Fiat 500 looks like a thimble on wheels...

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The 500 delivers on fuel economy.
I'm not sure why you think that the only reason for buying a small car is for better fuel economy.
That is an advantage in a small car, but it is not the only one.
I'm also not sure how the Versa or the Yaris would be more functional.
Certainly uglier, but ugly does not equate with functional.
 
At least Fiat is giving chrysler engineers the money they need to put out good cars. You know, like the new 300, new charger, the upcoming Nitro, and most of their new products.

The 500 is a good looking car imo, I'd be interested in an Abarth version myself. I do think however that targeting the supermini crowd first might not have been the best move. I anticipate sales might pick up a bit more once we start seeing more mainstream Fiat and Alfa models
 
Originally Posted By: grampi

The sole purpose of going to a smaller vehicle is to get better fuel economy.


Maybe for you. Better FE is certainly a common benefit of a smaller car, but not a universal one. Some people like smaller cars because they're easier to park and tend to me lighter and more maneuverable.
 
I see by the Car & Driver review this little car gets a whopping 38 MPG. WOW!

My 11 year old Ford Escort Sedan's overall MPG since I got it 3 years ago has been 38 MPG, I gotten highway milage as high as 43 MPG.

All that and I can actually haul something.

That little Fiat will not even hold a hard side rifle case!
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
The 500 delivers on fuel economy.
I'm not sure why you think that the only reason for buying a small car is for better fuel economy.
That is an advantage in a small car, but it is not the only one.
I'm also not sure how the Versa or the Yaris would be more functional.
Certainly uglier, but ugly does not equate with functional.


I don't think you're gonna sell many small cars just because they're smaller...most people are only willing to give up size for substantially better fuel economy. And you don't see how the Yaris and Versa are functionally better than the 500? Both have more interior space (and in the Vresa's case, much more), and both get better mileage...
 
Originally Posted By: jcwit
I see by the Car & Driver review this little car gets a whopping 38 MPG. WOW!

My 11 year old Ford Escort Sedan's overall MPG since I got it 3 years ago has been 38 MPG, I gotten highway milage as high as 43 MPG.

All that and I can actually haul something.

That little Fiat will not even hold a hard side rifle case!


It's the same with the Smart Car. Why buy something as impractical as these cars are when for the same amount of money you can buy larger vehicles that get better fuel economy?
 
The reason why it isn't selling is because it is priced too high...
the car itself is a VERY GOOD product. What's not to like about a practical hatchback that is fun to drive, comfortable, and gets very good MPG?

If Chrysler would have priced the 500 at about 12k or so it would have been a big seller.

The 500 Abarth is literally the modern reincarnation of the old MKII VW Golf GTI ...which is a very good thing!

But again they must price it reasonably it should be about 15-16 grand or so.
 
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Lets see how this discussion evolves circa summer 2012 with $5 gas prices. Now, if recession happens before that, Fiat 500 is doomed here. In my area, I've seen only one Fiat which is exactly how many Volts I've seen.

BTW, according to true delta, there are no quality problems in Fiat 500 so far.
 
That may be true for some, but some of us prefer the fun of driving a smaller car.
The entertainment factor matters for a lot of us, while the good fuel economy is a bonus.
Incidentally, the best fuel economy numbers from either the hideous Versa or equally painful to the eyes Yaris only match the best Fiat 500. They do not offer better fuel economy, and the Mini is in the same ballpark.
So, for the same amount of fuel used in a Yaris or Versa, you can drive the fun and stylish 500, or for a couple of bucks more each week, you could choose a Mini.
Neither the Yaris nor the Versa redeem their lack of style or driving entertainment with superior fuel economy.
If more interior space were the sole measure of practicality, I'd have to agree with you.
It isn't.
A car is practical to us if it can complete the tasks we need it for.
My little old BMW is perfectly practical, since it is mostly a good weather commuter for me, and it does have enough trunk space for typical weekend shopping, as well as weekend trips with my wife.
Uneeded and unused interior space does not enhance the practicality of any vehicle.
For those rare occasions when we take our two grown sons somewhere with us, we have the Forester.
For the rare times when we really need to haul something, we can always find a friend willing to lend us his truck, or we can pay someone a few bucks to pick the item up for us.
I would find the Fiat 500 a perfectly practical daily driver.
 
