Is FIAT gonna come to USA?

[ab]

redxblack -   you got to test drive it.   whats the price for the standard and the abrarth ?  wonder what is the closest dealer that has it.  Would love to take a look at it.  look only and no touch.

[mattc7]

The abarth is not definite yet, but it'll be over 25 k,  probably pushing 27.

The standard start just under 15 max out just under 20

[ab]

The abarth is not definite yet, but it'll be over 25 k,  probably pushing 27.

The standard start just under 15 max out just under 20

wow, didn't realize it was that expensive

[The Architect]

I wish Fiat and Chrysler luck.........

[Speedbag]

I wish Fiat and Chrysler luck.........

+1

The 500 is neat and all, but realistically once all the "gotta have it" folks have theirs, I foresee it quickly becoming an also-ran.

[DarkMonster620]

Oops forgot about the other thread.

funny thing is, you started the other thread !!!

[redxblack]

A lot of blogs are guessing the Abarth will run around $27-30, competing with but likely pricing slightly less than the mini's top ender. I liked the car a lot, and it made me sad to get back in my old 99 subaru forester for the drive home, but the sight lines are annoying. For such a small car, it has some pretty poor visibility. There are a lot of airbags, and thus some wide partitions between the glass. The only trouble is the driver is really near those partitions. The driver's sideview mirror includes a factory installed blind spot mirror. It'd take some getting used to. Because I have empathy, I sat in the back seat as well. I'm only 5' 10" and my head touched the roof. It's pretty small in the back, but the front seats are tall giving some legroom. For a commuter it should be fine. My wife drives a Matrix, so if we need to haul people I suppose we'd be okay still. It feels strange to buy such a limited car, but I rarely drive with other people anyway. Besides, for 6(ish) months, I'm on the Monster, so this would be for those other times.


Spec'd out with the options I'd want (sport trim plus auto moonroof), it comes in at $18,850. I'm thinking for the same $, I could get a 2 year old Honda Civic Hybrid with less than 20k mi and know it will last 10 years. I need longevity as I am limited in how much I can budget. Chryslers aren't renown for being on the road for 15-20 years in good shape (like Toyota or Honda).

[Bladecutter]

This past weekend, my gf, her 19 yo daughter, and I all went to the Denver Auto Show, where we got to test drive the Fiat 500. Well, first we had to suffer through a Chrysler 200 test drive, but then after that, we were allowed to test drive all their "premium" test drive vehicles. We only wanted to test drive the Fiat, honestly.

The Chrysler 200 was having issues:

Every time I was coming to a stop, the transmission was stumbling, hunting for the right gear.
The car only had 656 miles on it when I test drove it, too.
Turns out after the Fiat test drive, they had to pull it out of the group of cars because it's CEL went on right after my test drive. Not very reassuring, in my opinion.

Anyway, on to the 500 test drive.

Visually different from all other cars on the road. In a good way, not like a Smart Car, Yaris, or that stupid look new Scion thing (ICK).
Interior all the materials looked very high quality, when you compare it to the Elantra, Accent, Corolla, Cobalt competition. Looks a lot less cluttered and thrown about like the Mini's interior, too. The gauges were visually interesting, and really cool.

Unfortunately, the test drive vehicle was an automatic, and I only prefer manuals, so there was a big pile of nothing going on until the engine got up into the 3k rpm range. After that, the angry squirrels kicked the hamsters in the ass, and the car would then scoot right along. I also forgot to hit the "Sport" mode button while I was test driving. bummer.

My gf, who is 5'2" and her daughter (5'6") sat in the back seats, and were comfortable behind me (6'1") and the test drive guide (5'8"). When we tried to get into a Mini Cooper later, my gf could not get into the seat behind the driver's when I set it to a comfortable position.

The handling was pretty sporty, better than the Elantra, Accent, Corolla, Cobalt competition, and probably right in line with the base Mini offering. The brakes were put to good use when I was on a long straight section of the test drive, had opened it up a bit, the light changed on me, and there was a Denver Cop sitting at the light, waiting for it to change so he could cross the road. He gave me the glare of authority, but didn't do much more than squint his eyebrows at all of us, who were then laughing our buts off, having a great time during the test drive.

Overall, I came away really really impressed with the 500, and think it would be a great car for someone who wants something small and easy to keep, but wants something more unique than the typical Elantra, Accent, Corolla, Cobalt competition.  I see it taking away some of the Mini customers, because Italian design and comfort trumps German design and comfort in 8 out of 10 cases.

I would buy one, had I not just buy a 2011 Mazda RX-8 the week before!

BC.

[pennyrobber]

Good to hear the drive reviews from real folks. The missus and I saw one up close the other day in Montreal. There's a good chance this will be her next car.

[ab]

funny thing is, you started the other thread !!!

Can't you tell that I really like that car?  It's like an old girl friend i think about now and then.

I grew up around fiat 600.  I am talking 4 kids being lugged around in that car until I was 6th grade.  Then we moved up to a fiat 127.  I just love the car.   My sister husband parents had fiat 125, 131 and 132 (at once and many other cars.)  I used to dream of that 132. Good memories there. i got find a picture somewhere.  

I will keep on dreaming about the new fiat       way out of my league.  I will look but I won't touch  

[J5]

I could get a 2 year old Honda Civic Hybrid with less than 20k mi and know it will last 10 years. I need longevity as I am limited in how much I can budget. Chryslers aren't renown for being on the road for 15-20 years in good shape (like Toyota or Honda).

you think you will get honda hybrid batteries last till 12 years old ?

[redxblack]

That's the conundrum. I'm back to the Fiat and hoping I can get massive mileage out of it.

[J5]

That's the conundrum. I'm back to the Fiat and hoping I can get massive mileage out of it.

that was something i was reading in the newspaper

option

1 buy new hyrbid car small and expensive

2 buy older large V8 car 5-10 years old and have a bucket of money left over for fuel , convert to LPG for cheaper running costs

[redxblack]

I spend about $1800/yr on average for cars. I have never owned a new car. With the $ I'd save on gas, the Fiat puts me right in that $1800 budget range.

[redxblack]

not that anyone cares, but I've decided to go ahead and get the 500. I'm going to order a sport w/ sunroof and no addl options. road reports to follow.