Hi James congratulations on reaching 28,300 subscribers and you will soon be at 30,000 subscribers and well done for all your continued hard work as always

Hi James. Really love the content. I’ve just bought a 105 Twinair with 47k as a second car. The vid made me chuckle, as that was exactly my reaction after driving the 1.2 and then a Twinair. I have my fingers crossed I have to say 🤞🏻

The wife had a twinair a few years ago and it was a hoot to drive especially when you pressed the sport button very quick car and sounded like a proper little racing car!

That looks like a lot of fun with the auto. If it was offered to me the £500 saving isn’t enough to take it as is. Can’t believe the price of those 500’s. Mechanically it warrants the paint for me

Looks to me like its had a front end knock bumper is a different shade and so is the driver side front wing , might be down to lighting conditions, but would have a look, but cracking content as usual. Take care all the best 👍

That'll be a great little city car James....The autos have come a long way, and while I have a manual gearbox in my MX-5, for day to day driving I'd pick an auto every time!....some now are more economical than a manual too!

Top tip when servicing James. The TA's like Petronas or Selenia oil and a genuine fiat oil filter. I put a local motorfactors oil filter in and it had a hissy fit and threw up an oil pressure light. Swopped it and it is fine. Very temperamental the twin airs but sound great and are fun. Shame mines not running right 😩

Here's your monthly reminder to keep an eye out for a fairly priced Abarth, James! You keep teasing us with all these different 500s, but still I wait the day... Loving the content, mate :)

@tonycox5625

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, my son had an Abarth and really loved it! 👍

That looks good fun James and I am sure your test drive and commentary will probably sell it for you! Just give a good clean and touch up chip's then it will sell a a competitive price.

I drvie an automatic and had a automatic Fiat punto years ago, worse car I've ever owed due to the gear box it was the manual gearbox that changed automatically by the electronics. Well part of the brains would break every 14-16 months costing over £600 to fix. After the 3rd time of it happening and the dealership saying it was not covered after 12 months I got rid of the car and would never own another Fiat again.

Hope you and the family have had a good weekend

I had a 1.2 dualogic for couple of years, which had been a Cat S and was repaired. It served me really well and I found the gearbox very smooth. I've had a lot of Smart cars and three Corsa easytronics. I found the Fiat to actually the best of the automated manuals I've driven. I always used to drive in manual mode but found the fuel economy was better in the Fiat when driving it in auto mode and it actually felt a bit quicker in auto mode too. Nice vid and I'm sure it will get snapped up the way the car market is right now!

@Sid3300

6 ай бұрын

Weird, I find my girlfriends 500S with the duologic gearbox pretty choppy. The gear changes seem very clunky.

As a Fiat Twin air enthusiast I was so pleased to see you had the same experience as I had on my first day five years ago. I have just brought a 104 hp. Sport twin air with the six speed gear box and it’s next level. Only 850cc and no road tax, plus a cam chain.

@ChopsGarage

9 ай бұрын

Brilliant buy, and bit rare

Looks a nice little car. I would just touch up the marks, do a service and get a paintless dent person to look at the rear quarter. Great video.

Just watched this & your test drive won me over never had an automatic but strangely finding driving harder in my old age it just might be the way to go think it deserves the dent fixing & paint touched in or rattle canned maybe spray the wheels up yourself & go for the top end it's still cheap, on todays video I hope you get that Colt such smooth engines thinking back I regret selling mine

Please do not ‘Blast’ the roof with a jet washer - you should keep a jet wash away from the roof because if water gets into the roof spoiler where the LED’s are it’ll knacker them - even once can make them go and it’s a known issue so don’t put yourself into a potential warranty claim shortly after selling. We bought one nearly 5 years ago, was 4 years old at the time and most of the rear LED’s had blown. Had the dealer replace the LED strip (pig of a job), and 5 years later all are still ok as we’ve kept pressure washer off it. Best thing for cleaning roof is something like Autoglym cleaner and sealer as the sealer makes water bead up like wax. The chrome mirror caps aren’t standard even on the lounge, they’re an option but do set it off with the other chrome. Paid £6k for ours with 30k on it - so as far as depreciation goes we’ve not done too badly as even 5 years later with 45k now it’s low mileage and hasn’t lost much money. One other thing to be weary of with the 500c is the wiring loom to the boot as the design means they can get damaged - can cause issues with rear lights and boot opening mechanism (have had ours fixed).

