Fiat 500

The announcements that Sergio Marchionne and his executive team made on November 5th suggest that Fiat will introduce its 500 model in the U.S. market in the latter part of 2010, as a 2011 model. It will not be rebadged as a Chrysler, as was previously speculated. However, it will be be sold in Chrysler showrooms, by specially trained sales people, perhaps in a similar manner as Toyota sells the Scion brand.
The Fiat 500 will be a MINI fighter, but it will probably be priced lower than the MINI. I imagine that Fiat's ambitions go well beyond winning over MINI buyers, to expanding the market for this niche of car in the U.S. The 500 will also compete with the Scion iQ, Chevy Spark, Smart Car, and others.
Much has been written in the press about the 500. For example, there will be a performance oriented Abarth version, to battle the MINI Cooper S, and versions for those looking for high fuel economy. Based on the limited information you now have, and assuming you'd even consider a car this small, would you consider buying a Fiat 500? What if one engine option were a diesel version? Which car appeals to you more, the 500 or the MINI?
The Fiat 500 will be a MINI fighter, but it will probably be priced lower than the MINI. I imagine that Fiat's ambitions go well beyond winning over MINI buyers, to expanding the market for this niche of car in the U.S. The 500 will also compete with the Scion iQ, Chevy Spark, Smart Car, and others.
Much has been written in the press about the 500. For example, there will be a performance oriented Abarth version, to battle the MINI Cooper S, and versions for those looking for high fuel economy. Based on the limited information you now have, and assuming you'd even consider a car this small, would you consider buying a Fiat 500? What if one engine option were a diesel version? Which car appeals to you more, the 500 or the MINI?
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Elsewhere folks are saying they expect this model to have a Chrysler badge, so the word hasn't gotten out that it will be a Fiat in the States. I'm glad it won't be a Chrysler.
As for the competition, the new Fiesta will be pretty small and should have a sport trim too, so there is additional competition you didn't mention. And what about the oft-promised arrival of the VW Polo?
It's hard to choose between the Mini and the 500. As much as I love the look of the 500, the Mini is even better-looking IMO.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The 500, given its shape, may find its strongest competition in the VW Beetle, although that model hasn't been selling well lately.
The problem is "Fix It Again Tony" has such a memorable ring to it, people may stay away from the 500 because of fears of unreliability, unfair given that the rep of unreliable was earned by Fiats from 30 years ago.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I was trying to think of the Ford model that is the most direct competitor to the Fiat 500, when earlier today I read that Ford has decided not to sell the Ka and the Ranger in the U.S. Ding, ding, that's it, the Ka. In fact, the 500 and the Ka share the same platform, but they look very different.
Actually, the 500 may compete with the Beetle, but it won't be the current generation Beetle. I read that the next generation Beetle will be downsized, and possibly be offered with a 2 and/ or 3 cylinder engine, in addition to a 4. I don't recall where I read that. Therefore, I have no idea of how reliable the source was, but I read about the down-sizing in more than one place.
I think the Fiat 500 is offered in a 2 cylinder version in some markets.
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* It's just as cute in person as it is in photos [for those of you turned off by "cute" how about "unique looking"?]
* Fit and finish looked really good, except that on one of the model cars in the showroom, the front right seat wouldn't go back.
* I'm 5'10" and with the sunroof I had only about an inch or two headroom. The seat has an up/down adjustment, though, that I neglected to try out.
* Back seat is best for children, but would be okay for 1 adult if they sat sideways. The dealer rep was squeezed in the back with the passenger seat moved forward (which, by the way, still had enough leg room for the front seat passenger)
* Controls are all clear and in easy to reach.
* Front viability is excellent, except that the A pillars (the front end corners) are rather thick and block some of your view when turning. Rear viability was okay.
* Seating is rather high for a small car so that helps with the viability.
* Feels very stable and handles very well, not at all how you'd expect for a car this size and price point. Drove on straight roads as well as long, curvy ones and the car felt solid and composed throughout.
* Power was adequate. On flat roads and small hills acceleration was decent, but couldn't really call it sporty. I drove an automatic. Probably would feel more peppy with a standard transmission.
Having driven manual transmissions, including 18-wheelers, I enjoy seeing the ratings Ecodrive provides. I'm doing well in all but one category, Acceleration, and wanted to share what I found about that.
I consistently do poorly in this category and set about finding what the cause might be. Thru test drives that I consider to have driven 'perfectly' as I can in an area with no hills or embankments I still have an abyssmal one-star rating. That means I output more CO2 than a small country, lol. Whatever.
I came across one tiny document that was stuck to the window of my new FIAT (yes all caps because there is no 'Mr. Fiat', FIAT is an acyronym) which shows a CO2 rating of two-stars, from the federal government. That explains a lot. It tells me, no matter how I drive that my FIAT is not capable of better than two-stars.
So fellow Cinquecento (that's Italian for "500") owners two-stars means our lovable little car is not 'green'. No matter, my 500 is sweet, cute, cuddly..... and gets 39.8 mpg on I95 and 36.9 during my urban commute.
There are very few places you can take it to if anything needs to be repaired. I purchased mine in Burlington ,Ontario ( southern Ontario) and was told my wife and I could travel across the continent, but; when it needed to be repaired I was not able to get anyone that could fix it because I was not able to bring it into Johnston motors in Burlington. So if you do buy one of these cars ,do not go far from home with it!!!
If you would like more info on the Fiat 500 you may contact me at "LikeASeagull@hotmail.com" and I will call you and tell you all about my experience with more indepth information.
John Paul C. Jackson
I think the dealer was blowing smoke up your [non-permissible content removed]. You can take it to any Fiat dealer in North America. Heck, even a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/SRT/RAM dealer could probably work on it.
I'd like to know more here on the forum. Doing it via e-mail doesn't do any good.
Or you're trolling for e-mail addresses to spam.
ClaireS, Host
Automotive News & Views | Coupes & Convertibles
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I'd really like to start a tradition, have a rally to share our spirit for the Cinquecento.
If you're interested please post a message. There is a fiat forum too, will try to post information there as it comes available.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Thanks.
As disclosure, i'm 6 feet, 185 pounds, my wife is 5'5" 135 pounds, and 2 kids average for their age.
Powerwise, the engine is not very powerful, but if you get manual transmission, it's really not too bad. It's 0-60 acceleration (whaterver that proves) is better than Toyota Prius, yet you don't hear many people complaining that Prius can't get out of its own way.
Anyone who bases there opinion on something from 30 yrs. ago is an idiot. Have not read or heard of any reliability problems ....and believe me I have been looking as I am considering one of these. ( an :shades: ABARTH)
No problems to date.
Minor quibble: The sun visors are too small, but that can probably be addressed with extenders
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Both have attention-getting looks.
I cross shopped the MINI and the 500 earlier this year, and it was close to a toss-up for me. As you may know from an earlier post, I ended up buying a 500 and I'm very happy it; not one problem after 6,000 miles. I'm sure I'd love the MINI too, but I had to choose.
Did you or are you cross-shopping the Fiat and MINI?
With my personal vehicle, it's running great and just moved over the 43k mark but if something comes along that really gets me super excited, I might just decide to pounce even though it's totally out of character. But since I've retired and had some major health issues, I've changed my outlook on life and have become a bit more flexible on many things where I tended to be rigid before. I've learned to "never say never" and "that life can change in an instant". My new mantra is..."anything is possible"!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I agree with your philosophy on life.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Incidentally, my 500 has the 5-speed manual. I imagine the rentals are all automatic, which changes the character of the car, fuel economy and performance.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I don't have an opinion on the 500L yet, as I haven't even seen one on the road. Please give us feedback if you test drive one.
Odds are I'll buy one. After looking at all the other little cars this one fits me the best. At 6-1 and 240 my legs tend to get all wound up in the dash/steering wheel but not with this car.
Salesman was pretty open with me about problems with 2012 models, which I knew about.
The only small problem we've had is the seat belt buzzer on the passenger side was overly sensitive. It went off if the passenger moved a little, such as to pick something up from the floor. The dealer fixed it under warranty by replacing the sensor. No other issues.
We have 3 cars, and we're very happy with our 500.
We're going to take delivery tomorrow on a 2013 Pop W/Auto.
Again, enjoy your new ride and I wish you many thousand happy and safe miles in it!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I live in the northern outskirts of metro Atlanta, and I think the closest Fiat dealer is over an hour away. How inconvenient is it going to be to get a Fiat worked on for routine maintenance like oil/filter changes? What about if there's something more substantial needs to be done? I tend to not worry about staying with the dealership for this type of thing, so a trusted mechanic is an acceptable option. I'm just concerned since the car is so new to the US that there may not be many mechanics who know the car yet. Also, how difficult is it to get parts? This issue is just one reason the MINI is not in the running anymore.
The Honda wouldn't be a problem, as my previous car (totaled) was a Honda and I have a certified mechanic I trust for those, so this will probably figure into my decision.
By the way, what's TWT?