Fiat 500 is hurting
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Culpeper, VA
At the dealership in Fredericksburg, VA they consistently are selling cars. There are new pics of new owners with their purchase on the dealers facebook page. I look everyday to spot people I may know...right now their lot is very sparse....good luck to them I say!
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: Florida
They should be running the Abarth commercial with the gorgeous Italian woman sporting the scorpion tattoo in the US and Canada, once they get the Abarth here of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpi2IAec9Ho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpi2IAec9Ho
It's a sex-appeal style commercial, which sells, but I think it's still tastefully done. It's definitely a way better attention-grabber than the J Lo ads. And, the Abarth looks sexy...way sexier in that color combo than the regular Fiat 500s. And the sound of the exhaust and driving style at the end is a great touch. That's how you sell a car! I only wish they also did a better interior shot...maybe of the chick driving the car in the end scene.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: South side of Atlanta GA
@ Blackbomber:
What model was it? I really like the lines of the 70's wagons they put out. Rust got most of them, though.
I liked the couple of 500s I've seen in town, one owner told me she loved hers. Not the same as seeing the vintage version last summer while in Spain, but the same can be said for the classic minis I saw there.
What model was it? I really like the lines of the 70's wagons they put out. Rust got most of them, though.
I liked the couple of 500s I've seen in town, one owner told me she loved hers. Not the same as seeing the vintage version last summer while in Spain, but the same can be said for the classic minis I saw there.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,446
Likes: 10
From: L.A ca
They should be running the Abarth commercial with the gorgeous Italian woman sporting the scorpion tattoo in the US and Canada, once they get the Abarth here of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpi2IAec9Ho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpi2IAec9Ho
j lo WHO ?My only recollection of fiats back in the 70's were of them sitting on the dealer lots in Conn with rust already forming.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Athens, GA
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,925
Likes: 2
From: Laurel MD
Clever commercial....
The 500 is doing ok in Europe, just not over here. I think that part of the problem is that Fiat had a bad rep and never really repaired it and we never had the 500 over here (the old ones people still collect like the Mini). If Fiat wants to make a dent in the American market they have to convince everyone here that small cars are better than big cars. MINI took that on head first and did a nice job marketing wise to make sure that they could compete.
I like the 500 but think the current model engine is too weak. Hopefully the Arbath will be better.
The 500 is doing ok in Europe, just not over here. I think that part of the problem is that Fiat had a bad rep and never really repaired it and we never had the 500 over here (the old ones people still collect like the Mini). If Fiat wants to make a dent in the American market they have to convince everyone here that small cars are better than big cars. MINI took that on head first and did a nice job marketing wise to make sure that they could compete.
I like the 500 but think the current model engine is too weak. Hopefully the Arbath will be better.
Hving seen a few 500's on the highway, i would lime to say it phographs well, but in person it looks kinda cheesey....
And having just about run over a few, i can say it is badly underpowered...after all....when i can pass one on hill in a 80,000 truck, maxed out, and underpowered due to company programming to save fuel, i can say that without a doubt, more hp is needed in the us market to be mainstreem...they need more hp just to merge safely....they are are a product that needs to be tweaked to compete effectivly in the us msrket imo...
we are not europe and they are not us....our markets are different (thank god). Higher end products like the mini can compete....
ever wonder why the bmw1 series was not broght here (till a redegin)or the vw polo...
fiat is not even imo a "top tier" euro car builder....so the teo above might have made it...but they were the cheapest from the best...the 500 is the cheapest from the...er....cheapest....
And having just about run over a few, i can say it is badly underpowered...after all....when i can pass one on hill in a 80,000 truck, maxed out, and underpowered due to company programming to save fuel, i can say that without a doubt, more hp is needed in the us market to be mainstreem...they need more hp just to merge safely....they are are a product that needs to be tweaked to compete effectivly in the us msrket imo...
we are not europe and they are not us....our markets are different (thank god). Higher end products like the mini can compete....
ever wonder why the bmw1 series was not broght here (till a redegin)or the vw polo...
fiat is not even imo a "top tier" euro car builder....so the teo above might have made it...but they were the cheapest from the best...the 500 is the cheapest from the...er....cheapest....
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Athens, GA
or the vw polo...
