Automotive Traveler Magazine

Anyone considering this?

 

At my old job I got to see one up close and personal but didn't get to drive it. I did sit in it and thought it was really, really nice. At the time I had a Mini and I could see right away that this thing is going to take a bite out of the Mini market and actually, because its 6" shorter than the Mini and weighs about 300 lbs less, should outperform it. I've read that the 500 is tuned to ride better than be a canyon carver but that should be rectified when the Abarth comes out and that car is to have 15 more hp than the Euro-spec version (175 vs. 160) and that will make for a serious alternative to the Mini Cooper S. That being said, I wonder if there's going to be an Abarth Esse Esse to compete with the Mini Cooper JCW? With 208 hp and giant Brembo's the JCW would force the Abarth Esse Esse to "step it up" for sure, competition is a good thing!

Oh yeah, back to the question, I'd like to seriously look into the Abarth after its had a year here, so I'd be in the market around 2013.

 

If the 500 was out when I was looking for cars, I would have sought one out.
Seems like it is better then a base Mini in every measurable way.

While FIAT is not the Fix It Again Tony that it was in the 70s and 80s, they still don't have the record of a Honda or Toyota for reliability. On the other hand, their cars are not "appliance" cars that Hondas and Toyotas tend to be - including the Fit.

The Fiat 500 s going to be competing against the Mini primarily, but it will also be going up against the Versa, Fiesta, Fit and Yaris. Its a late entry to the market, but it looks very different, very Italian. It will be interesting to see how it performs stateside.

Zach

 

The Mini is not that reliable. My friends is in the shop all the time. Only time will tell how the 500 rates in the US.
I want to see the Alfa's

 

I had a ton of problems with the Mini I had (07' R56) As far as the base Mini not being able to compete with the base 500, well, from what I've read, the 500 isn't tuned for handling and the Mini is. That being said, wait till the Abarth/Esse Esse comes over here, Mini better have that new 2014 version ready to go and right, especially in the engine and no more "freezing throttles" either, what a joke, don't get me started!!

I still miss that little car though!

 

i absolutely love both the mini and the 500. i wouldn't mind have an original classic and a new of both of these. i had an 06 MCS and that thing was so fun.

 

Oh, I was not trying to say that the Mini was reliable. Their issues are well known. Sadly my beloved German cars are, in general, crap for reliability and are expensive to fix. VW, BMW, MBz, all of them. Treated right they will run for 300K miles; but you have to be willing to tinker with them a few times a year and I don't have time to do that any longer.

Zach

 

FIAT = Fix It Again Tony

 

Maybe they've fixed that problem with the newer models, LOL!

 

Much like you never want to compare a Ford from the 80s to a Ford of today (quality wise) you don't want to compare a Fiat from the 80s to a Fiat of today.

I would expect reliability to be similar to VW/BMW/most European cars. They won't (WON'T) have the rust issues that Fiat was known for here in the US, and general reliability has also improved. But, Like a VW, when it does break down, the general repair bill if going to be more expensive. On average, they will break down more frequently then a Honda or Toyota - but you can just about say that for any cars built these days (though currently Ford and Subaru are fighting).

Zach

 

hopefully they bring the abarth esse esse over here. If that is the case I will be buying one hands down. Otherwise, I'm sticking with my fitty fit.

 

ya that abarth version is a really sweet looking fiat 500, I saw one over the summer when I vacationed in europe and it is one hot little car.

 

I've been reading and watching videos about the 500 for the past hour and I can't see how anybody would take a 500 over a Fit or a Mini. It appears that the 500 has nothing going for it other than having some history and being small and cute.

 

read about the abarth and abarth esse esse and you will see why. a lighter, better handling car than the fit or mini, oh and 180 turbocharged hp on tap.

 

I totally agree with you. That car is a horrible mexican/chrysler built mutant that has not even anything to do with European 500. Not a freaking thing!

 

I had an original Fiat 500 that had a 500cc air cooled parallel twin cylinder engine... Kids on Stingray bicycles could run off and hide from it.. It was weird with one suicide door and one that opened conventionally.