Fiat 500e Review- Tesla Model 3 Owner Review

JK about Ben Sullins, I'm a fan of his videos, he didn't make me buy the car.
If you see in one of my first videos, I talk about the 500e as my top pick for an EV to be purchased for under $5000.
The truth is that I've been on a lookout for a deal on a Fiat 500e and finally came across one at $3000 after $1000 utility incentive. I can't think of a better value.
You don't need money to go electric!
The 500e although limited by it's battery range is an excellent city car! In the video I go over some great pros and some cons about the car. As a Tesla owner, I pick the 500e to drive around the city with it's maneuverability, agility, and fun to drive factors.
Is a Tesla worth 15 times more than this car?
#ad:
Check out the bluetooth OBD2 module I used to calibrate the brakes paired with AlfaOBD app (paid app on Android App Store): amzn.to/30M3wEC

[@skeldoyify]

Couldn't agree more. I am used to Model X - but the Fiat 500e - omfg - so much better especially when you think about costs. So fun to drive. So economical. The first car that literally puts a smile on my face. :)

[@yaqoobabdulrahim383]

Hi pls Brothers this car is not good for highway so I'm planning to buy honda ens1 it's good for highway??? Pls tell me this car fiat 500e how many km gets full charge

[@friederich66]

and donßt forget: the teslas are only "cheap" because of the construchtion: two massive aluminum cast parts in fron t and back and the battery between them.. in case of an accident in front and back they can not be repaired: total loss. so ´they are not really cheap

[@jamcarlo4781]

$ 3,000 well invested. excellent car

[@InstantTorqueYT]

Seen about dozen of the top reviews on KZbin and this one is the most helpful. Thanks!

[@DoritosResidue]

I just bought a 500e 2016 2 weeks ago from a private seller for a killer price . It's a great secondary car, I have a heavy suv as well. I agree with everything you said. I freaking love this car!

[@DarwinChaug]

Nice! Only thing that really bothers me is the lack of 1 pedal driving, if that can somehow get programmed retroactively it would be the perfect car. Do you feel the transition from regen to friction brakes?

[@DoritosResidue]

@@DarwinChaug yeah I do. But then again this is the first ev that I've owned. Also made me quickly realize EVs are freaking superior to ICE cars.

[@geemy9675]

same here. 2015 fiat 500e and 2017 kia sorento V6 AWD. both for half the price of a model Y. Did not regret the purchase except it was less than 6 months before covid

[@DoritosResidue]

@@geemy9675 lol my suv is also a 2017 sorento. I love Kia also

[@geemy9675]

@@DarwinChaug I honestly love the regen on the 500e. sure coming to a stop without the brakes would be better, but usually tradition is not so bad. And unless it's very cold, you get stronger regen than any tesla ;-) not missing one pedal driving a bit, being used to manual two pedals doesn't seem like a lot and you have the benefit of better control over braking . do you you have more details about how you tuned the regen at low speed ? Overall most fun car I've driven, only issue it makes me drive too fast. but with single speed and smooth throttle response, you can be fast and smooth. equipment is minimal but for short trips/commute not really a problem. One thing I can't understand is bluetooth connection working for calls but not music

[@TheSecondWitness]

I have a 2016 Fiat 500e, and everything you talked about is exactly correct. This is the best video overview of the 500e. Great job, and thank you.

[@claudiaperea]

3:10 Thank You! I never knew why the breaking was so hard on my 2016 500e. I’ve learned to let of the brakes a little at full stop.

[@deirdreryan6147]

Thanks so much the great review, Darwin!

[@dennisreilly6012]

I just bought one yesterday, 8k OTD with 18k miles on the odo. Love this car and the value is amazing! Thanks for your review!

[@DarwinChaug]

nice, enjoy!

[@robertpryor7225]

I got one for 8K with 18,500 on the odo, 2 yr ago, still love it!

[@karimtemri1664]

Its a pity you cant get the new one

[@friederich66]

you bought WHAT?!

[@djkenny1202]

What year? An 18k came up first 10 grand, in my area with 14k miles. We get $2500 back in taxes. I’d like it closer to 8-9 grand. Thoughts?

[@edwardtucker4414]

I love my 2016 fiat 500e

[@doddsalfa]

Is the 16 last year of this type of Fiat e?

[@clohanmom]

Thank you. This review is very helpful.

[@mikemeerian]

High quality video my man!

[@DarwinChaug]

Thanks!

[@aaronstestlab]

Dope review bro! Coming up on a year, still liking it? I'm thinking about grabbing one as a little around-the-towner.

[@wonpai9351]

Good review.Thank you

[@hasanm1]

great review

[@MP112791]

I currently drive one of these as a rental. Its actually quite a fun ride, and am seriously considering for a 2nd car.

[@BlajarBlajarDiYoutube]

great review.. btw, any recommendation on a reader for alfaobd? also, the regen can be adjusted? i just got a used 2015 btw..

[@DarwinChaug]

Thanks! Congrats on the car, it's a great little city commuter. This is the one I used: amzn.to/30M3wEC It works well with multiple apps and connects well via bluetooth with your phone. The Alfa OBD2 app costs $50 on the android app store but seems to be worth it to smooth out the braking (but not perfect). Unfortunately no way to fix/adjust the regen braking.

[@MAFion]

Had mine for five years now. It's such a fun, very low-maintenance car. Swift, turns on a dime and can park anywhere.

[@toledoslife8196]

Hey bro nice video! Thanks for sharing! Would you recommend an specific year model to buy or to stay away from? And what are the top things to check when examining one to buy? Thanks in advance!

[@rp9674]

All years are considered to be identical, they switch to a touch screen radio about 2016 or 17

[@scunekt]

This is one of the better Fiat 500e reviews I've seen-- and from all the research I've done on this car, I've probably seen nearly every review out there, lol. I'd love to get one of these as my first car (electric or not), but I can't drive. There's also the difficulty of finding one for sale in/close to WI, or dealing w/car shipping.. but hey, I can dream. Good video about a great car.

