Test drive: Fiat 500 Pop

Mental connections are weird. Upon picking up the Italian Red Fiat 500 Pop from the boss for a four day loan while my motorcycle was in the shop, I couldn't help making the hot little Italian in its strikingly red paint to a tomato. Small. Generally round. And one of my favorite veges/fruits.
The 500 fit my mental connection perfectly.

The 1200cc engine and 5speed manual gearbox I would have to say, made this the best small capacity car I've even had the pleasure of driving.

Sliding through the gears and zipping through Auckland traffic were a breeze, and I honestly can say that in the four days that the little Fiat was in my possession I only stalled it a couple of times (honest!) usually because I forgot to take it out of 3rd gear at the lights. Get the gearshift right however and the Fiat 500 Pop takes off at a highly respectable pace for such a small capacity car.

The interior was perfectly styled to match the rich character that the 500 Pop possesses with the very cool retro gauge cluster being my favourite part of the surprisingly spacious interior.

It doesn't feature a list of high spec accessories the length of your arm, but in a car like the 500 Pop, you don't need it. It is a base car that is oozing with so much character you're likely to forget its sub $20k price.

Sure you won't be moving house in a Fiat 500, although I did try, the 500 can fit a surprisingly large amount of kit in the back, especially with the rear seats folded flat.

With a very short wheelbase the Fiat 500 Pop did handle a bit skittish on the open road, but around town it was in it's element, with precise steering from the two steering modes.

It may not have a cabin filled with high tech extras, but it doesn't need any of that. For the insanely low $19,990+orc that the Fiat 500 Pop costs, you'd be mad to overlook the little Italian Tomato as a new car option.

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