Topic: Test Drive: 2012 Fiat 500 Lounge

[Scaerio]

The latest ADAC (German version of CAA) breakdown stats (based on the number of calls received by ADAC for roadside assistance), the 500 came in second place right behind the Toyota Aygo among the small car segment.  The FIAT Panda, on which this car is based, came in 4th.  If the Mexican build quality can match Polish (Euro versions are made in Tichy, Poland), this thing will be OK.

[greengs]

Looking forward to the Abarth version!  Some rumors say it will have 170 hp for N.A. market instead of 130.

 

[rrocket]

When I was getting my van serviced the other day, I had alook at the new Fiat. I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm not sold on it. Its cute, but I wouldn't want to be in the back seat looking back a a semi barrelling down on me. But hen again its light years better then the Caliber.

Do tell which car you'd feel comfortable in with a semi barreling down on you....

For me?  NONE.

[dirtyjeffer]

Do tell which car you'd feel comfortable in with a semi barreling down on you....

For me?  NONE.

hehe...i remember having a similar conversation with a bunch of Americans a couple of years ago when the smart cars came to Canada and were about to launch in the USA...they kept rambling on about all these scenarios about how unsafe it would be to be driving a smart car, and get plowed into by an 18 wheeler fully loaded with 50,000 pounds of steel beams...i used a similar retort that if such a vehicle plowed into pretty much anything less than an M1A1 Abrams tank, you're dead.

[whaddaiknow]

Do tell which car you'd feel comfortable in with a semi barreling down on you....

For me?  NONE.

hehe...i remember having a similar conversation with a bunch of Americans a couple of years ago when the smart cars came to Canada and were about to launch in the USA...they kept rambling on about all these scenarios about how unsafe it would be to be driving a smart car, and get plowed into by an 18 wheeler fully loaded with 50,000 pounds of steel beams...i used a similar retort that if such a vehicle plowed into pretty much anything less than an M1A1 Abrams tank, you're dead.

Oh so true but with a much smaller footprint, the chances that the semi driver won't notice you in a 500 are that much higher with the chances of survival that much lower.

[safristi]

..I haven't had  A BARTH fer a week................care to buy me.... ..............bidding starts at SeptaCinquo...or $9.99 Italian Walmart ROLL BACK the Pasta Pricing.............

[aaronk]

Speaking of Abarth, that's the one I'm waiting for. I really wouldn't hesitate to make the current 500 my next car, but with the promise of more horsepower and a sportier drive...well, I just have to wait and see. What are the chances we'll get the 160-hp Essesse variant?

[safristi]

aa..ronk...save yer Lira /Euros...unless ya has a a 55+ year old Italian Girlly-fruend .....Pics please....

[Mozeby]

Do tell which car you'd feel comfortable in with a semi barreling down on you....

For me?  NONE.

hehe...i remember having a similar conversation with a bunch of Americans a couple of years ago when the smart cars came to Canada and were about to launch in the USA...they kept rambling on about all these scenarios about how unsafe it would be to be driving a smart car, and get plowed into by an 18 wheeler fully loaded with 50,000 pounds of steel beams...i used a similar retort that if such a vehicle plowed into pretty much anything less than an M1A1 Abrams tank, you're dead.

Yeah that's true but there is a big difference in small car when you're on the highway and semi's are passing you and you get nailed by the air that they're pushing.  Same goes for a windy day.  You're hanging on to the steering wheel and sawing away trying to stay in your lane.  Drive a larger car or CUV/SUV and you're oblivious to the environment most of the time.

[aaronk]

Do tell which car you'd feel comfortable in with a semi barreling down on you....

For me?  NONE.

hehe...i remember having a similar conversation with a bunch of Americans a couple of years ago when the smart cars came to Canada and were about to launch in the USA...they kept rambling on about all these scenarios about how unsafe it would be to be driving a smart car, and get plowed into by an 18 wheeler fully loaded with 50,000 pounds of steel beams...i used a similar retort that if such a vehicle plowed into pretty much anything less than an M1A1 Abrams tank, you're dead.

Yeah that's true but there is a big difference in small car when you're on the highway and semi's are passing you and you get nailed by the air that they're pushing.  Same goes for a windy day.  You're hanging on to the steering wheel and sawing away trying to stay in your lane.  Drive a larger car or CUV/SUV and you're oblivious to the environment most of the time.

That's interesting - I find my car, due to its slippery shape, is more likely to breeze through cross-winds than big SUV's I've been in that are shaped like rolling barns.

[dirtyjeffer]

Yeah that's true but there is a big difference in small car when you're on the highway and semi's are passing you and you get nailed by the air that they're pushing.  Same goes for a windy day.  You're hanging on to the steering wheel and sawing away trying to stay in your lane.  Drive a larger car or CUV/SUV and you're oblivious to the environment most of the time.

i would agree with your statement, if i was riding a motorcycle, but i can honestly say, i haven't experienced that in a car...of course, i don't drive cars with stupidly large/wide tires that track every rut in the road, all in the name of "looking cool".

[Mozeby]

Yeah that's true but there is a big difference in small car when you're on the highway and semi's are passing you and you get nailed by the air that they're pushing.  Same goes for a windy day.  You're hanging on to the steering wheel and sawing away trying to stay in your lane.  Drive a larger car or CUV/SUV and you're oblivious to the environment most of the time.

i would agree with your statement, if i was riding a motorcycle, but i can honestly say, i haven't experienced that in a car...of course, i don't drive cars with stupidly large/wide tires that track every rut in the road, all in the name of "looking cool".

Try driving a Mazda 2 or any other sub 3000 lb car that isn't shaped like a Lotus Elise, on a windy highway.

[dirtyjeffer]

Try driving a Mazda 2 or any other sub 3000 lb car that isn't shaped like a Lotus Elise, on a windy highway.

i have driven numerous small vehicles over the years, many of which only had 2 wheels and the only time i had any potential issues where when riding a 400 pound motorcylce, and even then, it maybe happened a couple of times at most...either something is wrong with your car, or you don't know how to drive...perhaps if you are driving on some unusually odd windy day, but other than that, it's exaggeration at best.

[Mozeby]

Try driving a Mazda 2 or any other sub 3000 lb car that isn't shaped like a Lotus Elise, on a windy highway.

i have driven numerous small vehicles over the years, many of which only had 2 wheels and the only time i had any potential issues where when riding a 400 pound motorcylce, and even then, it maybe happened a couple of times at most...either something is wrong with your car, or you don't know how to drive...perhaps if you are driving on some unusually odd windy day, but other than that, it's exaggeration at best.

If you're driving in the London region then you wouldn't know, but try driving on the QEW with Lake winds blowing in the winter months.  I've had everything from a Jeep, Jetta, old Corolla, Volvo, Pursuit, to new Malibu and Acadia.  Weight and size makes a huge difference.

[dirtyjeffer]

considering we are at the tail end of "Tornado Alley" and in the middle of the Lake Effect zone from Lake Huron, we get plenty of wind here...as well, when you are driving 115 km/hr on the highway, it is windy regardless.

[safristi]

...quit reading the BEANO COMICS........

[chrischasescars]

If anyone's interested, here's a review of the Fiat 500 Lounge that I posted to my own site: http://thisiswhatithinkofyourcar.com/2011/09/08/what-i-think-2012-fiat-500/