[@DarwinChaug]

Scunekt thanks! It really is a great car and the 500e is way better than the gas variant. The gas powered version is slow, underpowered and doesn’t have the weight to feel substantial or confident. If it was your only car, I would be concerned about range. But if you don’t travel outside a 40 mile radius and have reliable charging then its still a great option. For me it’s excellent as a 2nd city car. Best of luck finding one! It’s a great first car but don’t be afraid to look at other options, the Volt is also a great car with more range and probably more available

[@DarwinChaug]

Scunekt be sure to subscribe for future content! Love sharing my knowledge to help out anyway I can

[@shindeirunani]

good video dude!

[@koston777]

Nice review. Im looking to get one too.

[@DarwinChaug]

nice! lmk if you got any questions. It's a great 2nd vehicle for the city

[@SummerFetterman]

I have owned both two model 3s (hubby and I) and a fiat 500e for a few years. Now that I'm not driving much, I am shedding cars, I kept my 500e and let my Tesla get a new home. Both are great cars. I definitely did some tuning at a local racing house. My son will be learning to drive soon and I'll be teaching him on the 500e. Also, I went to pick up a mini fridge a few weeks ago, it fit in the fiat, but the tesla trunk is a little pinched, and couldn't accommodate the box.

[@DarwinChaug]

Nice! All hatches definitely has room that sedans simply cant match. The thing I don't like about the Fiat hatch is the way it slopes in and items really need to be pushed further into the cabin in order to close the hatch. I am totally with you on wanting to shed cars since we are all driving less. I think that was a great decision to see what kind of cars tesla comes up with the tech detailed from battery day. It sounds pretty game-changing.

[@geemy9675]

I think it's maybe not the best car to learn driving, a bit too playful, he will also be surprised when driving ICEV (rentals)

[@geemy9675]

@@DarwinChaug hatch is tiny with the back seats up. brought back small groceries shopping in a cardboard box and hatch would not close. but with seats down its plenty enough for daily use. btw back seats are only good very occasionally moving adults

[@robertpryor7225]

If you unscrew the 4 bolts in the trunk, you can remove the organizer, it gives you more space, but you give up the flat floor.

[@chromebomb]

i wanna buy one of these

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

I _ALMOST_ went for the Fiat 500e when I was doing my research for a used EV, but I ended up choosing the Kia Soul EV+. I got a 2016 model with less than 18000 miles on it in perfect condition for less than $16000 delivered from California to Florida. One of the first things I did was replace the lead acid battery that came with it - the original one from the manufacturer - with a LiFEPO4 battery. They can be bought for about $150-200. They weigh about 5 pounds and generally have 20-25AH (compared to the stock lead acid of around 45-50AH), but this is all you need unless you plan on leaving your headlights on without the main battery being engaged for hours at a time. Lithium batteries have many advantages over lead acid, such as much longer life, higher temperature tolerances, can sit unused for up to a year without draining completely, etc. I got the idea about doing the battery swap from this video which, ironically, involves doing the swap with a Fiat 500e! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpCTnXmkbr55hMk He's had it in his car for over 2 years with no issues whatsoever. Since the battery doesn't have to provide a high amp output to turn over a starter like in an ICE vehicle, these batteries tend to last a lot longer than they do in ICE cars (even the stock lead acid ones do in EVs). This is the best car I have ever owned, by far. Costs me about $2 to "fill up".

[@rp9674]

Be careful though I put a very underpowered LiFePO4 motorcycle battery in mine it died on the freeway, while I was driving, I thought about trying using 2, but just replaced it with lead acid.

[@lordzevallos]

How are the old 2013’s-2015’s holding up with regards to the battery ? Do they still go the full range ?

[@rp9674]

2015, no noticeable battery degradation, 72,000 miles

[@brunothepug8807]

Great review! Really appreciated. Too bad used car shot way up in cost lately.

[@verynick]

Cheapest decent one I found is $9k. I kind of want one lol

[@Toshi99203]

Hey Darwin, enjoyed your review. Do you still own the 500e? How’s your ownership experience been? I’m considering getting one to replace my old LEAF.

[@DarwinChaug]

I actually sold the 500e for the leaf. I'd say the leaf is a better overall car with more room, better aftermarket and repairability support and is much for comfortable to drive. The 500e is easier to park but unusable back seats and not very comfortably for anything longer than 30 min drives.

[@lightrose100]

i Love my 500e just got it a month ago, it has 34k miles in it

[@leslieread556]

I have a 2015 Fiat 500E…LOVE it! 🙌

[@yaqoobabdulrahim383]

Hi pls Brothers this car is not good for highway so I'm planning to buy honda ens1 it's good for highway??? Pls tell me this car fiat 500e how many km gets full charge

[@officialyasir]

Good review!

[@DarwinChaug]

Glad you enjoyed it! Do you have one or plan to get a 500e?

[@officialyasir]

Darwin Chaug I might get one if I find a cheap one like you. Has it been reliable? I also have Model 3.

[@richardlewis2290]

Good video. I am in the market for a used one as a starter car for new driver - a grandchild. Is there an easy way to judge the battery condition on these?

[@DarwinChaug]

here is a good video on this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGjNeKWEd99peMk

[@aychemara]

Did you get it? Curious about the price you got it for.

[@richardlewis2290]

@@aychemara Sorry - we never found one that would work out.

[@MarylandWearAndCarry]

Where can I pick one of these up on the cheap? Thanks

[@brettdboybrettdboy3843]

How has it been holding up 8 months later?

[@Arsenalcentric]

Thanks for this I’m now looking at the possibilities of buying one. Just need to find where I can get it and shipping costs to Nigeria. Looks like the Fiat 500e is going to be my first EV 😊

[@DarwinChaug]

seems to be a pretty popular car overseas. I would just be careful because of the lack of support. Even from Fiat themselves, they have very little dealerships that know how to work on them if anything were to go bad. I would only buy if you knew the car was 100% taken care of and all recalls were completed to avoid any possible battery problems.

[@Arsenalcentric]

Darwin Chaug I know it’s a big risk that’s why I’m looking for a friend to find one, do all the checks and help ship it down. I’ve been such a big EV enthusiast for the last 5 years. I want one so bad.

