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Black boxes - are they worth it? #1635209
02/09/2019 16:12
02/09/2019 16:12
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450
Scottish Borders
G_Man Offline OP
Club member 1656
G_Man  Offline OP
Club member 1656
My job on the forum

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450
Scottish Borders
I mean in cars - not aircraft laugh

So I think we'll be getting a used Fiat 500 within the next few months and have been checking the insurance quotes. I (just picked up 3 points in the coupe which is a story in itself crazy), my wife and my 17 yo daughter on her provisional have been quoted through a household name insurer £460 for a twin air and £505 for a 1.2. I was actually quite surprised how reasonable these quotes were to be honest however if I want to add a BB they want an additional £160. The blurb is the usual ie over time if careful driving is demonstrated then your premium should drop. If the data shows that you drive like a nutta then your premium will go up. If I drive the car it won't be like "driving Miss Daisy" so if I unplug the unit (don't know what T&C's are) then it would look well dodgy I'd have thought confused So I'm kinda thinking it's not worth the hassle so any views / experiences please?

And while I'm at it any views on the twin air?

smile


77 77
Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: G_Man] #1635210
02/09/2019 16:38
02/09/2019 16:38
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
DaveG  Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
Je suis un Coupé

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
My 20 year old has had a black box fitted since he passed his test, have been with "Insure the Box" right from the start. They do limited mileages 5000, 7500 or 10000 miles (I think) but we've only ever gone for 5000, he does hardly any miles now, but earns extra miles from "good driving" = motorway, not excess speeding, not rush hour, etc. (can't remember the criteria). I'm sure the box is smart enough to know when it's disconnected, so you will have to drive just as sensibly tongue

No point in having a BB if it increases your premium, normally no need for a BB for provisional insurance since a "responsible/experienced" adult will always be in the passenger seat. Once your daughter passes her test then the provisional insurance will automatically cancel and you start from nothing and a BB is de rigeur in fact you will pay massively if you don't have one.

My son has a Punto Evo with a 1.2, it's a bit sluggish compared to the Coupe, or my 1.4 Multiair turbo (tuned!) 124 Spider, but as a learner / new driver even a 1.0 or 0.9 will suffice, especially if you want to encourage sensible (slow!) driving. However, my son tends to go around roundabout at 30-40mph which is quite alarming...


1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: G_Man] #1635212
02/09/2019 16:48
02/09/2019 16:48
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
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Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
To be fair regarding the 500 I've never driven one,but I've read so many faults & things going wrong with this car. Now you could go to any car forum & read faults about any car, but the 500 is throwing up the likes of poor quality consumables, brakes suspension giving up in a couple of years for starters. Power problems, steering problems, the list seems to go on. Personally, the wee car sells because it's cute & fashion sells, & I'm not alone in thinking that. I'm sure there are some good stories out there, but there seems to be far more negative accounts than should be.


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: G_Man] #1635216
02/09/2019 17:05
02/09/2019 17:05
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
My stepdaughter got insurance with a black box when she passed her test, but because her job was managing a music venue, she was frequently driving late at night - times deemed "at risk". The result was that at the end of a year with zero points or indiscretions, her insurance leapt up.

Stepson Major got insurance without a box from Admiral (eyewatering £1100 for 1st year on a Grande Punto 1.4 Sporting), but halved in second year and dropped again this year, even when he swapped to a BMW 116d. And he drives exactly like a 20-year old male who loves stereotypes would do.

So, I'd say look into it carefully before choosing.

Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1635250
03/09/2019 19:08
03/09/2019 19:08
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450
Scottish Borders
G_Man Offline OP
Club member 1656
G_Man  Offline OP
Club member 1656
My job on the forum

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450
Scottish Borders
Cheers peeps for your comments and good point Dave that it's not something to consider until she passes her test.

Jimboy - fairly slammed the Fiat 500 there mate shocked I'm not a big fan of Mr Clarkson but he said the TA was one of his favourite cars and TopGear gave it 7/10 recently but observations noted smile


77 77
Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: G_Man] #1635251
03/09/2019 20:50
03/09/2019 20:50
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Originally Posted by G_Man
Cheers peeps for your comments and good point Dave that it's not something to consider until she passes her test.

Jimboy - fairly slammed the Fiat 500 there mate shocked I'm not a big fan of Mr Clarkson but he said the TA was one of his favourite cars and TopGear gave it 7/10 recently but observations noted smile


Aye well, it's not really me saying these things, but a forum. I've never read so many things that could go wrong in any car. It's one thing having a wee ride in the wee car, but Clarkson never lived with one for any length of time. Some have said they were sorry they bought the car & were desperate to get rid. I've said that I've never driven one, but even then, far too wee for my needs. A car needs to be reliable & not depend on looks.