2nd Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Falcon, CO (7240ft above sea level)
That’s why VW masculined up the 2012 Beetle to open up their demographic because the old new Beetle was seen as a chix car, they should have gave it the GTI suspension also but didn't.
Today I was slumming around the library and I was flipping through the 2012 Edmondston Lemon-Aid guide and came across this on page 504 for the Fiat 500...
"RATING: Not recommended during its first year on the market. Fiat's got some nerve. After walking out on its US and Canadian owners in 1984 and leaving them high and dry with worthless warranties and rust-cankered vehicles, Fiat announced a triumphant return to North America as Chyrsler's saviour. When Fiat pulled out of North America, I was in the trenches as president of the Automobile Protection Association and remember only too well the many Fiat owners who were stunned that their rusty, unreliable, and unwanted pieces of crap would never be fixed. The CAW, UAW, Ontario provincial governement, and Canadian federal government never lifted finger to help owners of these rust heaps get their money back. Now Mexican workers are getting their salaries underwritten by our unions and governments."
Maybe some people have longer memories than Fiat cares to acknowledge.
"RATING: Not recommended during its first year on the market. Fiat's got some nerve. After walking out on its US and Canadian owners in 1984 and leaving them high and dry with worthless warranties and rust-cankered vehicles, Fiat announced a triumphant return to North America as Chyrsler's saviour. When Fiat pulled out of North America, I was in the trenches as president of the Automobile Protection Association and remember only too well the many Fiat owners who were stunned that their rusty, unreliable, and unwanted pieces of crap would never be fixed. The CAW, UAW, Ontario provincial governement, and Canadian federal government never lifted finger to help owners of these rust heaps get their money back. Now Mexican workers are getting their salaries underwritten by our unions and governments."
Maybe some people have longer memories than Fiat cares to acknowledge.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, CO
I considered a Fiat 500.
Now I must admit to being old. I wanted a Mini since I saw the original Italian Job as a kid (On TV not the theaters). By the time I could drive my first car picked based on price. Then I started getting Mini-vans based on need (Wife, 3 kids and 75lb dog). Well now my oldest is 23 and my baby is 17. No more Mini-Vans. So when I was looking at getting a new car this year I had to consider the MINI as a possible choice. Even though I am cheap and think they are a little over priced.
I looked at several cars besides a MINI (Hyundai, Scion, Nissan, Honda, Toyota,etc). Then I saw the 500 and my first thought was that would be unique. I drove one and it was a little tight (6.0' and a bit plump). It was fairly agile but under powered. I narrowed my choice to the MC Justa auto and the 500 auto. I considered the Fiat mainly because of price and the dealer had one just as I wanted it; so I could get it now. Everything else I looked at and liked would have to be ordered. The Cooper I wanted had to be ordered and would take a million years to get here.
Three things made my decision to get the Cooper. First was the Fiat was really just cute styling and seemed like a girls car. Second was it was under powered, not quite as nimble as the Cooper, and didn't even have better gas mileage.
Third I wanted the Cooper more.
And even though it was frustrating and inconvenient to wait a million years for the my Cooper. Yes it was worth it. I love this car.
So out of frustration and certain amount of need, I almost got a Fiat. Glad I didn't.
I looked at several cars besides a MINI (Hyundai, Scion, Nissan, Honda, Toyota,etc). Then I saw the 500 and my first thought was that would be unique. I drove one and it was a little tight (6.0' and a bit plump). It was fairly agile but under powered. I narrowed my choice to the MC Justa auto and the 500 auto. I considered the Fiat mainly because of price and the dealer had one just as I wanted it; so I could get it now. Everything else I looked at and liked would have to be ordered. The Cooper I wanted had to be ordered and would take a million years to get here.
Three things made my decision to get the Cooper. First was the Fiat was really just cute styling and seemed like a girls car. Second was it was under powered, not quite as nimble as the Cooper, and didn't even have better gas mileage.
Third I wanted the Cooper more. And even though it was frustrating and inconvenient to wait a million years for the my Cooper. Yes it was worth it. I love this car.
So out of frustration and certain amount of need, I almost got a Fiat. Glad I didn't.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 15
From: Silly-con Valley
Sounds like someone not only has a long memory, but also a political axe to grind...