[@DarwinChaug]

Another good option to look into would be Chevrolet Volt. Can consistently get a good 30-40 miles of range which isn't that far off from the fiat. Also a heck of a lot easier to find because they made them for the whole country plus the Opel Ampera which was sold overseas. After those 30-40 miles you still have a backup generator for longer drives.

[@dezinetech1000]

I leased one and car is absolutely the best EV in its class. It’s fun to drive and sporty. The only gripe I have is the short range and it’s small and feels unsafe on the free way when you’re in between bigger cars. Other than that it’s a super nice little car.

[@rp9674]

Frontal Moderate Overlap Test Results GOOD Rear Crash Protection Results GOOD Rollover Rating Test Results GOOD Side Impact Test Results GOOD Fiat 500 received four stars in the front crash test, five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the rollover crash test

[@mr.fluffy770]

i love that it doesn't have 1 pedal driving...my only complaints are the small battery and the lack of level 3 charging...

[@DarwinChaug]

You probably came from driving a gasoline car. Gotta get used to it but everyone who’s ever made the switch never wants to switch back. It should be an adjustable option like the Tesla, very easily programmed.

[@mr.fluffy770]

@@DarwinChaug .. I find it easier to Hypermile without regen braking... The most mileage I squeezed out was 140 MPH, Driving slow and coasting on a 2016 model.

[@DarwinChaug]

@@mr.fluffy770 nice, I definitely don't drive this way but good to know that's possible. This is the fun city car I'm literally throwing around the city like a go-kart, there's no thought going to maximizing range when driving this thing. Longer range EV for those longer trips.

[@mr.fluffy770]

@@DarwinChaug LOL... yeah I wouldn't recommend it as other drivers get annoyed.. Its good to see that this car keeps its its range .. 50000 miles plus with 54 miles on the guess=o-meter at around 55% is pretty good...( @ 1:46)

[@robertpryor7225]

One pedal driving is fun but can get annoying. Configurable would be ideal.

[@ecossembot]

Yes. It is a better car. Price alone! I love mine.

[@giuseppeciotti7895]

How did you score this for 4K? I’ve been looking everywhere and they don’t seem to come cheaper than 8k

[@mamadouaziza2536]

Its a 2013 model thats why. The 2017 and 2018 are $10k, $8k.

[@blmclaws]

Son just bought a 2016 and loves it. Watching your video made me think maybe I should get an older cheap one. My biggest concern is degraded batteries on an ev car that is getting old. What is the range on your 2013? Are your batteries in good condition? How many years do you think you will own it?

[@DarwinChaug]

Haven't pushed the battery because this is literally my strictly city only car. Works perfect for that. I have the Tesla for anything beyond running errands. I can comfortably plan to drive 50 miles a charge, anything more than that i wouldn't even risk it. With work from home happening I end up charging it 1 time a week after grocery shopping and getting take out now and then.

[@abpc1x905]

I can comfortably get about 70 miles between charges when driving below 45. On my commuter path, that is the speed limit. Over summer months, I can push 80 but in winter range drops to 60 'cause of the extra charge used for cabin heat and buttom crisper (seat heaters). When I go on the highway and do 65+, efficiency drops really quickly. I always charge after each round trip to maximize battery life.

[@rp9674]

I don't know where people live that they don't drive on freeways, I drive mostly freeway and get approx 55 miles. Less traffic gives you less range. My drive home from work at full freeway speed gives me 30 miles on 67% (from 87% to 20%) it gets very uncomfortable below 10%.

[@alarias1968]

Hi. Got a question , what year is it? And what is the the range on a full charge? Thanks

[@rp9674]

Range goes as low as 50 to 55 MI freeway, leaving a safety margin. Gets much more range of in City driving or heavy traffic.

[@jg3368]

Im about to buy 1 out in vegas for 4k. It has 52k miles on it. My only ? Is how long can i expect it to last ? This will be my first ev. Its a 2013 also.

[@strangeattractor4959]

Where you recommend to buy one to ship it to Puerto Rico?

[@cliffweinan3907]

I have one, no better way to say I agree. No touch screens for me while driving. 15" tires economical to replace.

[@ramonbautista1250]

So where in bay area they sell used one or I have to wait a person who will sell?

[@alexisangelique5373]

Been looking for an electric car to drive around in and found one for $8,000 thru a dealership, it’s a 2015 with 33k mileage, do you think it’s a good deal or I should keep looking for private sellers?

[@DarwinChaug]

8k is honestly too much for this car. It's not a good primary car because of the lack of space and range. If you're willing to pay up to 7-8k definitely go for a 2016 or newer model because it'll have a better radio/display. Honestly the older models like the one in the video are not that bad because you can do everything through your smartphone, for me it's worth the savings. If this is your primary vehicle, maybe take a look at a 2013 or newer chevy volt, gives 40 miles of EV range with a gas generator plus massive amounts of space since it's a hatch (and usage back seats). If you're in CA 500e's are pretty easy to find, I just had a friend pick up a 2014 with around 45k miles for 4.5k (private party)

Horrible deal. 2015 models should be no more than $6000. You can get a 2017 low mileage one for just a little more than $6000 in so cal.

[@j.vicentetinocoochoa3423]

Is available for sale? I think a used car of those are much more expensive now.

[@omarmontes90]

Where are you getting these cars for such a low price it's amazing

[@DarwinChaug]

Always private party. Always negotiate. And this was pre-insane car prices. This was also before electrics really got popular even though they've been around for awhile.

[@colremy]

How do you fix the service electrical system error code?

[@Jiri-SR]

We made the brakes that way so that they will be used and dont get rusty and locket, best ReGen is with Cruise Ctrl. We have the new Fiat 500e 2020 in production, from January 2021 it will be on sell in USA to.

[@DarwinChaug]

Jiri Sabau nice, the new Fiat with over 200 miles of range seems like a great car. Do you work for Fiat?

