I heard the news that the supreme court cleared the way for the sale of Chrysler to Fiat.
I grew up with Fiat 600 and 127. But my favourite was FIAT 131.
I need to find miniature models atleast.
I actually saw a FIAT 600 in Cleveland about 3 years ago and the guy drove away before I could soak in the memories of that car.
What do you think of FIAT possibly coming to the U.S. Market ?
Could very well be the best thing that happened to Chrysler, as they have needed a variety of quality small cars for years.
I was thinking about buying a cooper, but I'm going to wait to see what Fiat has to offer.
FIAT has a bad reputation in the USA based on models made 30 years ago. They have totally turned around their QA, leaned out their management and they are making some great cars. We had a Punto diesel while in Italy 2 years ago, and it drove like a champ -- I think we clocked about 65 mpg on the autostradas.
Fiat also owns Alfa, which was already poised to make a comeback in the USA with some of their mid range models.
I won't comment on the entire deal as there is plenty that stinks about it, but I have no problem with Fiat owning Chrysler in principle.
Interestingly, Chrysler's Jeep Liberty diesel engine was made by VM Motori, who also makes engines for Fiat. Might see a return of some diesels in that lineup.
Which would be an interesting circle since VM Motori briefly owned Ducati in the early 60s.
I wouldn't mind a Fiat Abarth 500 SS
(http://www.automotoconso.com/leblog/IMG/infos6/fiat-500-abarth-ss.jpg)
If it will allow me to buy an Alfa Mito sooner I'm all for it. [thumbsup]
Actually, I'm for it anyway....I'd take a 500 in place of a Mito....
Variety and real choice is good, and for 98% of the Chrysler line-up this year, none were even on my long list to look at, so IMO, it is a good thing.
mitt
also, if chrysler badged fiats start selling in the US, then napa will stock fiat parts......
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 10, 2009, 04:47:33 PM
FIAT has a bad reputation in the USA based on models made 30 years ago. They have totally turned around their QA, leaned out their management and they are making some great cars. We had a Punto diesel while in Italy 2 years ago, and it drove like a champ -- I think we clocked about 65 mpg on the autostradas.
<snip>
Was it the cars or the lack of a real service network here 30 years ago?
or the cars' NEED for a real service network but none existed?
Quote from: DesmoDiva on June 10, 2009, 06:44:54 PM
If it will allow me to buy an Alfa Mito sooner I'm all for it. [thumbsup]
Those Mito's are so cool! Little 8C go carts...
I really like Brera, but I would imagine they would be pricey.
At least you people in the US will now get some sporty small cars with italian style ;D [thumbsup]
Personally, I think this is good thing for Chrysler. I'm just not too impressed with how it happened. Talking to you fed.gov. This could also end up as a good thing for me too, because like others here, I want a Mito. Preferably a Mito GTA if they ever bring it over here.
Quote from: redxblack on June 10, 2009, 10:11:19 PM
or the cars' NEED for a real service network but none existed?
I think this is more accurate.
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 10, 2009, 04:47:33 PM
FIAT has a bad reputation in the USA based on models made 30 years ago. They have totally turned around their QA, leaned out their management and they are making some great cars. We had a Punto diesel while in Italy 2 years ago, and it drove like a champ -- I think we clocked about 65 mpg on the autostradas.
Fiat also owns Alfa, which was already poised to make a comeback in the USA with some of their mid range models.
I agree with 'tizzzz -- it would be neat to see some of Fiat's cars show up here in the States, but there is definitely negative connotations to the Fiat brand itself. Alfas will likely get a better reception from US buyers.
We rented an Alfa 147 diesel when we were in Italy in March. Even though it had been in the rental fleet for awhile, it drove well and gave us awesome fuel economy. I like Alfa's styling touches, too. [thumbsup]
Rossi gets a Hemi
Quote from: ducpainter on June 10, 2009, 08:54:18 PM
Was it the cars or the lack of a real service network here 30 years ago?
both.. Check out the QA on Ducatis in the 70s. It would be charitable to say it was "shit." Beautiful design, great engine, not so great execution.
FIAT had the same problems, plus they didn't start using galvanized steel in their car bodies until the late 70s (I want to say 81 or so???) .. Stories I heard was they also couldn't get parts suppliers to produce sufficiently identical items for a given run of parts even -- this was before ISO 900x certification, I guess!
Lackadaisical Mediterranean assembly + inferior parts + rust prone body.. you get the idea.
I'd love to se some Alfa Romeos make it to the US. The Mito, Brera, and Spider are all cool. [thumbsup] The 8c also looks like it may be cool, but their website sucks ass and I'm tired of dealing with it to get to better pics. :P
The Fiat models don't really do it for me. The Grande Punto 3 door liiks kinda cool, but I'd probably get a Subaru or an A3 instead if I was looking for a car somewhat similar to that.
does that mean I can put a Ferrari horse on my Wrangler ...? ;D
i dont think we are going to see "fiats" here....
just a whole bunch of new, small "chryslers"
I don't care how it's badged as long as it's quality. It's kind of like the "Buy American" campaign. I could get a GM made in Mexico or a Subaru made in Indiana. Which is American?
Quote from: herm on June 11, 2009, 11:13:16 AM
i dont think we are going to see "fiats" here....
just a whole bunch of new, small "chryslers"
I've read it's probably gonna be a bit of both.
the Fiat 500 is really cool. I saw one at the Baltimore concourse last year. They are sold in Mexico. Also, the Ford ka and Fiat 500 share the same platform and engine. I wonder how that will work?
Quote from: desmo_drum on June 11, 2009, 11:58:32 AM
the Fiat 500 is really cool.
8) [thumbsup]
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/51/186659328_c058cff2cb.jpg?v=0)
I am assuming they have been updated a bit.
just a tad
(http://image.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/fiat_500.jpg)
(http://www.fiatcars.com.au/images/Gallery/Punto/5-door-Punto.jpg)
looks a lot like another car i have seen before........cant quite place it.
As long as I can still get parts for my Dakota, it's all fine by me. :)
Quote from: desmo_drum on June 11, 2009, 11:58:32 AM
the Fiat 500 is really cool. I saw one at the Baltimore concourse last year. They are sold in Mexico. Also, the Ford ka and Fiat 500 share the same platform and engine. I wonder how that will work?
IF they bring the new 500 to the states, it will work just fine. Plenty of manufacturers buy frames (rollling chassis) from each other.. Ford still uses the Mazda B truck for the Ranger, etc
Also, the Ka is not sold in the USA.
THe old 500 is cooler. That 2-cylinder engine is the funkiest I've ever seen an "I2".. rofl
From what I read / heard, Fiat is only buying into Chrysler. I think like around 30% ownership. I think the Automaker's union (or whatever their official title is) is majority owner of Chrysler, like 55% or so.
Quote from: redxblack on June 10, 2009, 04:08:35 PM
I was thinking about buying a cooper, but I'm going to wait to see what Fiat has to offer.
If im not mistaken, the new Fiat 500 was designed by the fellow who initially designed the new Coopers..
If your thinking about picking up a cooper, i definitely can't recommend against it.
Get the S model, you will regret not getting it if you skimp out :/
My lady has a Pepper-White 2007 S model, with the agitronic automatic transmission. It is more fun to drive than anything i've ever been in. First 3 years of maintenance are free too :) everything but tires are covered.. .even wiper blades!
/end sales pitch
Quote from: Agir on June 11, 2009, 09:59:53 AM
does that mean I can put a Ferrari horse on my Wrangler ...? ;D
Already saw one in Las Cruces, NM a few years back. Wish I still had the picture of it.
Well I finally got to rent fiat 500 in L.A this weekend and drive it like I stile it. I loved it. Parking it in tight places was so so so convenient. Sport setting was sweet. I got to look up specs on it. Wonder what the sipped up one is like... Will post pics.
Quote from: ab on July 17, 2011, 11:32:31 PM
Well I finally got to rent fiat 500 in L.A this weekend and drive it like I stile it. I loved it. Parking it in tight places was so so so convenient. Sport setting was sweet. I got to look up specs on it. Wonder what the sipped up one is like... Will post pics.
Nice [thumbsup] Let us know what that sipped up one is like. :D
I saw one on the interstate coming home from my last ride. Good looking little car!
JM
They look like a Nissan Micra to me.
It would have been more interesting of they made it rear engined...
My random thoughts spilled on the pages of the DMF:
Having been a victim of Italian cars, I'll try to wait on throwing in my 2 cents.
But the cuts from that relationship were too deep and even over 20 years later it's hard for me to forget. We, the American people, don't forget. Toyota's have treated us well. Even with the risk of a stuck throttle we'll still buy them. I don't care what news comes out about the Camry, we love them. They're almost a family pet to some and Fido won't let the family down.
Owning an Alfa is like falling in love with a chemically imbalanced psycho red head stripper. The car always had a laundry list of issues to attend to but when you fired up that V6 everything was forgiven. [bang] That stripper could drain your wallet, leave you on the side of the road at 2 a.m. and all she would have to do is get in your pants and all is forgiven.
That soul that car came with might be exactly what Chrysler needs?
Is Chrysler too far gone? Did Fiat buy a pig in a pock hoping to get into the American market? My father worked for a company that made electronic parts for Chrysler. (I think is was their way of say "we buy American".) Chrysler came to them and put to the screws to them to lower their prices. They lowered their prices for the parts. So the company had to lower their expenses. What's a companies biggest expense? Payroll! They let go all their senior engineers and staff. The company couldn't make parts that would pass QC but Chrysler used them anyway.
My Italian relatives are very surprised at how much more reliable Fiat has become.
When I finally broke that relationship with that psycho read head Alfa I bought a Nisan Pathfinder. I had it for nine low maintenance years and I would still have it if it wasn't for our family needs changing.
I wish both Chrysler and Fiat luck. Small, efficient, RELIABLE and desirable cars is exactly what we need. Fingers crossed.
The first bump in the road I'll be the first to jump up and down. Every ex-fiat/alfa owner has earned the right.
Fiat 500:
(http://www.carpages.co.uk/fiat/fiat-images/fiat-500-16-04-08.jpg)
Nissan Micra:
(http://images.nitrobahn.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/nissan-micra_100306487_m.jpg)
not so much I guess, but definitely variations on the same theme
Quote from: kopfjäger on July 17, 2011, 11:36:10 PM
Nice [thumbsup] Let us know what that sipped up one is like. :D
Lol blame the iPhone auto corrector - sipping n driving, not cool! :-)
Wonder what the abrath is like? In general, I like the one I rode, wish it was manual. Hate the manual I rode without clutch pedal. When sport button engaged, you will every turn sways etc. Fun fun car for my 3 day rental. Parking in pasedena, I got to squeeze her in easily. Lots of curious looks.
Loaded her up with stuff from grocery depot and it was funny the looks I got with fully grocery for a party. Lol
Fiat - my past experience when I was a kid was great. I don't remember it being a nightmare for maintenance for my parents, but then I didn't grow up in USA and fiat was common but alpha Romeo was rare.
Hope this lil car succeeds. N yes the rear engine wad cooler instead of what it is now.
Jeez can't wait until we see the Renault Dauphine resurface next...
now that would be a whole different class of turd
floating to the surface in the cesspool of junk machinery
So anyone drive the fiat abrath yet? I see some company in Germany got a kit to make that thing 200hp.
I'd like to give one a ride
FIAT 500 Abarth -- Seduction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cpi2IAec9Ho#)
Quote from: Vindingo on December 04, 2011, 07:26:02 AM
I'd like to give one a ride
and maybe test drive the car afterwards. [cheeky]
Quote from: Goat_Herder on December 04, 2011, 10:02:35 AM
and maybe test drive the car afterwards. [cheeky]
Car? What car?
Quote from: Vindingo on December 04, 2011, 07:26:02 AM
I'd like to give one a ride
FIAT 500 Abarth -- Seduction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cpi2IAec9Ho#)
What did I tell you? That car is a like a chemically imbalanced psycho red head stripper. Fiat doesn't even try to hide it. They advertise it as chemically imbalanced psycho
red head brunette
stripper model. Don't take her home! Before you know it she's taken over the apartment, you've lost your job, your friends hate you, you're broke and you're on the DMF asking for advice, etc......
Quote from: The Architect on December 04, 2011, 11:04:25 AM
you're broke and you're on the DMF asking for advice, etc......
But with over 9,300 members, if each one gave just $10.00...
I thought I posted this back in March, but maybe not. I test drove a 500 sport and liked it pretty well, but it had a MASSIVE driver's side blind spot. The visibility in the car was shockingly bad. But driving a new car is usually pleasant. I'd like to test drive one with 60k + mi on it to see how they drive after they've been around a while.
I ended up buying the cooper. I'm not at all regretting it.
Quote from: redxblack on December 04, 2011, 12:04:55 PM
I ended up buying the cooper. I'm not at all regretting it.
wearing the goatee and turtleneck full time?
it's the six speed S model, so the only real change is I'm often wearing a huge grin.
for the love of mike, please remove the "t" from "Chrysler" in the title of this thread...
Mike??
Quote from: ducatiz on June 11, 2009, 09:38:20 AM
both.. Check out the QA on Ducatis in the 70s. It would be charitable to say it was "shit." Beautiful design, great engine, not so great execution.
FIAT had the same problems, plus they didn't start using galvanized steel in their car bodies until the late 70s (I want to say 81 or so???) .. Stories I heard was they also couldn't get parts suppliers to produce sufficiently identical items for a given run of parts even -- this was before ISO 900x certification, I guess!
Lackadaisical Mediterranean assembly + inferior parts + rust prone body.. you get the idea.
What do you mean "lackadasical mediterranean assembly"?
I'm currently having an extended lunch of souvlaki in the sunshine.. [laugh]
Quote from: ducatiz on December 04, 2011, 04:02:35 PM
for the love of mike, please remove the "t" from "Chrysler" in the title of this thread...
Maybe it's a religious thing. Like Jew-guar or Muslim-rati. ;D
I brought my gf's 500 Sport into work today.
I still like the thing, quite a lot.
Gets way better gas mileage than any of our other cars (way, way better than my RX-8).
Fun to drive, even in the snow. Plenty of that in the past couple of days, and snow tires makes the car into a road gripping beast.
Way bigger feeling on the inside, compared to how you think it looks on the outside.
Car is taller than just about anything else in its price range.
Plus, dealers are starting to blow them out for cheaper, now that they realized that there's no way in heck they are selling 50k of them a year.
BC.
Quote from: Bladecutter on December 06, 2011, 12:41:42 PM
Plus, dealers are starting to blow them out for cheaper, now that they realized that there's no way in heck they are selling 50k of them a year.
And thus ends Fiat's grandiose resurgence in the United States...
http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Alfa_Giulietta_Coming_Stateside_as_Dodge_Dart.html (http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Alfa_Giulietta_Coming_Stateside_as_Dodge_Dart.html)
Quote from: zooom on December 06, 2011, 12:48:59 PM
http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Alfa_Giulietta_Coming_Stateside_as_Dodge_Dart.html (http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Alfa_Giulietta_Coming_Stateside_as_Dodge_Dart.html)
That's either brilliant or stupid.
I wouldn't have it as a Dodge tho. No thanks.
Part of what I like about the current Fiat look is the front grille. The dodge grille nowadays? meh.
Man i hope they make the dodge demon.. im opposite, i love my big open dodge grill..
Quote from: cokey on December 06, 2011, 05:21:42 PM
Man i hope they make the dodge demon.. im opposite, i love my big open dodge grill..
SRT-4 drivetrain perhaps?
Quote from: ducatiz on December 06, 2011, 12:53:48 PM
That's either brilliant or stupid.
I wouldn't have it as a Dodge tho. No thanks.
Part of what I like about the current Fiat look is the front grille. The dodge grille nowadays? meh.
Have no fear, Chrysler will find a way to turn it into a Dodge Dart. A touch of not so hot fit and finish, smaller brakes and suspension from Sears Roebuck should do it. Oh, a cheesy grill to [thumbsup]
And why the Dart name?
QuoteDrivers can select from a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo engine, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir four cylinder engine. These three engines, combined with three transmission choices, combine to redefine performance by providing the most diverse powertrain lineup in its class.
Quote from: ducatiz on December 07, 2011, 05:17:33 AM
And why the Dart name?
Nostalgia? I can't wait for the return of the DeSoto. Perhaps it will come with paddle shift operated Fluid Drive.
Quote from: howie on December 07, 2011, 05:50:43 AM
Nostalgia? I can't wait for the return of the DeSoto. Perhaps it will come with paddle shift operated Fluid Drive.
lol maybe they'll resurrect the Turbine too
wiki:
QuoteThe fourth-generation Chrysler turbine engine ran at up to 44,500 revolutions per minute, according to the owner's manual,[1] and could operate using diesel fuel, unleaded gasoline, kerosene, JP-4 jet fuel, and even vegetable oil. The engine would run on virtually anything with combustible properties and the President of Mexico tested this theory by running one of the first cars—successfully—on tequila. Air/fuel adjustments were required to switch from one fuel type to another and the only evidence of which fuel was used was the odor of the exhaust.
My experience with Chrysler was a 300M that I had for about two years. Over all I thought it was a pretty good car. It seemed to have some Mercedes engineering. In fact I thought it was like a very cheap Mercedes. The interior had just about everything you could expect for a car that year. The door panels and some of the plastic were a little thin though. I wouldn't mind owning another Chrysler. If they could make the interior just a little nicer they could be great cars.
(http://www.allpar.com/images/chrysler/300M/300M.jpg)
Quote from: zooom on December 06, 2011, 12:48:59 PM
http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Alfa_Giulietta_Coming_Stateside_as_Dodge_Dart.html (http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Alfa_Giulietta_Coming_Stateside_as_Dodge_Dart.html)
Worst news of Alfa's return EVER!
Everything that makes the car even remotely desirable will be gone. The skin, especially the grille and headlights is what makes the car sexy. I have always liked Alfa interiors also...
-1 for the Dodge Dart. I guess this car will be as much a Fiat/Alfa as a Saab 9000 was.
I disagree.
I think if we wait and see what style cues are changed, it will be things to Americanize the car so it will sell here. Most Americans dont like European styling as much as people on this site. Only recently have we seen such an influx of cars that look like something from Europe.
Americans like their cars big and with a big engine. We see it every year...when gas goes up, everyone wants a small car, when gas drops, its back to the SUVs.
Its like motorcycles. What are the big sellers, either a boxy big engine cruiser, or a cookie cutter yamhonsuzkaw.
looks like sales weren't what they were expecting.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-worst-product-flops-of-2011.html (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-worst-product-flops-of-2011.html)
The volt isn't doing so well either.
The Volt is a piece of crap.
Quote from: howie on December 07, 2011, 05:50:43 AM
Nostalgia? I can't wait for the return of the DeSoto. Perhaps it will come with paddle shift operated Fluid Drive.
Or the push-buttons on the dashboard!!!!
Quote from: The Architect on December 28, 2011, 11:24:59 AM
looks like sales weren't what they were expecting.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-worst-product-flops-of-2011.html (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-worst-product-flops-of-2011.html)
The volt isn't doing so well either.
I think the price of the Fiat is killing it as much as anything
Legacy Italian/Brand reliability notoriety at German prices is not a success formula
Quote from: RAT900 on December 28, 2011, 12:06:35 PM
Or the push-buttons on the dashboard!!!!
Is it acceptable when Jaguar does it?
(http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/autopia/images/2007/09/11/xfdrive2_2.jpg)
Quote from: ducatiz on December 28, 2011, 11:37:26 AM
The Volt is an expensive piece of crap.
for a brand that has a customer base that expect to pay a lower price for a known inferior product, it was not the correct price point for where it was situated in the marketplace...perhaps if it was badged as a Caddy, it might have made more sense in where it sat price wise...
Quote from: zooom on December 28, 2011, 12:31:12 PM
for a brand that has a customer base that expect to pay a lower price for a known inferior product, it was not the correct price point for where it was situated in the marketplace...perhaps if it was badged as a Caddy, it might have made more sense in where it sat price wise...
I know this is not the volt thread............
The volt sure did change from the original concept.
(http://reviews.carreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/chevy_volt_concept_3_med1.jpg)
If I remember correctly, it was estimated to cost in the $24K range?
1956 Chrysler Push Button Powerflite Transmission (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAslCTRwsPk#)
to hell with this Fiat/Chrysler crap...gimmee a brand new 1974 Dodge Dart with the slant 6 225 in it!
Quote from: zooom on December 28, 2011, 01:23:47 PM
to hell with this Fiat/Chrysler crap...gimmee a brand new 1974 Dodge Dart with the slant 6 225 in it!
wish I still had my 66 Belvedere with the 383...uglier than sin but that sucker had torque that could pull tree-stumps
It's all about price points. You cn easily price yourself outside the market by counting on the same people that stand in line to buy the latest iPhone, even though they currently own practically the same thing.
I took a look at the fiat use web site, but I don't see any price info on abrath ? So which model is the abrath with 160hp ? and $?
Price hasn't been officially released, shortly after the new year, but the really well informed people have had it told to them that the base 160 hp Abarth is going to start at $22,500.
Later in 2012, there will be a Sport Turbo, that will be ~130 hp, and that one will start at $19,500.
BC.
It really does show how dumb people are.
Front wheel drive car.. 160hp? why?
The original 500 had a 2 cylinder, 479cc engine and a whopping 13hp. They would get around 3L/100km, which is over 65mpg.
Seems to me the whole point of a miniature front-wheel drive car isn't to have good performance like a sports car, it's to have decent cheap gas mileage.
If they had come out with a new 500 that did that, I would have bought one, but really, it's just more of the same useless shit...
Give me a 1.0L class mini car that gets over 60 mpg averaged, and keep it around 10k and I'll buy one as a commuter car.
Make YET ANOTHER mini car that gets crap gas mileage and really doesn't distinguish itself from every other mini car out there and charge 20-25k for it, and don't sell too many.
Quote from: ducatiz on December 30, 2011, 09:54:23 AM
It really does show how dumb people are.
Front wheel drive car.. 160hp? why?
The original 500 had a 2 cylinder, 479cc engine and a whopping 13hp. They would get around 3L/100km, which is over 65mpg.
Seems to me the whole point of a miniature front-wheel drive car isn't to have good performance like a sports car, it's to have decent cheap gas mileage.
If they had come out with a new 500 that did that, I would have bought one, but really, it's just more of the same useless shit...
Give me a 1.0L class mini car that gets over 60 mpg averaged, and keep it around 10k and I'll buy one as a commuter car.
Make YET ANOTHER mini car that gets crap gas mileage and really doesn't distinguish itself from every other mini car out there and charge 20-25k for it, and don't sell too many.
[clap] [clap] [clap]
Abarth Pricing....
http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Fiat_Announces_Abarth_Pricing.html (http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Fiat_Announces_Abarth_Pricing.html)
Quote from: zooom on January 11, 2012, 12:12:58 PM
Abarth Pricing....
http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Fiat_Announces_Abarth_Pricing.html (http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2/publish/automotive/Fiat_Announces_Abarth_Pricing.html)
+ track school.
Not bad.. and at under 2300 lbs should be fun..
Quote from: ducatiz on December 30, 2011, 09:54:23 AM
It really does show how dumb people are.
Front wheel drive car.. 160hp? why?
The original 500 had a 2 cylinder, 479cc engine and a whopping 13hp. They would get around 3L/100km, which is over 65mpg.
Seems to me the whole point of a miniature front-wheel drive car isn't to have good performance like a sports car, it's to have decent cheap gas mileage.
If they had come out with a new 500 that did that, I would have bought one, but really, it's just more of the same useless shit...
Give me a 1.0L class mini car that gets over 60 mpg averaged, and keep it around 10k and I'll buy one as a commuter car.
Make YET ANOTHER mini car that gets crap gas mileage and really doesn't distinguish itself from every other mini car out there and charge 20-25k for it, and don't sell too many.
So true. So true. Despite my posing the question and researching this car and the curiosity of it's specs.
Yes, the original specs are more desirable especially with gas prices. I grew up with the 70's fiat and long for those.
The 38mph gas for the new Fiat is disappointing for such a light weight.
I still like Fiat though. Oh well.
Just saw a story on 60 minutes last night that was interesting
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7403188n&tag=contentMain;contentAux (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7403188n&tag=contentMain;contentAux)
Sergio Marchionne sounds like an interesting guy.
mitt
Indeed....certainly he does not come off as one of the fabulously self-important CEO's we have so many of here in the US
Paid off his gov't loans without shaving a cut for his personal bonuses
trying to rebuild something rather than sitting on its rotting carcass stuffing his pockets
I look at the exec line-up of so many failed/bailed-out US institutuions
and I see personalities more worthy of the Court of King Louis just prior to the French Revolution
fops and buffoons with hyper-inflated egos, a sense of self-entitlement and impunity that would embarrass the entire Kennedy Clan
perpetually drunk on the mythology of their own greatness
and entirely lacking the personal portfolio of accomplishments to back it up
3 cheers for Sergio
Oh, I don't know.....
Some of the auto industry trade stuff I've read doesn't bode well for Sergio and Chrysler. Dig around autoextremist.com for one for some gems....
Quote from: RAT900 on March 27, 2012, 01:30:26 AM
Indeed....certainly he does not come off as one of the fabulously self-important CEO's we have so many of here in the US
Paid off his gov't loans without shaving a cut for his personal bonuses
trying to rebuild something rather than sitting on its rotting carcass stuffing his pockets
I look at the exec line-up of so many failed/bailed-out US institutuions
and I see personalities more worthy of the Court of King Louis just prior to the French Revolution
fops and buffoons with hyper-inflated egos, a sense of self-entitlement and impunity that would embarrass the entire Kennedy Clan
perpetually drunk on the mythology of their own greatness
and entirely lacking the personal portfolio of accomplishments to back it up
3 cheers for Sergio
ENRON anyone?.....
Quote from: Speedbag on March 27, 2012, 04:22:36 AM
Oh, I don't know.....
Some of the auto industry trade stuff I've read doesn't bode well for Sergio and Chrysler. Dig around autoextremist.com for one for some gems....
Careful quoting this guy.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_30/b3944112.htm (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_30/b3944112.htm)
Thing is, I've read his stuff for years and he's usually right....and always a good read.
Quote from: Speedbag on March 27, 2012, 02:31:01 PM
Thing is, I've read his stuff for years and he's usually right....and always a good read.
I'm sure he is good, but there are tons of "insiders" in this area. Living in SE Michigan, we get bombarded with auto chitchat so its hard to listen to just one.
I liked what Sergio had to say. Specifically-
moving the "control" out of the corporate tower board room and into the same floor as engineering - what a boost that would be if I was an engineer there.
creating his executive cabinet out of an anonymous poll of talent - again, it would be so simple to get in line with your leadership if they were the 5% that were talented
talking about removing fear in the eyes of employees - that is so true in a environment where the future is uncertain and a faceless COO could shut the doors on any day
enforcing quality as #1 - easy to say, hard to really do unless you put your money where your mouth is.
Hard to know if it is all real or BS for 13 minutes on TV, but I liked it.
mitt
Looks like they released the 500T today.
Dodge Dart final version released recently
http://www.dodge.com/en/2013/dart/ (http://www.dodge.com/en/2013/dart/)
I think they fixed the front end, thankfully..
fiat abarth owners - if you had the budget to only add one option , what would you choose?
the 17' wheels
red leather bucket seat
sun roof top.
beats audio
auto climate control system
as much as i want the first two, i think the 17' wheels will have to be it.
any advice ?
Wheels or chip it
The seats of course.
are the seats bolstered or heated or contoured differently than stock in any way?
Wheels and audio upgrade can always be added at later date.
Quote from: zooom on December 10, 2012, 06:30:48 AM
are the seats bolstered or heated or contoured differently than stock in any way?
I don't know but it's an upgrade from cloth seats. I find that leather is much easier to clean and care for. There seems tone a lack of information on these upgrades on the fiat site.
Quote from: Mendo Dave on December 10, 2012, 07:23:34 AM
I don't know but it's an upgrade from cloth seats. I find that leather is much easier to clean and care for. There seems tone a lack of information on these upgrades on the fiat site.
I have always had leather seats until my current car : I will NEVER get a car with cloth seats again. UGH
Quote from: ducatiz on December 10, 2012, 11:43:29 AM
I have always had leather seats until my current car : I will NEVER get a car with cloth seats again. UGH
Exactly my point.
Going to see a used 2012 fiat abarth tomorrow. No extra options on it. Sadly no leather seat. It has under 3500 miles and owner only had it for 5 months. Excellent condition looking at pic. Hardly used and exact color I am looking for; black.
So new is $22k. They want $21k. Seems tiny bit high. Seems seller will negotiate as seller is moving. Any ideas what you would pay?
Does warranty transfer? ( this is my 1st ever almost new car if I get it and don't know warranty rules)
Anything I need to watch out for?
Five months less warranty, used, save $1000? Only if a new one is not available.
He drove it off the lot, it lost 20% of the value. The factory warranty should transfer regardless of the owner
Quote from: duccarlos on January 12, 2013, 06:08:44 AM
He drove it off the lot, it lost 20% of the value. The factory warranty should transfer regardless of the owner
Most car warranties do not transfer. It is a contract between the maker and original buyer.
Quote from: ducatiz on January 12, 2013, 03:38:37 PM
Most car warranties do not transfer. It is a contract between the maker and original buyer.
The factory warranties ALWAYS transfer. Some companies *cough* Hyundai *cough* have longer warranties than the norm with a number of exclusions, deductibles and limited transferability.
Even some of the extended warranties that are sold at the dealership are transferable.
Quote from: ducatiz on January 12, 2013, 03:38:37 PM
Most car warranties do not transfer. It is a contract between the maker and original buyer.
I've never not had a factory warranty transfer. Does it vary state to state?
For 1k off you could find a new one for 21 k with incentives and negotiations I think..
Quote from: cokey on January 13, 2013, 06:32:14 AM
For 1k off you could find a new one for 21 k with incentives and negotiations I think..
+1
Going back to the warranty transfer issue. Here's a quick snippet from the Warranty Manual on a 2012 Avalon:
Who Is the WarrantorThe warrantor for these limited warranties is Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyotaâ€), 19001 South Western Avenue, Torrance, California 90509-2991, a California corporation.
Which Vehicles Are CoveredThese warranties apply to all 2012 model year Avalon vehicles distributed by Toyota that are originally sold by an authorized dealer in the United States and normally operated or touring in the United States, U.S. territories or Canada.
Warranty coverage is automatically transferred at no cost to subsequent vehicle owners.YMMV
Still negotiating. So far total saving from price of new car and destination charge and tax will be about $3500.
Quote from: swampduc on January 12, 2013, 04:48:09 PM
I've never not had a factory warranty transfer. Does it vary state to state?
No, unless that state has additional requirements.
Warranty transferability varies with manufacturer. My VW's warranty transferred, but the 10 year /100,000k mile engine warranty changes to 5 year /50k with the second owner.
You have to read the fine print.
I said previously most do not, I have been corrected by a few people, apparently nowadays it's standard for them to transfer, however many have limitations such as what I described above.