Good morning! Today is one of those days where two vehicles caught my eye, and for the life of me, I couldn’t find a mate I liked for either one. So I figured what the hell, we’ll just put them up against each other and see what happens.
Yesterday we were looking at 4x4s up in the Seattle area, and I get the feeling a lot of you wanted to like the Delica van, but were put off by its condition and the potential scarcity of parts. The Pathfinder cruised to a comfortable win, and I can’t say I disagree. Every Nissan truck I’ve had has treated me well except for some electrical gremlins, and I have yet to own a car that doesn’t eventually have those.
A couple commenters took offense to my disparaging the Pathfinder models that came after this one. All I can say is, I like what I like, and I said what I said. If you’re happy with yours, more power to you. I didn’t mean to offend; I just don’t like them.
Moving on: Some days I just have trouble finding something I want to write about, and today is one of those days. So you’re getting an Italian economy car built in Mexico, and a mini-RV that began its life as a cab and chassis in Japan. Common ground? Well, they’re both five-speed manuals, and they’re both for sale in North Carolina. That’s all I’ve got. Let’s take a look at them.
2015 Fiat 500 Pop – $3,995
Engine/drivetrain: 1.4-liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Zebulon, NC
Odometer reading: 71,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
When Fiat came back to the American market, I had high hopes. My family had a Fiat 128 sedan back in the ’80s, and quite a few of my dad’s friends had 124 Spiders and X1/9s. I had been keeping track of the brand’s cars after it left the US market – Panda, Punto, that wild-looking Coupe – and when it was announced that we were getting a version of the new 500, I was excited. I assumed that depreciation would hit the little cars hard and fast, and I’d be able to scoop one up for next to nothing after a couple of years, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, the 500 held its value much like the Mini did, and only recently have the prices started to enter our range.
This 500 is the basic Pop model, equipped with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine featuring Fiat’s clever MultiAir variable valve timing system, driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual. It’s not as quick as the rowdy turbocharged Abarth, but to my knowledge Fiat has never built a poor-handling car, so it should still be a hoot to drive. It’s for sale at a dealership, so information on its past might be hard to come by, but they are offering to show you its Carfax report, which is a good sign.
It looks pretty good inside, though it should with so few miles. I was worried when I first saw the 500’s interior that the white steering wheel would end up looking grubby in no time, but this one doesn’t look too bad. Like the Mini, the 500 was never really available in a true base model here in the US; even this one has power windows and keyless entry and all that stuff.
It looks good outside as well, though it is missing three of its original wheel covers, and someone has substituted cheap plastic ones. If it were me, I’d just chuck all four hubcaps, paint the steelies silver, and be done with it. There’s also either scratches or stains on the front bumper that are a little unsightly, but if you live in a front-plate state like I do, I guess most of it would be covered up.
1984 Nissan-Datsun 720 Motorhome – $2,800
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4-liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Durham, NC
Odometer reading: 80,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Wait! Don’t just take one look at this thing and immediately go vote for the Fiat. Crappy old RVs are a dime a dozen, I know, but this one is better on the inside than the outside, it runs and drives just fine, and it’s not your typical Toyota Chinook or Dodge Mini-Winnie. It’s based on an altogether more interesting vehicle: the Nissan/Datsun 720 series pickup.
I have a fondness for the 720. I owned one in college, a dark blue short-bed 4×4 that I bought simply because it was the only vehicle on the used car lot that would start without a jump on a -20-degree day. The heart of this machine is a 2.4-liter version of Nissan’s NAPS-Z four-cylinder and a five-speed manual. It’s a good reliable drivetrain, and this one got a lot of love from a mechanic a couple of years ago, when it received a new clutch, a new starter, and all-new brakes. It has been mostly sitting since then, but the seller says it fires right up and runs and drives fine.
The interior of the camper section was gutted and redone, but never really finished. It’s nice and clean, but sort of bare; it reminds me of every generic apartment I ever lived in, with plain white walls and cabinets. It’s hard to tell from the photos what all it includes, but I don’t think there is a sink or refrigerator currently installed, and obviously no bed either. The cab section is all stock Nissan, and it looks all right, except for the nasty steering wheel. You could probably clean it up, or you could just ditch it and install an aftermarket wheel that might be nicer to hold on to.
The outside has had absolutely no attention at all, and it’s pretty scruffy. The cab is rust-free, however, and it’s hard to believe that they’d do all that work on the inside without first making sure it didn’t leak, though I have my doubts about that rear window. You can either paint it and make it look respectable, or leave it as-is and scare folks into letting you have one whole corner of the KOA to yourself.