[@DarwinChaug]

Jiri I understand the need for brakes to be used but maybe a better solution would be with anti rust brake material and allow the regen braking to work smoothly like on other cars that get the regen down to 0

[@Jiri-SR]

@@DarwinChaug yep since 2007

[@Jiri-SR]

@@DarwinChaug in 2010, 2011 and 2012 when with Bosch the car was developed there was no such thing or need for as one pedal drive😂

[@DarwinChaug]

@@Jiri-SR can easily be programmed if Fiat wanted to. The e-golf has the same powertrain has has the ability to regen to 0. Tesla was able to retrofit their software in their older cars as well over the air to fix the issue.

[@theodoreolson8529]

I thought about getting one but I'm concerned about parts and maintenance support for this and other compliance cars. Can you even buy a new battery pack for the Fiat?

[@DarwinChaug]

think of this car as a place holder. If you can get it cheap enough and run it into the ground to save you on gas (and it meets your needs with it's limited mileage) until a truly affordable long range EV is available on the market. Otherwise look to a used Bolt EV which can be had for around 12k, it's a better, more capable car (with an intact battery warranty) than the Fiat.

[@DOJIELDIENVE]

Fiat500e 2017. mine has been more reliable than my 2014 Abarth in a year and a half of ownership. 40k miles and still charges to 100% when charging from 25% or so. Great city car fun and stylish. Unlike Bolt. Also a good car just not as nice looking. Another good deal is the BMW i3. Also some under 10k and packed with tech which can sometimes be bad.

[@rp9674]

Body and suspension parts are plentiful, there's a billion fiats on the road, 'compliance' is a plus in that regard.

[@jiankuo]

Planning to get one also, one major concern is where to take it for repairs if something goes wrong in the drivetrain system?

[@DarwinChaug]

If you're in the US, most Fiat Dealerships should be able to service it. If you're outside the US, it appears most people have been finding help from independent shops. Before buying one, it is best to make sure ALL the recalls are completed. Many problems were fixed through recalls already so hopefully the car won't give you issues beyond that.

[@jiankuo]

thanks, and could you put a link for the device that can adjust the breaks. And how to get the $1000 incentive in CA. Great video!

[@DarwinChaug]

@@jiankuo yea, I used this device to connect to an android phone: amzn.to/2Egp0kp I used the "Alfa OBD2" app from the Android app store in order to reset and calibrate the brakes. It can also tell you battery health and things like that. The $1000 rebate is not for all CA residents, it's for residents who has So Cal Edison as their utility provider: evrebates.sce.com/ Hope that helps!

[@aychemara]

@@DarwinChaug yup, all the needs are at the dealership. That’s were the dealership makes their money through the services. Fortunately the only issue was the compressor and that replacement at the dealership was 10K. Got a 300 dollar one from a flipped Fiat for 300 bucks and the dealership agreed to install it with no warranty I saved 8800. With the AC running you loose 10 miles of range.

[@dragobaric3047]

Hey I’ve got both cars but the Fiat before the Tesla…and like you I’m in SP too!

[@DarwinChaug]

Nice! I just drove down to SP for the views, still enjoying both cars?

[@sandro14esandro14e]

Looking at one and history says battery was replaced recently how much does a battery cost installed

[@DarwinChaug]

12v or drive battery? Usually a car of this age shouldn't need the drive battery replaced. The 12v accessories battery is around 150, easy swap you can do it yourself.

[@RealAndromeda01]

Went to look at one for sale and now you can't get one unless you are willing to pay $9K or more Thanks for hyperinflated car prices And with gas prices where they are, EVs would be really nice to have

[@aychemara]

Can thank the plandemic for that. And if China invades Taiwan we all going back to horse and buggy. No more semiconductors. Got my 2014 500E back in 2017 for 4600 USD, still runs great. From San Bernardino to LA have to charge a couple times and then charge 1 time to come home. Really you can travel far in it but you have to plan the trip and leave 4 hours early for traffic and charge time. And watch out for smooth brain Tesla owners hogging up the free charging with their 2 EVs from home. Yes these people are out there, they can’t afford to charge their 50k EV at home so they free charge when their Level 3 charger is next door to the free charging. And they just leave the car over night in Ontario they need to start towing these people. It don’t take 2 hours to charge a fiat. It does take more then 2 hours on level 2 for Tesla but these people are @hloes that hog up the parking spot. Need more enforcement with the 2 hour limit sign. Especially with Volta chargers.

[@spacegreycoralred]

If my 2014 500e-sport had DC fast charging, it would be perfect

[@DarwinChaug]

It really just needs 200 miles of range plus fast charging. Otherwise, it's just a errands runner. Impossible to live with as the ONLY car.

[@robertpryor7225]

I use mine as my primary car. I charge at home and by work. I can almost do a round trip. DC fast charging would be nice, but it's harder to find and more expensive.

[@ramonbautista1250]

That's near milpitas California? Sir. How much did you buy it 3000usd?

[@rp9674]

Not going to happen, especially now

[@giuliadifelice7262]

you should try the new 500e, it's amazing

[@aychemara]

If they only offered it in America dammmmm.

[@tamnunitv5804]

I am planning to buy a fiat 500e 2017 as my home-work-home car and my employer is located 17miles away form where I live. I will be driving on the mountain side downhill and uphill when going home. Do you think it can drive uphill without any problems?

[@DarwinChaug]

seeing that you're only doing approx 30-40 miles round trip. there should be no issues at all. Even better if you have workplace charging. The car has huge amounts of power, it'll go uphill with no issues at all. Better than most gasoline powered cars by a long shot.

[@tamnunitv5804]

@@DarwinChaug i will trust you 😂 i found some for $6-7k and i am not sure if it is worth it. Thanks for this review!

[@carlfe4891]

​@@tamnunitv5804 Also consider your location. There is a review from a guy in Minnesota winter (-4°F) where he was barely getting 40 miles range. This car takes hills nicely it's just a huge power drain. $6-7k is a good deal, I don't know where he got this one for $3k but that is the lowest I've seen.

