What have you done to your MK 7 today ?

[Exonian]

I was literally just wondering about the 500 earlier when reading about the ratty exploits and you saying you’d put the Lupo on the drive instead of the Golf.
I’d wondered if Mrs Watts had got cold feet and decided she couldn’t part with her faithful steed.
Obviously not!

An old colleague of mine had a rat vanish up behind the dashboard of her (then) brand new Mini a few years ago. The dear little rodent massacred the wiring loom causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Thankfully it was covered by the insurance.

[Watts]

I was literally just wondering about the 500 earlier when reading about the ratty exploits and you saying you’d put the Lupo on the drive instead of the Golf.
I’d wondered if Mrs Watts had got cold feet and decided she couldn’t part with her faithful steed.
Obviously not!

An old colleague of mine had a rat vanish up behind the dashboard of her (then) brand new Mini a few years ago. The dear little rodent massacred the wiring loom causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Thankfully it was covered by the insurance.

We we due to get the 500 in December but my OH did a top job of her ankle at the end of November (three breaks necessitating two plates and a pin). Still struggling to walk and another nine months recovery to go. Hence we cancelled the first order but took the dealer's last unregistered car so we didn't miss out. She won't be able to drive it for a while but hopefully at her next hospital apt in June she'll get the thumbs up.

The rat issue is really winding me up. I'm parking the car over the road for now in the hope that a few days away from his favourite hotel will mean he'll check in elsewhere.

[Adam T7]

Not the Golf but my OH's Lupo. Sold it. We bought it brand new in 2003, it's covered only 57000 miles and been a very reliable and faithful friend. I was quite sad to see it go, OH didn't seem to care that much the heartless old.....

Tomorrow we pick up her new steed, a Fiat 500. One of the very last ICE 500s. Hopefully it'll be as good to us as the old Lupo, but I doubt it.

My sister has had a succession of 500’s over the years, never an issue. I think FCA made a mistake when the dropped the ICE Abarth.

[Exonian]

Ahh, that explains it Watts.
Is this new 500 the same colour as the cancelled one?

How did Mrs Watts royally bugger up her ankle?
My sincerest wishes for a full recovery for her. It must be very frustrating being laid up so long.

[Watts]

Ahh, that explains it Watts.
Is this new 500 the same colour as the cancelled one?

How did Mrs Watts royally bugger up her ankle?
My sincerest wishes for a full recovery for her. It must be very frustrating being laid up so long.

Cheers. It is very frustrating for her. She makes herself feel better by shouting at me...

She just fell down some stairs whilst away at a holiday cottage with badly lit stairs. Three people fell down them in four days, my OH was the only one, fortunately, who suffered an injury.

The original 500 was in orange which I thought was unlikely to age well. The new one is in a pale metallic green with a white interior, looks a bit classier. I think they are great value, under £15k for a brand new car with climate, a digital dash and a mild hybrid. Test drive felt smooth, rattle free and very comfortable (as a passenger). Looking forward to driving it home tomorrow.

[Exonian]

Blimey, what did the owner of the cottage have to say about the stairs afterwards? Rustic is one thing, dangerous is another.

The new car’s colour sounds a definite improvement.
Full review and photos expected tomorrow Watts! 😁

[Watts]

The new car’s colour sounds a definite improvement.
Full review and photos expected tomorrow Watts! 😁

Picked it up today, I think for the money it's excellent. No CD player or satnav but it does have Apple carplay etc, just have to figure it all out. Nice gear lever action, short throw and snickety. Slow, but a bit quicker than the Lupo, was very happy in sixth at 70 on the A3. Glass roof is great but the central screen is a little dim and angled slightly upwards so it's difficult to see in bright light.

Holds on quite well in the corners but I don't think I'd want to push my luck! The only driving characteristic that I really struggled with was the steering. Even in the normal setting (city steering switched off) it's incredibly light and devoid of feedback. It also feels like you have to make frequent little alterations to maintain your line. A bit like it's tram lining. I'll check the pressures tomorrow, wouldn't surprise me if they are over inflated.

Overall though for a runabout and commuting, I think it's a good choice. Ultimately though it's for swmbo to give the thumbs up but it'll be a few weeks before she'll be let loose in it.

We stopped off at Brooklands for a bite to eat on the way home.

[Exonian]

Good work Watts, great photo too, she’s a pretty little thing.
The steering could be a mixture of things, air pressure, shiny eco tyres that need scrubbing in and the modern evil that is lane assist. Or just a characteristic?
Thanks for taking the time to write the mini review 

[Watts]

It all needs bedding in I suppose, it only had 9 miles on the clock. I'll check out what the tyres are, good point, thanks.

[SRGTD]

What a great little car @Watts. IMHO the Italians - and also the French - are very good at designing small cars and building character and style into them; so much nicer than many of the bland, soul-less cars you see on the roads today.

Here’s to a speedy recovery for your better half, and I hope she gets many years of pleasure and trouble free motoring from her new car.