Fiat 500

I know this has been covered before (Fiat 500 vs Ford Fiesta), but the thread that I found was from almost a year ago. I just saw a Fiat 500 about an hour ago and I think I really want one. Yesterday, I was thinking the same thing about the Ford. I've only seen two or three Fiats and I keep finding angles and things that I like about it.

Has anyone here driven one? I am going to drive one this week if I can schedule it. I start my new job in a new city in two weeks and I will want to get something that will be sure to be more reliable than my Miata (I will be abusing the Miata at the track more and more so I don't want to be stranded from work when I kill it).

38 MPG highway? Awesome.

I did a review of it: http://www.autotraderclassics.com/car-article/Classic+Reviews+_+2012+Fiat+500-84792.xhtml

I only saw the first fiat 500 here like 2 weeks ago. They either must difficult to find or not too popular yet.

I just saw one yesterday and... I gotta have the Abarth. It just does not have enough sex appeal in base form.

The Fiesta looks cool but when I build one on the Ford site... it ends up at $21k for a 1.6L 5 speed hatchback.

That is a lot of ching considering a Focus Hatch w/ sport package and 5 speed comes in at just over 20k.

Excellent review! I think I actually did read this already lol.

So, basically it is EXACTLY what I am hoping it is. Also, it is what it LOOKS like it is to me.

I will drive one today... I think the dealer is open until 9:00 (I love New York).

I saw my first Fiat commercial this past weekend. Saw my first Fiat 500 a few weeks back.

That seems backwards to me.

I'm driving my wife's convertible today. Drove it all last week.

It's an autotragic, but other than that, it's quite fun little car to drive. Granted, my DD is a Tahoe right now, so anything that isn't heavy enough to have it's own gravity field would probably be fun. I had a MINI Cooper (non-S) for 6 years and it's comparable. The MINI felt more sure footed, but I've yet to feel like I'm going to lose it in the 500. It sways a bit more, but seems just as planted.

With the auto, around 31-31 in town, 34 on the highway. I get about 25 in town when I drive it.

The engine is just a smidge too small which results in me winding it out to keep up with traffic. Fun to do, but MPG suffers.

You'll probably drive with Sport mode on 99% of the time (the other 1% is when you'll forget to turn it on.) There IS a difference and it just feels better.

No major issues at this point. Some slight interior trim things and a little seat squeak, but not horrible. Yet....

Like:
1) Fun to drive. Definitely the "drive a slow car fast" mentality.
2) Handles well and easy to point and shoot.
3) Even for a 275 lb 5'11" me, I fit just fine.
4) Life does not suck driving it.....

Bad:
1) Autotragic (although it's slap shifting in sport mode is surprisingly quick and it'll even downshift.) Obviously, anyone on this board would not have checked that option.
2) Engine is peppy and likes to rev, which is good considering you need to do that on a regular basis to merge with traffic
3) Seats need to be about 1/2" lower. My head doesn't hit the roof, but you definitely feel like you're sitting up high. If it was mine, I'd probably figure out how to lower it, but since it's the wife's and she's happy with it....
4) Front seat flip down handle sucks!! Pushing the seat back while lifting helps, but I'm just waiting for the day the handle breaks

Overall, I really like it an have my name on the list for an Abarth version.

-Rob

I did a little investigating into these regarding price. The upper trim levels seem silly. The only difference between the levels are seats and rims. The seats might be worth something (maybe not what they get for them of course) but it seems silly to pay for the rims, when you could probably get exactly what you want for the same or less.

One thing that may be hurting sales is that the ones I saw listed for sale in my area were all listed for 20 grand + !! Finding a stripper might be difficult, they seem to be "up marketing" them. For 20 grand plus it's a pretty hard sell.

The convertible (sliding roof) does seem to be a pretty good deal, price wise, though.

I always walk by the 10 rental ones they have at the airport, all sport models. They look awesome, if not in a cute/Miata way which sort of kills them for me.

As said, Abarth version = win.

We're getting the Abarth?!

I'm planning on test driving one in the near future.

My want list for the Legacy GT replacement is:

Fun to drive.

Good on gas.

Can fit a set of rims/tires in the back.

The 500 seems to fit all those requirements.

confuZion3 wrote: We're getting the Abarth?!

Yes, around April of next year.

Stock is 101 hp.
The Euro Abarth is 135, the Abarth SS is 175 and, supposedly, the American Abarth will be 185 with a six-speed.... Let's hope!!

