Modern Vespa

Okay folks across the pond, how does the Mini compare to the Fiat 500? We have had the Mini in the US for several years, but supposedly the 500 is on its way in the next couple of years.

Is it going to be competition to the Mini? Is there a "hot" version like the John Cooper Works mod? Hopefully Abarth had put one together.

Ok, lets hear your opinions.

Thanks

The 500 looks very nice in a cool Italian retro way. A perfect match to a Vespa GTS. But as a car it cannot compare with the Mini. Even the Abarth version is moderate, only 135 Hp. There is a trim kit available called SS, adding 25 Hp.

http://automotorsport.se/bigpix/2008/abarth_500_bak_big.jpg

I'm not in the know in any way but most small cars wind up with more power when they come to the states because not enough people are willing to buy what here is considered not enough power. I don't agree with that mentality and that is part of the reason why cars with good gas milage in Europe aren't so good when they come over here.

Do you get the Ford Ka in America? It's basically a variant of the FIAT 500 and assembled on the same line in Poland.

The 500 is incredibly popular over in the UK.

It's not as common as the mini yet but they are selling very nicely.

Styling is obviously a matter of personal choice , but I'd prefer a 500 to a Mini.

The 500 is a slower car and to be fair to it doesn't handle as well , but it's also quite a bit cheaper - The basic 1.2 Pop starts from £8500 and a 1.4 Lounge (100bhp) is just over £11k before you start adding options.

By contrast the Mini One (95bhp) with a similar trim level is over £13k and they are both holding their value well.

Ole lady and I are currently looking at an '09 Honda Fit as our small van replacement.
The Fit looks small onna outside, but you wouldn't believe the room inside that thing
when it's "magic seats" disappear into the floor!
And it's getting good reports for handling too! (For what it is, anyway... )

How rubbish did J Clarkson say the Ka was? Utter crap, apparently.

But he likes the Fiat 500.

Mmm...

Ah , that's sold as the Jazz over here.
As you say they get very good reviews and Honda's reliablity is apparently first rate. They do have an image associated with more elderly drivers over here though.

I find Clarkson entertaining but that's all.
He said the BMW 135 is crap too, I drove one and thought that it was fantastic.
He also said he doesn't ride motorbikes because he is straight....
(let's be honest, it's because he is scared of them... )

The Fiat is absolutely fantastic looking. I hope they won't be ruined when they come to the States seeing that they will be built in a Chrysler factory in Mexico.
As a driver's car, I've read that the MINI is better.

Elderly, "cool" drivers?
(I'm 71...)

Hehehe , compared to some other brands , yes

Thanks Wonder I'm now going to cancel my Ford Ka that I've been waiting for over a month for.

Fiat 500 is way way better looking than the Mini.

I'd wait for that.

Bill X

There are four engines in the 500. 1.2, 1.4, 1.4 turbo and a 1.3 multijet diesel. The best is the smallest. It is what Fiat does best, a tiny, rev-happy, smooth little car that has more character than a German Mini could ever have in its wildest dreams. I had the diesel, which did not suit it at all. Smallest is best.

The 1.4 is peppy but noisy. I had a Mini as well. Hated it. Italian all the way. Fiat were always good at small cars. The Germans were pretty bad at them, apart from VW with the original Mk I Golf / Rabbit. I drove a BMW One series recently and hated it. Ride was like a brick. Gimme a Focus or a Golf over that any day. And Bill, the Ka has much better suspension than the 500. However, those Ford handling tweaks will make themselves available to the 2010 model 500.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article5574385.ece

As a counterpoint to DougL, I've driven a few MINIs - base 1.6, 1.6 Supercharge and the latest Turbo and they all were a blast with great handling.
I've owned a Golf 1.8Turbo, and have driven my sister's GTI turbo. The BMW 135 is soooo much better than them it's silly. Much better handling, much smoother more powerful motor, much better build quality etc (as it should be as it is more expensive).

What does this tell you with 2 people having completely different experiences? Test drive for yourself and decide. At least it's really easy to test drive cars, unlike some bikes and scoots.

I suspect you have to have an appropriate full licence to do either - and many scooter test-ride wanna-bees have no specific bike licence at all.

With a licence, I've never found it a problem - but that's over here mark you.

I've owned both. Mini Cooper S, great car, well built, very solid. Immense fun, great handling and quite fast. Fiat 500 Sport. Cute, small, not so well built, not as fast or as good handling. Cheaper, great bluetooth and voice control system. Good city car. Awaiting the Abarth SS which should be a little closer to the Cooper S in performance. Fiat 500 is more of a competitor to the Mini Cooper, and not the S.

I saw a jaw dropping Fiat 500 on our Harbour Bridge this morning. I was so pissed off I couldn't photograph it but i'll do my best to describe.
New Fiat 500 - not sure if it was an Arbarth.
Colour - Cuppaccino brown with two wide, off-centre white stripes, looked like a Corrazzo jacket 8)
Upholstery, white with cuppaccino inserts.
Personalised plate (red letters on white plate, BAM500 (Bambina).

Outrageously fucking cool. 8) 8) 8) 8)
Mini's now look tired and dated in comparison.

This one?
http://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=500bam

Well, thas good then. 'Cause you can't store many djembes, djuns, or conga drums in a Mini or a Fiat 500!!!
-But they'll sure fit nicely in a Fit. (Or Jazz...) 8)

Are you sure it was cool? Consider the implications of driving a tiny brown car everywhere... it might be suggestive.

If many people declare that they would drive a tiny brown Fiat everywhere then I will accept its coolness.

If it was one of these , I'd definitely drive it.

I'd have bought one already if I didn't need a bigger car for work.