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Say buongiorno to the Fiat 500

CNN Money -- In late 2010, we'll begin seeing the cute little Fiat 500 showing up at selected Chrysler dealers here in the United States. Already, fans are clamoring for the car with its cool Euro-retro style.

But don't expect the 500 to sell in bunches. Even Chrysler executives are playing down expectations for the car, based on the fact that Americans have traditionally preferred larger vehicles, and the 500 is definitely not large.

Still, the little car could have the stuff to make a splash here, some experts say. There's more to success than just size. For example, look at the Mini Cooper which remains a hot product, right through the recession, thanks to its fun driving performance, clever design and parent company BMW's smart brand management.

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Submitted Nov 12, 2009 By: BurntOrange

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Author	Topic: Say buongiorno to the Fiat 500	Topic is locked Back to Topics

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jedintheshed Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:1,587 Points:477,640 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2009 10:13:41 AM Ignore jedintheshed Report Abuse I would like to know the safety ratings.
antur Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,488 Points:982,845 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2009 9:39:35 AM Ignore antur Report Abuse Buongiorno!
Evandro Sophomore Author Austin Posts:112 Points:299,655 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2009 7:48:03 PM Ignore Evandro Report Abuse Images are worth thousands of words: Fiat 500 vs. Audi Q7 [Edited by: Evandro at 11/16/2009 8:48:51 PM EST]
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:11,144 Points:1,652,230 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 6:25:39 PM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse face it, the times are changing and many people just coming into the car buying market aren't into large and excessive vehicles. small is fine as long as it has all the gizmos that can be packaged into it.
cagustin Rookie Author Fresno Posts:99 Points:34,880 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 3:37:15 PM Ignore cagustin Report Abuse I expect this to be like the VW Beetle. People bought it because it was new and fun to drive. I have friends who grew up from countries that sold this cute little car and loved it. It will do well here in California where parking in large metro cities are a challenge. Especially in college towns...
eddmac Champion Author Washington Posts:5,526 Points:1,234,975 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 1:27:22 PM Ignore eddmac Report Abuse I seen this model in Egypt and Turkey this fall, and beside being beat up with dents, in Istanbul I had to get two Fiat taxis while here in the states one US car would have done nicely.
JBL2 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:2,106 Points:768,780 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 1:21:09 PM Ignore JBL2 Report Abuse Well, if it runs on regular and looks like a car, it would be a better choice than the alleged "Smart"
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:6,112 Points:1,161,400 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 1:15:36 PM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Its all about the MPG and the price. The savings has to be their to get people to buy.
nimpy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:6,300 Points:1,331,825 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:58:57 PM Ignore nimpy Report Abuse OK then it will be expensive because of the name
vlaz55 Veteran Author London Posts:320 Points:637,975 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:56:35 PM Ignore vlaz55 Report Abuse Its not for me, but I'm sure there are lots of people who would want to drive one. People are buying Yaris and Fits now right?
OLBKR Veteran Author Charlotte Posts:419 Points:95,890 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:55:07 PM Ignore OLBKR Report Abuse Not that I would buy one but its bigger than my HARLEY and probley a lot warmer in winter.
Lonewolftx Champion Author Houston Posts:7,601 Points:1,514,630 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:51:57 PM Ignore Lonewolftx Report Abuse We will see about that . . .
dkinsf Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,450 Points:739,620 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:51:53 PM Ignore dkinsf Report Abuse The issue with Fiats is their reliability reputation. As in I would buy one with out a 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warrantee. Their quality may have improved, but the perception is that this is NOT a reliable car.
runway12 Champion Author Tacoma Posts:2,906 Points:580,455 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:51:27 PM Ignore runway12 Report Abuse Interested in seeing if this works out
jeromehasbargen Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,198 Points:626,670 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:47:42 PM Ignore jeromehasbargen Report Abuse The have to make them cheap, safe and good quality to be a success.