Judging these odd pairings is a little tough, I know. You can’t really cross-shop them. So I guess just pick whichever one seems to fit you better. Are you more the happy yellow economy-car type, or more of a fan of a good start on a fixer-upper RV?
(Image credits: sellers)
Today I’m happy I can’t smell that camper through my screen.
A neighbor of mine has a manual diesel Fiat 500,and while it’s a sweet little car it is also shit to drive. The engine is fine but the transmission is wobbly as all hell and the interior is all worn out and rattely. I don’t think I would have much use for the camper either,but besides from the rear window the outside doesn’t look too bad and the inside could get pretty decent.
Maybe I’m still operating under the pandemic mindset of “the $3,000 car is the new $500 car”, in the sense that anything that runs and drives will cost you at least that much, but I can’t help feeling that the little Fiat is quite the deal.
Even with the cosmetic defects, and budgeting for some mechanical fixes, $4,000 for a modern, low-mileage vehicle in a real color is very reasonable. It’s a great urban runabout, can be parked pretty much anywhere, and the stick is a plus, too.
Sure, it’s got its fair share of compromises – even by tiny city car standards, its back seat and trunk are absolutely useless, the interior is plastic, squeaky, and rattly a la 90s GM, and mid-2010s FCA is synonymous with electrical gremlins. That said, it’s cute, quirky, fun to drive, and will make a good commuter for years to come.
Make mine the 500.
P.S. I can smell the Nissan.
I would buy that RV right now if could…that is a dirt cheap deal for what you are getting. I’ve been looking at these types for a while and prefer the legendary Toyota RV’s (Dolphins, etc) and want to get one eventually…w/ the V6 for more power and make sure the axles are beefed up since they were known for having problems. I would go through the whole thing and make sure everything works, is watertight, etc. I wouldn’t care if it took awhile and put $ into it even though RV’s are $ pits it would be worth it to me…then I could LIVE IN AN RV (OR VAN) DOWN BY THE RIVER! Ha ha
On these showdowns there are some cars that I see the pics and certain ones are automatic no dice/crackpipe to me- and the Fiat 500 is one of them. Yeah, it’s just everyone has their different tastes in cars just like music, movies, etc. That 500 is just terrible to me and that dash is awful…to each their own
How on earth is that Practically Rust Free™ 720 camper not wiping the floor with the 500? What’s happening with y’all Autopians? I mean, nothing wrong with the sensible, cute looking 500 except that I can probably spot 5 of them in any direction I look at any given time. But that 720 doesn’t look half bad for a sub-$3K small camper that’s had some refurbishing work done already. I would expect quite a bit worse for that price, and I’m willing to bet it’ll sell for less than what they’re asking.
Taking the seller’s word that it runs and drives well, because when has a seller ever mischaracterised the running condition of an old Datsun?
Besides the lack of tech, I can’t think of anything appealing to me about that truck. Campers of any kind are my circle of hell, never mind one hanging off an already underpowered vehicle, weighing it down, contributing to a massive increase in drag, and a high cg. Since it’s integrated, too, it’s not like it could be easily ditched so that the truck could be fixed up to not suck. Were it free, I still wouldn’t want it as I’m sure it would take longer to sell it than I could stand to look at it. This thing is what cousin Eddie would live in after he could no longer afford to fuel the RV.
Well, that’s like your sensible opinion, man.
I’m only half serious, to be fair. I completely get why everyone would choose the 500. Me? I’d be all over the 720 if it was in the same continent as me.
I agree completely…that is a dirt cheap deal for what you get and I would buy it right now if I could. It’s funny how people just see the outside and it’s an automatic “Oh, that’s junk” I would fix it up good over time and paint it a two tone blue. Certain cars are an automatic ND/Crackpipe to me and the 500 is one of them. That dash is awful…well, the whole thing really!
If the running condition is as described and there’s no hidden rust/rot, it’s an excellent deal for anyone who wants a cool-looking small camper for little camping trips – after some elbow grease has been applied. Probably not the kind of thing you’d want as a van lifer, and definitely not the right choice for long road trips unless you can take it – I’m not one to fear a long, slow trip in an uncomfortable old car.
