Everything you want to know about the 2011 US-spec Fiat 500

[Madman]

Title speaks for itself.....

http://fiat500usa.blogspot.com/


Madman of the People

[Eye of the Tiger]

I want to know the base price for an Abarth. About $15,000, right. RIGHT!?

[Vinsanity]

I want to know the base price for an Abarth. About $15,000, right. RIGHT!?

Looks like that's how much the regular 1.4 Sport will cost. Although I wouldn't be surprised if it was priced closer to $17k, because in reality, the only thing that matters price-wise that it's cheaper than the Mini.

[Rupert]

Abarth or nothing!

[sportyaccordy]

Abarth or nothing!

Indeed... though I could do without the cheesy wheels and graphics.

How much is a base Mini now, like 25K?

[cawimmer430]

WILL IT BE RELIABLE OR AM I FORCED TO BUY A TOYOTA YARIS!?!?!? 

[Vinsanity]

WILL IT BE RELIABLE OR AM I FORCED TO BUY A TOYOTA YARIS!?!?!? 

Don't tell me Europeans wouldn't be wary of reliability/quality issues of a product whose company previously withdrew from their market in part due to reliability/quality issues.

[the Teuton]

I think it's funny that Fiat is using Blogspot instead of an official website. It looks like educated speculation, which is very down to earth for consumers, but the company is releasing everything that goes on that site.

It's kinda cool.

[MexicoCityM3]

This thing will be built about 40 miles from my home in Toluca, Mexico. There is a large Chrysler plant there that in the past built Neons, PT Cruisers and Calibers.

[the Teuton]

Mexico's industrial sector fascinates the hell out of me. Why are you guys still so poor, relatively speaking? We send a lot of money over the border.

[Madman]

I think it's funny that Fiat is using Blogspot instead of an official website. It looks like educated speculation, which is very down to earth for consumers, but the company is releasing everything that goes on that site.

It's kinda cool.

I don't think it's an "official" site.  More like a fan site.  I found it while looking for info on the 2011 Fiat 500.

Don't tell me Europeans wouldn't be wary of reliability/quality issues of a product whose company previously withdrew from their market in part due to reliability/quality issues.

Today's Fiat is a million years away from the Fiat that bailed out of North America in 1983.  Hardly anyone in America remembers Fiat anyway, and most have never seen a Fiat, so I really don't think anyone's opinion will be swayed by thirty-year-old perceptions of the brand.  Hell, I'd consider a Fiat 500 and I'm a former Fiat owner!


Madman of the People

[the Teuton]

I don't think it's an "official" site.  More like a fan site.  I found it while looking for info on the 2011 Fiat 500.



Today's Fiat is a million years away from the Fiat that bailed out of North America in 1983.  Hardly anyone in America remembers Fiat anyway, and most have never seen a Fiat, so I really don't think anyone's opinion will be swayed by thirty-year-old perceptions of the brand.  Hell, I'd consider a Fiat 500 and I'm a former Fiat owner!


Madman of the People

Read the bottom of the page. It's all from Fiat. They made it look like an unofficial site so people like you would think it was pretty cool. And they succeeded.

[S204STi]

I want to know the base price for an Abarth. About $15,000, right. RIGHT!?

Correct.

[S204STi]

Mexico's industrial sector fascinates the hell out of me. Why are you guys still so poor, relatively speaking? We send a lot of money over the border.

Because it's a huge den of corruption.

[AutobahnSHO]

The thing is that most younger Americans have no idea what Fiat is.

A few commercials "we own Ferrari" should give them some "hip" streed cred.
The fact that Scion was a MADEUP brand and sells well means that if you do market right, you can move some cars.

[SVT666]

Abarth 500 esseesse
160 hp
5 speed manual

Abarth 500 Tributo Ferrari
180 hp
5 speed manual

Abarth 500 Assetto Corse (Racing only)
190 hp
6 speed manual
Adjustable ride height
Adjustable camber
Roll cage
2072 lbs.

[SVT666]

As long as the Tributo Ferrari doesn't look tacky, that's the one I want.

[S204STi]

So we're definitely getting the Abarf models?

