[BrianDromey]

Its taken me a while to be absolutely sure a MINI is for me. If you name a car of similar money I've probably taken (more than) one for a test drive. So off I went to the local FIAT dealership, I was struck by the decrepit, slightly grimy showroom which smelled like the workshop. Certainly not a good start. The car itself did not do much for me, it really is very, very small. The build quality certainly is not up to the standards of the MINI, but the price is attractive.

The sales guy was OK, but the guys are struggling with the challenge of a car with so many options. The drive was not too impressive, I felt the seat was very high and I just did not like it. I did not feel the build quality and materials came close to the MINI.

If FIAT are going after MINI owners/buyers they are going to have to work a lot harder at getting the presentation of the dealerships right and getting the slaespeople up to speed. It was apparent that FIAT have not sold a product like this for a very long time, if ever. Even if all the MINI dealerships are not quite what they should be at least they give the impression of a professional and polished product. Its part of the experience of owning a MINI, IMHO.

The quality, drive, dealers and girly looks of the car put me off it. Its not in the same league as the MINI.

Brian.

[Irlmin]

Yours tend to be the findings of most of the People I know that have had a look at the 500 , the car is a Panda in a different 'suit' ,now the Panda is a decent little car but nothing special . a Friend of Mine went for a test drive in the 500 and the interior mirror fell off in his hand - not a good start , pretty car though and a nice 'retro' package BUT not a serious MINI competitor in my opinion , pricing is also crazy here in the Peoples Republic of Cork with any half decent spec you are looking at € 20000 . so I don't think the comparison of 500 vs MINI is even worthy of thought its just a totally different vehicle . btw what part of the PRC are you from ?
G

[BrianDromey]

Im from waterfall, out beyond Bishopstown direction.
The road out to here is putting me off looking for one with sports suspension, tbh! Its good in the UK roads, but not for here I think.

As for the 500 the new VRT rates should help this, no? Although the MINI benefits too, especially the Dooper.

Brian.

[Irlmin]

I'm just down the road in Ballincollig , I am on My 3 rd MINI and NEVER spec Sport suspension , the roads here are just not compatible with Runflats and SS , I dumped the runflats also on all of My MINIs and they were much improved , have you had a look at MINI Club of Ireland - Modern MINI Magazine's Club of the Year 2007 lots of 'local' Mini and MINI owners and lots of interesting cars .
G

[Tobes]

JD Power survey ranks Mini 8th best manufacturer. Guess which position Fiat comes in out of the 28?

You guess it 28th

Say no more!

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tobes (original)

JD Power survey ranks Mini 8th best manufacturer.

Wonder where they'd be if BMW hadn't bought them?

Or if the starting price of a One was £3k less than it is?

Quote: Originally Posted by Tobes (original)

Guess which position Fiat comes in out of the 28?

You guess it 28th

Say no more!

And they're actually 30th out of 33 in the 2007 league table. I'm not trying to make them sound better than they are, but if you're going to quote 'facts' at least get them correct.

[rellik666]

Quote: Originally Posted by BrianDromey (original)

Its taken me a while to be absolutely sure a MINI is for me. If you name a car of similar money I've probably taken (more than) one for a test drive. So off I went to the local FIAT dealership, I was struck by the decrepit, slightly grimy showroom which smelled like the workshop. Certainly not a good start. The car itself did not do much for me, it really is very, very small. The build quality certainly is not up to the standards of the MINI, but the price is attractive.

The sales guy was OK, but the guys are struggling with the challenge of a car with so many options. The drive was not too impressive, I felt the seat was very high and I just did not like it. I did not feel the build quality and materials came close to the MINI.

If FIAT are going after MINI owners/buyers they are going to have to work a lot harder at getting the presentation of the dealerships right and getting the slaespeople up to speed. It was apparent that FIAT have not sold a product like this for a very long time, if ever. Even if all the MINI dealerships are not quite what they should be at least they give the impression of a professional and polished product. Its part of the experience of owning a MINI, IMHO.

The quality, drive, dealers and girly looks of the car put me off it. Its not in the same league as the MINI.

Brian.

I have to say I am of the same opinion. And I thought it was just because we were so far away from everything!

Dealer had no Idea what soever! He basically went online to the FIAT incubator to spec the car! I could have done that at home! He had no idea about how the options and different spec levels worked and made up things about the car.

I had trouble sitting in it, with my head touching the roof in the passenger seat in a Lounge version. The seats don't move up and down, they just tilt, very annoying, especially when you feel like you are driving a small transit van!

I quote...."This is a great city car.........excellent fuel consumption" then...."the engine works best when it is reved really high!" Well thats great for moving between traffic lights isn't it and great for the fuel consumption.......but then again.....it apparently "runs on air!"

Anyhow, the interior trim was scuffed and dirty, the build quality, was well ok...but nothing special.......I don't know how long it would last though.........

And yes I do keep mistaking Micra's for the 500...........even though Micra's only seem to come in two colours here..........that baby blue colour and awful metallic pink!

No comparison in my mind.........I'd rather buy a swift! Especially when the car I specced came to $35K ~ GBP14K..

[Tobes]

Im was talking about the 2008 survey

Keep up Scrogg!

[Scrogg]

Serves me right for posting whilst pished I suppose?





At least they're getting better!

[*Vikki*]

Yea we pay for these fancy MINI showrooms etc though dont forget!!

[MiniOne07]

This is interesting. I'd imagine it would be a different result if it was a base model Fiat...

YouTube - Fifth Gear - BMW Mini One vs Fiat 500...

[Paul]

Merged your post MiniOne07 with a current thread on that show.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniOne07 (original)

I'd imagine it would be a different result if it was a base model Fiat...

No it wouldn't. See post #55 and #56 in this thread.

[MiniOne07]

The base model Fiat 500 is a 1.2 69 bhp affair. I think the Mini One would beat that, the threads you pointed out are irrelevant to my statement and before you start...

Yes I know that's not a fair comparison by price or power, but I think it's been established that Fifth Gear's wasn't either.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniOne07 (original)

and before you start...

Ooh, a challenge!

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniOne07 (original)

Yes I know that's not a fair comparison by price or power, but I think it's been established that Fifth Gear's wasn't either.

Why wasn't it?

Two 1.4 16v front-wheel drive three-door cars producing similar power outputs tested against each other seems about as fair as this type of test gets!

[mister.t]

The only 500 I'd buy would be the 1.2 model - Suits the nature of the car the best. The only MINI I wouldn't buy would be is the new One!! I think the 500 & MINI are totally different cars, so I don't really see much of a comparison to be honest

It will be different when the Abarth comes out, but until then, like chalk and cheese

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by mister.t (original)

It will be different when the Abarth comes out

Can't wait to see that one go up against a Cooper S

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

Can't wait to see that one go up against a Cooper S

Yep no excuses after the result - Should be a good'un Look forward to the result

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by mister.t (original)

Yep no excuses after the result

Apart from the inevitable "should have been tested against the JCW" comments!

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

Apart from the inevitable "should have been tested against the JCW" comments!

Anyone who says that will need shooting

192bhp against, what 150 odd for the Abarth? (correct me if I'm wrong Simon!!)


Suzuki Swift Sport will be more appropriate IMO (Even though 5th gear tested it against a Cooper and lost but hey)