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
The Brand New Fiat 500 I test drove already had a couple paint chips, swirls in the clear coat, and misaligned plastics inside. Plus when I grabbed the handle it was cheap like grabbing a Ford Focus handle back in the days. The MINI isn't perfect but at least a new one has plastics that fit well and everything feels tight.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Mobile, AL
Decided to go out motoring and needed an excuse. So I decided to go test drive the Fiat 500. Here's what I thought.
Looks
As far as the look of the car is concerned, I'm not much of a fan of it. I much prefer the styling of the MINI than the Fiat 500, but that really is a personal preference.
Driving
My first impression once getting in an driving off was that I just wasn't impressed but it wasn't awful either. The justa's I've driven feel more of a drivers car and I missed that in the Fiat. The 5 speed in the 500 is ok, but its hardly feels great. I prefer the feel/resistence level in the Coopers more so than the 500. The car doesn't compete with the Cooper S by any stretch of the imagination and really the Abarth is needed to fill the gap. So the justa's will be on par with performance for the 500 but its still not the same when your driving. The go kart feeling isn't nearly as evident than when driving a MINI.
Interior
This is another subjective area so take it with a grain of salt. The position of the shifter is just odd to me. I'm not a fan of the placement. Though annoying as that is, my biggest gripe is with the dash (the part directly behind the steering wheel) of the car. This is clearly where the MINI and the Fiat 500 really show you what's important in their design (at least in my opinion). In the MINI we all know the dash is rather minimal with most emphasis on the tachometer. I love how the speed is less prominent especially in the MINI. Sure I COULD look at the GIGANTIC speedometer, but not likely for the driver. Instead I've got a bigger tachometer in front of me...perfect for a driver! The Fiat 500 has the tach, speed, and computer gauge stuffed all into one. I found it difficult to quickly read speed, rpm's and other information. The star of the dash is either speed or rpm's but the time.
Overall
In my personal opinion the short jaunt in the Fiat 500, I have to say the car's emphasis is consistent throughout the car. The power, looks and feeling of the car just screams its all about being cute and economical than being a drivers car. When the Abarth is available I'll give it a trial run but I'm a bit skeptical given the experience today. I'm happy that I purchased my MINI. A number of bells and whistles that I enjoy day to day were missing in the model I took which was their "Sport" package (certainly it could be possible to add them) but I still missed them. The MINI is a premium small car and my feeling is the Fiat 500 is a budget small car.
Hope you guys enjoyed my views, just remember its just my opinion
P.S. On my way home on the freeway was coming up behind a MINI and she moved over, slowed down just so she could wave to me. Absolutely freaking awesome. The MINI community is fantastic, and while the Fiat community may not really exist, I'm loving the MINI community and the effort that MINI as a whole has done to help promote it. I just got an e-mail from MINI suggesting I join a MINI Club. AWESOME!
Looks
As far as the look of the car is concerned, I'm not much of a fan of it. I much prefer the styling of the MINI than the Fiat 500, but that really is a personal preference.
Driving
My first impression once getting in an driving off was that I just wasn't impressed but it wasn't awful either. The justa's I've driven feel more of a drivers car and I missed that in the Fiat. The 5 speed in the 500 is ok, but its hardly feels great. I prefer the feel/resistence level in the Coopers more so than the 500. The car doesn't compete with the Cooper S by any stretch of the imagination and really the Abarth is needed to fill the gap. So the justa's will be on par with performance for the 500 but its still not the same when your driving. The go kart feeling isn't nearly as evident than when driving a MINI.
Interior
This is another subjective area so take it with a grain of salt. The position of the shifter is just odd to me. I'm not a fan of the placement. Though annoying as that is, my biggest gripe is with the dash (the part directly behind the steering wheel) of the car. This is clearly where the MINI and the Fiat 500 really show you what's important in their design (at least in my opinion). In the MINI we all know the dash is rather minimal with most emphasis on the tachometer. I love how the speed is less prominent especially in the MINI. Sure I COULD look at the GIGANTIC speedometer, but not likely for the driver. Instead I've got a bigger tachometer in front of me...perfect for a driver! The Fiat 500 has the tach, speed, and computer gauge stuffed all into one. I found it difficult to quickly read speed, rpm's and other information. The star of the dash is either speed or rpm's but the time.