Originally Posted By: jcwit


That little Fiat will not even hold a hard side rifle case!


You're doing it wrong.

If I can fit a rifle case in my former Suzuki Swift, I'm fairly certain a Fiat 500 will fit one too

The cargo area of my PT looks small too. Looks are deceiving. And by the time I take the back seats out, I've got as much cargo area as some SUVs
 
Originally Posted By: Spazdog

Looks are deceiving. And by the time I take the back seats out, I've got as much cargo area as some SUVs


Very true. I can fit an adult size bike inside my Prius with folded rear seats. Most people buy large SUVs or pickup trucks to do that.
 
Originally Posted By: 91344George
The reason why it isn't selling is because it is priced too high...
the car itself is a VERY GOOD product. What's not to like about a practical hatchback that is fun to drive, comfortable, and gets very good MPG?

If Chrysler would have priced the 500 at about 12k or so it would have been a big seller.

The 500 Abarth is literally the modern reincarnation of the old MKII VW Golf GTI ...which is a very good thing!

But again they must price it reasonably it should be about 15-16 grand or so.


38 MPG for a car this size is far from very good....
 
If the Fiat 500 is listed at 38 highway per EPA, it shouldn't be hard to break 40 mpg under most conditions.
You could probably set the cruise somewhere between 70 mph and 75 mph and see 40 mpg out of this car.
Anyway, what are you driving that makes you think that 38 mpg is far from good?
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
If the Fiat 500 is listed at 38 highway per EPA, it shouldn't be hard to break 40 mpg under most conditions.
You could probably set the cruise somewhere between 70 mph and 75 mph and see 40 mpg out of this car.
Anyway, what are you driving that makes you think that 38 mpg is far from good?


Many vehicles today don't exceed their EPA mileage ratings like they did in the past. In fact, a lot of them get considerably less than what they're rated for. It isn't what I'm driving now that makes me think the 500's 38 MPG is poor. For a car that small, 38 MPG is terrible. A car that size should easily be getting in excess of 50 MPG...
 
And you base your estimate of what the car "should" get upon what?
I don't know about you, but I'd find 38 highway to be pretty good.
Isn't that a whole lot better than what you're now driving?
Why is that a problem?
Because in your opinion, the car should get even better mileage?
Because your opinion is also that cars could once typically beat their EPA mileage ratings, but now, for some unexplained reason, can't?
From my point of view, the Fiat 500 is an attractive and fun to drive car that would work out just fine as a daily driver.
The fact that it delivers exceptionally good fuel economy is icing on the cake.
That somebody thinks it should deliver even better fuel economy is irrelevant.
 
It's likely more fun to drive and more fuel-efficient than the Fit, while giving up little in interior functionality. It also looks better to me.

They have a rental 500 at the local Enterprise. I think it'd be fun to pop around in it for a day.
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
And you base your estimate of what the car "should" get upon what?
I don't know about you, but I'd find 38 highway to be pretty good.
Isn't that a whole lot better than what you're now driving?
Why is that a problem?


Grampi's inner demons must be trying to twist his arm into buying a new Fiat despite his wishes.

Be strong, Grampi! Just say No!
 
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
And you base your estimate of what the car "should" get upon what?
I don't know about you, but I'd find 38 highway to be pretty good.
Isn't that a whole lot better than what you're now driving?
Why is that a problem?


Grampi's inner demons must be trying to twist his arm into buying a new Fiat despite his wishes.

Be strong, Grampi! Just say No!


ROFLMAO!
 
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