Yup, it’s really cheap and it’s Autopian. I wouldn’t be getting anything like it anytime soon though. The van life thing is so overrated now, I’ve never even done it but it looks cramped and those Airstreams are a total ripoff; I’d be one to get those old conversion vans, throw a basic crate motor in and a sleeping bag on the bench that folds flat and be done w/ it. I just love screaming VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER! since that was the best SNL bit ever. I prefer as basic camping as possible. Also, yeah having done multiple cross country trips by myself years ago and just sleeping in my car wherever, been there done that but would be more selective now. One time I woke up parked right next to a cemetery, that was surreal. It didn’t bother me, it was just convenient close to the freeway. Other times were off freeway exits next to the road in the middle of nowhere, Walmart parking lots, a field next to a truck stop, sometimes did actual campgrounds, etc. So yeah, less is more to me. Anyway, didn’t mean to ramble on about myself ha ha. I’ve been reading this site since it started and love your username. I was never familiar w/ Renaults growing up but am growing more fond of them along w/ Citroën and a ton of unique cars that this awesome site has written about. It’s so fascinating the history behind them. Anyway, anyway…
Yeah, I’m also not really into the whole van life thing. I do enjoy the idea of a weekend of bare-bones camping not too far away; living a life in which I’m permanently camping is a special kind of hell for me. I’ve looked into cheap used fold out camper trailers in the past, since I can’t really tow anything heavier with the Renault 4 anyway, but even that would take licensing and installing a trailer hitch, along with a more rigorous inspection that I’m not entirely sure the car (or a cheap used fold out trailer, for that matter) would pass.
To be fair, this Nissan would be a bit of a selfish choice for me, it would in no way fit me, my wife and our daughter comfortably. But I’m a sucker for Datsuns, which is what the 720 was sold as where I’m from, and I just love these mighty little pick-up trucks. And I love the idea of a scruffy-looking car actually being not-so-bad where it counts the most. If all this really needs is finishing the interior of the camper and a some degree of cosmetic care, it just seems like a good deal.
French classics… man, they’re awesome. Most post 90s french cars are trash, but the old stuff has a bit of everything: you go from the bonkers Citroëns to the simplistic-yet-charming Renaults and the more austere Peugeots, and then there’s everthing in between. Simca, Panhard, Matra, Alpine, Facel-Vega, etc… Love them all.
I was surprised too. One is quirky old and rare and will absolutely need work, a true Autopians vehicle. The other is just moden traffic.
Fiat for me. It would make a fun commuter car.
Bare with me. Remember those VW Bugs that people cut the backs off and grafted campers onto?
https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_9550-2-19029-scaled.jpg
Just spit ballin’ here…
Finally a two car solution I can get behind. Both neat and head scratching at the same time.
Previous 720 4×4 owner here: I liked mine so much and it also started as a project vehicle but even that truck looked less needy than this creepy, moldy RV.
Driving the thing on a highway provided challenging as soon as it faced the slightest hill, 60 MPH tops. And anything above 70MPH on flat roads felt tippy. I can’t imagine how much this one would do with a whole 10′ tall brick on the back but it doesn’t seem promising.
And any wrap/paint and basic furniture would take this rig all the way to 5 digits. It just doesn’t seem worth it.
Fun little Fiat with the 5 spd for me
Today’s choice is like selecting between a naked mole rat and a hermit crab. Mole rats are ugly cute, I suppose. The hermit crab is odd and practical. Voting for the refugee from Bikini Bottom.
That means… Nissan?
I still miss my 500 Sport 5 speed, so this one was a no-brainer for me. We called it my little rollerskate! It was the epitome of more fun to drive a slow car fast!
I have fond memories of bombing around Rome and Turin in a white 500 manual, it was the perfect car for the tight roads there, and while it wasn’t fast it was FUN. The camper on the other hand just screams work, hard to drive, hard to park, hard to make serviceable for camping, and useless for anything else.
I’m not against the huge camper on an underpowered truck concept, but the Nissan seems extreme. If you’re traveling light and alone, maybe it’s enough to get you through Kansas. I wouldn’t take it to the mountains though. The Fiat doesn’t have an espresso maker, but I’d drive it. It’s some Pikachu stickers away from being someone’s prized car.
But it sure would look nice driving to a cafe where said espresso could be procured…
I had a 500 as a loaner when my Outback got recalled for a brake issue. Evidently they didn’t have anything else available… as everything had been given out to other people with recalled Outbacks. (I’ll still defend my Outback, MH… it’s been great).
I realize it’s an apples and oranges comparison… but the Fiat was simply a horrible little car. We referred to it as “the Tin Can.”
The Toyota scares me. Given the state of the outside, I don’t trust the inside. I’ve got to wonder if they bothered doing the appropriate cleaning and repair… or if they just slapped new materials in. I’d gut it and start over. A PITA, but I’d take it over the Fiat.
*Nissan*
Manual transmission Fiat 500s are a hoot to drive!
Outbacks are dull appliances used for carrying bulk food home from Costco.
That Nissan is driving me to my bookcase: “Travels with Charlie.”
OK, I’m all set.
That Nissan IS a bookcase.