My June Car and Driver arrived today and lo and behold a comparison between the two. There were things they liked about both but of course the Mini won and I love their summary sentence

"No Doubt, The 500 has style, But the Mini has Style AND agility"

They actually said the Mini had a more comfortable back seat !!!!!!

 

The Fiat kinda looks funny to me..too stubby looking or something.

 

Good to hear. The fiat isn't my style, just looks awkward.

 

The Fiat is a bit like a mash of the Beetle and the MINI. I'd rather get the MINI.

 

This, the Fiat really isn't doing anything for me stylistically.

 

That fiat is one ugly car!

 

They love that 500 over in Europe though. They seemed to be everywhere. But then again, they like Citreons too.

 

I suspect they are somewhat comparable given the price difference, especially driven in real-world conditions (not a track). What needs to be proven is cost of ownership. If the Fiats do well in this department, I think folks will have a real choice to make. And don't forget the MINI and the Fiat 500 are both the basic designs of the same fellow.

 

I have one of each and while they have different driving positions, they are both fun to drive. My FIAT gets as many, if not more, questions, comments, and thumbs-up as my first MINI did in 2003.

My two cars: 2012 FIAT 500 Sport Prima Edizione (345/500) and a 2004 JCW MINI Cooper (Tuning Kit #475).

 

I think the FIAT looks amazing....as amazing as the MINI did when it was first released. I'd love to add your 500 to my "stable" but at the moment there's simply no room for another car...I think the 500 will do well nationwide ...the price is certainly way more attractive than the price of the MINI...
Philip

 

OK maybe not ugly, but definitely alien

 

I've yet to see one on the road, but I'm looking forward to it. I hope it does well.

 

It's a little spacepod of a car, but it gets lots of positive comments. The Fast and Furious crowd loves it. It won't be long before you see some really lowered and tricked-out 500s. Mine is a limited edition (one of the first 500 built for the US) so it will stay stock, but I like the special "500" stripes and stock 16" wheels.

For my last tank I got 36.0 mpg and my current tank is showing 36.9 mpg, all city driving.

The 500 has free service for 36,000 miles / 3 years and roadside assistance.

The Pop version starts at only $15,500.

 

I admit, the more I look at that profile shot of yours next to the MINI, the more I like it. It's not necessarily something I'd buy, but it does have some personality, which is more than I can say for most of the cars on the road.

 

I should clarify that the FIAT 500 was designed by Roberto Giolito at the Fiat Stile Centre which was headed by Frank Stephenson at the time. But you can definitely see similar design cues in the two cars.

 

The Fiat is certainly interesting to look at, but the Mini looks better.

 

I went to take a look at the new 500 myself. Even though I'm only 5'10", my head presses against the sunroof in one. On models without a sunroof I have maybe a 1/2" of clearance. This is with the seat as low as it can go. I can't help if I'm built like a weeble. My legs are short but my torso is long. I fit in a MINI with plenty of room to spare. The 500 is also just a bit too narrow for me. Even though I don't fit well it's still a nice, small car. My only real gripes would be the cheap feeling seat adjustment levers, the dash buttons, and the hollow feeling when you shut the door. A MINI feels like a bank vault in comparison.

I wonder how I'll fit in the 2012 Beetle?

 

That didn't look like it could have a JCW kit...

 

In Europe,especially in Paris,i saw a lot of 500's before they were here in America and over there people buy a Fiat because it's small,cheaper on gas and easier to park. All the cars on the streets of Paris are parked almost touching each other because they don't have the space to park like us. They bump each other to get out and it's normal,couldn't believe it when I observed a woman getting out,it's the only way they do it and it's normal. Most urban people don't spend a fortune on a car,they understand the real purpose of a car.
The Fiat 500 is really a chick car (no offense guys) and you might as well keep the Mini because they kinda look alike a bit but the Mini is more convenient and stylish.

 

I have owned 3 MINS, 2004 MCS, 2005 MC, 2007 MCS...and now a FIAT 500 Sport...DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE FIAT! It has the feel of the original R50 MINI before it got all cushy and refined in the R56. I think some of the soul was lost with all the refinements over the years. Anyway, the FIAT will take off here, its feels great to drive and people are coming up to me and asking about it much more than my MINI (I had one of the first in the area even with the 2004). The FIAT looks much more sorted out visually. I cant tell you how many times Ive heard that the FIAT looks much better than my old MINI...Also Im taken back that someone who drives a MINI said the term "chick car"...save those comments for the guys driving Ford F150s to make, you drive a MINI and i drive a FIAT neither is a testosterone mobile ok. BUT side by side the FIAT has a more agressive and less cutsie style to it. its retro, modern and looks and drives fantastic! Look at the side by side someone posted, the MINIs design looks dated compared to the FIAT...its even more apparent in person. I chose white, it shows the lines great and MINI has yet to offer a true pure white as an option (my 2005 was pepper white black top). anyway they are both great cars, Ill give the better drive ever so slightly to the MINI (especially the MCS) but looks, design, style and road presence to the FIAT hands down!

 

Interesting cause Car and Driver prefered the MC (Base, not S) to the Fiat in just about every catagory. The MC just destroyed the Fiat performance wise. Looks are a subjective thing, I personally feel the Fiat looks are already outdated and the lack of a 6 speed here in the States is just unforgivable. Enjoy your Fiat , fine but theres no need to trash our Minis to justify your purchase.

 

Hey james, flav, how is your modern Fiat experience being owners, in terms of your take on build quality, impressions of reliability (short term and maybe long term)? This is absolutely not a dig, just an interested potential buyer .

 

As i said...the MINI beats it in performance for sure, but not by enough to outweight the other great things about the FIAT. Heres the way I look at it, there are many cars that out perform the MINI (speed, acceleration, breaking, and very few on handling), most cost more of course. What gives the MINI its special feel its its style and soul, fun factor. Thats what the FIAT also has. makes going to pick up milk at the corner fun. I always though some of the grungy fure soul was lost after the R50 to make way for increased performance and a broader audience.

i didnt trash the MINI at all! ive had 3 of them, more than most folks on here. its a great car and i figured people would like the unique perspective of someone who has owned both

 

the best way to compare is If you have ever driven a 2002-2004 cooper (minus the terrible midland slushbox of course). it had its quirks but thats what made the car. i would say build quality is in that range. car feels solid, doors have the same heavy THUNK when closed. seats are fantastic in the sport! Bose speakes come standard are are pretty good. the plastic, switches and materials used were a bit better in the MINI. car drives solid at low and high speeds, but the suspension can feel a but fussy on uneven roads. exterior fit and finish is excellent! now the best part, the 5 speed shifts amazing. from the position of the shifter to the solid yet buttery shifts! the clutch feels perfect. and the little multiair engine feels strong. im getting well over 400 miles out of a tank (10 gallon capacity) on regular gas. i tested the auto and its good, shares the same aisin auto box with the cooper, but doesnt makes best use to get power from the engine. auto also returns worse gas mileage. reliability is still in question but the car has been in eurooe for a few years and is considered reliable.

trust me this car is FUN to drive and looks amazing in person. the best way to describe the feeling and overall experience is its 2004 all over again when i bought my first cooper!

 

Looks like a smart car on steroids!