[@tamnunitv5804]

@@carlfe4891 I live in SoCal and 0°C rarely happens during winter in my city. I am actually thinking about the power it will consume if I use the heater. I will be working in a Casino Hotel and they have charging stations there but just Level 1 so yea, I am still thinking about getting this one just for work. I love my Honda Accord 2018 so much, I don't want to add so much mileage on it. It is almost 2yrs old on december and I only drove 14k with it. Driving to work 20+ days a month will add 650+ miles to my future family car 😭

[@geemy9675]

livingnrar dc we have lots of small hills but no mountains. this is probably the worst setup if yo have charging only at home. leaving home with a full battery going downhill will not get you much regen, you might even not charge fully to keep regen. going back uphill will drain your battery much faster. but it sounds doable. you can limit heating by being dressed for the weather and keep you jacket, use heated seats. snow or ice would require some defogging the wind shield. unfortunately no heated steering , except if you add aftermarket. one important point though. 500e battery is liquid cooled so degradation is controlled, BUT battery warranty although 8 years/100k does not cover loss of range! so if car has been sitting for extended periods with completely empty or full battery, you might lose a lot of range and not be able to replace it under warranty. make sure you make a long test drive, see how the range holds

[@JkinPublic]

You got this car for 3k? I live in Los Angeles and I'm been doing market comparisons. How many miles does your 2013 have? I can't seem to find anything for under 5k. Please forward me any information with 500e's in that price range! That's a great deal. Thank you for making this video.

[@JkinPublic]

In response to the playback, you have just over 50K miles. That's a really good deal! Where did you find this car listing? That's amazing!!

[@DarwinChaug]

@@JkinPublic I paid the seller 4k, took some negotiating to get it there and 1k rebate from my utility company. I did have to purchase a new 12v accessory battery for $150 as shown in the video. I found the listing on facebook marketplace, also LA area. I know I definitely got a great deal, I would say go for any good condition one between 5-6k and you've got a great deal. If you have SCE as your utility company you get an extra 1k rebate.

[@darknightcbr2300]

50k is pretty high for an ev. I got my 2017 500e for $8000 and It has only 7,000 miles. I haven't found any with over 60-70k miles. Seems to be about their life span. Anyhoo, great review !

[@DarwinChaug]

Gotta look for private sellers, dealers will not sell higher mileage ones because there’s no profit in them. EV’s can last well over 100k with 0 maintenance. But they are typically city cars with limited range so there’s not a good opportunity to rack up huge miles. Plenty of Teslas approaching 200k without issues. Lots of EV are also Leasee returns which is why you won’t find high mileage ones, these cars are typically sell at auction for approx 6-7k if they are 2-3 years old and dealers flip them for about 8k like in your scenario. Don’t be afraid of higher mileage EV’s especially if they have thermal cooling for the battery. Which this car has.

[@rp9674]

Forget it, $6500 min before pandemic.

[@Turtisland]

Haha in San Pedro during the end

[@bsfatboy]

How do you know if the main battery is still good?

[@rp9674]

You can use a Bluetooth OBD and alpha OBD app, but I don't think that tells you everything about the battery.

[@PURPLE_SHADE_SMOOTHIE]

Can it be charged at the Whole Foods 30 minute quick charge stations??

[@DarwinChaug]

Unfortunately not. This car only has level 2 charging, Level 3 quick charging would be required for the charging level you're asking about. Definitely one of the biggest limiting factors on these compliance cars is that and the low range. But works perfect for short and consistent travel (to work and back or running errands around town)

[@ramyram8874]

How to override gear when is stuck on parking mode? I need to tow it but no power

[@DarwinChaug]

www.manualslib.com/manual/572256/Fiat-500e.html?page=62

[@ydkoo4193]

How many miles can this used car drive on an 80% charge?

[@hogster5935]

I pan to start my search. Thinking 2017-2019

[@DarwinChaug]

Get a Bolt EV if you can.

[@OsvaldoPaese1]

It seems that more people are buying these now than when they were brand new. I think Fiat should take the hint and bring the new and improved version here to the States.

[@abpc1x905]

It won't sell for the asking price of ~$40K. The competition is simply too high now and offers better range for the same price. This is the reason that the new 500e is not available in the US.

[@abpc1x905]

Got my 2013 lease returns in 2017 with 14k miles on it for $7K. I walked out from the dealership smiling ear to ear 'cause I "stole" it from the dealer at that price with full bumper-to-bumper warranty for 1 year. The dealership didn't know what they had! About 2 years ago they called me back wanting to buy it back from me! Not a chance! I use it as a daily commuter and my round trip of ~30 miles costs about $1.25 with my local electricity rates. The 0-35 mph puts a big grin on my face every time. Due to the super low center of gravity this little gem is fun to toss around corners too. Fold the rear seat down and you have a pretty large cavern to stuff things into. The only mechanical problem I have had is the passenger window regulator stopped working. The white plastic clip holding the window to the regulator broke. I picked-up the clip on ebay for $10 and about 2 hours of sweat equity, my window was back in operation. I had two cosmetic problems: both the door triangle body panels next to the mirrors had to be replaced because of the rubber seal degradation. Other than that, no issues with 45K miles on the odo. Love this little guy and every time Fiat sold new one, it lost about $14K per Marchionne's quote back in 2014. The $36K+ asking price when new was too high for this car to this day given the relatively low driving range you get. I hope to keep my little guy for many more years and I hope that somebody will make a renewed battery pack available in the future when the efficiency of the original unit craps out. Bosch warrants the original pack for 10 years so I have 2 more years left on mine.

[@prettykitty5416]

If you I were to have the air conditioning/ heating on constantly how much range do you estimate I can get?

[@rp9674]

I had that same rubber molding rot on my driver side. Battery - 8 Years/100,000-Miles Ignore the range estimator

[@djkenny1202]

What year is it?

[@robertpryor7225]

It also regends a little bit on coast

[@DarwinChaug]

It shows that on screen but after owner many EV's I can confidently tell you that if the car is not slowing down, it's not regenerating much. Even though the screen shows regen happening.

[@robertpryor7225]

It does slow slightly, I have a stick car so I can tell the difference, it is very little though. It's not enough that you would likely ever see an increase in battery percent.

[@tamnunitv5804]

Hi, it's me again. I bought my fiat 500e 2017 last september i think and a few hours after getting the car, I realized that the steering cannot be pulled to adjust. Just up and down. Is it just mine?

