Fiat has made a direct attack, will MINI counter?

 

Sorry,, the 500L looks awful.

I'm not a huge fan of the Countryman, but it's clear there is a market for them.. I just don't see Fiat really gaining traction with a front end like a mop bucket.

 

Interesting little clip there...ha ha ..But really to me there is nothing that MINI has to worry about..

 

MINI has quite a bit to worry about. The 500 has gained traction in the US. It is running close to hardtop sales. Add in a cheaper 500L to come close to CM sales and MINI has lost its niche completely.

 

Ehhh I don't know yet... Lets just see what the 2014 does for MINI.. It is true though.. I am seeing more 500 running around.. How long have they been out now?

 

I think it's a pretty clever commercial.

 

Clever commercial. Butt ugly car.

 

Kathy I agree.. its a clever sales pitch for that little fiat.. A friend of mine bought a fiat not to long ago.. I have to say it was a nice little car for the price..lol

 

I don't know......... I am seeing more 500C around and a lot of other small cars as well. It's going to come down to brand loyalty and quality. Lets see what the buying public does.

But that is a pretty sharp commercial.

 

I am a big fan of the 500. The original and the new one. They are fun, cheap, and stylish. The Abarth is quick. The problem is they don't have the driving feel of the MINI to me. When my R52 was getting long in the tooth, I started considering a 500 as a commuter car until I decided I really didn't need 3 cars between 2 people. Iheir 7 seat version may prove really popular when it comes out.

 

I haven't driven the Abarth.. I am curious about it though.. How do you like your MINI All4?

 

All the road tests I have seen for the Abarth show its not as quick as advertised. If you google Fiat 500 issues they have a slew of them for things as simple as water leaks at the body seams and wiring and major engine issues. This is a car that isnt new either they have been selling it overseas a few years. If the things i see are really happening it still is a " fix it again tony"

 

Liked the ad, who cares if Fiat sells a ton of 500L, as yet they don't have an Abarth version which would be more competition I suppose, we could have bought any number of small cars if we just wanted a small car, we wanted a MINI

 

That commercial is a riot. Loved the part at the end where he collapses the eyepiece.

Had no idea they were coming out with a four door. Not a big fan of the 500, but for the price it is appears to be a nice little car. It is good to see more small car options that are not just some cheap econobox and have a little style to them.

 

I clearly remember Fiat's last attempt at the American market a couple of decades ago...worst....quality.....ever...never, ever would I buy one of their cars, turnaround or no turnaround.

I hate the fact they own Ferrari.....Ferrari probably does too.....

 

I consider people in Fiats to be kindred souls, someone who made a different decision, but has obviously somewhat similar tastes to my own. Ditto anyone in a small car with style, really.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using NAMotoring

 

You left out...

Maserati, Alfa, Lancia, Chrysler, Jeep, RAM and Dodge.

The new Fiats are decent... I remember the rusty crap buckets from the 70's too..

 

+ for the women in the commercial - for the fiat.

 

This commercial on YouTube is So Much Better than the tweaked one that has been shown this week on TV - 'way to go Fiat!
The car may not be that hot, but the advertising is first rate!

 

What a fantastic commercial...it really made me smile....I love the car, love FIAT ....I've own 3 of them previously in the UK...so glad to see the 500 in the US.

 

i see this 500L grabbing on pretty tight and staying for a while. what fiat has that mini doesn't is price.

a fully loaded ABARTH Convertible with Beats sound Nav, etc is way cheaper (about $10k then its less optioned up MINI counterpart). So if the 500L goes the same route MINI had better watch out.

personally I don't like the seating position in them. Way too upright and dining room chair like