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Auto Talk => General Automotive => Topic started by: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 12:57:35 PM

Title: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 12:57:35 PM
Subtle changes, but overall the look is the same.


However, the sticker price is what gets me, it's absurdly cheap, (compared to what I was thinking it was going to go for), sticker price at $15,500.


(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/2011-fiat-500-us-opt.jpg)

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/fiat-500-will-start-at-15-500-in-the-u-s/


This is the car I want.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 12:59:20 PM
Oops, I meant to put this in mainstream.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Vinsanity on November 17, 2010, 01:05:45 PM
Quote from: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 12:57:35 PM
However, the sticker price is what gets me, it's absurdly cheap, (compared to what I was thinking it was going to go for), sticker price at $15,500.

It's quite a bit tinier than the Mini Cooper, no? About the same size as a 3-door Toyota Yaris, IIRC ... $15k base price is about right, then
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 01:08:52 PM
Quote from: Vinsanity on November 17, 2010, 01:05:45 PM
It's quite a bit tinier than the Mini Cooper, no? About the same size as a 3-door Toyota Yaris, IIRC ... $15k base price is about right, then

Tinier, but offers more space. It's roughly 8-9" shorter than a Yaris 3-door.


It's also more of a premium product; this car is much nicer inside than the Yaris/Aveo crowd.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Vinsanity on November 17, 2010, 01:13:26 PM
Quote from: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 01:08:52 PM
It's also more of a premium product; this car is much nicer inside than the Yaris/Aveo crowd.

I realize that. Doesn't the Yaris start at like $10k?

Compared to the Mini, though, the Fiat is priced pretty aggressively; about $4k cheaper, right?
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 01:20:34 PM
Quote from: Vinsanity on November 17, 2010, 01:13:26 PM
I realize that. Doesn't the Yaris start at like $10k?

Compared to the Mini, though, the Fiat is priced pretty aggressively; about $4k cheaper, right?

Yaris starts at 13K.


Is it odd that I wish we had the 900cc 2cyl turbo? It sounds amazingly strange.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTDJ0x1vGdo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4CRhGVYhdk
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Payman on November 17, 2010, 01:24:31 PM
Awesome. And I agree, Kevin... I was expecting this thing to cost $18,000+.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: CJ on November 17, 2010, 01:40:42 PM
This may be my first new vehicle purchase.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: SVT666 on November 17, 2010, 01:49:04 PM
I was expecting it to be $18K+ as well.  I love this thing, and if I were in the market, it would between this in Abarth guise and a Focus ST.  Unfortunately my cousin has one in Germany and she has had nothing but problems with it.  One big problem she's having is the manual transmission.  She says it's getting harder and harder to shift it all the time and the dealership keeps telling her there is nothing wrong.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: BimmerM3 on November 17, 2010, 01:51:11 PM
Yeah, that's not so bad. I thought it would be a bit more too.

That said, I'd rather get a number of used cars at that price.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: sportyaccordy on November 17, 2010, 02:09:01 PM
Quote from: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 01:20:34 PM
Yaris starts at 13K.


Is it odd that I wish we had the 900cc 2cyl turbo? It sounds amazingly strange.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTDJ0x1vGdo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4CRhGVYhdk

It has a really low base tone. Not bass, base, as in the fundamental frequency associated w/the cylinders firing. Too low IMO, sounds like a 4 banger being driven very calmly.

Car looks nice though. But as others said, 15K is a lot of used car.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 68_427 on November 17, 2010, 02:22:06 PM
When is this coming here?

(http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/fiat-500c-convert.bmp)

My mom said she's buying one when she moves to Georgia.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Payman on November 17, 2010, 02:26:57 PM
Quote from: 68_427 on November 17, 2010, 02:22:06 PM
When is this coming here?

(http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/fiat-500c-convert.bmp)

My mom said she's buying one when she moves to Georgia.

Is that Obama in the back seat???
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: BimmerM3 on November 17, 2010, 02:37:07 PM
Quote from: 68_427 on November 17, 2010, 02:22:06 PM
My mom said she's buying one when she moves to Georgia.