How long has the NY dealer been open? Down here (Austin, TX) the dealer has everything from the stripped $15k model to the loaded convertibles. If they are a newer dealer, they may still be on their first orders which are usually more loaded ones. I've also heard that a LOT of dealers ordered automatics initially, but that more buyers are opting for 5-speeds leaving quite a few automatics on the lots, some selling at decent discounts.

-Rob

It's been around for a long time. I first noticed it this past winter and thought 'What the berkeley? A Fiat dealer? In 'merica? Awesome!'.

There is a new FIAT store over on dealer's row in New Castle, Delaware. What's truly hilarious is that they took over the abandoned Hummer dealership, which was designed and scaled to match the whole rugged manly penis-overcompensation thing. It's an absolute laff riot to see it filled with these tiny adorable 500s in bright happy colors.

I've driven a few of 'em. Don't get the auto, it's lazy. In stick form, it's much like driving a Mazda2. Fun little guy for sure. http://www.auto123.com/en/fiat/500/2012/review?carid=1127000103&artid=134466

Duke wrote: There is a new FIAT store over on dealer's row in New Castle, Delaware. What's truly hilarious is that they took over the abandoned Hummer dealership, which was designed and scaled to match the whole rugged manly penis-overcompensation thing. It's an absolute laff riot to see it filled with these tiny adorable 500s in bright happy colors.

I just saw that on my way to Rehoboth Beach and had the exact same reaction!

I priced a Fiesta hatch 5spd, sport appearance package for $16050. Just didn't have all the bells and whisltles. The sedans tend to run a little lower in price. I bought a sedan, powershift, sport package, sync etc for $17950.

I'm going to drive an Abarth when they come to Toronto next year. If it sells for under $25K, I might pull the trigger. I'm guessing it will be to much and I'll have to wait until they come off lease.

I like how the base still has all the luxuries I want, CC, Pw,PL.

I built a yaris online and to get that it came out to more than a base Golf, and that base has all I want as well.

I think I may hit up a fiat dealer on my trip next week

I would like to know if/or when the Abarth version comes to the US market and if/when the Fiesta ST is coming or not?

If you are considering the Fiat, do you know any cusswords in Italian?

Tony

I had one for a rental yesterday, driving from Boston to Philly. It was an auto which really does suck the life out of the car. I need to run the numbers tomorrow at work when I fill out my expense report, but I'm pretty sure 38 mpg may be a bit optimistic at US hwy speeds - at least with the auto.

Having a lot of experience in MINIs, the 500 doesn't really compare, but its not quite aiming for the same market. The 500 is cheaper and a fair bit smaller, although it adequately hauled me and a coworker with our bags for some 438 miles. The ride isn't bad. The seats kinda suck. Zero side support and the bottom could have more leg support.

I looked one over a few weeks ago at a cars & Coffee type event. This one was some sort of special edition with the owner's name on a plaque. He really liked it and waited a long time for it to come in. It was almost brand new. My take away is that the back seat looks like it is in the crumple zone. I'm sure it passed all the crash testing with good enough results, but that back seat looked almost easier to access from the hatch than the doors. The styling on these leaves me scratching my head and even an Abarth version with gobs of power and a 6 speed doesn't even remotely interest me. If I wanted a tiny tall car that looked like a gnat I'd get a Scion xA.

Found it after a google: Prima Edizione Fiat 500 is what I saw. In white. I'm sure it costs a bunch extra for some badging, wheels, and a plaque. I'm glad somebody loves it and bought it and enjoys it.

In reply to T.J.:

The Fiat 500 is very much a city car and was made to appeal to city dwellers. The squat proportions make it perfect for zipping around traffic and parking in small spaces, and the styling is very "chic," almost like its a drivable fashion accessory (which is why I wasn't surprised when I heard Gucci has a couple special edition 500s in the pipeline).

Personally, I like the 500 and I was considering an Abarth at one point to replace my MS3, but then I saw one and it is tiny. I'm not sure how comfortable it would be for long drives. I live in suburbia, carry a lot of cargo sometimes, and do a lot of highway travel. A hatch one size up from the 500 works best for me. Now, if I moved to or worked in Boston, I would absolutely consider a 500 Abarth.

I can see them in a congested city environment. I'll give in and admit they are lots more appealing to me than a Smart car. I guess I'd have to drive one to really know, but just based on the styling I think if I lived in a big enough city to make me think of a car like that, I'd rather ride a bicycle.

I want to try out an Abarth when they come over here.