Fiat 500 Abart

[Pinecone]

We took some time yesterday and went and looked the the Fiat 500s. No Abarths to look at yet.

But the 500 is pretty neat. More room than I expected. Nice layout.

I really think we are going to end up with a Abarth version in the driveway. This would be the run around car, instead of the Grand Cherokee.

Last filll up on the GC was $64 and that was for about 240 miles.

I figure some $1600 a year savings on gas alone. And then looking at tires, $139 per tire, for a Max Performance Summer tire.

Oil change is 4 quarts.

3/36 free maintenance, 4/50 warranty.

MSRP optioned out is $24,650. We would be looking at the 17" wheel package, Safety & Convenience package (includes Sirius), and the body stripe with matching mirror caps.

[Nick M3]

The Millers are on the list for one. (They have a regular 500 now.)

It seems like a nice car.

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

We took some time yesterday and went and looked the the Fiat 500s. No Abarths to look at yet.

But the 500 is pretty neat. More room than I expected. Nice layout.

I really think we are going to end up with a Abarth version in the driveway. This would be the run around car, instead of the Grand Cherokee.

Last filll up on the GC was $64 and that was for about 240 miles.

I figure some $1600 a year savings on gas alone. And then looking at tires, $139 per tire, for a Max Performance Summer tire.

Oil change is 4 quarts.

3/36 free maintenance, 4/50 warranty.

MSRP optioned out is $24,650. We would be looking at the 17" wheel package, Safety & Convenience package (includes Sirius), and the body stripe with matching mirror caps.

Neat, can't wait to see it here I really liked it at the NY show last year - especially the retro-top.

[bren]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

MSRP optioned out is $24,650.

Is that for the Abarth? Or will that cost even more?

[SARAFIL]

I'd say a MCS is a better buy long term, but you can go wrong either way.

[JST]

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

I'd say a MCS is a better buy long term, but you can go wrong either way.

Freudian slip?

I haven't driven any of the Fiats, but from everything I've read the Mini is a better drive. I have poked around in both the base 500 and the Abarth, and from a practicality standpoint the Mini is the obvious winner (which is hard to believe).

Base price on the MCS is 25,050. I just built one similar to the one we used to own and it was a touch over 27K.

About the only thing the Abarth has over the MCS is price and Catrinel Menghia. Since she doesn't come with the car, I think I'd spend the extra money on the Mini.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The Millers are on the list for one. (They have a regular 500 now.)

It seems like a nice car.

Why does that not surprise me?

The big question is color. We figure everyone is going to get the black with red stripe.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by bren

Is that for the Abarth? Or will that cost even more?

That is for the Abarth with everything except leather (MSRP $1000) and Tom-Tom GPS. Oh, and no Smokers Group. $30 for the actual lighter and a removable ash tray. The lighter socket is standard.

There are not a lot of options.

[Pinecone]

Last time we drove a Mini, we just weren't that impressed. It was a first generation with the JCW package.

[lupinsea]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

I really think we are going to end up with a Abarth version in the driveway. This would be the run around car, instead of the Grand Cherokee.

Last filll up on the GC was $64 and that was for about 240 miles.

I figure some $1600 a year savings on gas alone. And then looking at tires, $139 per tire, for a Max Performance Summer tire.

You know . . . if you want the 500, get the 500. I think it would indeed be a fun runabout But claiming it saves you $1600 on gas is a bit of a weak argument.

At that point you'd have to drive the 500 for over 15 years before you recoup the cost of of the new car before you start actually saving money on gas.

So, just get the 500 because you want it and it would be fun.