jpj23 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,290 Points:825,575 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:45:38 PM Ignore jpj23 Report Abuse Chrysler has cultivated the big-truck/muscle-car market for so long, I wonder how they're going to convince buyers to buy cute, small Euro-style cars from them. Maybe they need a high-profile movie showcasing the Fiat models they want to promote. The remake of The Italian Job did wonders for the public awareness of the Mini Cooper.
tucker355 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,153 Points:314,435 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:43:09 PM Ignore tucker355 Report Abuse another "smart" car?
hwmillerster Champion Author Missouri Posts:4,429 Points:1,004,345 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:42:56 PM Ignore hwmillerster Report Abuse As long it has a reasonable amount of acceleration it would at least keep up with traffic. If people are seriously concerned about $10/gal gasoline there will be a demand for these little cars.
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:12,310 Points:1,172,725 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:41:34 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse "Even Chrysler executives are playing down expectations for the car, based on the fact that Americans have traditionally preferred larger vehicles......." These guys still don't get it, do they. What do we need to do, run over them with a small car, or what. Give us a small car that gets 75 MPG and see if we like small cars, or not. Or, better yet, give us a small electric car to get back and forth to work in on a daily basis and see if we like small cars.
PArdgerunner Sophomore Author Colorado Springs Posts:226 Points:112,595 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:40:51 PM Ignore PArdgerunner Report Abuse be hard to even call it a grocery getter, dont think you could get a gallon of milk in the backseat
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,383 Points:1,509,670 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:39:52 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Man, how would you like to be heading South on I-95 around 5 PM in one of those roller skates?? Not this guy for sure.
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,173 Points:1,419,020 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:34:36 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse Maybe it will work, looks like a Geo Metro to me.
Gerardtd Veteran Author Toronto Posts:358 Points:173,965 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:33:47 PM Ignore Gerardtd Report Abuse Chrysler guys still have the big mentality, that's why they'll end up big too in many ways other than up.
BobbyVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,421 Points:745,990 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:31:35 PM Ignore BobbyVA Report Abuse Small Fiats are ok in large cities as long as you don't 50 mph, a crash is lethal. Even in Italy where they drive them on the sidewalk at times to pass with smallish roads it might work, but stay off the Interstate in the USA.
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,403 Points:501,795 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:26:07 PM Ignore vegaland Report Abuse It's going to require a lot of things to work out just right for this thing to be the success they're predicting. Due to the high Euro, it will have to be made over here, and that means retooling a plant in Mexico to make the thing after it is re-engineered to be street legal here. I don't think the combination of US & Italian engineers will be able to get all that worked out by late 2010. There are already a number of mini cars here already and the market is limited. They will also have to have solved a lot of the quality problems that drove FIAT out of here in the 70s when they were nicknamed "Fix It Again Tony".
BWD Champion Author Charleston Posts:3,116 Points:1,760,940 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:24:45 PM Ignore BWD Report Abuse Who cares.
arvo87 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:2,940 Points:681,465 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:19:01 PM Ignore arvo87 Report Abuse for a daily commute car it would work at the right price
wiwhite87 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,230 Points:484,155 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:18:33 PM Ignore wiwhite87 Report Abuse If it's reliable, it'll sell. Besides those looking for cheap gas, there's high school students, college students, recent grads, urban lifestyle citizens, and those who are just frugal that will flock to a vehicle like this. The market segment is there, and small cars like this compete when they are fun, cheap, and reliable. A large sedan just can't compare to the nimbleness of a small, light car.
USAFA82 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:7,385 Points:1,369,990 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:16:49 PM Ignore USAFA82 Report Abuse It's a cool little car and gets great gas mileage. I drove one when I was stationed in Europe. I don't think I'll be buying one here, tho. Too many large vehicles that will flatten you in an accident. Have to wait until gasoline gets close to $10/gallon in 2011.
walkit1 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,309 Points:1,031,080 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:12:35 PM Ignore walkit1 Report Abuse Nor I!
frdhbrd All-Star Author Calgary Posts:559 Points:507,340 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:10:05 PM Ignore frdhbrd Report Abuse Not for me
