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Things that make me go hmmm
douglaslax
Member Posts: 3
I own two (2) 2014 Fiat 500e. (ET266774 and ET244902) I've had experience with both in how they drive, handle, charging systems, breakdowns, etc.
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One of them (ET266774), has been in the shop for over 6 weeks since new 4 months ago. The local Studio in Santa Monica is always helpful and accommodating. They have top notch repair people working there. Now, the parts availability, in case your car ever breaks down or are involved in an accident is, to say the least - Horrendous.
Parts availability for electrical systems, yes Fiat you do make and sell an electrical vehicle; is usually 2-4 weeks behind schedule. Anything to do with a wiring harness, electrical engine, inter cooler or such and you will expect to wait about 1 month. So consider this when thinking about buying or leasing a 500e.
Can I say they are bad after owning two of them for 4 months? That's a tough question. One is ok, the other one is a lemon, under California Lemon Laws. Can I give them a good review? Love to drive them, but with only 4 months and one of them being a lemon, can't give them high notes yet. Charging on a 110V at home is frustrating as it takes about 24 hours to charge from 0 to 100%. At the mall or other 240V stations it takes about 3.5 hours from 0 to 100%. Makes me shudder when I hear Kia Sol charges from 0 to 80% in 30 minutes on 110V.
Driving in city traffic you will get about 100 miles per full charge. Now as to saving money on gas? Well, it depends on who your electrical utility provider is. Here in LA it's LADWP. LADWP does not discount electricity rates, unless you install an approved 240V charger - at a cost of $750 or more for the charger plus the professional installation. Not all older homes can take in another 240V breaker in the house, and if so, that entails getting a new electrical panel, another $1,000+ installed. So, take all of that into thought when considering any electrical vehicle.
By the way, I have the second 500e in the shop for the past 6 weeks waiting on an inter cooler. I've already contacted Fiat Chrysler directly, have a case open with them, and a parts manager in Detroit "searching" for the inter cooler. Seems that Fiat Chrysler does not make parts readily available to its current vehicle owners. That's a shame, because these great looking cars should be on the street, not in the shop waiting for parts. Makes me wonder if Fiat Chrysler is still making 500e's? Or do they not also have inter coolers in them? Come to think about it, makes me go HMMM.
.
One of them (ET266774), has been in the shop for over 6 weeks since new 4 months ago. The local Studio in Santa Monica is always helpful and accommodating. They have top notch repair people working there. Now, the parts availability, in case your car ever breaks down or are involved in an accident is, to say the least - Horrendous.
Parts availability for electrical systems, yes Fiat you do make and sell an electrical vehicle; is usually 2-4 weeks behind schedule. Anything to do with a wiring harness, electrical engine, inter cooler or such and you will expect to wait about 1 month. So consider this when thinking about buying or leasing a 500e.
Can I say they are bad after owning two of them for 4 months? That's a tough question. One is ok, the other one is a lemon, under California Lemon Laws. Can I give them a good review? Love to drive them, but with only 4 months and one of them being a lemon, can't give them high notes yet. Charging on a 110V at home is frustrating as it takes about 24 hours to charge from 0 to 100%. At the mall or other 240V stations it takes about 3.5 hours from 0 to 100%. Makes me shudder when I hear Kia Sol charges from 0 to 80% in 30 minutes on 110V.
Driving in city traffic you will get about 100 miles per full charge. Now as to saving money on gas? Well, it depends on who your electrical utility provider is. Here in LA it's LADWP. LADWP does not discount electricity rates, unless you install an approved 240V charger - at a cost of $750 or more for the charger plus the professional installation. Not all older homes can take in another 240V breaker in the house, and if so, that entails getting a new electrical panel, another $1,000+ installed. So, take all of that into thought when considering any electrical vehicle.
By the way, I have the second 500e in the shop for the past 6 weeks waiting on an inter cooler. I've already contacted Fiat Chrysler directly, have a case open with them, and a parts manager in Detroit "searching" for the inter cooler. Seems that Fiat Chrysler does not make parts readily available to its current vehicle owners. That's a shame, because these great looking cars should be on the street, not in the shop waiting for parts. Makes me wonder if Fiat Chrysler is still making 500e's? Or do they not also have inter coolers in them? Come to think about it, makes me go HMMM.
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Comments
I've owned many cars in the past. VW, MB, BMW, Jeep, Land Rover and Range Rover, Lincoln and Hyundai. Never had I had to wait more than 2 weeks for a part, including for brand new vehicles.
I just feel sorry for everyone that's getting on the Fiat e-vehicle band-wagon, myself included, not knowing the ins and outs for when a vehicle breaks down.