stasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, RR: 6 Posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 3535 times:
The Fiat 500 will be sold in the United States by the end of this year, as a 2011 model. This is extremely good news for Chrysler, since there were questions as to whether the 500 would be able to meet U.S. crash safety standards. Chrysler top executive Ralph Gilles also said at a press conference in Chicago today that the (also critically important) all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will go on sale by summer at Chrylser-Jeep dealerships.
Now motorheads, will the Fiat 500 be a strong competitor to the upcoming Ford Fiesta, Chevy Cruze, and the newest version of the VW Golf? It will certainly kick the Chevy Aveo and the Hyundai Accent to the curb, IMHO.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
WildcatYXU From Canada, joined May 2006, 2435 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 3519 times:
I personally don't expect it to be succesful. The Fiat 500 has the same appeal for many Europeans as the Beetle. However, I don't think this appeal is present in America. And as a competitor to Cruze and Golf? I don't think they compete at all, it's a much smaller car.
They're about to release it in Canada at the same time. I'd hate to see the insurance rates on this thing in Ontario.
comorin From United States of America, joined May 2005, 4675 posts, RR: 17 Reply 2, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 3515 times:
I am afraid no real, red meat-eating man's man will want to be seen in such a cute car. This is strictly chick/hipster stuff.
stasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 3514 times:
Quoting comorin (Reply 2): I am afraid no real, red meat-eating man's man will want to be seen in such a cute car. This is strictly chick/hipster stuff.
Along the lines of the much more expensive Mini Cooper - perhaps the Fiat does have a chance in the US marketplace.....
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38508 posts, RR: 80 Reply 4, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 3505 times:
Quoting comorin (Reply 2): I am afraid no real, red meat-eating man's man will want to be seen in such a cute car. This is strictly chick/hipster stuff.
True.
This will be popular in certain crowds in places like New York city and San Francisco but that's about it.
asuflyer05 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2369 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 3484 times:
The Fiat is kinda cool. I'm a convert to the small car movement. Just drove to Vegas in the MINI. It was a tad too mini, but not too bad. I like the big pano roof.
ken777 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 7460 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 3470 times:
It looks to be a good start for Fiat - depending on the price.
But they have a lot more work to do. What do they produce at home that is one step up from the 500?
charles79 From Puerto Rico, joined Mar 2007, 1307 posts, RR: 5 Reply 7, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3456 times:
Quoting stasisLAX (Thread starter):
Now motorheads, will the Fiat 500 be a strong competitor to the upcoming Ford Fiesta, Chevy Cruze, and the newest version of the VW Golf?
I honestly don't think so. If the build quality and the reliability are kept in check it might be a somewhat successful niche offering as the MINI but I don't see it going head to head with the Cruze or the Golf (these are slightly bigger C segment cars) or the Fiesta (a mainstream player from an established brand). The 500 is closer in size to the Clio, 207, Aveo, C3, Fiesta, Jazz and Polo. Ultimately, though, even in small car friendly Europe it is seen as more of a boutique car than a mainstream player (along the lines of the aforementioned MINI and the 500's cousin, the Alfa Romeo MiTo). The 500 has not really received that many good reviews as a driver's car from the European press either so its appeal will be far more limited than that of the MINI (which is bought by both secretaries and Porsche drivers alike).
I welcome any news of selling more small cars in the US in place of the bloated saloons and Crossover/SUVs we currently see but the car has to offer something special in order to convince folks to downsize. The 500 does have great looks and interesting equipment options but the Fiat/Chrysler reliability is still a BIG question mark as is the overall ownership experience.
comorin From United States of America, joined May 2005, 4675 posts, RR: 17 Reply 8, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3444 times:
Quoting Superfly (Reply 4): This will be popular in certain crowds in places like New York city and San Francisco but that's about it
It's a perfect car for NYC - short trips, 8mph avg traffic, and easy to park!
mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7421 posts, RR: 65 Reply 9, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3436 times:
Wow, I haven;t seen Ralph since a few years before he first introed the 300. Now he's the CEO?
Perhaps the Fiat may compete with Honda's Fit and Ford's Fusion.
I like the Jeep GC up there. I have never had an interest in Jeep before under another distant cousin drove in from Canada last week and I heard his GC Diesel pull into the driveway. Is the Diesel version of the Jeep commonly sold in the US or is it special order?
Whatever happens, I wish Ralph the best in this torturous market!