Where in Georgia?
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: giant_mtb on November 17, 2010, 02:42:57 PM
I saw three little Fiats like this cruising around Ann Arbor one night.  Brand new ones.

Eh?

:confused:
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 68_427 on November 17, 2010, 02:45:12 PM
Quote from: BimmerM3 on November 17, 2010, 02:37:07 PM
Where in Georgia?

She doesn't really know.  But she wants to vacation in Tybee Island within a year or two.  I think she would probably go near Savannah. 
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 68_427 on November 17, 2010, 02:46:04 PM
Quote from: giant_mtb on November 17, 2010, 02:42:57 PM
I saw three little Fiats like this cruising around Ann Arbor one night.  Brand new ones.

Eh?

:confused:

With manufacturer's plates probably?
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: giant_mtb on November 17, 2010, 02:56:11 PM
Quote from: 68_427 on November 17, 2010, 02:46:04 PM
With manufacturer's plates probably?

Dunno, it was dark and I didn't catch the plates as I was walking on the sidewalk when they drove by.  I would assume so, I guess.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Payman on November 17, 2010, 03:11:02 PM
This car plus a turbo/intercooler kit has win all over it.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Colin on November 17, 2010, 04:32:14 PM
I look fwd to inspecting the US version at the LA Show on Friday.

In Europe, the 500 undercuts the Mini by some margin, and that's before you start loading your Mini up with expensive options.

The list price of the Abarth 500 starts at around ?14,000. Even with the ?2000 of options I put on mine, and noting that there are absolutely zero discounts (no-one on the Abarthisti forum has had a discount, no matter which dealer they have bought the car from), it's still an absolute steal.......

Whether it will do well in the US remains to be seen of course..... 
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Vinsanity on November 17, 2010, 04:55:33 PM
The US market is prime for a stylish and iconic small car cheaper than the Mini Cooper
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Payman on November 17, 2010, 05:00:19 PM
Quote from: Vinsanity on November 17, 2010, 04:55:33 PM
The US market is prime for a stylish and iconic small car cheaper than the Mini Cooper

I think so too. It'll definitely have a cult following.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: cawimmer430 on November 17, 2010, 05:22:37 PM
Quote from: Rockraven on November 17, 2010, 02:26:57 PM
Is that Obama in the back seat???

What a traitor! Riding in an import and not in a domestic!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Vinsanity on November 17, 2010, 05:24:24 PM
Quote from: cawimmer430 on November 17, 2010, 05:22:37 PM
What a traitor! Riding in an import and not in a domestic!  :thumbsup:

They own Chrysler, so they're kind of domestic?

Whatever, I'd be more upset about making the black man ride in the back
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: the Teuton on November 17, 2010, 05:26:04 PM
Quote from: Rockraven on November 17, 2010, 02:26:57 PM
Is that Obama in the back seat???


Why wouldn't he want to be in the ad for the car? He helped save Chrysler, after all. As Andrew Jackson said, to the victors go the spoils.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: cawimmer430 on November 17, 2010, 05:32:31 PM
Quote from: Vinsanity on November 17, 2010, 05:24:24 PM
Whatever, I'd be more upset about making the black man ride in the back

Subtle racism, you think?  :confused:
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Rupert on November 17, 2010, 09:17:09 PM
What's the Abarth cost?
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: J86 on November 17, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
cool!
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Mustangfan2003 on November 17, 2010, 09:21:32 PM
Quote from: cawimmer430 on November 17, 2010, 05:22:37 PM
What a traitor! Riding in an import and not in a domestic!  :thumbsup:

Our Governor rides in an Infiniti QX56 but we do have a Nissan plant here.  
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 09:21:54 PM
Quote from: Rupert on November 17, 2010, 09:17:09 PM
What's the Abarth cost?

We don't know yet. Fiat is launching the regular 500 first.