RHINO4 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,203,222 Points:778,725 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:08:06 PM Ignore RHINO4 Report Abuse What's the gas mileage.
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:6,112 Points:1,522,585 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:06:44 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Competition for the Smart fortwo?
ops3 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,229 Points:737,025 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 12:00:58 PM Ignore ops3 Report Abuse Cute? What's the gas milage?
SUPERQUACK Champion Author Sacramento Posts:3,975 Points:1,484,690 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:58:38 AM Ignore SUPERQUACK Report Abuse FIX IT AGAIN , TONY !!!!
DonKofAK All-Star Author Anchorage Posts:869 Points:591,185 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:55:43 AM Ignore DonKofAK Report Abuse Despite one note to the contrary, many of the comments below assume the car is unsafe and of poor quality. What if those assumptions are based on prejudice -- pre-judging something before getting the facts? Are you too young to remember the VW Beetle? They were once pretty common. It's not possible to build a safe, small vehicle that has good quality? Double-check Toyota's cars that successfully staged an invasion of America just in time to encounter a gas crisis. Just because I drove a GMC Suburban for many years does not mean I'd never buy a small, fun to drive car. How about a used Mazda Miata? Porsche 911? A Mini? Naw, I'd rather dump ten or twenty grand into a Harley because it's safer and uh, more convenient, and uh more practical, right?
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:5,270 Points:1,150,475 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:54:17 AM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse Smaller cars and bigger prices is what we will see.
Tekkie Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:3,781 Points:801,080 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:53:12 AM Ignore Tekkie Report Abuse Not for me!!!!
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,649 Points:1,612,885 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:52:53 AM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse Another casket in the works
byoftDad Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,934 Points:1,132,700 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:47:53 AM Ignore byoftDad Report Abuse Screw the Fiat- Buy American
GGAlbo Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,641 Points:1,461,605 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:45:11 AM Ignore GGAlbo Report Abuse how is the quality of the 500, Fiat is not known for quality!!!!
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:3,010 Points:611,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:44:33 AM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse I bet it will garner more interest they they are claiming...especially if gasoline continues to climb toward 4 a gallon again.
pecos Champion Author Columbus Posts:5,939 Points:1,696,260 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:44:31 AM Ignore pecos Report Abuse Probably like the rest of the teenie cars, they'll want $50000 for it.
filcut All-Star Author Anchorage Posts:840 Points:984,255 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:42:29 AM Ignore filcut Report Abuse Say WHAT. Can u jump start it when u push it down the street?
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:3,879 Points:813,770 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:37:33 AM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse Maybe the car companies can make a small car that looks good. That would be novel.
charkansasflyr All-Star Author Lansing Posts:643 Points:229,050 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:36:45 AM Ignore charkansasflyr Report Abuse The problem with mini cars in the US has been the lack of focus and attention to detail. In countries where the government actually HAS A CLUE ABOUT CONSERVATIO0N, manufacturers have done detailed development of the driving experience of these small vehicles. Here in the US we have (with the help of arrogant auto makers) associated small with "cheap" and unsafe. Not true in Europe and Japan. Americans need a few model years (and sustained higher fuel prices, unfortunately) to acclimate to high-quality miniature cars. The change involves more perception than anything else. I have two associates who own Mini Coopers. They absolutely love them. One of these folks is 62 years old and has never owned a small vehicle. But, when he saw how solid and tight the car was, and experienced a 6-speed automatic transmission, he was sold and remains hooked on the car.
Jolly_Red Rookie Author Nashville Posts:2 Points:4,065 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:35:24 AM Ignore Jolly_Red Report Abuse hj
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,188 Points:1,030,505 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:32:53 AM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Death on wheels.
SavannahSteph All-Star Author Georgia Posts:500 Points:128,915 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:31:48 AM Ignore SavannahSteph Report Abuse definately U-G-L-Y.
call911ok All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:544 Points:76,340 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2009 11:28:32 AM Ignore call911ok Report Abuse Kinda ugly... not to my liking...