Brewer's little Italy

An Italian motor. Ferraris, Alfas, Maseratis – you name it, I love it, as these cars are built with such passion and character. They might not have a reputation for dependability, but Italian vehicles are never boring and always put a smile on your face.

Now, while Lambos and Masers are all well and good, not everyone’s budget extends quite this far. Most people are looking for something with a bit more practicality – which is where Fiat comes into its own.

It’s a legend at building small cars – the most famous of which was the original 500, introduced in 1957. So the arrival earlier this year of an all-new version was very big news. And it lives up to its ancestors in spectacular fashion with a cracking drive, and stylish but cute looks.

We’ve seen countless head-to-head tests of 500s new and old over the past few months. But while I love them both, neither is as cheap or widely available as the latest Panda – another bellissimo small Fiat. So I brought the three together to decide which is the best second-hand choice.

Buying
Although the new 500 hasn’t been in showrooms for long, a few examples are already creeping on to the used market. You’re not likely to pick one up for much less than their new value, though. The line-up starts from £8,100. Push a dealer hard, and you may just about manage to get the keys for £7,500 or so. But demand is still strong – and showroom sales staff know that!

Old 500s are a different kettle of fish entirely. You can’t just pop down to your local Fiat forecourt and spot a bundle of them out the front.

As classic cars go, they’re popular enough, and you can easily find one that’s rough around the edges. But I would recommend taking your time and spending more. Around four or five grand will get you a good example, while you can pay up to £10,000 for a minter!

But what if your budget is on the south side of £5,000 and you still want small car thrills and that trademark Italian flair? That’s when you plump for the Panda, which is just as savvy a small car as the new 500.

The city star was launched in 2003, and made an instant impression – it was voted Auto Express’s 2004 Car of the Year. Thanks to its considerable all-round talents and engaging driving experience, the Panda is an immensely popular choice. And best of all, early examples are yours for as little as £2,800 – so you’d have to be mad not to look at one if you’re after a top small car.

Beware
Italian models of old were renowned for causing owners problems. But Fiat has turned its range around in recent years, particularly on the small car front – so they’re normally a safe bet. As always, there are a few things to look out for before you buy, however.

Even though the new 500 hasn’t been around for long, it can suffer from slight electrical niggles – most of which are resolved when the car goes in for a service. Phone Fiat with the model’s details if you’re worried about whether these have been ironed out.

Also, check the head gasket on any 1.3-litre diesel models – these have been known to run into trouble. Few other problems have reared their heads so far, though.

The Panda has now been around long enough for most faults to make themselves known, but the great thing is there aren’t that many!

It’s worth steering clear of the automatic gearbox and – as on the 500 – be sure to have a look inside the oil filler cap to check the head gasket.

If you notice white gunk in there, don’t panic! Many Pandas are used only to pootle around town, and don’t get a good blast on the motorways – so while you might see a build-up inside the cap, this isn’t anything to be scared of.

A couple of runs will soon blow away the cobwebs. Old 500s are a different proposition entirely, as they require plenty of tlc. The first thing to look out for is rust – have a good butcher’s at all of the bodywork for this.

Also, be sure to check the engine mounting brackets, as these can suffer from excessive stress over time and eventually snap – which is what happened to my own 500 a few years ago!

Be sure to keep an eye on the gearbox, too, as it can suffer from problems – particularly with first and reverse gears. I’d also look out for models that have been fitted with the engine from the later 600. This has a tad more power, which makes them even more fun.

But you needn’t worry about the mechanicals, as the old unit can simply be unbolted and the new one dropped in.

Decision time
Picking my favourite of this trio was harder than a block of smelly old Parmesan cheese! All three are fantastic choices with endless small car charm. The first one to fall off the list for me, though, would have to be the Panda. As a budget car it’s difficult to beat – the 2006 Eleganza model in our pictures has plenty of goodies, yet was up for grabs at Grays Garage in Warwick for only £5,495.

But I can’t get past the Panda’s cheap feel – Fiat didn’t even bother to finish painting the underside of the bonnet, which would have cost nothing, and that really takes the edge off the car for me.

The toughest decision is between the new and old 500. I adore the new model – you can drive at full whack all the time and it will always put a smile on your face, while at the same time it’s stylish and reasonably practical. But the wheeler dealer in me just can’t let go of the fact that the new 500 will eventually depreciate.

In contrast, a fine example of an original 500 will cling to its value for years. And, as Don Corleone said in The Godfather, that’s an offer you can’t refuse!