New FIAT 500 to US?

[KAMKA-Z]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070611/FREE/70611001/1528/newsletter01

I have an across town commute where I only go over 45 mph a couple of times. This would be a sweet little snotball for urban warfare.

 

[Joey D]

As long as it isn't stupidly expensive it should do pretty good.

 

[YSSMAN]

...We still have a while to wait, but it may be worth it. If its as fun to drive as they say, not to mention as efficient as the ForTwo, I'm sure they'll sell well...

At the right price of course!

 

[Philly]

I'm not sure they'll go like the mini, but if they are cheap enough they should do well. It looks pretty cool. My only concern would be a fight with a Suburban.

 

[Hugo Boss]

This car is going to be a hit in Europe and it's also far betting looking and cheaper than a Mini. Nice that you guys are going to get it too in the States.

How is the Smart ForTwo selling in North America? Here in The Netherlands nobody buys one. It's only used as an advertisement vehicle by trendy companies. It's too small to call it a car, even in Europe. You can't compare it to the new 500.

 

[Joey D]

I've seen a couple Smart cars but they all had M plates on them and belonged to Chrysler.

 

[YSSMAN]

I haven't seen a single ForTwo here on the West side of Michigan. I know of a dealer that was trying to secure the rights to sell them here, but they've been unable to do so.

...Given how Grand Rapids is set-up (and Joey knows), I often doubt how well it would do here. But if it is as safe and as cheap as they say, I'm sure the kids in Forest Hills or East Grand Rapids would be eager to buy them...

 

[Hugo Boss]

They're probably just too tiny to attract the attention of Americans and don't offer enough value for money.

ForTwo's are really safe. In terms of safety, they're a great piece of engineering. I've seen a few in a crash and the cars didn't look that badly hurt. Besides safe, they're easy to park, cheap to own and run and they have a good resale value. Though in terms of driving and practicality, there isn't anything positive to report. Also, they're terribly slow. My 13 year old Polo with 55 bhp eats ForTwo's for breakfast

 

[JCE]

I've seen one Smart in person that was being driven by a customer and not a dealer.

And as far as this Fiat is concerned...good freaking god this thing is sweet. I hope this car takes off so America can get some more super mini's.

My approval rating (pending a hands-on test): 95%

 

[Tornado]

I want the Grande Punto first, but this would be a lovely little runabout if they priced it at sub-Rabbit levels.

 

[SagarisGTB]

I want the Grande Punto first, but this would be a lovely little runabout if they priced it at sub-Rabbit levels.

It would be a horrible deal if they didnt. The Punto is Polo size and a bit cheaper, the 500 shouldnt be any more than that.

I think anybody who would pay more than Panda money on a car this size is just making a fashion/image statement. The world doesnt need anymore Minis or Smarts or French cabriolets. 👎 If you want a sports car, get a Miata. If you want a normal car, get a Panda.

 

[Hugo Boss]

The world doesnt need anymore Minis or Smarts or French cabriolets. 👎 If you want a sports car, get a Miata. If you want a normal car, get a Panda.

With this logic, we could do with only manufacturer...

In Europe these type of cars are really popular. Well, apart from the Smart then. Replacing 'the world' by 'North America' would fit better I think

 

[ExigeEvan]

With this logic, we could do with only manufacturer...

In Europe these type of cars are really popular. Well, apart from the Smart then. Replacing 'the world' by 'North America' would fit better I think

The Smart is pretty damn popular in the UK. And they're not unbearably slow by any means, probably make 0.8ltr Daewoo Matiz's look stupid.

 

[Hugo Boss]

The Smart is pretty damn popular in the UK. And they're not unbearably slow by any means, probably make 0.8ltr Daewoo Matiz's look stupid.

It's unfair to mention the Matiz 0.8 That car is so slow that it's almost impossible with the naked eye to notice that it actually moves.
Above 60 there's hardly any acceleration left in the ForTwo, despite the 70(?) bhp it has now. I know it's a city car, but that does make it slow in my book.

I didn't know the Smart is so popular in the UK. On the mainland they've never been a succes, although a lot of women like them.