New Fiat 500/ Ford KA

[glojo]

My perception is that the Mini's image has taken a slight downward turn in the UK now that they are so common ... I must admit, every time I see one I think "estate agent".

IMO the Fiat is in with a good chance.

The wife of our local estate agent has a mini! I never associated them with estate agents until I read your post

To me the mini is just that and do folks buy it because it is a Mini, or do they buy it because it is a small, reliable vehicle?

In my sillier days, for a giggle I used to drive a Fiat 500 in and around Jeddah. The locals all thought it was great fun as I had to have the roof open and I used to drive with my head above the roof. In reality it was quite awkward as the comfortable position would be with my nose banging against the roof, so all 6' 7" of me used to sit on a cushion just to get the right effect. Happy days. Hopefully this new Fiat will be as much fun

John the reminiscer

 

[BenzComander]

Fiat really do know how to make a small car!

My first car was a 126, (the 500 replacement) and have very fond memories of destroying dynamos on a regular basis, and off slipstreaming big lorries on the motorway to improve the top speed. If you got close enough you could take your foot off the accelerator and just get sucked along!! Ah, the innocence of youth!

Had the cloth sunroof model, and it was always great to be driving along with your head stuck out of the roof!!!

 

[BTB 500]

My first car was a 126, (the 500 replacement) and have very fond memories of destroying dynamos on a regular basis, and off slipstreaming big lorries on the motorway to improve the top speed. If you got close enough you could take your foot off the accelerator and just get sucked along!! Ah, the innocence off youth!

Yup I had a lot of fun with a 126 ... we went camping at the British Grand Prix in it a couple of times too.

 

[glojo]

Seems like I am not the only one with fond memories of this little chug-a-lug-a-bug.

I can still remember folks stood by the kerbside taking pictures as I drove by.

Great posts

John

 

[pammy]

Yup I had a lot of fun with a 126 ... we went camping at the British Grand Prix in it a couple of times too.

now THAT is cute

 

[Rory]

The wife of our local estate agent has a mini! I never associated them with estate agents until I read your post

I presume that's a reference to Foxton's - they have 600 of them in very noticeable designs.

 

[Alfie]

I presume that's a reference to Foxton's - they have 600 of them in very noticeable designs.

Yep, I'd agree with that. At some point there is going to be a lot of dark green Mini ones on the market!

 

[Shude]

Yep, I'd agree with that. At some point there is going to be a lot of dark green Mini ones on the market!

Aegis in Leeds have a few all liveried up, they're dark green too IIRC.

 

[BTB 500]

I think other companies (apart from Foxtons) have them in the South, too.

 

[BTB 500]

I think it's great, well done Fiat for doing it!!

Cant wait for the 180bhp Abarth

Read in Autocar (?) that the Abarth version will "only" be 155 bhp.

 

[BonzoDog]

The wife of our local estate agent has a mini! I never associated them with estate agents until I read your post

To me the mini is just that and do folks buy it because it is a Mini, or do they buy it because it is a small, reliable vehicle?

In my sillier days, for a giggle I used to drive a Fiat 500 in and around Jeddah. The locals all thought it was great fun as I had to have the roof open and I used to drive with my head above the roof. In reality it was quite awkward as the comfortable position would be with my nose banging against the roof, so all 6' 7" of me used to sit on a cushion just to get the right effect. Happy days. Hopefully this new Fiat will be as much fun

John the reminiscer

It's a great car isnt it? One of my sons bought one as a play thing. He's sold it now but an excellent car.
The mention of you driving with your head sticking out of the roof reminds me of the film The Big Blue (?) with Jean Reno. At one time he is stuck (I think) and with the flat of his hand punches out the windscreen.
Unmentionedd though is the old Fiat Panda, incredibly popular in Italy and there must be a couple of million of them still driving around Italy, battered and beaten up but cheap to maintain, repair and run.

 

[lil.smartie]

The platform for the 2 cars is the existing, current Fiat Panda one! And it's going to be bigger than the Panda, not that small a car then really!

Oh and the Micra thing has put me off too I thought that from side on too!

Kate