Forum moderator 2001-2010; He's a pedantic, pontificating, pretentious bastard, a belligerent old fart, a worthless st
JetsGo From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2964 posts, RR: 5 Reply 11, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3418 times:
KiwiRob From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 5300 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3405 times:
Quoting stasisLAX (Thread starter): Now motorheads, will the Fiat 500 be a strong competitor to the upcoming Ford Fiesta, Chevy Cruze, and the newest version of the VW Golf?
It's two classes of car smaller than the golf, and one smaller than the Fiesta. In Europe Ford sells the Ka which is based on the 500, it's even built in a Fiat factory in Poland.
Quoting comorin (Reply 2): am afraid no real, red meat-eating man's man will want to be seen in such a cute car. This is strictly chick/hipster stuff.
How about the Abath 500, is it red meat enought for you.
TSS From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 2870 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 3393 times:
Quoting ken777 (Reply 6): What do they produce at home that is one step up from the 500?
I'm wondering the same thing.
Quoting charles79 (Reply 7): The 500 does have great looks and interesting equipment options but the Fiat/Chrysler reliability is still a BIG question mark as is the overall ownership experience.
Well...
Chrysler's reliability has been extremely inconsistent as far back as I can remember, usually because of indifferent to downright shoddy execution of fairly good engineering designs and waaaay too much cost-cutting in material specifications. Maybe Fiat can help Chrysler get their act together in a way that Daimler-Benz never did.
Quoting FLY2HMO (Reply 10): Quoting stasisLAX (Thread starter):
It will certainly kick the Chevy Aveo and the Hyundai Accent to the curb, IMHO.
That's an easy thing to do for these. I've pushed out turds that are better held together than these two motoring atrocities.
Aw, don't hold back FLY2HMO; Tell us how you really feel.
Able to kill active threads stone dead with a single post!
czbbflier From Canada, joined Jul 2006, 933 posts, RR: 2 Reply 16, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3342 times:
Quoting comorin (Reply 2): I am afraid no real, red meat-eating man's man will want to be seen in such a cute car. This is strictly chick/hipster stuff.
Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 12): How about the Abath 500, is it red meat enought for you.
stasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, RR: 6 Reply 17, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3334 times:
Quoting mirrodie (Reply 9): Wow, I haven;t seen Ralph since a few years before he first introed the 300. Now he's the CEO?
Mr. Gilles is indeed the CEO - of the Dodge brand.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
TheCommodore From Australia, joined Dec 2007, 2346 posts, RR: 7 Reply 18, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3337 times:
I think you yanks should embrace this little beauty, its economical easy to park and goes like the clappers. What more do you want in a car.
We all need to be driving smaller cars these days with the cost of fuel and other registration charges, it's crazy to be driving round in some massive mega truck.
BTW that new Jeep is so ugly, when are you guys going to design something that's in good taste ?
Flown 905,468 kms or 2.356 times to the moon, 1296 hrs, Longest flight 10,524 kms
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29350 posts, RR: 62 Reply 19, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3333 times:
Well no doubt it will bring back all sorts of "Fix It Again Tony" comments.
Crysler is a dying brand. About the only thing holding it together is it's truck line, because of the Cumins engine. But that has lost a lot of ground over the decade to the Powerstroke engine put in Fords.
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
EddieDude From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 7177 posts, RR: 45 Reply 21, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3317 times:
Quoting mirrodie (Reply 9): Perhaps the Fiat may compete with Honda's Fit and Ford's Fusion.
Remember that in Europe Ford used to have a Fusion model that is different from the accolade-earning North American Ford Fusion midsize Sedan. The European Ford Fusion was a derivative of last generation's Fiesta... it was kind of a mini-crossover. I remember I read it was quite mediocre.
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38508 posts, RR: 80 Reply 22, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3313 times:
Quoting TheCommodore (Reply 20): They have to be the ugliest cars ever built, what is it with those front grills, are they trying to catch something ???
Quoting L-188 (Reply 19): Crysler is a dying brand. About the only thing holding it together is it's truck line, because of the Cumins engine. But that has lost a lot of ground over the decade to the Powerstroke engine put in Fords.
Chrysler has some of the best looking vehicles on the market. That's what's keeping them together. They have had problems with reliability in the past and some of their smaller cars aren't that great. There 300C, Charger and Challenger are some beautiful machines!
Very fast & reliable too.
Their trucks aren't as popular as they used to be. The 1994-2001 Rams were fantastic.
flanker From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 1609 posts, RR: 2 Reply 23, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 3275 times:
Man that jeep is so ugly. When are they going to learn to put round wheel wells. How can you have round wheels and square wheel wells? WTF!!!
