There was an advert on the site last night to take over the last nine months of a 24 month lease of a Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge. Offered via DSG who are regular advertisers on here.
Thought I would have a go, so rang up and it seems like I may be taking it over in a couple of weeks times until middle of August 2010. Can only do about 6,000 miles in that time, but I can't imagine doing any more. The total cost to me will be about £1,850 inc 50% of VAT at 17.5% plus insurance.
Will keep you up to speed on progress.
Is this my mid-life crisis car? The Outback will either be driven by a work colleague or will stay on the drive and taken out occasionally.
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Well Done espada, I knew there was a bit of style in you trying to show through,
I am waiting for the two months left on the lease of a scaglietti to come up.
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AE
Speak to Phil Kehoe on 0844 880 9270 at DSG. He says that he specialises in finding drivers for cars with a short time left on a lease. It may not be so stupid as it sounds finding a Ferrari!
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Is this my mid-life crisis car?
Not if it's a 1.2 Lounge, no. That sounds more like a retirement car. For true MLC credibility it would have to be an Abarth Cup model with red brake calipers and nasty big black thin-spoked alloy wheels with very uncomfortable tyres.
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SWMBO has the same car and spec. At first I thought it was great but using the car for a few longer journeys I found I never really managed to find a properly comfortable position (6'1" and 14.5 st.) and it's a tad slow. If by mid life crisis you mean you want to get noticed a bit, then it's not going to let you down but some of those looks will be from blokes who don't quite get it.
SWMBO has had hers 18 months, 12,000 miles gets 44mpg in mainly town and A road driving (was low 30s in her Picanto auto), no rattles, nothing broken or gone wrong.
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Come on, Lud, I drive a 500 1.2 Lounge and you should see what gets in the passenger seat.
It's fashionable and unaggressive. That's the point. the Abarth is great, but it's a boy racer's car.
HJ
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I parked last night in Bauer Milletts car park in central Manchester. They also have a thiriving Abarth/Alfa/other exotic showroom and the Abarth 500 looks the business and I would really like one, but I think taking over a standard 500 for a few months is a good start!
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Absolutely HJ, couldn't agree more (although I don't like the ones with red and green stripes). I only made the retirement remark to tease Espada.
But I thought people having midlife crises tended to buy boy racers' cars, or if very well-heeled, sort of supercars, Porsches and so on.
I've come to the conclusion that my midlife crisis started when I was 12 and is still going on. For example I really fancy one of those Megane 250s you liked so much as a personal runabout. Not the Cup though, and made as ordinary looking as possible.
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Oh Lud Lud lud lud LUD.
It HAS to to be off white with red and green stripes. Who did you upset in your younger life such that madam style and class deserteth you.
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When you have had the opportunity to drive reasonably expensive and fast cars, as I have had, driving a good, hippy stylish car is the right choice for the mid life crisis. My motoring enjoyment will be increased as a result of using the Fiat for about 80% of the time, with the Outback coming into its own for the remaining 20% (i.e. fast motorway sprints around the M60 or up the M66).
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A Fiat 500 1.2 as a mid life crisis car? I would have said not a crisis, more of a minor panic.
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It HAS to to be off white with red and green stripes.
We saw two of these on Sunday. The first one we passed my wife asked me what I thought, the second time she said she really liked it.
I highlighted it only had three doors and this put her off for a while, but I hope we don't see another for a while as her interest may grow.
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.....A Fiat 500 1.2 as a mid life crisis car? I would have said not a crisis, more of a minor panic....
Fair comment! Not even a panic, more a desire to drive something different without divesting myself of my beloved Outback.
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Fiat 500 1.2 "Lounge", a car has not been more inappropriately described since the Skoda Superb and Mitsubishi Carisma.
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I am not getting the car now :-(
The finance company would not permit the lessee novate the lease if there was less than 18 months unexpired. As the lease was for 24 months this is a little harsh on the lessee. Oh well, everyone in the office though I was daft as did my father and wife.
I just fancy a change without having to sell the Outback and it not costing too much!
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