Affordable Fun, the Fiat 500

If you are looking for something fun and affordable among the used cars for sale, try out a FIAT 500. FIAT is the largest Italian automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest car companies in the world. However, you may not have seen many of them around you because FIAT originally left the American market back in 1983. After many years of absence, FIAT returned to America in 2010 with the American launch of the FIAT 500. Since then, FIAT has added several variants of the original FIAT 500 as well as the nimble FIAT 124 Spider sports car. Having now been on the market for a decade, finding a FIAT 500 when looking through used cars for sale has become quite easy, and this fun vehicle makes for a great introduction to this European brand of playful small cars.

The FIAT 500 Family

At first, looking for a FIAT 500 among the used cars for sale may be confusing because no fewer than four different vehicles are sold under this name. These are the original FIAT 500 subcompact car, the larger FIAT 500L, the FIAT 500X compact SUV, and finally the FIAT 500e electric car. All of these have been around for a while now, and you may see any of them in a search for a used FIAT 500. Overall, the original FIAT 500 is the most fun and gives many larger and more expensive cars a run for their money. The FIAT 500e shares the body of the base FIAT 500 but replaces its peppy turbocharged engine with batteries. However, both of these are rather small vehicles and will not be able to accommodate the active lifestyle of many people. In that case, you have the choice between the larger FIAT 500L and FIAT 500X. Between the two, the 500L offers a bit more interior space, while the 500X is a true SUV with all-wheel drive and more commanding ride height. However, all of these cars provide a fun FIAT driving experience and low prices on the used car market.

The Original FIAT

Although the FIAT 500 is a small car, weighing less than 2,500 pounds with seating for four, it is not a boring car. If you are used to the other subcompacts on the market, which are designed to offer cheap and basic transportation, then the FIAT 500 will surprise you with its style and performance. Not only is it available as a convertible, but its 1.4L turbocharged engine also puts out 135 hp and gives it remarkable acceleration. The suspension on the 500 is tuned for sporty driving rather than the mushy comfort usually found in this segment, and it comes standard with four-wheel disc brakes. Finally, it is one of the few cars on the market that offers the choice between an automatic or manual transmission on every trim. And if you want real performance, then look for a used FIAT 500 Abarth. This sport version of the car packs a 160 hp engine, larger wheels, stiffer suspension, and a torque transfer control that acts like a limited-slip differential.

Altogether, if you want a small vehicle that performs like a larger one, the FIAT 500 makes for a wonderful choice. Initially introduced for the 2010 model year, the overall design of the FIAT 500 has not changed much. However, the vehicle was refreshed for the 2016 model year, so keep that date in mind while browsing the used cars for sale. The most important aspect of the refresh was the addition of a modern infotainment system with a 5” color touch screen to replace the older radio and CD player. This change also allowed the 2016 FIAT 500 to have a backup camera for safer reversing.

The Electric 500e

The FIAT 500e is an all-electric battery-powered version of the original FIAT 500. First introduced for the 2013 model year, the FIAT 500e went through the same 2016 refresh as the base car. If you are looking at used cars, then one easy way to tell a 500e from a gasoline 500 is to look at the gear shifter – the FIAT 500e has a series of buttons instead of a traditional knob. However, unlike the base car, the 500e is not a particularly outstanding performer and will only be at home on the city streets. Although its 83 kWh electric motor provides instant power, it tops out at just 111 hp. Even worse for its performance, the heavy batteries needed for an electric vehicle mean that the FIAT 500e weighs nearly 3,000 pounds. And despite the quarter-ton of extra weight, at 24 kWh, those batteries are not particularly powerful and only have enough juice for a range of 84 to 87 miles depending on the model year. However, the small size of the batteries does mean that they can be recharged in around four hours. In the end, the FIAT 500e makes for a highly efficient city car, but it is not something that you will want to try to take on a road trip.

A Larger FIAT, the 500L

Designed to bring the charm of the FIAT 500 to people who need a little more car, the FIAT 500L has four doors, five seats, and 68 cubic feet of cargo space. This allows it to compete with much larger SUVs in terms of utility, while still offering a compact and nimble vehicle that has no trouble squeezing into tight parking spaces or small garages. Further, the turbocharged 160 hp engine powering the 500L is actually more powerful than those of many smaller SUVs, giving it the same fun driving experience as the original FIAT 500. First introduced for the 2014 model year, every FIAT 500L has the full infotainment system found in the refreshed FIAT 500 and 500e. However, that does not mean that used car shoppers have it easy. Up through the 2016 model year, the 500L came with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. From the 2017 model year on, those were replaced with an improved standard six-speed automatic transmission. So if you prefer changing gears yourself, look for an earlier model. But if you want the car to handle that task, then a newer used FIAT 500L is probably the right choice.

500 X – the FIAT SUV

The newest member of the FIAT 500 family is also the largest, the FIAT 500X. Although the 500X retains many of the styling elements of the other FIAT 500 cars, it is a true SUV and is most closely related to the Jeep Renegade. With five seats and 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space, the 500X is just a touch smaller than the FIAT 500L on the inside. But overall, it is a larger and heavier vehicle with a more powerful 177 hp engine. The extra size of the 500X goes towards a more rugged design with improved ground clearance and an intelligent all-wheel drive system. So while the FIAT 500X lacks the nimbleness of its smaller siblings, it is a much more capable vehicle in bad weather or off-road. Other advantages of the 500X include a larger 7” infotainment display and a superior nine-speed automatic transmission. As the newest variant of the FIAT 500, there have not been any significant changes to the FIAT 500X since it was first introduced for 2016. This makes choosing the right 500X out of the many used cars for sale a simpler task.

Orange Coast

There is so much to learn, know, and love about the FIAT 500 family. If you want to know more or take one for a spin, visit us at Orange Coast in Costa Mesa, CA. We have tons of vehicles to offer both FIATs and not, small and large, new, and used. No matter what you are looking for, we will make sure you drive away happy. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today at Orange Coast!