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: jimboy] #1635259
04/09/2019 10:08
04/09/2019 10:08
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450
Scottish Borders
G_Man Offline OP
Club member 1656
G_Man  Offline OP
Club member 1656
My job on the forum

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,450
Scottish Borders
Originally Posted by jimboy
A car needs to be reliable & not depend on looks.


I better rethink my coupe ownership then Jim
laugh


77 77
Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: G_Man] #1635266
04/09/2019 13:17
04/09/2019 13:17
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Originally Posted by G_Man
Originally Posted by jimboy
A car needs to be reliable & not depend on looks.


I better rethink my coupe ownership then Jim
laugh


Aye G_man, the Coop is one of those cars that can deliver that bit extra even with a love hate relationship in the background & vowing no more money thrown at it........ driving


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: jimboy] #1635307
06/09/2019 08:18
06/09/2019 08:18
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
I’ve had 3 500s now (we still have 2 1.2 lounges, the other was an Abarth 595) and generally I think they’re good little cars. They’re definitely built to a price and Fiat themselves charge ridiculous prices for replacement parts which I’m sure doesn’t help. I’ve not had more issues than I’d expect though: rear shocks, exhaust stud, delaminated brake shoe, leaking gear change solenoid. Infinitely better than the Alfa MiTo we had.

I think it’s worth remembering that these cars are everywhere so there will be a lot of people who have had them and therefore had problems. They’re also popular which people who possibly know less about cars (as a gross generalisation). They are also a riot to drive which means I push mine far harder than I might something not so fun.

On Fiat parts prices, a mouse chewed through the fuel tank breather pipe so, on a full tank, fuel would spill on the forecourt. Parts to replace it would have been £350. They wanted to charge me another £250 in labour. I created my own fix and spent 10 minutes fixing it. Your average Fiat owner would be moaning about the £600 they’d spent.

Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1635315
06/09/2019 11:50
06/09/2019 11:50
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Originally Posted by MeanRedSpider
I’ve had 3 500s now (we still have 2 1.2 lounges, the other was an Abarth 595) and generally I think they’re good little cars. They’re definitely built to a price and Fiat themselves charge ridiculous prices for replacement parts which I’m sure doesn’t help. I’ve not had more issues than I’d expect though: rear shocks, exhaust stud, delaminated brake shoe, leaking gear change solenoid. Infinitely better than the Alfa MiTo we had.

I think it’s worth remembering that these cars are everywhere so there will be a lot of people who have had them and therefore had problems. They’re also popular which people who possibly know less about cars (as a gross generalisation). They are also a riot to drive which means I push mine far harder than I might something not so fun.

On Fiat parts prices, a mouse chewed through the fuel tank breather pipe so, on a full tank, fuel would spill on the forecourt. Parts to replace it would have been £350. They wanted to charge me another £250 in labour. I created my own fix and spent 10 minutes fixing it. Your average Fiat owner would be moaning about the £600 they’d spent.


Aye fair comment Richard, as I've said to be fair I haven't driven one, but I've been behind the steering wheel & I could not use this car as a daily, far too wee for me.They are fashion cars that's for sure & there will be good stories out there, but I've read/spoken quite a significant number with faults & some very pricey faults if you're not handy with the spanners like yourself for instance. Just my thoughts.


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: G_Man] #1635452
11/09/2019 20:11
11/09/2019 20:11
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575
Ayrshire
ScouseCoupe Offline
Enjoying the ride
ScouseCoupe  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575
Ayrshire
For a learner like our daughter, insured with the post office for £280 fully comp on a provisional license driving a 2009 VW Polo 1.2 Match with both parents as named drivers with no BB. We were looking at a 2009, 500 1.2 Pop, but for some reason they were 4 insurance groups higher compared to the Polo, even though the Polo has the same engine size and same 70bhp and insurers wanted £220 more...

Don’t even ask what they quoted for the daughter to be on my wife’s Abarth 500 as a named driver....

Last edited by ScouseCoupe; 11/09/2019 20:16. Reason: .

1999 Rosso Corsa 20VT ( Restored )
2000 Rosso Alfa 916 Spider 2.0 T.S Lusso ( Under Restoration)

Re: Black boxes - are they worth it? [Re: ScouseCoupe] #1635463
11/09/2019 22:34
11/09/2019 22:34
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,723
Brisbane, Australia
Possum Offline
My life on the forum
Possum  Offline
My life on the forum

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,723
Brisbane, Australia
To go upmarket a bit, we have an almost 3 year old 500X POP in our garage, owned since new. It now has 40,000 km on the clock and is booked in for its 3 year/45k service next month after we return from a "road trip". It came with 3 years free servicing and we have not had any issues with it, other than regularly topping up the fuel tank with 95RON.

Not sure what engine choice you have in UK, but "Downunder" we only have one, the 1.4 16v turbo which performs quite well and returns better than 6Lit/100k on the highway. Certainly a better car than the Grande Punto Dynamic 1.4 8v we had before the 500X.



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