Well, Chicago has 1 dealership. Chicagoland has many others. I guess I did not even factor that availability/support/proximity is a deciding factor for some. Good point!

However, my point was that they should also make Fiat-only dealerships, not just sell them at Dodge dealerships. Dodge dealerships aren't usually placed in metropolitan/affluent areas. If they placed Fiat-only dealerships into more design/image-centric or eco-conscious parts of the US (a.k.a. big cities), they'd probably be even more successful. There are no Dodge dealerships in Chicago unless you travel very far from downtown. Guess I'll have to travel for a test drive.

Also, , for good measure.

 

squonk,
Another gal around the block... Well, for an hour or two, just don't tell my MINI!

 

Abarth quarter-mile video from MotorTrend (on facebook)

Can't wait to race one!

 

 

Can't hate on that - color combo and interior look sweet. I'm glad that MINI has a competitor now to improve on their quality.

 

I've sat in a few of the 500's and gotten told by a FIAT owner that it was "So much power" in that 100hp 500. I told them well my S automatic has 172hp and I can keep up with some of the faster MINI's out there. Then they tried the whole "Well when the Abarth comes out MINI is in big trouble and their sales will drop because 150hp is so much" I kindly replied in three words J. C. W. They are nice inside, I'll give them that, but really they are for the group that thinks MINI's are gas guzzlers and Smart cars aren't fast enough. In reality, I think its a fad. Not to mention, MOPAR is their sports supplier and to me that's a huge red X.

 

I owned a '72 Fiat 124 spyder. It was head and shoulders above anything else on the road those days. The first of the affordable sports cars with 4 wheel disc brakes, 5 speed tranny, double overhead cam engine that was as smooth as a sewing machine and would start at 30 below, a top that didn't leak, a heater that worked, ride and handle that were best you could get...If they put their mind to it, this could be the car that pushes BMW to be a little more responsive to their customers. A little competition could do us some good.

Now, as for looks...a set of coilovers, Oz wheels, fat sticky AD08s, stripes...oh wait a minute that's the list for my Mini

 

What is the warranty like? I would hate to get raped once something goes wrong and no one knows how to fix it or where to get parts

 

Fiat has nothing on the MINIs!

 

Thanks for the link - I thought I had read that somewhere. It's a good start.

 

May sound harsh, but here are my $.02. It is cute, but I will pass. It is a "Fiat" in name only. It is made by Chrysler! It is made by the same failed company that made the "Plymouth Sundance" "Dodge Neon" and "Dodge Aries" (some of the most horrid cars made in the last 25 years) was sold to Daimler, where it became an albatross around that companies' neck. Once they got out from under that mess, Fiat snatched it up at bargain basement prices because it did not want VW to get it, and it wanted a chance to get back into the US Market.

I would rather take a famed car (MINI) made by BMW than a famed car (Fait 500) made by Chrysler.

 

I'll tell you right this second where Fiat is screwing up. I just went to their site to look up one of the Dallas dealerships...erm...studios. We have several here in the Dallas area with them NOT sitting in a Dodge dealership (Oddly enough, I bought my used Mini from a Dodge dealership) however...and here's where we get to what Fiat is doing wrong. Several studios in Dallas, and their site search says the two closest to my zip code are in Tenessee and Louisiana. Marketing doesn't work if your data isn't fresh.

 

FYI, there ARE Fiat only dealerships. There is new one here in Omaha that just recently opened and they have quite a selection of 500's to choose from. Ironically, there is one used MINI on the lot too.

 

That is good news! I hope we get one here in Chicago to simply increase the competition.

 

fix it again tony.

 

not a fan, I've seen one at the local cars and coffee event and i wasn't impressed with the interior (shift is on the dash)

 

Test drove a FIAT. Felt cheap. I really wanted to like it too. Then my wife said, "Doesn't it look like they all have little Italian moustaches?" Suddenly I was surrounded by a lot full of little Italian moustachioed men. We left immediately with the dealer begging us to come back.

 

There is a "FIAT Studio" right down the road from me.

 

You can't keep considering cars outside of the range, the Abarth is going up against the S, people who are in that price range arent going to think well for more money I could have something faster or else they would never have a car. Thats like saying well I know the A4 is faster than the 325i but the 335 is faster than the A4. Models that aren't up against each other can't be used to better each other logically.

This is false. Its not made by Chrysler, Chrysler did not buy Fiat. Fiat bought Chrysler. Facts, they should be straight.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/bu...1chrysler.html

If you check the date on that article and when the 500 was first build then subtract a few more years for design you will see how far off you are in your thought process.

 

@grmncrsnbr I did not say that Chrysler bought Fiat, I said, "[Chrysler]...was sold to Daimler, where it became an albatross around that companies' neck. Once they got out from under that mess, Fiat snatched it up at bargain basement prices because it did not want VW to get it, and it wanted a chance to get back into the US Market." So before you start a flame war, you may want to make sure you are sure as to where you point the flame thrower.

Thank you for posting a link to collaborate what I said... so you want to say sorry now?

As for your other issue with my true statments

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...-fiat-5001.htm

"Where is the American-market Fiat 500 built? Since the alliance with Chrysler went through, the car is being built in one of Chrysler's existing assembly plants in Toluca, Mexico."

Anything else?

 

Dang, ya got me on that one.

Could be worse, they could be building them in the Detroit plant.

 

That's a good looking Fiat! I'd love to drive one.

Although...
MINI > FIAT
Any day.

 

meh, fiat is crap....this one is no exception.

 

It is amazing that Mini proponents rag on this Fiat as being too small, slow, cutesy, poor value, not having a good dealer network, and unreliable. This is EXACTLY the criticism that many make of their beloved Minis that is typically defended tooth/nail by the same proponents. Definitely a "pot calling the kettle black" situation.

- Mark

 

I just think its ugly...and I'm not into plastic and aluminum cars!