Totally kills the car.
Calling an illegal alien an 'undocumented immigrant' is like calling a drug dealer an unlicensed pharmacist
RayChuang From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 7695 posts, RR: 5 Reply 24, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 3231 times:
I hope that when the Fiat 500 arrives they include a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) so it can switch between manual and automatic shifts. Maybe Fiat can use the new dry-clutch Powershift DCT Ford will use on the new Fiesta?
25 LOT767-300ER: The GC 3.0CRD was sold in the USA for 2.5 years. 2007 VINed as 2008 models, 2008 and 2009. Im not a fan of the rear of the new GC, and the front does
26 BMI727: Absolutely true. Abarth may be a different story. For the record, here are other cars that result in automatic revocation of man status. 1. Mazda Mia
27 PHLBOS: IMHO, the Fiat 500 would more likely compete w/the Smartfortwo. Unless it's being used as a golf cart.
28 comorin: Ha ha! Other cars that should be in BMI727's Fem-Car list: 1. Mercedes CLK 2. Toyota Corolla 3. Hummer H2 4. Chevy Camaro/Pontiac Firebird 5. Lexii l
29 BMI727: AMG gets a pass. Bonus man points for driving the DTM or Black Edition. That is okay if and only if it has dirt on it. I also feel compelled to add V
30 flanker: I love GC's too. The aesthetics of it kills me though!
31 WildcatYXU: What should be on your list at the first place: Any car with less than 3 pedals
32 janmnastami: This is the Ford Fusion's European version: http://www.allaguida.it/img/_ford-fusion-01cbig.jpg With regard to FIAT's models bigger than the 500, here
33 ken777: I'd take off the Miata. My father drove a TR-3 and the only affordable way I could do the same is with a Miata. Probably a used one with the medical
34 L-188: Replace the Samuri (Especially if has been modified with large tires and a winch) and the Miata. Sub-in the VW Rabbit/Golf convertables, and the PT C
35 BMI727: I will grant a special exception to Miatas that have a roll cage. Good call, but I'll allow the R32. Nobody, male or female, should drive a PT Cruise
36 L-188: Can't do it, they where a very popular chick car in the late 1980's. Too bad they never sold the VW Country in the US.
37 f.pier: I think 500 is quite beautiful and I also know it's very reliable.
38 PHLBOS: Assuming that the age bracket in your profile is true and current. Just wait a few years when you're either living on your own (and have various livi
39 LOT767-300ER: How is a F-Body a womans car? and the new Camaro? And H2 is not a womans car. It might be stupid and unpractical but definately doesnt deserve to be
40 PHLBOS: Maybe comorin's only seen the Camaro Berlinetta model. If comorin's age profile is true and current; maybe he's having a senior moment w/his listings
41 Superfly: I have to agree with Comorin and BMI727 on this. The H2 is popular with the spoiled suburban gals. However, it could be a man's vehicle if it has dir
42 srbmod: The 2011 Jeep Cherokee is rumored to have a Diesel option (A 3 liter turbo Diesel sourced from M-B.), but it looks like it may not be available in th
43 LOT767-300ER: I wouldnt say that. I am best friends with a friend (his dad owns Cielos Del Peru/Centurion Cargo) who drove a first year (03) H2 and we always went
44 Superfly: Read post #41. Cool. He is an exception to the rule.
45 LOT767-300ER: The diesel was already dropped for the 2010 model year as it was intended to test the market, which it did and it wasnt the greatest hit in the world
46 BMI727: I understand that, but if you are going to buy a car like that you can't just go halfway. If you want a Mustang, don't go with the rental spec. Were
47 N328KF: This vehicle is well-respected by autocrossers everywhere. That's a demographic that is almost entirely XY. The Renault Espace (this is the Espace F1
48 PHLBOS: True, to some degree; especially when one saw either Kate Jackson, Jacklyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett-Majors and/or Cheryl Ladd driving one every weeknigh
49 Superfly: Whoa! I strongly disagree there. Convertibles are awesome! I wish Lincoln had convertibles in the late 1970s. A guy down the street has a 1963 Buick
50 comorin: Hey, I'm younger than Keith Richards and Richard Gere, I'll have you know! The Camaro in my paleolithic times was the ultimate hot-chick car, the one
51 PHLBOS: If by Charlie, you're referring to Charlie's Angels; those weren't Camaros but rather Mustang IIs. Please elaborate/clarify. On some models, he's spo
52 comorin: 'Charlie" was a perfume by Revlon back in the day for daring, independent girls. Video speaks louder than words - welcome to the 70's! http://www.you
53 PHLBOS: Post totally re-edited: I finally had a chance to click on your video link. That wasn't Farrah Fawcett but rather Shelley Hack (who would replace Kate
54 474218: I think you should do a little research on the "Powerstroke" engine. Ford has dropped them. International Harvester (the manufacture of the "Powerstr
55 PHLBOS: In the 1979 movie Breaking Away, there's a scene where a late-70s Lincoln Town Coupe convertible (obviously an after-market conversion) is shown coas
56 LOT767-300ER: Navistar makes the Powerstroke. The old International Harvester name brand was sold to Tenneco a long time ago and actually has zilch to do with Powe
57 Superfly: I'll check that out. If it's cordovan (burgundy), then I've seen it before when I lived down in Pasadena, Ca.