[Colin]

Hertz in the UK have just got some 500 Abarths......... I have one booked for my birthday weekend later this month. Not sure whether it is the Essesse model or not, but even so, I am very excited at the prospect.

[Onslaught]

Am I the only person who could give a crap less?

[giant_mtb]

Am I the only person who could give a crap less?

*sort of raises hand*

[SVT666]

Am I the only person who could give a crap less?

I want one a lot, but my next car is a Mustang, so I won't be getting one.

[2o6]

I want one a lot, but my next car is a Mustang, so I won't be getting one.

Fun car: Mustang

Practical Car: 500.



With that said, I really want a regular one. It doesn't have to be all special.

*sort of raises hand*

Am I the only person who could give a crap less?

The Current Abarth has 160HP from 1.4L and weighs only 2040lbs. The American 500 intends on gaining rigidity and losing weight.

[giant_mtb]

Fun car: Mustang

Practical Car: 500.

I'd bet any money that a Mustang has way more cargo/people room than a friggin' Abarth.

[SVT666]

Fun car: Mustang

Practical Car: 500.

The Abarth is a fun car too.

[cawimmer430]

Don't tell me Europeans wouldn't be wary of reliability/quality issues of a product whose company previously withdrew from their market in part due to reliability/quality issues.

From what I've read, the major problems Fiat's in the US experienced were with RUST. Mechanically, they were ok. Sure, Fiat never really had a reputation for bulletproof quality but they were far from the "unreliable shitboxes" Toyota Reports makes them out to be.

The Fiat's today are much better than the ones before. Quality and reliability has improved big time. I could care less what some Toyota Reports survey says. Given the choice between a beautifully styled Fiat or an ugly as shit Toyota, I'll take my chances with the Fiat. Why? Because styling is one of my personal priorities. And the "extreme unreliability" of Fiats is a myth. 

[2o6]

From what I've read, the major problems Fiat's in the US experienced were with RUST. Mechanically, they were ok. Sure, Fiat never really had a reputation for bulletproof quality but they were far from the "unreliable shitboxes" Toyota Reports makes them out to be.

The Fiat's today are much better than the ones before. Quality and reliability has improved big time. I could care less what some Toyota Reports survey says. Given the choice between a beautifully styled Fiat or an ugly as shit Toyota, I'll take my chances with the Fiat. Why? Because styling is one of my personal priorities. And the "extreme unreliability" of Fiats is a myth. 

It was much more than rust. It was general build quality and overall drivetrain reliability.


European Cars were not as reliable as their Japanese counterparts, and that is why Toyota is where they are today. Japanese cars also had rust issues, but they were far more reliable than the Italians and Germans.

[Vinsanity]

From what I've read, the major problems Fiat's in the US experienced were with RUST. Mechanically, they were ok. Sure, Fiat never really had a reputation for bulletproof quality but they were far from the "unreliable shitboxes" Toyota Reports makes them out to be.

The Fiat's today are much better than the ones before. Quality and reliability has improved big time. I could care less what some Toyota Reports survey says. Given the choice between a beautifully styled Fiat or an ugly as shit Toyota, I'll take my chances with the Fiat. Why? Because styling is one of my personal priorities. And the "extreme unreliability" of Fiats is a myth.  

I don't doubt that Fiat, along with every other automaker, has improved their quality and reliability since the 1980's. The question is whether their quality and reliability is within our acceptable standards. Remember that Americans in general depend on their personal vehicles more than Europeans do, which is why it's so important for us. And the general rule IMO is that we won't buy anything with inferior perceived quality than our own American cars. I know you don't care much for reliability surveys, but I remember someone posted a link of one from Europe here, which placed Fiat close to the bottom, so it's not looking very promising. FWIW, I am hopeful that the 500 possesses an acceptable level of quality for its price.

[GoCougs]

MINI has had atrocious reliability but hasn't stopped it from being mildly successful. But in the least that had the legacy of the original Mini from which to draw and the BMW tie-in to lend a bit of credence. This has neither. Doubt most Americans know of Fiat.

[Rupert]

If the Abarth models are cheap, I would consider one, pending a test drive, as my first new car.