Fiat 500 vs Opel Adam
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 58% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 500 | Adam | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 308 900 | R 299 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 5 399/m | R 5 242/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 76% |
| Retained after 3 years | 58% | 58% |
| Value after 3 years | R 177 693 | R 172 516 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 131 207 | R 127 384 |
| Value after 5 years | R 134 496 | R 130 577 |
| Our tier | Weak-franchise mainstream | Weak-franchise mainstream |
Fiat 500 →
On sale from 2008 until Fiat's local exit, the retro 500 was the brand's longest-serving and final model here, including the 500C soft top. A 2024 update swapped the TwinAir for a 1.2 normally aspirated engine with an automatic-only line-up from R308,900. The last new units were sold in February 2026 as Fiat withdrew from South Africa.
Known for: retro city car charm
Opel Adam →
A fashion-led city car sold from 2014 until Opel axed the nameplate globally in 2019, with the warm Adam S at the top of the range. Personalisation options were the hook, but it was pricey for its size. Values dropped hard, so used ones are cheap characterful runabouts.
Known for: personalised fashion city car
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Fiat 500 or the Opel Adam?
They are close to inseparable: 58% vs 58% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Fiat 500 loses about R 131 207 over three years and the Opel Adam loses about R 127 384. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Fiat 500 runs about R 5 399 per month and the Opel Adam about R 5 242, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.