In Holland we always used to say that French and Italian cars would already rust when they were still brand new in the flyer haha. Very true, at least 10 years back.
The old Panda was any good??? Amazing, most would fully disintegrate within 4 to 5 years! The worst, money could buy.
I had a brand New Fiat Ducato in 1990, total crap quality. No power at all, speedometer would sway left and right (had to guess how much I was doing), my garage found a piece of left-over metal INSIDE the engine after I complained about lots of smoke and poor engine power. On top of that a rear shock broke in two pieces. This all happened before 10.000 km on it. I sold it fast.
If the Fiat is bloody cheap you might as well, if you know its history, which would be a big plus in Taiwan. At least it should keep you dry when you are calling “road assistance” in the morning. If you wish to increase your chances of staying alive in traffic here, than off course the Beamer would the wiser choice. That is also about the only good thing I can say about those highly over rated German cars, including Mercedes. I had 2 new Mercedes’s and have never been in so many garages (always abroad off course, at night and with snow or heavy rain :fume: ) to get my truck on the road again. With rain I even had to keep my shoes on because of the water leaking doors and engine cover. In winter a better idea anyway cos the heater wasn’t sufficient.
Drive carefree and cheap? Go for a 2nd hand Japanese car. Maybe a bit more expensive when you’r buying but easy to earn that back while using plus resale value will still be good after a few years. I can only say I have had excellent experiences with Toyota ( I had about 15 new ones), the same with Suzuki (SJ410), and a little less good with my Mitsubishi Truck. That one was quit good value for money, just its silly 4 cylinder engine wasn’t strong enough and my radiator flooded my interior, exactly 1 week after the 2 year warranty past. I never bought a Mitsubishi again because I was completely left on my own for that, wasn’t even granted a partial repay after I bought a brand new radiator ( I could have gotten a 2nd hand one since I planned to trade that truck in anyway). Mitsubishi would not take my claim in consideration if I would have done that. Off course I was extremely pissed and felt cheated when they turned me down a week later anyway. They could have said so from the beginning.
I once had a strange sound in the gearbox of one of my Toyota Landcruisers, that was 6 months out of warranty at the time and had been fixed fully on expenses of Toyota. Everybody may be making fun of Toyota at this moment, I still find it the most reliable car ever made and would not hesitate to buy again, even now if I had to.
If you would ask me of which car I had the most fun and joy with?
I have had: Land Rover -3, Range Rover-1, Saab-1, Volkswagen-lost count, Suzuki-1, Datsun-several, Nissan-1, Toyota Land Cruiser Pick Up-2, Land Cruiser Custom Wagon-2, Toyota Hilux 2 wd-1, Hilux 4wd-1, Toyota Corolla’s- lost count, Toyota Yaris -1, Mercedes-3, Mitsubishi -1, Chrysler Voyager -2 and the smallest one being a Smart ForTwo with tow hook and caravan behind it.
It was my Smart. Had that silly thing for 3 years, which is quit long for me. I had it for commercial use and it was also my clubbing car. The only size I could park in Amsterdam at night in the centre. Used to sleep in it even (don’t ask how). This week I read that parking along the canals in Amsterdam has become kinda risky now. Our “beloved” 2nd generation immigrant children, originally from a certain North-West African country, find it a fun thing to do and push that type of car over the edge. Whats new… :bluemad:
I hope this will help you choose.
The New Fiat 500 is quit cool, but well, what a surpise;
has been named “Gay car of the year 2009” 