You're spot on being wary mate, there are so many sharks in the car game, and there's a lot of people who just will tell you anything to sell their car. What a brilliant channel this is, some amazing videos and telling it like it really is. Keep it up mate.

@ChopsGarage

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated

Five-and-a-half for a 10 year old Fiat 500? The world really has gone mad 🤣😂 I'm totally gonna have to sell my 500 - if they're worth that kind of money now it doesn't warrant being kept as a spare car. Great video James, your laugh is infectious.

Great video James wife's got twin air sport manual 105 bhp she loves it 👍👍👍

As a current owner of a Easytronic Corsa I have to say I like these type of gearboxes, you get the best of both worlds, manual when you want and auto when stuck in traffic. Yes, it's not as smooth as a VW DSG with it's fancy twin clutch setup, but it's certainly proved 100% more reliable then the Powershift Ford I had before! I'd be up for one of these if I needed to change cars, it's even more tempting with the fold back roof. A great little car with £0 road tax, it'll be a bargain.

Maybe if it’s been well serviced, as you said, the risk is lessoned. Best line ever “while it’s working isn’t it fun”

I think once you get into £5k plus people want tidy cars to keep for a few years. The other cars you sell at £2500 to £3000 dont warrant an extended amount of time spending on them unless you get them dirt cheap like the blue ford ex subscriber car .

I had a 1.4 Sport Dualogic a while back, in Sport mode it was brilliant with super quick changes and a lot of fun, compared to the usual lag between changes in normal mode.

@shahied123

4 ай бұрын

Just went to test drive the same model. 2010 year model. Didn’t try the sport mode sand the gear changes put me off, so is it normal for that lag I assume?

@IngramCars

4 ай бұрын

@@shahied123 Yes. But you do get used to it and learn to use the accelerator gently which smooths out the gear changes. Sport mode is much better. Most automated manuals are like this.

I had a Fiat Punto 2002 model sporting dualogic gearbox which i think is the same as the 500 you have here and i had so much fun in that 1.2 and it was quite a quick car in manual mode. I have also had the Abarth 145 bhp mta semi auto and that was really fun although some run down this gearbox but never had any trouble with it it is the t jet 1.4 engine my next car i am waiting for is the Abarth Turismo MTA 163bhp great cars.

When in auto mode if you anticipate the upchange and have a slight lift on the throttle those Dualogics will make much smoother change, though it does eventually become a bit tiresome after a while. Also, I would NEVER EVER work the roof without the engine running, if you don't have enough battery voltage it could f**k the roof, which would cost more than the car is worth to replace, though the UK probably has people that can repair them. The Twinair engine does tend to use oil and if the car is not serviced regularly and the oil level gets too low they will eventually not start as the Multiair unit cannot open the valves to create compression. These are great fun though!

My wife has driven twinair engines for the last 11 years, without any faults. The first car, fiat 500, covered 60,000 miles in it's first 18 months. Her only complaint is the poor fuel consumption, which is worse than my 2 litre bmw. Her latest twinair 105 is in an alfa romeo mito, which suits it perfectly 🥰

I think do the clean interior,do the touch ups and outside a good clean and service and sell cheaper,if the price from we buy any car was the online price I guarantee with the things like the Alloys,the dent,the other marks etc the actual price if she had taken it to then would have been more like 2k or less as they never give you what they quote you and can't understand how they are still in business,great video as always👍

I do love a twin air, my missus has an Alfa Mito with the twin air engine and it’s great fun to drive.

cracking car James deserves to be made mintish and sold for full retail, I'd get a pdr tech on the quarter panel and get your mate to blend in the worst areas , I wouldn't bother trying with rattle cans the metallics on silvers just stick out too much and looks so obvious.. atb Steve

James if the same profit is in it without doing the cosmetics then i would move it on as it is.Great little car for someone.I am subscribed on my phone but mostly watch your channel on my tv while signed out.Not sure how many others watch without being signed in

Don't you just love it when someone asks your expert advice; and then deliberately does the opposite

Years ago my parents had a Duologic Panda on a 54 with the 1.2 which was tons of fun. Also tons of trouble but never the gearbox! Think you’re doing yourself and that little beauty a disservice at £5495. It’s got some marks but it seems pretty good for a city car of that age. Even £5995 seems cheap!

