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2008 Fiat 500
hpmctorque
Member Posts: 4,600
Edmunds' road test of the new Fiat Cinquecento is quite complimentary. What makes this new model relevant to U.S. drivers looking for a fun and stylish alternative to the MINI and Smart car, is that it may come Stateside. The subcompact offerings are expanding.
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First Drive: 2008 Fiat 500
I may not be the biggest
I may not be the strongest
I may not be the fastest
but,
I am not afraid.
Jim
SMALL CARS ROCK!
What I wanted to say is: My only problem with the NEW 500 is that it appears to be much more complex than the original, and therefore must be much more difficult and expensive to maintain. Otherwise, I have to admit it is beautiful!
One of the TRUE virtues of the best small cars has, historically, to be their simplicity and economy. It is even more of a delight to drive a mini(mum) car that not only works extremely well, but that also is easy on the wallet. I'd much prefer a tiny car with SIMPLE parts, that are inexpensive to make and buy, and easy to install. I really don't want to pay for and use special, unique parts the only "advantage" of which must be that they are different.
When I compare the new and old 500s, Minis, and VWs, for example, that quality seems to have been lost. The originals were not only reliable, durable, beautiful and highly functional, but they were also cheap to buy and keep, The new versions of these automobiles have, in particular, lost that final quality.
Give me simple metal dashboards, instruments, steering wheels, body and interior parts, engine and manual transmissions! To me, the earlier versions were far better "People's" cars than their successors, were even more beautiful, in my eyes, just as much if not more fun to drive, and doubtlessly much cheaper to build, buy, use and keep. Please, build us more of those!
In the mean time, I'LL be looking for copies of the earlier cars to satisfy my need for a tiny, high-mileage car.
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Besides if you carry the logic of bigger is better, everyone would be driving Suburbans once again just to protect themselves. Or not even get out of bed in the morning because the world is just too dangerous.
This would be a welcome addition to the American market. How big will its market be will depend more on the reliability and quality of the car more than any factor since most Americans have a justifiably poor impression of Italian build quality from past experience. Followed by how clever the marketing is because Mini certainly wins the "clever" marketing award. Distribution and service will be less of a problem if Chrysler dealers start selling Fiat group cars.
is prove that small can be beautifull,
it has great interior
and Abarth version is a killer !
all the cars should have so much character as this, out MOTO-world would be more interesting..
some producers do it, look at VW - passat CC and scirocco great cars !
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
ClaireS, Host
Automotive News & Views | Coupes & Convertibles
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Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
MODERATOR
Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
Thanks!