[@DarwinChaug]

Just up and down! Usually smaller cars don’t have the luxury of being able to extend the steering wheel back

[@robertpryor7225]

One of the biggest sucks with this car. There's a steering extension for about $250, of course that involves removing the steering wheel. Wish I could stretch my legs, not my arms.

[@tamnunitv5804]

@@robertpryor7225 i will check and see if I can do this! Do they offer this service at a dealer?

[@rp9674]

@@tamnunitv5804 very doubtful, it's aftermarket

[@excaliburjohndeere7657]

How many miles on your car. Do you want to sell it? I would like to get one for 4000

[@GeorgeStar]

How's the battery degradation?

[@DarwinChaug]

Haven't pushed the battery because this is literally my strictly city only car. Works perfect for that. I have the Tesla for anything beyond running errands. I can comfortably plan to drive 50 miles a charge, anything more than that i wouldn't even risk it. With work from home happening I end up charging it 1 time a week after grocery shopping and getting take out now and then.

[@kbpilla]

How bad was battery Degradation when you bought the fiat ….

[@SCORP1ONF1RE]

Hello, I really want a 500e, but I'm worried about charging it. There's an EVgo charge Station 2 miles from my house, but how long would that take? Could charge it with a 50 foot HEAVY duty extension cord? And without burning my house down? :D Thanks

[@DarwinChaug]

extension cords are not recommended but you can do research to see if that is something you're willing to risk. With a extra heavy duty cable, it's possible. I used to park my car at a free public charging station and ride an electric scooter home to leave it charging. I go back and get it when it's done. 500e- approx 3-4 hours if it's a 6.6kw powered charger if not, then 7 hours for a 3.3kw charger. I would considering getting a chevrolet bolt, they've come down in price significantly and is a much better car than the 500e. Some as low as 13k. Goodluck

[@SCORP1ONF1RE]

@@DarwinChaug Thank you. What's so much better about the Bolt? Also, how many miles on an E car are too many? I'd like it to last... I'm looking to spend about $10,000. For 9K I can get a Fiat with 10,000 miles on it, or for $10,000 a Bolt with 50K miles. So I'm not sure what to do? Am I putting too much importance on mileage? Anyways, thanks very much Darwin!

[@DarwinChaug]

​@@SCORP1ONF1RE with an EV, the be-all end-all is the range. The bolt is a better car in 100% every category due to the range, space, quick charging abilities, dealership support. I can get into specifics but when it comes to the battery/drivetrain it's better in every way. Mileage will tell you about the battery degradation, with a higher mileage EV you'll likely have a battery more worn, but degradation of a Bolt wouldn't matter as much as the Fiat because it started with 240 miles of range whereas the Fiat started with 90. My Fiat 500e that I showed in the video has a real world range of 50 miles now when it started at 90 miles because a short range EV always gets pushed to the limits. A long range EV with a big battery is not stressed the same way. If you can, try to get a Bolt, especially since you said this is your primary vehicle and something you want to keep. My Fiat 500e works for me because it's a grocery getter around town, if I didn't have my Tesla as my main car, I wouldn't have gotten the 500E. Hope that helps.

[@I9IIEIIYIIEIIS]

I'm not sure how many miles were on Darwin's Fiat to start with. But going from a 90 to a 50 mile range is a pretty drastic reduction for a "grocery getter" (in just one year ?). this video was just posted last year.

[@I9IIEIIYIIEIIS]

Correct me if I'm wrong - but if you're looking for a grocery getter, looking to spend 5-10k, and looking for a long-term car, with low miles, the Fiat is half the price of the Bolt. And more in your price range. I'm not sure about the massive battery degradation that Darwin is claiming though, that's a bit concerning.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

The first generation of the 500e was made almost in protest because Fiat needed to build it to comply with California law. So some compromises had to be made to build the car in a reasonable amount of time. The president of Fiat famously asked people NOT to buy the car because they supposedly lose $20,000 on each car sold. The drivetrain is made almost entirely by Bosch and it has a liquid cooled battery, so that is great news.

[@abpc1x905]

Not made in "protest". It was made to offset the carbon emissions generated by Ram and Dodge V8s. Car makers pay a fine if their entire fleet exceeds emission mandates. This is how Tesla makes most of it's money: thru carbon emission credits being sold to the ICE crowd and not thru the sale of their cars.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@abpc1x905 Based on what the head of Fiat said at the time ("Please don't buy this car"), they certainly didn't make it of their own free will, so "protest" is as good a description as any. And yes, Tesla made most of its money selling emissions credits (and bitcoin), but in an environment where chip shortages and other problems (see "Pandemic") have hurt ALL automakers I can't say I blame them for doing whatever they have to to survive.

[@robertpryor7225]

I tried swapping the 12v with a underpowered li-ion. The battery died on the freeway, everything shut down, I was able to coast to the shoulder. You can just replace the 12 v, w/ BMW i3 you need to go to dealer and get computer reset, $300!

[@DarwinChaug]

I had a BMW i3, it’s easy to reprogram yourself with the right tool. The computer tool itself cost 200 brand new on Amazon, cheaper than the dealer and keep yourself a diagnostic tool

[@robertpryor7225]

@@DarwinChaug great tip, thanks

[@vferdman]

Can anyone share how to try and find a used 500e for a good price (under $6000). I have not been able to find one, but I am very ignorant about searching for specific cars. I would be willing to get one far from home and either have it delivered or go pick it up (with a trailer).

[@DarwinChaug]

your best bet is searching via craigslist or facebook marketplace. It appears these cars are going from off-lease to auction (2016-2017 models) for around 6k at least. This means the dealer that usually buys them will try to flip them for 1-2k more, which is why you're seeing prices from 7-8k. Try to buy them from a private seller (would likely be older than 2016 model) for the best deals. Hope this helps.

[@richiesd1]

Can’t beat the price. I have a 2017 used car. It’s almost free to drive.

[@DarwinChaug]

great strictly city only car. Only costs: tires and windshield washer fluid. Energy from my solar panels = free charging.

