Fiat closer to fulfilling its destiny once again

[12,000 RPM]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/11/fiat-aggressively-reducing-prices2017/#more-1456498

~20K for an Abarth 500? Ehh still not interested.

[MrH]

Or wait 9 months and get one used for 50% off.

Fiat has big quality/reliability issues, and an even bigger problem with depreciation.

I'd be up for the Fiata coming down $5k or depreciating like a 500, but I doubt it will be nearly as bad.

[Raza]

That's absolutely the most fun car you can get for $20K on the primary market. 

[MrH]

Why buy a new one though?  They depreciate so bad.

[Raza]

Why buy a new one though?  They depreciate so bad.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=19123&showcaseOwnerId=70502149&startYear=2015&endYear=2016&transmissionCode=MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&modelCode1=FIAT500&mmt=%5BFIAT%5BFIAT500%5BFIAT500%257CAbarth%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&showcaseListingId=443135798&trim1=FIAT500%7CAbarth&makeCode1=FIAT&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=0&listingId=438350549&Log=0

That's a fair point. 

[MrH]

Yeah.  2,000 miles and it's selling for over 30% off MSRP.  Pretty atrocious, and you're going to get hosed with even more depreciation if you buy one.

I don't even like the way they look, but a used Fiesta ST is a much, much better deal.

[Raza]

Yeah.  2,000 miles and it's selling for over 30% off MSRP.  Pretty atrocious, and you're going to get hosed with even more depreciation if you buy one.

I don't even like the way they look, but a used Fiesta ST is a much, much better deal.

Ugh, I couldn't look at it day-in, day-out, and feel good about myself. 

[2o6]

But the Fiat is ok?


C'mon, they're both A-B segment hatchbacks.

[shp4man]

Fucking Italians Attempting Transportation. 😀

[Submariner]

But the Fiat is ok?


C'mon, they're both A-B segment hatchbacks.

There is something so cool about the 500 though.

It's a pity they're having such trouble.  I actually see them all over the city.  Hopefully Fiat gets their act together, though interactions with my lineage tells me that isn't a likely outcome. 

[2o6]

My ex had a 500 Cabrio, gucci edition. Automatic.



I have never felt more gay whilst being in a car.

[MrH]

My ex had a 500 Cabrio, gucci edition. Automatic.



I have never felt more gay whilst being in a car.

[FoMoJo]

Fucking Italians Attempting Transportation. 😀

Fix It Again Tony.

[Raza]

But the Fiat is ok?


C'mon, they're both A-B segment hatchbacks.

The Fiat looks great.  Even the new Supersized Mini looks better than the Fiesta. 

[MX793]

Yes, but the Fiesta won't spend an appreciable amount of time at the dealership with problems that the service guys insist are "normal" or "they all do that".

Listening to some Abarth owners I know exchange "did this break on yours?" stories reminds me of a time when I took my Mazda in for its annual state inspection and listened to a pair of MKIV Jetta owners (Mazda dealer also sold VW) exchange stories of stuff on their cars that had required replacement or repairs, much of it things I've never heard of failing on a late model vehicle.

[12,000 RPM]

Raza not even your brand snobbery can overcome the 500's mediocrity

We can't talk about looks without addressing the 500's microcephaly. It combines the practicality of an FR-S with the looks of a SWB PT Cruiser and seating position of an Applebee's bar stool.

Fiesta isn't Italian but it's better by every objective and subjective metric for about the same money (in terms of cost of ownership). When Fiat folds I don't want to revise history like Madman with all the other defunct third rate southern European brands.

[Raza]

Yes, but the Fiesta won't spend an appreciable amount of time at the dealership with problems that the service guys insist are "normal" or "they all do that".

Listening to some Abarth owners I know exchange "did this break on yours?" stories reminds me of a time when I took my Mazda in for its annual state inspection and listened to a pair of MKIV Jetta owners (Mazda dealer also sold VW) exchange stories of stuff on their cars that had required replacement or repairs, much of it things I've never heard of failing on a late model vehicle.

