Fiat 500 - no more Mr.Kent

kaushikz · 28th February 2009, 14:07

Well, have always been a Mr.Kent. Drivin to work every 8:30 in my non-descript Santro. Exchanging polite nods in the elevator with people you think stay in the same building as you. The 'suit' peels off a bit only when I swing my car into the parking slot in a half audacious flip-the-bitch (well, almost one !).

The 500 changes everything!!

It starts with the key! the key is a foldable key You push the button and the key pops out !

Double takes, guy in Beemer slowing down & letting you overtake and following you, peeks inside the car, kids letting go of their game and rushing to see what-the-H-is-this? Guys in the big red BEST buses peeping in through your sun -roof!

The I-phone is no bling, this car is definitely one - with a capital B ! If you don't believe me, ask the guy who spent hours wiping out drool off the windscreen this morning.

The 500, drives like a dream.

Flooring the pedal, pushes you back into your seat. Sitting inside you wouldn't guess that she runs on a one-three multijet ! (though the clatter is a little pronounced when you are outside, but I guess it is got to do with the fact that she has run over 50k as a press car). The gear shift is just-right, fits snugly into your hands. And ya, the steering can be set electronically into the City mode for smooth, easy weaving in-and-out of traffic or the Highway mode for a little more feedback. While you are at-it, she hugs the road with both hands and corners like she's on rails!

The car is a two-door model, with the front seats foldable to allow entry into back seat. At last count about 5 kids clambered into the back (along with an assortment of crickets bats and stumps) for the joy ride last evening. It is a small car - in case you decide to use the back seats for any of the "traditional" back-seat activities, you will surely invent a new contorted position. (Vatsyayana - add one more to your list please)

Using Audio controls on the steering, you wonder, how didja get along in life without this? Hey, didja say you like song no. 35, lemme flip through to that - and ya, don't sweat, carry on with filing your nails.

While I could talk about quite pedestrian features like height adjust seats, digital fuel meter, on-board computer, service reminder, temperature display, date-time display, electric ORVM and the really cool (and drool) circular instrument cluster, the warning alarms in case you have not buckled up. What I really need to tell you about is - Blue & Me - which allows you to sync your Blue-tooth enabled phone with the car and read SMSes, scroll through the phone book and make your phone calls on the go.

This car is definitely 'toys-for-the-boys' ! Its a shame that it retails at over one-and-a-half million bucks (and that's ex-showroom) - which makes it as affordable as a trophy wife, the only difference being that fueling up with diesel is cheaper than not-so-occasional diamonds you need to buy for her.

After some real struggle with morality and fighting off the desire to run away with the car, the 500 has been returned today.

The suits come back on, the Santro seals my facelessness, what remains is the lingering memory of the thrust pushing me back into the seats when I floored the 500, the wide eyed smile of the girl near the mall her lips silently mouthing WOW !

GTO · 28th February 2009, 17:52

You've obviously been 500-smitten! Do you work as an automotive journalist to have received the 500 press car?

Pictures speak a thousand words. More so when they are of a crowd-puller such as the 500.

travelwriter · 28th February 2009, 17:59

Your write up is very good. I am impressed with the narration and the command you have on the flow.

A S H V I N · 28th February 2009, 19:23

that was one tight and clean writeup there kaushikz! really got a feel of your experience! must have been something! =) btw where are the pics?!?! you just have to post them as well!

28th February 2009, 19:30

Great write up. It really makes one understand the "point" of this car. I finally get it! Pity about the price though!

safari_lover · 28th February 2009, 20:05

That was a very good writeup about the 500; pics would make it great!

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 28th February 2009, 21:12

Pics, OTR, dealer experience, freebies, after market accessories, colour?

Oh duh!!! Missed this part:-

Quote:

After some real struggle with morality and fighting off the desire to run away with the car, the 500 has been returned today.

Nikhilb2008 · 28th February 2009, 21:25

One hell of a first post after almost 3 years!!

Really liked your style of writing!

architect · 1st March 2009, 13:39

I guess that's what I call a great review.

You get to know the "soul" of the car. You know what it was like to be driving one.

Everything else (the facts) is up there to check, just Google.

P.S. If it was with you for review purposes, you must have written a detailed one elsewhere. Where?

kaushikz · 9th March 2009, 18:00

Apologise for the delay. Am trying to wrangle the grainy pictures clicked on my cousin's mobile when we borrowed the car from a friend who borrowed the car for the week-end from the powers-that-be. And no, while I'd love to be an auto journo, have to make to do with my kent style 9-9 desk job elsewhere. Thanks for your comments guys. Appreciated.

anurag_p80 · 9th March 2009, 18:28

Awesome experience there, Kaushik. It is indeed a dream machine. Better do fast work with that mobile!!!

pulsar56 · 9th March 2009, 18:30

I have been seeing a white 500 almost everyday now. It really is a drool machine. Liked your style of writing too.

extreme_torque · 9th March 2009, 20:17

Brilliant review... straight from the heart and its no surprising that a little Fiat can do this to you.

MileCruncher · 9th March 2009, 20:32

That is definitely one awesome car. Even though the BMW Mini is much more of a driver's car, the 500 is much more oomph and drool

harry10 · 9th March 2009, 21:10

Very nicely written. Even the other one you have written in another thread is a beautiful description. Guess your writting skill are immaculate

Well only if 500 was in a normal hatchback price!

