Most liked posts in thread: Fiat 500 Sales Behind Expectations?

I guess I may be in the minority here. Personally I like them, enough to buy one you might ask, well no. They are nice little transport pods & for every one I see on the road I figure there is one less gas hog SUV clogging the left lane. I am seeing more on the roads around here & for me that's a good thing.

Stories of new Fiat's sitting in dealers service departments does not surprise me at all. I think we've heard MINI stories like that too. Fiat has not learned much in the 20 or so years they have been away. In the past their dealer network & service was atrocious. They seem to be heading down the same path now. My guess is that Chrysler sees them as a pain in the arse not their savior.

 

Haven't seen that commercial, but I do not watch much TV.

 

Here ya go...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVeSL1AMc5k]Cut Down of Jlo's Papi Music Video featuring FIAT - YouTube[/ame]

 

This youngish fart thinks its stupid as well :cornut:

 

Here's the actual Papi music video. From what I understand, Fiat paid for product placement, then created an ad out of bits and pieces from the music video. Apparently the Papi video is popular and well known (nearly 12 million views on YouTube atm) and those who know the video will 'get' the Fiat ad, but maybe not so much for the demographics of MINI owners.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XbIuSLaCnk]Jennifer Lopez - Papi - YouTube[/ame]

 

Thats not a music video, it's a vehicle for product placement.

 

Aren't they all?

 

In a way, I can see where the person was coming from, although they could have phrased if differently. You are correct, a Fiat is NOT a MINI in so many ways, but it is a small, retro type car, that is trying to make a come back. I look at the MINI, the VW Bug and the Fiat as being, loosely, in the same category. If you look at it from the "which one is better" viewpoint, clearly MINI is on top, but I like the Bug and the Fiat, even though I don't feel the need to own one. Over time, who knows, I would like to see them succeed.

Jim

 

Welp..... There is always the Smart car.....ugh....

 

And that is a retro remake of what exactly?

Jim

 

Good point. :lol::lol:

Jim

 

Thanks Jim

 

Or that could be because;

You can't even find any remnants of the original Fiat 500’s in the oldest of junk/scrap yards because they evaporated into rust before they could be crushed. They’re more of an urban legend here than the car that once held up traffic and stranded their owners along side the road in the USA.

 

Actually, I saw one this summer over in Hunt Valley. My wife saw it and asked what it was, so we walked over to take a look. Minor work done to it and it still looked very serviceable.

Jim

 

From the sounds of it, serviceable is a key phrase with the old and new alike...

 

You have to admit they were not much of a car then and I can't remember when I last saw one on the street. They are as rare as SIMCA's (Société Industrielle de Mécanique et de Carrosserie Automobile). Been to the historic car races at Zandvoort, Holland, watched the Fiat Abarth’s race, now that was a scene.
A friend has a 124 sitting inside a garage actively rusting away, they had rust in their genes.
Came close to owning a Fiat X1/9 but never gave the 500 a thought.

 

The 500 has been nominated for 2012 North American Car Of The Year

 

As has been said here before, the 500 was just an "everyday car". When I was stationed in Italy (1976'ish) they were every where you looked. Lots of GI's had them, including me. I believe the original Mini had its share of rust and service problems as well, but back then, all cars did. I'm not saying it was a "hot car" by any means, because it was not, but the US of A has always been in love with "big power". I read some articles about the MINI, when it first came out and the first thing they all as said was "under powered". Just food for thought, had John Cooper not built the "S" and the new Justa (no JCW, no S) was all there is, would you own a MINI now?

Jim

 

Probably not....
But then I'd own another car still saying I didn't like the new Fiat :lol::lol::lol:

 

To each his own, but....what idiot did the nominating and how much did he get paid?