Topic: First Drive: 2012 Fiat 500

[Autos_Editor]

A stylish reinvention of the 1957 Fiat 500, the 2012 Fiat 500 is 'at home in an urban environment' and 'fuel consumption is very low,' reports Paul Williams, but 'it's not particularly powerful' and 'accommodations are challenging for adult rear-seat passengers.'

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[JohnM]

Looks like a sweet package but there are a few negatives here.

These are:  Chrysler, Fiat, PT Cruiser, Mexico

None of these inspire confidence in longevity and trouble-free operation.

Also, 3000rpm at 100km ??  Or is it 3000 at 120?  Still 2100 at 100 should be the norm these days in small cars.

Despite the above concerns, I hope the 500 does well in our market and I hope it offers its owners reliable operation.

Cheers,
John Meyer

[purple43]

Multi-air technology adds more moving parts to the engine.  Does the extra complexity compromise reliability or increase maintenance costs?

[sailor723]

Multi-air technology adds more moving parts to the engine.  Does the extra complexity compromise reliability or increase maintenance costs?

Interesting point......I sometimes wonder if we aren't spending a dollar to save 50 cents in gas just to get a "green" label?

[D]

I don't think it is "Cute".

[Erik]

Cool car!

[Kirspin]

One of the many problems that Fiat had before when they where sold here in Canada was lack of parts and people who knew how to repair Fiats, are they going to be like the German Cars ie the German way  or no way?

[Mike]

I like this car and hope it does well.  I think it will be a great competitor agains the current Mini.  As far as reliability is concerned, the current Mini isn't the most reliable car on the road and it's sales are still good.  I wonder if people buying in this segment do not weigh reliability all that high?

[JohnM]

In terms of reliability I doubt the Fiat 500 will have the absolute deal killer problems that Fiats of the '60s and '70s had.  However, although I really like this car, and there are really no horrible cars anymore, problems on the level that Chryslers in general have would not be acceptable to me. 

I'm out in the country so reliability is critical.  Visits to the dealer are massive time eaters.  In urban areas where the 500 has been launched, this is less of an issue.

The 500 looks like a great vehicle design and very competitive in price so if the reliability approaches average, it deserves to do very well.

It's great to see cars like this becoming available in Canada.  With the 500, the Prius C, IQ and maybe the new Accent plus Smart, Fit, M2 and Fiesta etc, efficient car lovers can finally start to feel well served.  Bring on the Polo and the 1 L car!

Cheers,
John Meyer

[5 Wheel Drive]

I didn't mind this car at all when I checked it out at the Montreal Auto show.  The Sport model looks kinda cool.  On the website it says that a/c is an option, not standard as the article suggests.  For $18,500, I would expect it to be standard.  I wouldn't mind trying out an Abarth when it comes here...if it comes here.

[dirtyjeffer]

seems like a decent little car...now all we need is the VW XL1 so we can have a cool small car that only uses 0.9L/100km (yea, you read that correctly)...or about 250 MPG for you old guys who refuse to accept metric.

[robsaw]

Multi-air technology adds more moving parts to the engine.  Does the extra complexity compromise reliability or increase maintenance costs?

I'd call it adding semi-moving parts since the Fiat system adds a solenoid valve at each intake valve with intervening hydraulic elements between the cam and valve.  This is rather than additional rotating elements like the BMW and Nissan systems that use a whole 'nother camshaft and associated components to do the same thing with less precision and less efficiency.  Which one is more prone to break?  I guess we'll see, but Fiat has access to the technology through the Ferrari racing engine connection.

[aaronk]

If the Abarth model comes ashore let me know - otherwise it's a bit of a fashion accessory. I'm sure it has personality, which is something lacking in some of the tiny cars out there today, but it won't capture a large male audience without a sport-infused model.

[nsmyhte]

I went on holiday to Rome last year. These things are very popular (and practcal for Rome's old, small streets).  I also saw a few original 500's and the believe it or not, this new one is huge in comparison. 

[libraman]

"Pop quiz: in what year did Fiat introduce its last Canadian new model, and what was that model? Answer: The year was 1980 and the model was the Fiat Strada, of which only a handful were sold before Fiat left Canada for a very long time."

Was that Lada that I had the pleasure to drive in the mid 80s not really a FIAT?

[Scott]

Its ugly, overpriced, will probably be unreliable, and good luck finding any parts when you need them!  Remember Daewoo?

[initial_D]

Loaded at under $20,000 is not too expensive. Better choice than a Smart, cheaper than a Mini, should see more than a few of them of then road.

[sittinaround]

I love this car!  There are too few cars that have any driving enjoyment.  I used to drive a Fiat 127 with a 903cc and adored it.  I will buy one.

[Slow_lane]

I thought I read somewhere that the Sport model would have a sunroof while the lounge had a fixed panaramic roof. Might have been in USA.

No mention of sunroof here.

I am hoping one version provides option of opening sunroof.

[tpl]

When they bring in the Arbarth I hope someone will make a dummy rear engine cover propped open with a stick like the original.