Overall
In my personal opinion the short jaunt in the Fiat 500, I have to say the car's emphasis is consistent throughout the car. The power, looks and feeling of the car just screams its all about being cute and economical than being a drivers car. When the Abarth is available I'll give it a trial run but I'm a bit skeptical given the experience today. I'm happy that I purchased my MINI. A number of bells and whistles that I enjoy day to day were missing in the model I took which was their "Sport" package (certainly it could be possible to add them) but I still missed them. The MINI is a premium small car and my feeling is the Fiat 500 is a budget small car.
Hope you guys enjoyed my views, just remember its just my opinion
P.S. On my way home on the freeway was coming up behind a MINI and she moved over, slowed down just so she could wave to me. Absolutely freaking awesome. The MINI community is fantastic, and while the Fiat community may not really exist, I'm loving the MINI community and the effort that MINI as a whole has done to help promote it. I just got an e-mail from MINI suggesting I join a MINI Club. AWESOME!
Neutral
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: North Bend, WA
A little more insight:
I own a 2011 Cooper S and my wife just got a 2012 Fiat. I have had a few weeks to compare the two.
The Mini is definitely a drivers car, much more responsive and needless to say much quicker due to the fact that mine is an s model.
But the Fiat is all about style, and it is subjective. My wife loves the look of the Fiat and really loves the interior, which is white and red (seems strange but it does work in the fiat). The ride is softer and much quieter. The cabin feels roomier, higher roof and more front leg room. The 5 speed is smoother with less resistance then my Mini ( I prefer the Mini's transmission, which I feel is tighter and more engaging).
The Fiat I must admit is a better value, for under 15k you get a lot, blue tooth, power windows, locks, remote key less entry, a/c, spare tire (yes BMW an actually spare tire and no run flats), Microsoft sync, hill start assist, and 3 years all inclusive maintenance.
The Fiat is much more relaxed around town and gets about 32mpg in city driving.
At the end of the day, the Fiat is all about about style (until the Abarth) and the Mini is about performance, thus why I love my Mini and my wife loves her Fiat.
I hope this shines some more light on the differences between the two cars. Needless to say I hope Fiat figures it out. I think the Italians have a lot to offer when it comes to small cars.
I own a 2011 Cooper S and my wife just got a 2012 Fiat. I have had a few weeks to compare the two.
The Mini is definitely a drivers car, much more responsive and needless to say much quicker due to the fact that mine is an s model.
But the Fiat is all about style, and it is subjective. My wife loves the look of the Fiat and really loves the interior, which is white and red (seems strange but it does work in the fiat). The ride is softer and much quieter. The cabin feels roomier, higher roof and more front leg room. The 5 speed is smoother with less resistance then my Mini ( I prefer the Mini's transmission, which I feel is tighter and more engaging).
The Fiat I must admit is a better value, for under 15k you get a lot, blue tooth, power windows, locks, remote key less entry, a/c, spare tire (yes BMW an actually spare tire and no run flats), Microsoft sync, hill start assist, and 3 years all inclusive maintenance.
The Fiat is much more relaxed around town and gets about 32mpg in city driving.
At the end of the day, the Fiat is all about about style (until the Abarth) and the Mini is about performance, thus why I love my Mini and my wife loves her Fiat.
I hope this shines some more light on the differences between the two cars. Needless to say I hope Fiat figures it out. I think the Italians have a lot to offer when it comes to small cars.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
The Cooper is a better driver's car according to Car and Driver and Winding Road. But the smaller 500 should be easier to park and some may like the way it looks.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 136
Likes: 16
From: Queens, NY, spend a lot of time in Central NY
There was some mention of SMART on page one of this thread - my dad just bought a 2012 SMART. When the SMART came to the states, it was made possible by Penske. SMART was recently sold to Mercedes Benz, USA which can only improve quality, etc. IMO, the build quality of the smart is a notch above the Fiat 500. I've driven both.
Thinking that MB will help the Smart may not be true. MB said that they would help Chrysler when they joined forces in 1998 and quality never improved. It was such a bad deal that MB sold Chrysler at a loss in 2007
I own a 2007 Wrangler and luckily I never experienced the issues that others did.