58 comorin: Hi There - I think you may have misunderstood my post: 1. Sassy girls in the 70's drove Camaros - I have to pull the age card on you on that one - I
59 PHLBOS: The one in the movie was light grey w/grey interior. IIRC, the movie was filmed in either Indiana or Illinois.
60 474218: Navistar has a division called International Trucks that builds the Powerstroke for Ford. So I was half right.
61 mirrodie: Wow. I havent seen him in years. I recall one Christmas eve in the early 90s, he and I raced home in an Audi wagon to pick up something and scurry ba
62 BMI727: Hence why I said: I didn't mean all convertibles, just 3 Series convertibles. They are cars purchased by men (or their alimony payments) and driven b
63 MIAspotter: Wow the new Grand Cherokee looks really nice! hopefully this will be the return of clean design lines to American cars, because lately they all look l
64 LOT767-300ER: Yes..I know. But when they sue they sue Navistar not old Tenneco/IH. Nope, now youve just get to relive my nightmare everyday. Go-karts everywhere and
65 MIAspotter: Hey! we DO have cars, and pretty darn good ones! Anyways, we in Europe are more or less constricted to drive small cars because as you know, our road
66 ken777: That's what people call my waistline. Sorry, but those prices remind me of the McMansion mentality that blew home prices out of the market. No wonder
67 JJJ: The renault espace predates chrysler MPVs. Heh, I own two cars on that list. One is a great drive and probably best bang-for-buck roadster ever, love
68 asuflyer05: I know there's a certain stigma to owning a Miata, but the car is an absolute blast to drive. It is everything an enthusiast could want in a car, ligh
69 Superfly: I've driven one the taramac of an abandoned air/naval base in Alameda, Ca. Occasionally, a car brand will host an event and give the public the oppor
70 JL418: I had the chance to speak with some young engineers involved in automotive, at Fiat as elsewhere, and I had the chance to get some news on Fiat's cars
71 LOT767-300ER: Uhh no. And wasnt the Espace designed by guys in Chrysler's European division that was sold eventually to Renault?
72 comorin: I'll give you a hint - seat belts weren't mandatory in those days
73 PHLBOS: In all fairness, I probably did. However, in my defense, when someone posts a YouTube video while mentioning 3 period references (the Charlie perfume
74 Superfly: Point taken. Check out this old thread I started about 'chick car' that I think are still cool. Cool 'Chick Cars'. (Lot's Of Photos) (by Superfly Aug
75 cptkrell: OK; I'm going to set the record straight on a couple of comments in this thread...then I'm going to try to sack out. #1: The F-body Camaros (not the b
76 stasisLAX: Indeed. Even back in the 1970's, Pontiac marketed Firebirds to the female demographic quite well. A young lady that worked with my Mother in the late
77 JJJ: Nope. It was designed by Matra to be sold as a Talbot. The former Chrysler European company was Simca. And Chryslet beat Renault to market launch, bu
78 ken777: And ya did a good job of it - thanks! Odd point here. When I was growing up buying a car was a "guy thing". Guys worked and brought home the bacon an
79 Aesma: In fact it is much smaller than all of those. 50cm smaller, on such a small car it's a big difference. It means there is no trunk and the rear seats
80 ken777: I believe that they lost their best chance when they walked away from the Pensky/Saturn deal. Lots of dealers were ready to give it all they could an
81 LOT767-300ER: The Espace's design was originally conceived in the 1970s by the British designer, Fergus Pollock, (at around the same time as Giorgetto Giugiaro's 19
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