Fiesta doesn't seem like an awesome car for reliability either:
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Ford_Fiesta/Reliability/

For full disclosure, US News doesn't have a reliability rating for the 500.  But 2/5 isn't exactly inspiring for the Fiesta. 

[Raza]

Raza not even your brand snobbery can overcome the 500's mediocrity

We can't talk about looks without addressing the 500's microcephaly. It combines the practicality of an FR-S with the looks of a SWB PT Cruiser and seating position of an Applebee's bar stool.

Fiesta isn't Italian but it's better by every objective and subjective metric for about the same money (in terms of cost of ownership). When Fiat folds I don't want to revise history like Madman with all the other defunct third rate southern European brands.

This time it's not brand snobbery; I don't mind Ford as a brand.  But the Fiesta is pretty damn ugly and cheap looking.  I've driven a 500 Abarth, that's all I need to know about why I'd buy one.  It's a damn fun car, looks and feels premium, and sounds great. 

[2o6]

Fiesta doesn't seem like an awesome car for reliability either:
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Ford_Fiesta/Reliability/

For full disclosure, US News doesn't have a reliability rating for the 500.  But 2/5 isn't exactly inspiring for the Fiesta.

Most of the Fiesta's woes are for the automatic transmission.



I don't understand why you keep saying the Fiat 500 is some paragon of reliability. It's a dumpy car.

[Payman]

Most of the Fiesta's woes are for the automatic transmission.



I don't understand why you keep saying the Fiat 500 is some paragon of reliability. It's a dumpy car.

Paragon of reliability... like a Sonic? 

[12,000 RPM]

This time it's not brand snobbery; I don't mind Ford as a brand.  But the Fiesta is pretty damn ugly and cheap looking.

Does this look attractive or expensive?



[img]http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/fiat-500-abarth-12.jpg?itok=8heRwTLn/img]

This looks like the top trim of 3rd world poverty.

[Raza]

Most of the Fiesta's woes are for the automatic transmission.



I don't understand why you keep saying the Fiat 500 is some paragon of reliability. It's a dumpy car.

Where did I once say the 500 was reliable? 

[Raza]

Does this look attractive or expensive?



[img]http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/fiat-500-abarth-12.jpg?itok=8heRwTLn/img]

Yes. It is attractive; perhaps not expensive, but certainly premium compared to the class.

[2o6]

Paragon of reliability... like a Sonic? 

Eh. I knew what I was getting into.

Yes. It is attractive; perhaps not expensive, but certainly premium compared to the class.

No it's not. It's got some body colored trim, but the plastics and sound deadening are just like everyone else's. Even worse than some cars.

[Raza]

Eh. I knew what I was getting into.


No it's not. It's got some body colored trim, but the plastics and sound deadening are just like everyone else's. Even worse than some cars.

I'm sorry, but if you don't think that this:


looks like a better and more premium place to be than this:


undoubtedly PlaySkool looking robot vagina interior, then I can't help you. (Actually, in that picture, it looks better than I remembered it, but the 500 still looks better; some style, some flash, some panache, not just another black plastic expanse that's trying to look futuristic)

[2o6]

I've driven both. They feel about the same to be in.

[MrH]

Lol! Playskool looking robot vagina describes all ford interiors lately.

First time I sat in the current Escape, I said it looked like Darth Vader's snatch. Glad we're on the same page

[veeman]

Gotta agree with Raza here.  I don't know about expensive or premium, but the Abarth certainly looks cool compared with the Fiesta both interior and exterior wise. 

I don't understand how the interior of Ford's look like vaginas though.  Plasticky play school robot yes; vagina no.  They don't appear to have a pink hue or a center long vertically oriented crevice. 

[Soup DeVille]

Lol! Playskool looking robot vagina describes all ford interiors lately.

It actually makes them sound more intriguing.

[Payman]

It actually makes them sound more intriguing.

Shaved and sleek is much better than big hairy growler.