500L

I am four weeks into my 500L that was teased here. I dont have alot of pics right now because it had M plates on it the first week and since then its been covered in mud due to the spring thaw. I have put about 2500 miles on it and my wife will add 1000 to that over the weekend since she took it to Kentucky for Rolex.

This is a corporate lease. They make a batch available for employees to lease as a type of final quality control and research. I dont know when they will show up at dealers (I think summer).

Its a 2014 with the 1.4 Multiair Turbo and 6 speed manual. Its a midlevel package. I have had 4 lease vehicles and this has by far been my favorite. Lots of room. Decent power and decent gas mileage. I am averaging 30-31 mixed driving and got 34 on my one highway trip so far. I will be taking it to KC so I should have better numbers soon. Mrs Logdog said she also got 34 going to Lexington with 2 people and luggage.

The room is awesome. Four 6'3" guys can ride comfortably in it. It has big windows and with the full glass roof it feels even bigger.

I think the power delivery is better than the Dart with the same engine. I dont know if it is tuning or gearing but its better. People that didnt spend time DDing a Dart say it feels a little laggy

My wife loves it. She thinks its the perfect size vehicle for us. The women that have seen it seem to be more excited about the practicality of it which kinda worries me because I dont want to see sales hurt by getting a "chick car" rep.

Dr Boost has spent time in it and driving it so I am sure he will chime in.

All I have are the pics currently on my phone. I will take more when the car comes home.

Right after I picked it up

Same angle but I parked in the shadows to help you see it better

Here it is hauling horse feed

Next to a PT so you can get a feel for size. Taken at the Taco Bell by the Harbor Freight in Pontiac. In case you were curious.

My nephew wiping candy off his face in front of the car. This is the last pic I have

Watching with interest - would love to know if this is the next great GRM family hauler.

I've said it before and that picture next to the PT Cruiser proves my point, the 500 IS the PT Cruiser, one decade removed.

Saw one at the Austin Auto show this weekend. Much nicer in person than the pictures (not as "swollen" as the pictures indicated.

REALLY like the car. The rep said they'll be available end of May/first of June. The Austin dealer is one of the top in the nation and will probably get some of the first ones. I really did like it and thought it would be a nice addition to her 500 cab. It would replace my Tahoe (which means I'll be looking for a cargo van to to my trailer with).

The rep said they should start at $19,500. My only concern is pulling the trigger on one and 6 months later them coming out with an Abarth version.....

Thanks for the update, logdog!!

-Rob

Commenting purely on aesthetics, Im not much of a fan. I suppose I just expect more from an Italian carmaker...

rob_lewis wrote: Saw one at the Austin Auto show this weekend. Much nicer in person than the pictures (not as "swollen" as the pictures indicated. REALLY like the car. The rep said they'll be available end of May/first of June. The Austin dealer is one of the top in the nation and will probably get some of the first ones. I really did like it and thought it would be a nice addition to her 500 cab. It would replace my Tahoe (which means I'll be looking for a cargo van to to my trailer with). The rep said they should start at $19,500. My only concern is pulling the trigger on one and 6 months later them coming out with an Abarth version..... Thanks for the update, logdog!! -Rob

The Austin dealer is famous. She moves alot of units. I haven't heard anything about an Abarth but that doesnt mean anything. It already has the same engine.

4cylndrfury wrote: Commenting purely on aesthetics, Im not much of a fan. I suppose I just expect more from an Italian carmaker...

Really? Not every Italian car is an exotic. The 500L is no surprise whatsoever after the Multipla (which is also supposedly a really awesome vehicle in an odd-looking package).

I rather like the 500L, it's goofy enough to work.

logdog wrote: The Austin dealer is famous. She moves alot of units. I haven't heard anything about an Abarth but that doesnt mean anything. It already has the same engine.

I thought it has the motor from the turbo (the 130 hp one) not from the Abarth (the 160+ hp)?

Or do you mean that the standard turbo is just a few parts away from the Abarth power?

I didn't like them in pictures, but in person, it's a MUCH nicer looking car.

-Rob

I love the 500, but this is not the same thing with two extra doors...it looks...bad.

It is just silly to call that a 500. Same silliness that they call this a mini. I walked by one the other day and it is as big as any mid sized SUV. Just silly.

rob_lewis wrote: I thought it has the motor from the turbo (the 130 hp one) not from the Abarth (the 160+ hp)?

160hp 184tq according to the Fiat website

dean1484 wrote: It is just silly to call that a 500. Same silliness that they call this a mini. I walked by one the other day and it is as big as any mid sized SUV. Just silly.

Thats all marketing people.

logdog wrote:

rob_lewis wrote: I thought it has the motor from the turbo (the 130 hp one) not from the Abarth (the 160+ hp)?

160hp 184tq according to the Fiat website

lol time for a more powerful abarth then

rob_lewis wrote: The rep said they should start at $19,500.

Imagine that...a nice petite Italian model arrives in America, shortly after packs on the pounds and balloons up.

Grtechguy wrote: Imagine that...a nice petite Italian model arrives in America, shortly after packs on the pounds and balloons up.

Olive Garden's Never Ending Pasta Bowl..

Grtechguy wrote: Imagine that...a nice petite Italian model arrives in America, shortly after packs on the pounds and balloons up.

Its a global unit that is already sold overseas. Its isnt all 'mericas fault.

the front makes me feel like its looking at me. kinda facial looking.....

or it may just be me after a 12 hour workday on top of 3 hours sleep.

but it may be on the list of things to look at after the depreciation hitys hard.

michael

Damn that thing hit every branch falling out of the ugly tree....

It's weird but I kinda like it. Keep us posted please. Oh by the way, you mentioned this is your fourth lease, the previous being the Dart, what were the other two? Or did I miss something?

I have it back today. Any particular picture requests? Something you are curious about? A hideous body panel to scare your kids with