As is almost always the case when I rent a vehicle, I almost never get the vehicle I reserve. This was the case again on my recent vacation to Italy. Of course, the BMW I had requested somehow found itself in the “Similar to” category as the Fiat 500L Living (MPW in the UK) I was offered. I don’t know in what world a BMW 3 series sedan is similar to a FIAT 500 L; it will truly remain a mystery to me.
For three weeks then, I had plenty of time to know this little Italian “Fat Boy”. I just needed basic transportation for getting around as I didn’t really have any epic road trips planned. Somehow, with the car parked for several hours a day in the hot Italian sun (while the Mrs. and I enjoyed some of Italy’s finest beaches), I was able to rack up just over 4000 kms in 17 days.
Since 2012, the FIAT 500L Living has been frightening
young children, pigeons and pedestrians of small
villages all over Europe. Its girth makes navigating
this confused people mover through tight
ancient streets quite the task. On more than
one occasion, my wife and I were forced to
stop and fold the mirrors in order to
squeak through narrow
passage ways I used
to be able fly
though in
smaller
vehicles.
Images: FIAT SpA/Ernie Black