[@richiesd1]

@@DarwinChaug I love the city. I live in San Diego which is sprawling enough already. I hate the suburbs and the exurbs. In Europe, Asia and the rest of the world, people know the difference and think that 10 miles is very far away.

[@aychemara]

@@DarwinChaug no you can go from San Bernardino to LA in it, just have to be patient and retired. Plan your trip 4 hours advance and find the free charging stations. Do you have range anxiety in yours lol. Got mine in 2017 it’s a 2014 500E for 4600 USD

[@Morningstar6769]

How are you getting them for 3k???

[@rp9674]

Not going to happen, I think someone gave that one up dirt cheap because they thought the car was toast

[@keigorjai01]

Could u please tell me what year of your car?

[@DarwinChaug]

This Fiat 500e that you see in the video is a 2013 model. This is why I mentioned the 12v accessory battery I needed to replace was 7 years old.

[@keigorjai01]

@@DarwinChaug we can reply the battery of this car? I am sorry that I didn't finish the video, may I ask how much was it cost to you?

[@DarwinChaug]

@@keigorjai01 I wouldn't recommend replacing the high voltage drive battery. It's huge amounts of work and requires removing the rear axle. If professionally done, it'll definitely cost more than what you pay for the car. If you're referring to the 12v battery (the one that powers the accessories etc.) that is an easy swap similar to any other vehicle.

[@mikem2802]

Hey D great review! Do you know What they changed on the the Fiat E Model from 2013 to the 2020 models ??

[@DarwinChaug]

Nothing with the drive train has changed throughout the years. In 16 they added a touchscreen radio to replace the old school radio. I'm 18 or 19 I believe they mightve added a backup camera. The earlier models didn’t have Bluetooth steaming in the radios either as I’ve shown in my review.

[@patogee]

Buscame uno a ese valor para comprarlo saludos desde Antofagasta Chile muy bueno tu canal

[@mrTob-ww7sb]

I love it, too bad it was never available in Europe officially, and the reimports are around 10000 euro including vat, so pretty expensive.

[@DarwinChaug]

That definitely seems high for this car. I wouldn't spend that type of money on a car like this since it cannot be a primary vehicle with such little range and space. It's a great 2nd vehicle for the price I paid, but if I could only have one car, this would not be it. I would maybe spend 10k on a Chevrolet Volt. Or maybe overseas they're called the Opel (which has good range of up to 40 miles plus a gas generator for longer trips). It also has a hatchback for huge amounts of storage.

[@mrTob-ww7sb]

@@DarwinChaug no, definetly not good to be a primary vehicle, but on the other hand, I don't think there is any car that is good enough to be the only vehicle. The way i see it, this would be a city car, then have a diesel hatchback for medium trips (up to 2-3 hours one way), and full size sedan for longer trips. Then you also need a decent offroader, to be able to go anywhere 😂

[@DarwinChaug]

@@mrTob-ww7sb With the supercharging network, it sounds like you need a Tesla Cybertruck! (although it might be tough getting around town in that thing). Perfect pairing = Cybertruck + 500e for the city

[@vincentlim1662]

Is it 8 kw chare or 6.6?

[@DarwinChaug]

on-board charger is capable of 7.2kw charging

[@thaistirfrye]

Just signed my paperwork on a 2016 Fiat 500e for $8200 OTD, but I also got the CA EV grant, so I only came out of pocket $3200 and getting the $1k charging credit next, so it will be a $2200 car :-D

[@DarwinChaug]

congrats! I think for the majority of people, a used shorter range EV will be enough for all needs, especially if you have nightly home charging (sounds like you do) great buy!

[@thaistirfrye]

@@DarwinChaug No nightly home charging but I live in DTLA and have access to a lot of chargers, as well as a membership to Blink Mobility LA, where can get long range EVs for up to 5 hours at a time.

[@darknightcbr2300]

Do you live in ca? I thought you cant get a rebate unless u bought new?

[@DarwinChaug]

@@darknightcbr2300 many different programs that provide grants for used vehicles as well. You're thinking of CVRP, which is only for new vehicles. Look up CVAP, replacemyride, etc. Some are local to county's

[@thaistirfrye]

@@darknightcbr2300 It's a grant, for $5k down, not a rebate.

[@sarahscroggins2793]

Paint job is good for 3,000

[@MHensleyForever]

is $7K with 37K miles on it overpriced? I'm considering to get one from a dealership.

[@rp9674]

That would have been a steal

[@jasonroberts773]

Where do you find a 500e for $ 3G??

[@DarwinChaug]

This was during 2020 when the market was reasonable. Nissan leafs going for 4k this fiat 500e I got for 4k plus a 1k rebate from my utility company. The used car market is so our of whack right now in terms of prices. Tesla Model 3's were about to hit 30k or less on the used car market.

[@rp9674]

In your dreams

[@user-fg6hg7ds1v]

Question- I have a friend who lives 92 miles away, mostly freeway. So I’d get 90% of the way to her house and have to stop and charge my car for 4 hours with a Fiat 500e?

[@DarwinChaug]

Not the right car for the trip. Freeway mileage is less than 90 on a full battery, maybe 70-80 miles in perfect conditions. The car has no quick charge port. This car for me has a strict 20-30 mile radius.

[@user-fg6hg7ds1v]

@@DarwinChaug thank you!!!

[@rp9674]

More like halfway

[@MelviinNL]

Only 3k? I just payed 10k for an 2014 model from California in The Netherlands.

[@DarwinChaug]

I paid the seller 4k, took some negotiating and 1k rebate from my utility company. I did have to purchase a new 12v accessory battery for $150 as it was on its last legs but all good after that.

[@MelviinNL]

@@DarwinChaug we need to pay around 1000 shipping fee and 35% taxes and need to make it Dutch at our dmv. On the 10k I do get 2k from the government. So 8 is left

[@DarwinChaug]

MelviinNL that’s not too bad! Many 2016-2017 models here go for that much if purchased from a used car dealer

[@robertpryor7225]

I paid $8K 2 yr ago in Cal, $450 back, so not bad, considering.

[@Arsenalcentric]

Does it have a mobile app?

[@DarwinChaug]

i believe so, it's trash. I haven't even bothered with it. I heard it's inconsistent, doesn't show accurate charge percentage etc.

