The U.S vs Euro Fiat 500 Specs

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: Diesel_Clatter
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
American's don't want stripped down low tech, low power, low option cars. They want a car that feels more comfortable, has more power but still gets good mileage. I don't see that as a bad thing. Look at older Japanese cars with there paper thin doors, cheap plastic interiors, and vinyl headliners. Who wants that when everything else on the market is "plushed up"


Considering that tomorrow Im taking a trip in my 67hp 1981 240D with crank windows and little more than AC and an analog clock... ME!!!!


Me too. I would buy a brand new, 58hp, naturally aspirated, 1985 Golf Diesel today without hesitation.

I like the 500 but I would like it more if they would give us the Twinair or one of the smaller gas engines or diesels and some really impressive mpg numbers!

There are at least a few Americans who would gladly give up some hp for better mpg.





I hate to say it, but I think you guys are in the minority. I'd say 99% of my customers wouldn't even drive a Versa, which isn't as cheap as they come. I'm sure there are a few, but I think it is safe to say that the majority of American's won't drive a 58hp car.

 

[antonmnster]

I just got back from driving a Versa for a week in CA. I was really impressed with it.

The fact is that today's "small" cars are far roomier than the "large" cars of 20 years ago.

The Versa was not quick. But it was far from slow, and I wish it had a 5 speed rather than the CVT. It was also surprisingly quiet at speed, probably about the same as my 02 BMW, which I find sad. If it only had a center armrest, it would have been great on a long trip.

Just like American misperceptions of diesels, I think the "small" car phobia is misplaced. I think a lot of people will reconsider their biases as gas creeps towards $5.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
It's strange how Fiat changed the specs for the USA. Unless we're the test dummy's for the rest of the world. Both of my cars (Festiva, Aspire) are exactly the same as they built everywhere else. I'm not certain on the crash standards back in 91 and 97 so won't say anything more but they must of passed some testing.


What it was is the Fiat 500 wasn't originally designed for both the US and European markets. So they had to go back in and make some changes. Where as the Festiva may have been designed for both markets from the start.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248
Originally Posted By: Diesel_Clatter
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
American's don't want stripped down low tech, low power, low option cars. They want a car that feels more comfortable, has more power but still gets good mileage. I don't see that as a bad thing. Look at older Japanese cars with there paper thin doors, cheap plastic interiors, and vinyl headliners. Who wants that when everything else on the market is "plushed up"


Considering that tomorrow Im taking a trip in my 67hp 1981 240D with crank windows and little more than AC and an analog clock... ME!!!!


Me too. I would buy a brand new, 58hp, naturally aspirated, 1985 Golf Diesel today without hesitation.

I like the 500 but I would like it more if they would give us the Twinair or one of the smaller gas engines or diesels and some really impressive mpg numbers!

There are at least a few Americans who would gladly give up some hp for better mpg.





I hate to say it, but I think you guys are in the minority. I'd say 99% of my customers wouldn't even drive a Versa, which isn't as cheap as they come. I'm sure there are a few, but I think it is safe to say that the majority of American's won't drive a 58hp car.

I think with european gas prices, people would change their tune, or had to choose between no car and a 3 cylinder metro.
I think for alot of people, little cars are like mopeds, they actually like them but don't want to be seen in one for various reasons...

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I think for alot of people, little cars are like mopeds, they actually like them but don't want to be seen in one for various reasons...


I thought it was fat girls that were like mopeds

.

 

[mechtech2]

American's love for portable living rooms has caused our gas crisis, and the insane prices.
I am glad I am not in the demographics of an SUV buyer.
GM and others have studied this and came to the same basic conclusions. Reader's digest had a good article some years ago listing the traits of the average SUV minivan buyer [automaker studies].
And YOU would not want to be identified with them, either.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
American's love for portable living rooms has caused our gas crisis, and the insane prices.
I am glad I am not in the demographics of an SUV buyer.
GM and others have studied this and came to the same basic conclusions. Reader's digest had a good article some years ago listing the traits of the average SUV minivan buyer [automaker studies].
And YOU would not want to be identified with them, either.


Uhhh, no, I think China's thirst for oil has caused our "gas crisis". As well as the various conflicts in the middle east.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
American's love for portable living rooms has caused our gas crisis, and the insane prices.
I am glad I am not in the demographics of an SUV buyer.
GM and others have studied this and came to the same basic conclusions. Reader's digest had a good article some years ago listing the traits of the average SUV minivan buyer [automaker studies].
And YOU would not want to be identified with them, either.


Uhhh, no, I think China's thirst for oil has caused our "gas crisis". As well as the various conflicts in the middle east.


Uhm, I think you're right!

 

[Shannow]

What ???

 

[kb01]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
It's strange how Fiat changed the specs for the USA. Unless we're the test dummy's for the rest of the world. Both of my cars (Festiva, Aspire) are exactly the same as they built everywhere else. I'm not certain on the crash standards back in 91 and 97 so won't say anything more but they must of passed some testing.


I didn't realize there were any true world cars, since specs for color of turn signals, bumpers, etc. vary slightly from country to country. I owned a 2000 Ford Focus and even it was slightly different than the Euro version.

 

[Hermann]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
American's love for portable living rooms has caused our gas crisis, and the insane prices.
I am glad I am not in the demographics of an SUV buyer.
GM and others have studied this and came to the same basic conclusions. Reader's digest had a good article some years ago listing the traits of the average SUV minivan buyer [automaker studies].
And YOU would not want to be identified with them, either.


Uhhh, no, I think China's thirst for oil has caused our "gas crisis". As well as the various conflicts in the middle east.


don't forget about the steady decline in the value of the American dollar.