Fiat 500 US Market - Page 85

**sjmst** · #**1681** 03-10-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil squid

Now where can I find that black and red dress to go with it? lol

Is it your size?

**Whisky** · #**1682** 03-10-2012, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil squid

Now where can I find that black and red dress to go with it? lol

Found a couple for ya:

jznd · #**1683** 03-11-2012, 09:46 PM

Just discovered this thread. I've got a 2011 Abarth (in tributo 695 lookalike red/silver stripes), manual. I've had it about a year now, fantastic little car. I bought it so my wife could learn how to drive a manual but I try to snag the keys as often as I can, it's that much fun. Kids love it and call it the "puppy car" because it reminds them of a small hyperactive dog.

Here in Hong Kong, it's a perfect commuter car - plenty of zip to have fun when the coast is clear, and to dart into gaps in traffic that I would never try in my 550. Bags of grip and weighs nothing, so you can chuck it into a corner at what feels like suicidal speeds and it just sticks and goes. Great roarty exhaust note that's hilariously out of kilter with the "cute" looks.

Downsides - VERY bouncy ride because of the short wheelbase. No power/torque whatsoever below 2k RPM. The steering wheel is covered in a plasticky fake vinyl material that's hard to grip well.

On balance though, it's a great little car and hoot to drive. Absolutely love it. I'm trading it in for a Abarth convertible in a couple months.

**sjmst** · #**1684** 03-12-2012, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jznd

Just discovered this thread. I've got a 2011 Abarth (in tributo 695 lookalike red/silver stripes), manual. I've had it about a year now, fantastic little car. I bought it so my wife could learn how to drive a manual but I try to snag the keys as often as I can, it's that much fun. Kids love it and call it the "puppy car" because it reminds them of a small hyperactive dog.

Here in Hong Kong, it's a perfect commuter car - plenty of zip to have fun when the coast is clear, and to dart into gaps in traffic that I would never try in my 550. Bags of grip and weighs nothing, so you can chuck it into a corner at what feels like suicidal speeds and it just sticks and goes. Great roarty exhaust note that's hilariously out of kilter with the "cute" looks.

Downsides - VERY bouncy ride because of the short wheelbase. No power/torque whatsoever below 2k RPM. The steering wheel is covered in a plasticky fake vinyl material that's hard to grip well.

On balance though, it's a great little car and hoot to drive. Absolutely love it. I'm trading it in for a Abarth convertible in a couple months.

Thanks for the feedback, glad you enjoy it. Interesting about the bouncy ride. Here in the US I think they modified the suspension to address that.

**4re Nut** · #**1685** 03-12-2012, 11:08 AM

While browsing my local dealer's inventory I noticed some of the no-option Pops list at $16,200 vs. $16,000 for others.

I checked Fiat's site and it lists destination as $700; wasn't it $500 before? If so, I assume this is in response to higher fuel prices.

**4re Nut** · #**1686** 03-12-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil squid

...Now where can I find that black and red dress to go with it? lol

Great idea for Halloween...don't forget the neck tat!

**Caplax40** · #**1687** 03-12-2012, 11:38 AM

The Abarth configurator is kinda sorta online:

http://www.fiatusa.com/hostc/models/...selectModel.do

It's not quite 100% functioning.

Good god, even the launch of the configurator is keeping in parallel with the launch of the car.

**4re Nut** · #**1688** 03-12-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caplax40

The Abarth configurator is kinda sorta online:

http://www.fiatusa.com/hostc/models/...selectModel.do

It's not quite 100% functioning.

Good god, even the launch of the configurator is keeping in parallel with the launch of the car.

I see what you mean by "not quite 100% functioning", e.g. it doesn't add the selected stripe/mirror cap option.

Those wacky Italians and their unique approach to marketing!

**sjmst** · #**1689** 03-12-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4re Nut

I see what you mean by "not quite 100% functioning", e.g. it doesn't add the selected stripe/mirror cap option.

Those wacky Italians and their unique approach to marketing!

It's not offically up yet, that is sort of a beta link.

Rags747 · #**1690** 03-12-2012, 11:56 AM

Yep their website definitely needs much improvement. I just dont understand how difficult this really is. Hire someone to do a kickass website and be done with it.

**sjmst** · #**1691** 03-12-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rags747

Yep their website definitely needs much improvement. I just dont understand how difficult this really is. Hire someone to do a kickass website and be done with it.

Agreed. It is awkward at best.

**4re Nut** · #**1692** 03-12-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rags747

Yep their website definitely needs much improvement. I just dont understand how difficult this really is. Hire someone to do a kickass website and be done with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjmst

Agreed. It is awkward at best.

Particularly amazing misstep(s) given that the brand is targeting the hip and tech savy market.

Rags747 · #**1693** 03-12-2012, 01:20 PM

Exactly, todays mkt demands better than what Fiat is showing online. Go on over to the Mini site and you can stay there all day. I so like the path their commercials have taken though with both Seduction and House Arrest.

Called my dealer Sat, will call me once he has some in stock end of this month 1st wk of April...not that Im ready to buy but I am certainly feeling the urge.

**Isobel** · #**1694** 03-12-2012, 04:03 PM

The only car Nico Rosberg has ever purchased; 500 Abarth...

jznd · #**1695** 03-13-2012, 04:37 AM

Another thing I love about my Abarth is that it's the first Italian car I've ever owned for which I've spent exactly zero minutes on the mechanicals. After almost a year of ownership, I literally haven't yet popped the hood once. That's certainly not been the case with any of the dozen F cars I've owned!

Another dislike I just remembered - the Fiat/Windows Media stereo is rather clunky in design and doesn't integrate well with USB drives or iPod. The display on the dash doesn't show track titles (only on the small LCD in the speedo area), you can't scroll through menus (just forward and back), and you can't even use the track forward/back controls on the dash unit while an ipod/usb is hooked up (only the steering wheel controls). For a 2011 car, that's really surprising and annoying. But, all in all I don't really care!

zxcv · #**1696** 03-13-2012, 07:56 AM

it's funny how people in USA consider FIAT 500 as unique and worthy of attention car, when at the same time in Europe this car does not excite anyone, is one of the cheapest cars on the market and people buy it only if you can not afford something better

**desmomini** · #**1697** 03-13-2012, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxcv

it's funny how people in USA consider FIAT 500 as unique and worthy of attention car, when at the same time in Europe this car does not excite anyone, is one of the cheapest cars on the market and people buy it only if you can not afford something better

Wrong.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi.../fiat_500.html