Looks ideal for a range of potential customers ... Not my sort of vehicle, but summer could be fun cruising around with the top down ...

I think that looks pretty smart in silver. Those 500's always seem to be in white.

I see more trouble out of the 1.3 multijet to be honest than the twin air. Multijet loves munching injectors dpf glow plugs and all the normal diesel nonsense. To be honest just the uniair assembly on the twin air and occasionally it's DMF

Looks a nice little car James I would done the paint work and do the dent

Noooooo you brought a duel logic I got put of from my last one 🤣🤣🤣

I love the twinair. Such a brilliant drive and the sound reminds me of an old racer! :-D xx

I'd mint it up mate, people are really put off with dents, especially at 5 k plus, it's just if box goes mate in 6 mths, had a c2 recently and it ended up not going into gear, also an up and box went but luckily it was the clutch,still an auto but has a clutch, nightmare scenario is refunding in 3 mths and you'll own a none changing 500,my scanner does auto boxes and may show pending codes, if all clear probably OK tho.

Looks smart James, though I am sure you said not to get one with digital climate control as the dash had to come out in a previous one...

My sister used to have a 1.4 MTA. I found it awful and frustrating especially if you want to overtake a car or get somewhere quick. I prefer a normal torque converter auto or dual clutch.

Nice car James , never had one but that seems like a good buy should sell well .

It may sound bonkers.. But as I was watching the drive the soundtrack of the engine sounded familiar and it was bugging me for 5 minutes, and then I realised.. It sounds just like my 1997 Renault Espace 2.0 8v with a hole in the exhaust! It sounds just like it! .. I really need to patch up that exhaust lol

We are on our second 500 and really like them. I drive a Seat Cupra 300bhp and four wheel drive . But the 500 is more fun on the backroads where we live. You can thrash them and not be doing silly speeds and risk your licence . Top tip is to get gas filled shocks on the back. They transform the handling and are only a few pounds more than Fiat cheap and ordinary ones .

As is and hold firm on price, can always invest a couple of days down the line if you ever find the time.

In the United States they were all powered by a 1.4L engine either normally aspirated or turbocharged and most came with a conventional 6spd automatic. Fairly reliable but woefully underpowered for American driving conditions.

@GrrMeister

2 жыл бұрын

*OK around Towns but maybe not Freeways !*

Awe it's a lovely wee car. I bought a 500 last year for a school run car as my BMW is a gas guzzler. From I've bought it, the BM is hardly used. Sold the 500 and I've now bought a 500e ..... I'm hooked. This 500 if a good healthy car will fly out.

Having seen the “test drive” and listened to your manic laughter, I’d do all the bits and pieces and go for top retail to the hooray Henry market! I don’t think it’s the car for Mr and Mrs Sensible. Tabatha or Tarquin would love one! 🙄

I would just paint the door edges, have you mentioned the price you paid for it chops? I am guessing between 3k and 3250

Had a Citroen Berlingo with the same type of gearbox absolutely horrendous! It’s more indecisive than the wife buying shoes!

front bumper looks like its a different paint code on video?

We sold one like this in October last year and it was the most awful thing I've driven. To be fair I'm not a fan of 500s in general but that Dual logic gearbox was just unbearable for me. I don't really mind the PSA ESG or ETG units. I mean if the dual logic is someone's cup of tea then fair enough but not for me.

I would say do the bodywork but leave the wheels as that is something that can easily be done by going to a wheel refurb company. So it still ends up being a bit cheaper but it looks well. I can personally live with bad wheels as I know they can get sorted easily. Bodywork is a different story

it is the same idea as a 107/108, aygo, c1, robotised manual, older smart car etc, horrible gearbox, it cant have a torque convertor due to the weight of those traditional boxes, and because the amount of power sapped via a slush box.

Looks fun for the money. I think your right, clean it thoroughly and sell it as is 👍🏻

I took a risk and bought one. Dulogic box blew up on the way back from the garage.

Following your test drive the 500 seemed to go from zero to hero! Looked like a fun little car but pricey for an 10 year old Fiat IMO! but then the used car market still seems pretty bonkers at the moment.

I'd be inclined to use it until the sun comes out and flog it in the summer, my sisters had a 105TA 2014 from new, 80k no issues, it's a manual though, the Dualogic is very bizarre

As an example CarGiant put “this vehicle has been marked down in price by £250 due to minor marks” Four alloys poor, two bumper nicks, minor marks here and there. Basically £700-1000 prep so they put a big sticker in the window so it looks like an opportunity!

I've just put a video on of that one from last year, it was before prices went up, paid 1900 for it, think I got 2800 for it and gave them 150 for an old pincicanto.

What about paying more for a better warranty, grill the rep to make sure it will cover box, be worth paying say 300 quid for like a gold standard one.

Nice little first car a lot of lady's do automatic test my daughter did sell as it is.

Hope it sells quickly for you and hope you make a good profit on it

I think it’s good enough as is after a good clean. £4995 sounds like a bargain to me, also pretty sure that climate control is an optional extra over standard air/con, even on the lounge spec.

@davepage1151

2 жыл бұрын

On earlier cars up to the facelift the the climate is standard on Lounge, as was the half leather seats and rear headrests which were option on earlier Pop spec (they appear to be missing). The split rear seat is also a Lounge addition as it’s one piece on Pop. The chrome mirror caps on this car are an option as ours has them too. On this car the 15” alloys are standard but 16” were an option - look great but I’d not recommend 16” as very low profile and make the ride even harsher given the 500c has stiffened suspension like the abarth to make up for the loss of rigidity removing the roof brings …. Pot holes are not great for someone with my back issues but luckily it’s the missus car so I’m rarely in it. Great fun cars though when the sun is out.

Had one as a courtesy car. What an awful gear box. Couldn't wait to give it back

My wife has a 64 reg 1.2 s manual only 20,000, miles on the clock and she loves it , she is the second owner, 😁👍

Do the touch ups and the alloys but not the rear quarter ding, then it’s good for £5750.

A good clean and push it out at a lower price point to make someone’s day 🤓👍

These Dualogics are HORRENDOUS.. I’ve had three of them as company cars and the auto box is SO UNRELIABLE ITS UNBELIEVABLE

We have a twinair. Cracking car but have had electrical issues but that's Fiat for you. As long as they have had annual services, I'd say they are a safe bet. They sound fab when you drive it.

I have always driven manual driven vehicles but recently I have acquired the 1.4 dualogic version too because of a heath issue I have. It too is the lounge spec with the slightly lairy red leather seats. It does me fine for what I do with it, (I dont do alot of miles in it). I hope it wont be too much of a money pit....There are a few things I dont like about it but sure thats normal I suppose..............Radio is crap with that silly amplifier built in to the aerial that gets damp with the wet DOH!. Yes it is mainly what women normaly drive but I never had any street cred anyway !!!!LOL

I think your on the money, as is, it drives well, and would be a bargain for a enthusiast bodger like myself, sher if i lived in England, i might consider it myself. ;)

James the Fiat is such a nice car with good spec - I'd do the repairs and look for top dollar !

The little old lady who sold you that car would be shocked 🙂

I suspect there will be a limited market for an auto Fiat 500 so it may hang around for a while. Therefore, I think your plan of leaving the cosmetic work until you get a lull makes sense. It might fly out of course, in which case good luck pal. I like your honesty, the honest ones deserve the breaks.

