Feedback appreciated on forum format, new forum possibilities please.

[Paul]

As suggested by Scrogg previously, I am considering opening a few new forums at NF500, and I'd really appreciate some feedback from you folks.

At the moment we basically have two forums (ignoring the banter forum), this one for feedback, and the other for the Fiat 500.

When MINI2 was started (MINI2 - MINI Forum - Fuel For Your MINI Obsession - MINI Cooper - S - One - Diesel - Works - Cabrio) and now it's a beast. We grew that very slowly, adding new forums only when we thought, going from member feedback, it was just too busy to avoid.

The reason being, as a site visitor, I tend to find I prefer sites with less, more busy forums to search through rather than more spread out, perhaps confusing and intimidating forum structures.

To that end, and in an attempt to strike a balance, I'd like some feedback if possible please.

I'm considering opening up a new forum or two, one thing this would probably mean is I'd need some help from members to become moderators, who could help move threads about when they're posted in the wrong place. Which will happen for sure.

I'd still like to keep things compact, so I would imagine probably adding just one new forum would be easiest thing to do.

New Fiat 500 (as is now)
Buying and Selling your Fiat 500 (for all subjects such as advice on buying, speccing, selling and dealer feedback)
Site Feedback (as is now).

Another alternative could be

New Fiat 500 (as is now)
Buying and Selling your Fiat 500 (for all subjects such as advice on buying, speccing, selling and dealer feedback)
Exterior (For anything you can see from outside the car, including decals, wheels and paint)
Interior (For anything you can see from inside the car, ipod kits, trim and such)
Under the hood (For anything under the bonnet, ie the engine).

Personally I still prefer option number one, as the main forum is still only a few pages deep, and I think things may look a little sparse if spread more widely, but I'd appreciate the views of others.

Thanks folks.

[Mark Elvin]

We certainly need some form of structured dealer feedback thread so people can make an educated choice on where to buy their 500's.

[KPKalle]

I think I prefer the second slightly "longer" variation. I'm sure it'll go that way anyway, eventually. That way all bases are covered

[Paul]

Downside with option 2 I can see is when you spec a car, you may want to ask about interior, exterior and engine options.

Where do you post or search?

[Mark Elvin]

How about a "Readers Wives", oops sorry, wrong site, I mean "Readers Drives" section where we can add photos of or 500s?

[KPKalle]

Originally Posted by Paul

Downside with option 2 I can see is when you spec a car, you may want to ask about interior, exterior and engine options.

Where do you post or search?

A Fiat 500 Speccin' thread?

Personally I think it makes sense to ask, for instance, an interior question in that forum. I might well know I want the car in white with standard wheels but am unsure of interior colourings and materials etc.

[Scrogg]

Just to be confusing, I agree with both Paul and Karl.

Initially I think we'd be better off with Option 1, with a view to expanding to Option 2 as and when things get busier.

Originally Posted by KPKalle

A Fiat 500 Speccin' thread?

That was one of the suggestions I made that appear to have prompted Paul to start this thread!

[Suasexed]

I think it's definitely a good idea to have a few more forums rather than having one where everything about the 500 is posted. I understand at the beginning it's natural to have just the 1 section as there won't be a huge amount of activety. I agree that it's about the right time to start adding in some sections, but certainly not to go overboard. If I'm honest I find MINI2 a little overwhelming... just a few too many section choices. But then again it's to be expected seeing as the car has had two generations and has been out for 7 years.

To start with I'd go for option 1. As none of us have got our cars yet we don't need too much in the way of styling/modifing, engine tuning just yet, but the idea of a speccing/ordering/dealer thread sounds good to me. It means people can see what others think and have asked and will be generally more focused place for people interested in finding out what others have asked previous.

[mr.t]

Perhaps Insurance or Finance area as per MINI2?

[Suasexed]

Originally Posted by mr.t

Perhaps Insurance or Finance area as per MINI2?

Paul's got that one sorted under 'Shopping'