[@Arsenalcentric]

Darwin Chaug thanks for the heads up.

[@robertpryor7225]

Only works for 3 years, I've heard. Basically no.

[@carlfe4891]

Correct - 3 years with no option to renew. So some 17's and most '18/ '19 still have access. If that's you, you use Uconnect, not the Fiat app. You can also buy a new telematics device from my500e. There is also a community effort to reverse enough CAN bus data to build your own app - but this is non-trivial of course.

[@mikem2802]

Hey D , I think I'm going to Unsubscribe to you , because eveytime I watch your KZbin I want to buy one !! Lol 😂 ! Nah Great Videos D -LBC !

[@MrMoteu24]

Ware did you buy one for $4000 I like to get one for that price

[@DarwinChaug]

You'll need to shop around and look for private party sales. Dealers are picking them up at auctions off-lease for around 6-7k (3 year old models). So you'll need to find one that is probably 5 years or older that has been thru 2 previous owners. Then just negotiate, the seller of my car was originally asking for 5k

[@robertpryor7225]

He said it was showing error codes, I think that's how we got the lower price.

[@DarwinChaug]

Got me an extra 200 off since it needed a new 12v battery.

[@MrMoteu24]

How you can the 1000 dollar deductions

[@DarwinChaug]

clean fuel rebate in the state of CA applied to used EV purchases. This rule changed in 2021 and no longer applies for used EV's. Now the rebate has increased to $1500 but only for new EV's and applied at the time of purchase.

[@MrMoteu24]

@@DarwinChaug thanks for the info do u still have your fiat I’m looking to get one but I’m in Utah I like your video

[@DarwinChaug]

@@MrMoteu24 i'm not selling mine if that's what you're asking but I would recommend with many capable EV's on the used market and coming off leases, definitely look at all the available options. The Fiat is fine but it's a compliance car with limited range (with much less range now that the battery has degraded over the years). I highly suggest looking into a Bolt EV or a BMW i3. Fiat 500e are also hard to find since they only sold them in CA or OR.

[@MrMoteu24]

@@DarwinChaug just help me out is a dealer here in my area they have one 2016 fiat 500e for 8000 you think this is a good price??

[@DarwinChaug]

seems expensive but makes sense they are asking that much (although not worth it). Look for a Volt, Bolt or i3. All of which are better than the 500e. Dealerships are selling these cars off lease so they get it for around 7k and will need to make a profit. I bought a 2013 so i purchased off the 2nd owner. This is why I was able to get it for 4k (minus 1k rebate).

[@MichaelOrtega]

So many buttons

[@DarwinChaug]

it's like stepping into a time capsule! There's actually 6 more buttons behind the steering wheel for volume, radio stations etc...crazy

[@dennisreilly6012]

@@DarwinChaug I pretend it's 1957 and instead of a radio, I have a wireless...

[@Claude9211]

@@DarwinChaug You can consider to by a tuch screen radio.. likee a Tesla that you find on the net, and you resolve this problem, I like Alpine car radio iLX-F903D 1 DIN !!!

[@robertpryor7225]

I like buttons

[@akankshaignatius7537]

IKR in EV cars there are million boothons

[@pianoplayer2516]

I think it’s a great car. Too bad it doesn’t have DC fast charging though.

[@rp9674]

Or a higher battery capacity, that's part of why they're cheap though

[@aychemara]

@@rp9674 30k for maybe 120 miles range is not cheap. In actuality you get 90 when car is new. Got mine used and it was getting 80. Now it’s getting 60 after 9 years of use. And for battery longevity only charge to 80 and never discharge it past 40. Not a cheap car unless you get it used. But do you know what you’re getting if used??? For me there was a compressor that needed replacing so that cost me 1200 and it could have cost even more cause new compressors are 4k install is 900. Fortunately I found a compressor pulled from a flipped 500E for 300 USD, talk about a come up, but waited 3 years in my searching.

[@dha588]

No ones going to mention that it cost $30k to replace the battery?😮

[@theowink]

Send it oversees ! I will buy it 4000🤙

[@carlfe4891]

The biggest downside no one talks about - It will be next to impossible or impractical to repair. FCA didn't like this car when they sold it and their lack of trained techs and high cost of parts effectively total the car after any issue.

[@DarwinChaug]

Carl Rice yup. Keep in mind this car was mainly sold in CA. Therefore California’s 15 year 150k battery warranty is in effect. Anything having to do with the EV system of the car is covered by that. So should be good till 2028. I don’t plan to keep the car that long anyway. Fiat is coming out with a 2020 500e which looks truly promising. Maybe they will change their position on EV’s if that car comes to N America.

[@chadsview7087]

Darwin Chaug what is this 15yr 150k battery warranty you talk about? I only see an 8yr 100k warranty. Also how did you get a $1000.00 rebate on a used EV? is there a form you can link to?

[@DarwinChaug]

@@chadsview7087 So Cal Edison Customers only: www.sce.com/residential/electric-vehicles/ev-rebates-incentives/cfrp 15yr/150k warranty is a California mandated warranty specifically for EV sold in CA, can read more about it here: ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/california-vehicle-and-emissions-warranty-periods

[@chadsview7087]

Darwin Chaug trying to find info on that warranty I see the pzev warranty but this is an ev not (partial zero emissions vehicle). Thinking about looking at one tomorrow here locally as I’m in the market for a 34 mile (freeway) round trip commuter. Thinking of either a regular Prius or this. We have two other vehicles, Gas and diesel.

[@DarwinChaug]

@@chadsview7087 ​ Edit: warranty may only be 10 yrs/100k. Sorry for the mistake. Keep it mind it ONLY covers electrical components related to powering the vehicle. Also allows for degradation, warranty won't cover that. Goodluck, seems like the perfect vehicle for your 34 mile commute. Might be cutting it close if you're going fast on the freeway though. If you're blasting the heat, you might not make it. If you have charging at your workplace, even 110v outlet, it's perfect for you.

[@tomhirschel8524]

New Fiat E out in 2021

[@spacegreycoralred]

In Europe only