I had a Fiat Panda 1.2 Dualogic the gearbox was terrible it kept knocking itself into neutral and awful to drive I only kept it 7 weeks before getting rid of it

If someone has owned a traditional auto before it's unlikely they would ever be happy with this type of 'box!

Like that auto box! If it was me, I would spend the money to get it looking spanking and ask top money for it. In the grand scheme of things the body ain't that bad, especially when you compare it to that skoda fabia paintwork! lol

a problem you may have-- cars £2000-£3000 are paid cash, cars over £5000 are normally financed, and folk go to big dealerships to get ford, peugeot finance package, so is it a market you can serve?

I once got my fingers burnt by a Renault 25 Auto. I learned the hard way they were prone to losing reverse.

Yes agree with you about the price

Seems a nice little car Sell it on as is clean and service James 👍 👍

So the edge of the door is rusty and you are just going to cover it up with a touch up pen?

Over the last 15 years I've had several Saab 93 convertibles roofs come up easily with a jet wash the first was my mum's until she passed away from 18 months old she use to put it through car washes that was Due to Robert bowett Saab dealership said it was fine to .

The front bumper looks a poor colour match. Is it the camera causing it or a bad paint job?

Panda twin air has given me 78000 trouble free miles so far. Punchy little engine can be quick if you go through the gears quickly.

Two-tone it in black or gunmetal on the bottom half, wait til it's sunny in April and go for the big bucks

When I was a bit younger I worked as a mechanic (yes, they called them mechanics in my day lol) for the Ford Motor Company in NZ. My mate (also a mechanic) worked for a Fiat dealership. His advice to me was to never buy a Fiat & mine to him was to never buy a Ford. Well, he ignored me & I ignored him. His ford was fine, he owned it for quite a while with few problems. My Fiat on the other hand, well, it was a Fiat...... kzread.info/dash/bejne/X62a19tue5CdiMo.html

As you say, the twin air's do pop head gasket's. Saying that, they are fun but they never run right after a head gasket repair (If you can fine a company that will do the repair).

@ChopsGarage

7 ай бұрын

I love the twin air

I like the engine tune! It sounds nice at least

So we've got James here, a very masculine looking man, bombing around in a Fiat 500 singing it's praises 😂 I won't try to knock you off your perch 😉😂

Never even knew they were avalible as an auto!

To be honest this is the most interesting combo for me. 1,2, nah, boring like hell. This is something out of the ordinary. And looking how you enjoy driving it, it must be a real fun. BTW Diesel Audi's timing are all belt driven, no exception.

@ChopsGarage

2 жыл бұрын

Are you sure, guy next door has Audi Diesel with bad timing chain

@RichardStefanits

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChopsGarage Well, the V6s and v8s could be exceptions (sorry forgot that nowadays engines bigger than 2l are still sold :D), but those never went into an A3. The 2 liters and below are all belt driven.

At least it isn't in that mustard yellow or metallic pink you can get on 500's. Ever thought about a 500X SUV?

Hi friends - I’m a x car dealer of 55 years in Australia ; I’ve bought and sold every car you can think of ; I’ve just bought a fiat 500 1-4 convertible with auto not working - paid $2000 for it spent $5500 on the auto will owe me $8000 with fully reco auto it’s red and in mint condition I’ll get $10000 easy maybe more that’s after I’ve had a play with it for a month 😀

I drove an Abarth 500. Loads of fun.

James you must be thinking Audi A3 petrol Tsi 2.0 cuz diesel A3 are fitted with timing belts and they don't normally give any timing belt problems same engine fitted to Tiguan / Passat /Golf 80000/ 5 year intervals lots of other problems but not Belts . Probably big ends cuz he was driving it like he stole it just like we all did when it was our first car

still love the engine, what goes wrong with these in general ?

My mam has the 1.2……and the way it bogs down and wants to stall at low revs is horrendous….was always wanting to swap it for a twin air…..I’ll just make her get a Honda CR-Z or something instead.

I had 2 Panda TA 4x4's. Too much wear and tear items. My Yaris twice their age and never had any of them. Sell the 500 on to another trader and make £200. Asking for trouble.