Is the fiat 500 a cheaper competitor to the mini cooper?

I also don't love the tall small car look, but in terms of practicality, my 97 civic coupe failed miserably compared to the fit. At least some of that is due to the fit's increased height.

Side skirts and lowering help the mini-mini van look.

 

Yes, the Fiat 500 is being pitched as a cheaper alternative to the BMW Mini. It's slightly shorter, significantly taller (about the same as a Fit), and rides way better than a Mini. The Abarth will probably be a little lower, and have a firmer ride. The British car show, Top Gear, has a hilarious review of the Abarth SS. With 160 horsepower, I'm not sure if that model will be coming to the U.S.

I've had test drives in both the Fiat and the Mini, and the interior of the Mini struck me as over-styled, at the expense of functionality. The Mini's ride was also the most punishing I can remember in any car that I have driven. When the Fiat 500 Abarth arrives, it should offer significant competition to the Mini — IF quality/reliability are comparable. (BMW is another marque that doesn't come up to Japanese standards in this area, but the Fiat still has a high bar to clear if they are to overcome their horrible reputation from the 60's and 70's.

I don't really see the Fiat as a direct competitor with the Fit, which seats 4 in comfort (and the rear seat passengers can get in/out without having to be contortionists). The Fiat's competition will be the 2-door hatchbacks, such as the Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2, Mini, and a step up in luxury (quality and reliability remain to be determined) from the Yaris.

 

Only half the models you listed actually come with only 2 doors. I know many like it just for the fact that it comes in two door form, the 500 I mean.

 

Alfa 4C please.

 

Each of the 3 cars I listed is available in a 2-door model:

 

Funny, I can't seem to find that 3 door model in MazdaUSA's website.

So my comment is correct if you can't find that model in the US.

 

Definitely, Mini is more cool though they are all small but fiat has the advantage since they offer cheap replacement Fiat parts on the market today. Im not fond of fiat however but still amazed with the models they had launched to the automotive world.

 

To me, a 3 door is the perfect body style. Wide doors and pushed back B-pillars of a coupe, wide open hatch and fold-down back seat for the occasional bulky item.

2012 Volvo C30 Coupe
- Proving that 3-door doesn't have to mean decontented with minimal features... and they're only $25K, which is still pretty affordable.

 

Affordable and slick as hell. And quick especiall with that t5

 

‪KP's 9second talon launch‬‏ - YouTube

 

fiats were always small my uncle had the x 1/9 years ago which was a two seater nice car but small and europeans are known for smaller cars cause most ereas have very tiny streets and limited space

 

I had a real Fiat 500 with the 500cc 2 cylinder air cooled engine mounted in the rear... I felt like I should have been on the sidewalk every time I drove it.. It was so tiny makes the new one look like an American built garbage barge in comparison. I helped a friend load it into the bed of a 1/2 ton F-150 pickup and he sold it for scrap... It was impossible to find parts for.

 

I see Mazda 2 3-doors every day? I'm in Socal though, not sure about sales in the other part of the country.

Cars have definitely gotten bigger. When I pull up next to an EF sedan in my GE I feel like i'm driving a minivan. New civic is bigger than old Accords, etc.

 

wow that car is ugly.

 

I too live is SoCal. You sure you're not getting them confused with the Toyota Yaris? Do me a favor, next time you see one snap a pic please.

 

Sure thing, I have a black one in my parking lot at work. They seem much smaller than the Fit, about the same size as a Yaris but look much better lol

 

So after two weeks of carspotting I have to admit defeat on this one. I swear I saw a green one the other day, I guess it will forever be my unicorn.

<GG>

 

Local dealer had a couple of the Fiat 500's on display at
a local mall today.

Low end model for ~$18,000 and a high end "luxury" model
for ~$25,000.

Priced way to high considered what you get and what else
is available in the marketplace in that price range.

 

The Italian stuff is very costly...Check out Vespa motor scooter prices... They are nice little machines with a long history of stylishness and dependability but all of the same size Japanese scooters are faster and better suited for the American market.

 

I dont get, and really dislike the super tall proportions of most 'small' cars these days.

Current Accord as 55 Chevy, hilarious.

Not sure about the 500, maybe the ABARTH... I remember reading in C&D (I think) the 500 did not maintain highway speed on an incline, flat out.