28th February 2009, 14:07	#1
kaushikz Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10 Thanked: 13 Times	Fiat 500 - no more Mr.Kent Well, have always been a Mr.Kent. Drivin to work every 8:30 in my non-descript Santro. Exchanging polite nods in the elevator with people you think stay in the same building as you. The 'suit' peels off a bit only when I swing my car into the parking slot in a half audacious flip-the-bitch (well, almost one !). The 500 changes everything!! It starts with the key! the key is a foldable key You push the button and the key pops out ! Double takes, guy in Beemer slowing down & letting you overtake and following you, peeks inside the car, kids letting go of their game and rushing to see what-the-H-is-this? Guys in the big red BEST buses peeping in through your sun -roof! The I-phone is no bling, this car is definitely one - with a capital B ! If you don't believe me, ask the guy who spent hours wiping out drool off the windscreen this morning. The 500, drives like a dream. Flooring the pedal, pushes you back into your seat. Sitting inside you wouldn't guess that she runs on a one-three multijet ! (though the clatter is a little pronounced when you are outside, but I guess it is got to do with the fact that she has run over 50k as a press car). The gear shift is just-right, fits snugly into your hands. And ya, the steering can be set electronically into the City mode for smooth, easy weaving in-and-out of traffic or the Highway mode for a little more feedback. While you are at-it, she hugs the road with both hands and corners like she's on rails! The car is a two-door model, with the front seats foldable to allow entry into back seat. At last count about 5 kids clambered into the back (along with an assortment of crickets bats and stumps) for the joy ride last evening. It is a small car - in case you decide to use the back seats for any of the "traditional" back-seat activities, you will surely invent a new contorted position. (Vatsyayana - add one more to your list please) Using Audio controls on the steering, you wonder, how didja get along in life without this? Hey, didja say you like song no. 35, lemme flip through to that - and ya, don't sweat, carry on with filing your nails. While I could talk about quite pedestrian features like height adjust seats, digital fuel meter, on-board computer, service reminder, temperature display, date-time display, electric ORVM and the really cool (and drool) circular instrument cluster, the warning alarms in case you have not buckled up. What I really need to tell you about is - Blue & Me - which allows you to sync your Blue-tooth enabled phone with the car and read SMSes, scroll through the phone book and make your phone calls on the go. This car is definitely 'toys-for-the-boys' ! Its a shame that it retails at over one-and-a-half million bucks (and that's ex-showroom) - which makes it as affordable as a trophy wife, the only difference being that fueling up with diesel is cheaper than not-so-occasional diamonds you need to buy for her. After some real struggle with morality and fighting off the desire to run away with the car, the 500 has been returned today. The suits come back on, the Santro seals my facelessness, what remains is the lingering memory of the thrust pushing me back into the seats when I floored the 500, the wide eyed smile of the girl near the mall her lips silently mouthing WOW !
	() Thanks

28th February 2009, 17:52	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,788 Times View My Garage	You've obviously been 500-smitten! Do you work as an automotive journalist to have received the 500 press car? Pictures speak a thousand words. More so when they are of a crowd-puller such as the 500.
	() Thanks

28th February 2009, 17:59	#3
travelwriter BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 294 Thanked: 115 Times	Your write up is very good. I am impressed with the narration and the command you have on the flow.
	() Thanks

28th February 2009, 19:23	#4
A S H V I N BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 257 Thanked: Once View My Garage	that was one tight and clean writeup there kaushikz! really got a feel of your experience! must have been something! =) btw where are the pics?!?! you just have to post them as well!
	() Thanks

28th February 2009, 19:30	#5
rippergeo Posts: n/a	Great write up. It really makes one understand the "point" of this car. I finally get it! Pity about the price though!
	() Thanks

28th February 2009, 20:05	#6
safari_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bengaluru / Bagdal Posts: 1,135 Thanked: 685 Times	That was a very good writeup about the 500; pics would make it great!
	() Thanks

28th February 2009, 21:25	#8
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	One hell of a first post after almost 3 years!! Really liked your style of writing!
	() Thanks

1st March 2009, 13:39	#9
architect Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ghaziabad, U. P Posts: 1,359 Thanked: 764 Times	I guess that's what I call a great review. You get to know the "soul" of the car. You know what it was like to be driving one. Everything else (the facts) is up there to check, just Google. P.S. If it was with you for review purposes, you must have written a detailed one elsewhere. Where?
	() Thanks

9th March 2009, 18:00	#10
kaushikz Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10 Thanked: 13 Times	Apologise for the delay. Am trying to wrangle the grainy pictures clicked on my cousin's mobile when we borrowed the car from a friend who borrowed the car for the week-end from the powers-that-be. And no, while I'd love to be an auto journo, have to make to do with my kent style 9-9 desk job elsewhere. Thanks for your comments guys. Appreciated.
	() Thanks

9th March 2009, 18:28	#11
anurag_p80 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 314 Thanked: 7 Times	Awesome experience there, Kaushik. It is indeed a dream machine. Better do fast work with that mobile!!!
	() Thanks

9th March 2009, 18:30	#12
pulsar56 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,172 Thanked: 342 Times View My Garage	I have been seeing a white 500 almost everyday now. It really is a drool machine. Liked your style of writing too.
	() Thanks

9th March 2009, 20:17	#13
extreme_torque Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,377 Thanked: 5,105 Times	Brilliant review... straight from the heart and its no surprising that a little Fiat can do this to you.
	() Thanks

9th March 2009, 20:32	#14
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	That is definitely one awesome car. Even though the BMW Mini is much more of a driver's car, the 500 is much more oomph and drool
	() Thanks

9th March 2009, 21:10	#15
harry10 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 2,713 Thanked: 3,628 Times View My Garage	Very nicely written. Even the other one you have written in another thread is a beautiful description. Guess your writting skill are immaculate Well only if 500 was in a normal hatchback price!
	() Thanks