I'd say around 21K, maybe.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Mustangfan2003 on November 17, 2010, 09:23:33 PM
I thought I read where an Abarth model was going to come in the future. 
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Colin on November 17, 2010, 09:38:26 PM
Quote from: Mustangfan2003 on November 17, 2010, 09:23:33 PM
I thought I read where an Abarth model was going to come in the future. 
I am sure it will, in due course............ that said, production numbers are (deliberately) very low. Including the Abarth Grande Punto and Punto Evo models, less than 25,000 Abarth have been made in the 30 months since the relaunch of the brand. There are still not quite 2000 of these in the UK, which makes owning one more exclusive than having an Aston-Martin!

Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Rupert on November 17, 2010, 09:40:03 PM
I would buy an Abarth, but probably not any other.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Colin on November 17, 2010, 09:41:38 PM
Quote from: Rupert on November 17, 2010, 09:40:03 PM
I would buy an Abarth, but probably not any other.
A man of impeccable taste, clearly........
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Mustangfan2003 on November 17, 2010, 09:42:44 PM
I gotta say I like the 500 better than the Mini. 
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Rupert on November 17, 2010, 09:46:17 PM
Quote from: Colin on November 17, 2010, 09:41:38 PM
A man of impeccable taste, clearly........

:lol:
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 2o6 on November 17, 2010, 09:55:53 PM
I just want a Chocolate Brown "Pop".



Do any of these cars come with cruise control? I can't find it as an option......
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Colin on November 18, 2010, 11:05:34 PM
Seen news today on AutoBlog that suggests that Rupert (and maybe others) needs to start saving up, as the Abarth 500 is headed states-side.

See here: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/fiat-500-abarth-coming-to-u-s-all-electric-500-bev/#continued
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Rupert on November 19, 2010, 12:16:39 AM
Nice.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Madman on November 25, 2010, 10:33:20 AM
Here's the first TV commercial for the US spec Fiat 500!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXdaVgRysmE

Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Rich on November 25, 2010, 10:51:55 AM
i want one :cry:
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Laconian on November 25, 2010, 12:23:28 PM
Quote from: Madman on November 25, 2010, 10:33:20 AM
Here's the first TV commercial for the US spec Fiat 500!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXdaVgRysmE


You sure it's not a commercial for a prescription drug? Fiat has truly terrible taste in commericals.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Rupert on November 25, 2010, 01:10:39 PM
Yeah, that was pretty bad.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 2o6 on November 25, 2010, 01:24:58 PM
I was expecting the Symbicort logo to pop up....
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: SVT666 on November 25, 2010, 01:38:02 PM
I was expecting a voice over at any second:

"Side effects may include dry mouth, fainting, thoughts of suicide, herpes, nausea, diarrhea, burning butthole, bloating, hallucinations, death, and in some cases something worse.  This should not be taken with any other drug on the market, by pregnant women, non-pregnant women, men with hair on their chests, or no hair on their heads."
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Madman on November 25, 2010, 03:53:37 PM
Maybe Fiat should have done something similar to the last time they tried to sell an affordable hatchback in America?

There's lots of History and Heritage? going on here!.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocpmgWOk0Aw

Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: mzziaz on November 26, 2010, 04:01:51 AM
Didn't even know that the Ritmo was available stateside.  :confused:
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: 2o6 on November 26, 2010, 03:12:48 PM
Quote from: mzziaz on November 26, 2010, 04:01:51 AM
Didn't even know that the Ritmo was available stateside.  :confused:


Didn't do that well.  Sparse dealer network, built terribly (bits falling off), and utterly hopeless when it comes to rusting.
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: the Teuton on November 27, 2010, 06:13:48 PM
What a terrible commercial. Is it still the 1990s?
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: Galaxy on November 28, 2010, 02:46:20 AM
The European 500 commercial is not any better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xop5S4RluY8
Title: Re: USDM Fiat 500
Post by: cawimmer430 on November 28, 2010, 10:46:14 AM
Fiat sold the Ritmo in the US?  :confused: