Slick little car. It was a black sport version. 5-speed, all options except sunroof, so it was a few hundred south of 20K. BOSE stereo that sounded decent. No NAV, but XM radio, bluetooth, IPOD jack etc.

Shifter was precise, not too notchy or rubbery. Clutch had easy uptake, maybe a little too mushy.

The car felt more substantial than you'd think. Very little wind noise at 75mph, engine had a nice growl. In order to pass at interstate you have to downshift.

Build quality isn't on par with a Honda Fit, but it's a helluva lot more fun to drive and is cheaper. Way more character than a Japanese car.

0-60 is 9.7 secs, but feels quicker. The Abarth (150'ish hp turbo) comes out the first quarter of next year, should be a few secs faster.

If I got one, I'd use the stock rims for winter tires and some cool BBS rims with a wider tire. TireRack already has some BBS's, 17" iirc. The sport comes with 16" rims.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

saw one parked this week and spoke with the owner - he said it gets 35 mpg and drives like a sports car, without the insurance penalties (?) of a mini-cooper. still, seems a little pricey, no? ( i am poor, and have no idea what new cars cost, tho i thought the mini was available in the low $20's? $30k?)

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

The one I drove was $19.7K. Sunroof would put it about a grand more. They'll dicker too. Minis are a few thousand more, low 20's. I don't care for the Minis. Hate the interiors, that car tries too hard.

It gets 30/38mpg. I've read on Fiat500 forums of people getting 40mpg on the hwy.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

It looks like an egg on coaster wheels. The whole retro thing doesn't do it for me.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Cool cars, saw one last night when we pulled up to the dinner in Mike's W126.

The W126 dwarfs it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

After you drive a 500 for a year or two you will be sorry you did.
Fix It Again, Tony!

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"Life is tough...it's even tougher if you're stupid." John Wayne


Dave
Pawleys Island, SC

'79 300CD

I remember seeing Fiat 500's in Italy about 15 years ago. Small and grossly underpowered. We used to call them hairdryers due to the shape and heavily louvered engine covers.

Perhaps the new models are better?

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I choose to be happy, even when the Mercedes is being awkward, lol

Do you have personal experience with the current model? Or are you merely repeating the old cliché? Just curious.

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62 220sb
67 250S
72 280SE 4.5
74 280C
77 300D
82 240D
85 190E 2.3
86 300E RIP 12/28/09
85 300SD
92 300D 2.5
00 E320 Current
Over 1,000,000 miles in Benzes, Since66

....and a whole passel of BMW 2002 and Tii

The truth hurts.
LOL its made in Poland. How good do you think it is?

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

We had a 124 convertible when I was growing up. Great car!

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Here's a road trip article about driving down the eastern seaboard in the new 500... http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/automobiles/22FIAT.html?hpw

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1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

Defending a stereotype with another stereotype. Clever.

The answer is: I don't know. (And I suspect you don't either) That's why I asked the question.

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62 220sb
67 250S
72 280SE 4.5
74 280C
77 300D
82 240D
85 190E 2.3
86 300E RIP 12/28/09
85 300SD
92 300D 2.5
00 E320 Current
Over 1,000,000 miles in Benzes, Since66

....and a whole passel of BMW 2002 and Tii

read it this morning (print version) he seemed to like it. great gas mileage on the highway. as the op mentioned, there's a turbo coming soon. and i would be tempted by that crazy ragtop (if i had the money)

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

the car is assembled in toluca, mexico. the engine is manufactured in michigan.

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

Sat in one at the car show seems like a decent enough little car.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200