The best used Fiat to buy is the 2015 Fiat 500, with its playful design and an amazing selection of colors, as well as its attractive price, good fuel economy, durability for a mini car.

The Fiat 500 series is a mini car with an exceptional list of features and many trim options to fit every driving style. While a new Fiat isn’t too expensive, a used Fiat is a great way to experience this vehicle and enjoy greater savings.

As a company, Fiat has been operating for 122 years—it’s no wonder that they have perfected making affordable yet functional mini cars. However, with so many Fiat models available, it can be hard to choose the best. That’s why

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, the top-rated car insurance broker app, has compared the lineup to help you find the best used Fiat to buy and how to save on

Fiat insurance costs

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The best used Fiat to buy: 2015 Fiat 500

Fiat Group is the largest Italian vehicle manufacturer and well known for fuel-efficient cars that don’t compromise on power. Of all the available models, the Fiat 500 is very highly rated by consumers, and we’ll find out why below.

What makes the 2015 Fiat 500 a good used car?

If you want to get a zippy mini car, a used Fiat is an excellent choice. Here’s what makes the 2015 Fiat 500 stand out from the rest of Fiat's fleet.

To identify the best used Fiat, we used four main factors: true cost to own, safety features, reliability, and customization:

True cost to own: A used Fiat can come with a budget-friendly price, but the maintenance and insurance rates should also be considered. The best used Fiat must be affordable to purchase, have reasonable maintenance fees and repair costs, lower insurance rates, and a slow depreciation rate.

Safety features: Buying a used car can mean losing out on the latest tech features, depending on the year. When selecting the best used Fiat, we took into consideration both driver-assistance technology and safety ratings.

Reliability: Buying a used car can be worrisome when it comes to reliability. After all, you can’t be 100% sure what you’re getting. The best used Fiat will remain on the road for years to come.

Customization and styling: Buying a used car often means there’s not much choice for customization. However, the best used Fiat should have multiple body styles and trim levels, as well as a design that stands the test of time.

MORE:

How to determine the retail value of your used car

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The true cost of owning a 2015 Fiat 500

A car’s true cost of ownership is your total expense for the car over its lifetime. This cost factors in the purchase price and the operation cost, such as the cost of gas, maintenance, insurance, and interest rates from the loan.

Choosing a mini car can sometimes mean higher maintenance and repair costs. The parts for such cars can be specialized and more expensive, leading to a greater financial burden. Insurance rates are also higher for mini cars since they will sustain more damage when they get into an accident.

Fortunately, the 2015 Fiat 500 has exceptional safety features and good fuel efficiency, meaning it doesn’t have to be expensive to own this used car. Below is a breakdown of the true cost of owning a Fiat 500.

Purchase price

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for a 2015 Fiat 500 starts around $17,000, but a used model will typically cost between $8,600 and $16,900. Your actual price depends on the mileage, trim, and any add-ons the car has.

Costs of operation

A good credit score and significant down payment will equate to smaller monthly loan payments and lower interest rates for a 2015 Fiat 500.

A newer Fiat can lose an average of 53% of its value within the first five years. However, since the 2015 Fiat 500 is already over five years old, the depreciation rate is much lower, so it will hold its value better.

Go for the Ribelle trim, if possible, which is one trim higher than the base. The Ribelle will be slightly more expensive but have the new upgraded features that the base didn’t. Additionally, since it is still a lower trim, you can get a lower insurance premium, which will reduce your total cost of ownership.

Fuel costs for the 500 aren’t as high as most vehicles, even though it requires premium unleaded gasoline (92 octane) since it was built to be fuel efficient. However, if you drive a lot, the requirement for premium gas will increase your cost of ownership significantly.

Key Takeaway An affordable MSRP, lower rate of depreciation, and fuel efficiency help keep the total cost of owning a 2015 Fiat 500 relatively low.

Safety features of the 2015 Fiat 500

Mini cars like the Fiat 500 are often perceived to have lower safety ratings when compared to larger vehicles like SUVs and minivans.

However, the 2015 Fiat 500 is equipped with advanced safety features that earned it a great score from the

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

. Standard safety features on the 500 include:

Child seat anchors

Driver airbag

Passenger airbag

Stability control

Traction control

Driver knee airbag

Front head curtain airbag

Front side airbag

Rear head curtain airbag

Is the 2015 Fiat 500 a reliable used car?

According to consumer and expert reviews, both sides agree that the 2015 Fiat 500 is a durable, peppy car that’s fun to drive and sports Euro aesthetic.

Unfortunately, the 500 has scored a low reliability rating of two out of five stars from J.D. Power, mainly due to glitches in certain systems. However, this can be rectified if you are diligent with the car’s regular maintenance. Routine maintenance for used cars monitors wear and tear so that any potential problems can be identified before they cause serious damages that are costly to repair.

Overall, you can expect a 2015 Fiat 500 to last 200,000 to 250,000 miles when it is driven conservatively and is well-maintained.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

Customization and styling

For those looking for more customization, the 2015 Fiat 500 comes in a whopping seven trims! Many find the 500’s playful yet classic style makes this Fiat a timeless minicar that can be enjoyed for years.

The 500 is available in the following trims:

Pop (base)

Lounge

Ribelle

Sport

Abarth

Turbo

1957 Edition

This 500 is a two-door, which can be limiting for some. Bigger or taller drivers may find this tiny car too cramped to fit in comfortably.

On the plus side, the 2015 Fiat 500s are upgraded with Bluetooth and an additional USB port. All but the Pop model also have a brand new 7-inch TFT instrument cluster.

How to find affordable insurance for a used Fiat

Mini cars owners may find car insurance to be relatively high compared to a regular sedan. The average cost to insure a Fiat 500 is close to $1,700 a year.

Jerry

is the easiest and most effective way to find an affordable and customized policy. Not only does Jerry help you get the best quotes from top-rated insurers quickly, but experts are always available to answer your questions and concerns. As a

licensed broker

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You’ll also always have the best rate since Jerry will look for new quotes right before your policy is due for renewal. This means you’re always getting the coverage you want at the lowest price. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year by using the app!

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