeze up inside during sub zero temperatures, modern cars shouldn't really do that.
That aside it's really fun to drive (though not as good a drive as the MINI). It does, however, look better than the MINI (Jeremy Clarkson's words, not mine). It's also truer to the original 500 than the MINI is to mini.
Absolutely fantastic value for money, if you're not too crazy with the options, you simply cannot find a better - or cooler - car for the money in the UK. Jan 02, 2009
by Gergana G
Nov 10, 2008
Performace - nice acceleration, very good brakes, handles the curves very good
Appearance - interior and exterior are great looking
Cost of Ownership - the car spends 7l per 100km in city, 4 outside the city
It is a real pleasure to drive. Makes people turn around to see your car when you pass by them . :)Nov 10, 2008
by Maurizio M
Sep 16, 2008
500 shows a superbe vintage look exactly like my 1979 former 500, with elegant pied-de-poule white interiors, excellent city handling and relative fun in driving in town, good quality for being a Fiat, afterall not too bad acceleration, only regret is fuel consumption below expectations (<15 km/lt) but probably due to my hard foot during first mileage run in periodSep 16, 2008
by Mika K
Aug 09, 2008
I like my Fiat 500 becouse it's mine, it's fun to drive, rare, ECO, Diesel, Small so it's easy to drive in the city, quality is suberb and it's unique.
I hate it becouse it's small (just 3 doors and for 4 persons) and slow as a snail and pricy as hell.Aug 09, 2008
by Christian G
Mar 13, 2008
Tecnical its nothing special, but the design is just perfect. Everybody smile at it. My first retro car !Mar 13, 2008
