There aren’t many of us that can claim to be car experts, though we drive them every day and depend on our vehicles to carry us flawlessly from place to place.  When you are in the market to buy a new car and you want to buy a used one, there are some questions you need to ask and use your answers to make your final decision.

Whether you want a practical, used Fiat 500 or something sportier or larger in size, you can use the same questions to help make your purchase.  The generalities of buying a used car can be summed up in just a few simple rules that all should follow to make a smart purchase.

To begin with, look at the miles that are on the car.  Because town miles are harder on a car than open road miles, you should find out, if possible, what kind of miles were put on the car.  Next, the VIN plate number must be the same number that is on the engine and on the documentation to be sure that the history check is accurate.  If the two numbers don’t match, there could be a false history report on the vehicle.

Finally, do a history check.  This will tell you whether the financing has been paid off or if there is outstanding money due.  It will tell you how many miles should be on the car so the mileage on the dashboard should match the history.  This is also how you would find out if you are buying a stolen used Fiat Panda with the snazzy two tone paint styling.

read comments (0)

If you’re in the market for a used Fiat, use the following list of quick tips to help you get the most from your purchase.

What You’ll Pay

Expect to pay at least £7000 for a 2008 entry model used Fiat.  Upgrading to a diesel engine for better fuel economy will raise your starting costs to at least £9000.  If you covet the 500C or the Abarth, you’ll have to add about £3000 to the cost and because these cars are still relatively new, you may be hard-pressed to find one for less than £11,000.

Choosing the Right Model

Most enthusiasts will agree that the 500C is the most desirable used Fiat model, though many buyers may balk at the hefty £3000 extra charge for the 500C’s open roof design.  At the bottom of the line, the Pop has loads of charm and pleasant simplicity at an attractive price.  The 1.4-litre petrol is the best all-around model, while the 1.3 diesel offers an impressive 72mpg.  Whichever you choose, expect plenty of options, excellent five-star crash rating, four seats, and a spacious boot.

Where to Buy

A Fiat dealer will have the best selection, as well as the Approved User programme that promises at least a one-year warranty on any used Fiat.  You’ll also get 30 days to exchange the car for another Fiat.  You might try some car supermarkets, though used Fiats can be hard to come by on these lots.  Non-Fiat dealers and private sellers are rare.

read comments (0)

Fiat’s ‘big’ Punto represents a clever design twist – fashioning the front of the vehicle to look a little like a Maserati makes  it seem bigger and more spacious, whilst retaining the compact overall dimensions of this nifty little number’s predecessor, the Punto. This model is distinguished by not looking like all those other little boxes on wheels chugging around Europe. Italian panache and flair shines through in the eye-catching design of this car, making it truly stand out in the crowd. By some curious alchemy, the car’s elegance never conflicts with its obvious robustness.

Unlike many small cars, it manages to drive smoothly at motorway speeds and handles with admirable responsiveness in ordinary driving conditions. Fiat always offers a plethora of different engine sizes and types. The best advice is to opt for the diesel models, and an optimal one might be the 1.9 litre, 130 bhp multijet, which combines impressive acceleration with respectable fuel economy. Unlike just about all other small hatchbacks, the Punto Grande amply demonstrates that a small car does not have to be a cramped car, and it sports generous leg room and boot space.

You will not really feel like James Bond gliding his Aston toward the best hotel in town, but you will feel more than a touch of verve and excitement on your way to either your next meeting or the shopping mall.

read comments (1)

Fiat, an Italian car-manufacturing company, has been recognised for many years for delivering superb, quality cars. As the economic slowdown continues to linger, practical individuals are now searching for that alternative vehicle financing scheme. Apparently, car leasing is the only solution to these predicaments. By entering into a Fiat leasing agreement, you can freely drive a Fiat car through a flexible and easy-to-manage scheme.

Normally, a conventional Fiat car price is valued at around £11,000-£20,000. Specifically, Fiat’s latest model’s (Fiat 500C) price is pegged around £11,300-£14,100. As car purchasing seems an unwise approach nowadays, leasing a Fiat will give you the opportunity to drive a Fiat 500C or a Fiat Bravo on the open road, without having to shell out bulk cash at once. Here, customers are only required to pay the initial amount, before paying the remaining balance through monthly instalments. For Example, A Fiat Bravo 1.4 Active may be worth £10,000-15,000 at its original selling price.

However, in a Fiat leasing package, you can start driving a Bravo by just spending £800-£1000. After that, monthly instalments will cover the remaining cash balance. The Fiat Bravo 1.4’s Active, 36-month term leasing contract has a £174/month car financing scheme, while its sports-type class has a higher amount of £184/month. Upon expiration, you are given the option to purchase the car or return it to the owner in exchange for the Residual Value. Residual Value, by the way, is the amount derived from the deduction of the post-use value from its pre-used worth.

With great features in store for Fiat leasing packages, you can now have the power to feel the driving rush of a Fiat car through a practical and flexible scheme.

read comments (0)

The Fiat 500C has the smallest engine amongst the current Fiat vehicles available. This car has a 1.2 litre engine that can only produce up to 69 bhp, so driving up steep hills without a marked speed reduction as you go is not possible; don’t expect sports car performance.  The first thing a potential owner must know is that this car is perhaps more suitable for city driving. If you are more accustomed to cruising on the motorway, then this model will probably not be your cup of tea. For those that love the styling but still want a bit of power, the 1.3 litre diesel engine that can produce up to 73bhp and the 1.4 litre petrol engine that turns out up to 100bhp are more suitable options.

The 500C has roof pillars that do not fold up awkwardly like other convertibles. The ride is stable, although it can be a little bumpy over potholes and such, but not so much that the driver and passengers will find it unbearable.

The roof retracts in three stages, and the rear glass window goes down completely. The roof uses canvas instead of metal, which makes it easier to fold. There is a bit of wind noise when the roof is folded midway. However, when the roof is completely unfolded the noise decreases to a manageable level because of the insulation. When the roof is folded down, the wind noise is also barely noticeable. The engine makes little noise, giving the driver and passengers a comfortable drive.

read comments (0)

Ever since BMW released the Mini, some manufactures have been re- releasing older models like the VW Beatle, VW Scirocco and of course the 500.

Fiat first showed the new 500 off in March 2007, pretty much 50 years after the first 500 was debuted. The chassis is also shared with the new 2009 Ford Ka. There engines are available 1.2 litre and a 1.4 litre petrol engine and a 1.3 diesel engine.  There will be an Abarth version released with a 1.4 litre turbo charged engine with 135 BHP.

The Fiat 500 receives a full 5 star rating from ENCAP on their safety rating which for a small car is excellent so if you’re wanting safety in a small car look no further.

The sports seats do take a bit of space away from the interior but they are a lot more comfortable than the standard seats. Featuring plenty of airbags inside also aids the Fiat 500’s 5 star NCAP rating. 
Hopefully with the Abarth been the top of the range it will be very high spec and a minimal range of optional extras. The turbocharged 1.4 engine is very lively and likes to get up and go in any area of the rev range.  As usual the plastics within the car do leave a little bit to be desired but the car is cheap and cheerful. The car has stacks of grip and is also packed with clever electronics helping you drive the fiat 500 along.

Optional extras are minimal with only 1 audio related one which is the 100w subwoofer which first featured in the Fiat Punto, Front fog lights aren’t that expensive at only £100.

Fiat 500 Abarth

read comments (0)