If you want to avoid the long waits for cramped, hot busses around the Greek island of Santorini, for just €27 you can ride around in style. I wanted to see as much of the island as possible in one day, and what better way to do that than in a pistachio-green Fiat 500, complete with brown soft top?
I felt like a million bucks riding around with the top down through the scenic towns and mountains. I also felt like I’d be paying a hefty repair bill as Google Maps directed me up an unbelievable incline along the side of a mountain on the way to the gas station.
The car gave everything it had, but a slipping clutch led to several frightening moments where the car seemed ready to give up entirely and start rolling downhill. I asked for the manual, and it might’ve been the better option, as this automatic transmission seemed to be ready to give up after a lifetime of climbing Santorini’s hills.
Still, it’s real fun to zip around the sunny streets of Santorini in a car this light, with a wheelbase this short. For €27, even 100 horsepower is pretty good bang for your buck.
—by Daniel Demaras
I rented one of those years ago.
Too small for me.
Though a soft top might have worked out…
You almost have to rent one of those. Like a beach buggy, Mini-Moke for the Greek islands.
Imagine driving a full-size car on Santorini roads?
I prefer not to imagine that.
We rented a ‘dune buggy’ with a VW engine and clutch a couple years ago to tool around Hawaii. Fun, but noisy.