Article Comments - 2008 Fiat 500 First Drive

16 messages, Last post on Apr 01, 2009 at 6:37 PM

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What is this discussion about? Automotive News, Coupe

Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Fiat 500 - By resurrecting the 500, Fiat is attempting to relive one of the most successful periods in its history. Some 3,702,078 examples of the Cinquecento were produced between 1957 and 1975, and it is very much regarded as an automotive icon in Italy. Such is its enduring charm that the 500 still forms part of the Italian landscape, even three decades after it ceased production. (more)

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#7 of 16 Nice! by bancho Jul 26, 2007 (3:27 pm)
We need more cool small cars like this in the US. I seriously hope Fiat sends some over. This looks like it would be a blast to drive around. I'd like one with the diesel for my commute please.
#8 of 16 Have Vespa, need Fiat by smallncool Jan 08, 2008 (10:26 am)
Bring the 500 to the States. Please. Small, tight, fun, economical, nice looker, quality craftsmanship. Look how many Minis are here and they're heavier and more expensive presumably. I'd want the diesel but any engine would work.
#9 of 16 Edmunds disses Fiats! by yankeetwo Jan 20, 2009 (12:13 pm)
I just read this article, and wanted to write a comment, so I had to sign up. I did that, but when I tried to return to the review, I couldn't! Edmunds does not include Fiat in their drop down search menus! And they don't provide an open field to enter independent search terms (not in most places, anyway). Just because they are not available in the US (yet) is no reason not to include them in the search lists, as we are certainly interested in them. This is especially true, given that Edmunds has in fact done a review on this beautiful tiny car! I FINALLY re-found this article, but had to use Google to search for it. What I wanted to say is: My only problem with the NEW 500 is that it appears to be much more complex than the original, and therefore must be much more difficult and expensive to maintain. Otherwise, I have to admit it is beautiful! One of the TRUE virtues of the best small cars has, historically, to be their simplicity and economy. It is even more of a delight to drive a mini(mum) car that not only works extremely well, but that also is easy on the wallet. I'd much prefer a tiny car with SIMPLE parts, that are inexpensive to make and buy, and easy to install. I really don't want to pay for and use special, unique parts the only "advantage" of which must be that they are different. When I compare the new and old 500s, Minis, and VWs, for example, that quality seems to have been lost. The originals were not only reliable, durable, beautiful and highly functional, but they were also cheap to buy and keep, The new versions of these automobiles have, in particular, lost that final quality. Give me simple metal dashboards, instruments, steering wheels, body and interior parts, engine and manual transmissions! To me, the earlier versions were far better "People's" cars than their successors, were even more beautiful, in my eyes, just as much if not more fun to drive, and doubtlessly much cheaper to build, buy, use and keep. Please, build us more of those! In the mean time, I'LL be looking for copies of the earlier cars to satisfy my need for a tiny, high-mileage car.
#10 of 16 Chrysler Allies with Fiat by claires HOST Jan 21, 2009 (11:36 pm)
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1c3a1d
#11 of 16 500 by antbru1 Jan 29, 2009 (3:36 am)
I don't know guys, I live in London and you see the 500 going down the road and all you notice is how ruff and bumpy they drive. I have a friend who owns one and he said he can't take his mother in the car because she gets muscle spasms in her back.
#12 of 16 Cute but not safe by benboy73 Jan 29, 2009 (4:33 am)
I live in Germany, where the Fiat 500 is a common sight. It is cute, gets excellent fuel economy, and girls love it. But when these little things smack head-on with a big Mercedes, Audi, or BMW, they lose pretty bad. I can't even imagine what a big 18-wheeler would do to it.
#13 of 16 by HassanK Jan 29, 2009 (10:48 am)
See... Retro styling CAN be done right!
#14 of 16 Does size matter? by dino6 Jan 29, 2009 (12:52 pm)
Obviously, there are enough Americans out there driving Minis and now Smarts, or even Fits and Yarises, that the fear factor of being smacked by a bigger vehicle is not enough to deter people who like the fuel economy, handling, looks, etc. of smaller cars. Besides if you carry the logic of bigger is better, everyone would be driving Suburbans once again just to protect themselves. Or not even get out of bed in the morning because the world is just too dangerous. This would be a welcome addition to the American market. How big will its market be will depend more on the reliability and quality of the car more than any factor since most Americans have a justifiably poor impression of Italian build quality from past experience. Followed by how clever the marketing is because Mini certainly wins the "clever" marketing award. Distribution and service will be less of a problem if Chrysler dealers start selling Fiat group cars.
#15 of 16 europe speciality by dyzio Jan 31, 2009 (5:59 am)
I love big guzzlers like mustang and challenger but..but this is sweet little car, is prove that small can be beautifull, it has great interior and Abarth version is a killer ! all the cars should have so much character as this, out MOTO-world would be more interesting.. some producers do it, look at VW - passat CC and scirocco great cars !
#16 of 16 A new Dodge in your future? by dragon3 Apr 01, 2009 (6:37 pm)
Hey, I'm surprise no one posted anymore comments about this car. With the ever hopeful realization that Chrysler will be saved by Fiat, can't you imagine going down to your local Dodge/Chrysler dealer and looking at the "all new" Dodge small car? I would get one right away! Sure would get better gas mileage then my Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4X4 hemi. Can use this for my daily driver.