Fiat Cinquecento

[zalb916]

Production just started for the U.S. model of the Fiat 500. The starting MSRP is $15,500. Does anybody have thoughts on how this would compare to the Mini? It's a mildly intriguing option as a second car for my wife and me. We get by fine with one car now, since we live in the city and walk to work. But we could potentially need a second, if we moved to the burbs.

 

[edmorel]

do you have or are you planning on having kids?

 

[zalb916]

Originally Posted by edmorel

do you have or are you planning on having kids?

No and yes. I realize the impracticality of a car like this with children, though.

 

[mack11211]

Originally Posted by zbromer

No and yes. I realize the impracticality of a car like this with children, though.

What's the problem?

You can keep it in you sock drawer.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by zbromer

No and yes. I realize the impracticality of a car like this with children, though.

I think something to consider is that once you move to the burbs, the change in lifestyle is not simply that you drive a bit more. I don't know what your other car is nor what you family needs are, but consider that there is a chance that you will be lugging stuff back and forth that you probably don't do now, Costco/supermarket once a week/kids sports team stuff/house stuff etc etc. A car like this is fine if you have something that can handle 3-4 people and some baggage.

 

[turboman808]

I often wonder why so many people expect one car to answer all their needs/wants. No one I know buys one car and expects it to be a race car, daily driver, economy car and be able to haul heavy loads.

When I have kids they are only allowed in my passenger van anyways. I don't need kids scratching the porsche.

 

[Blackhood]

If it is anything like the UK version then its a great Citi-Car. Any time on open roads or trips of longer than say 40 minutes then you'll need a better alternative.

If you're after a cheap micro-car with some funky styling its ace. If you're looking for a sub-hatchback that'll swallow shopping and turn on a dime, you'll be left wanting.

 

[coolpapa]

Originally Posted by turboman808

I often wonder why so many people expect one car to answer all their needs/wants. No one I know buys one car and expects it to be a race car, daily driver, economy car and be able to haul heavy loads.
This is precisely how I feel about women.

 

[Parker]

Originally Posted by zbromer

Production just started for the U.S. model of the Fiat 500. The starting MSRP is $15,500. Does anybody have thoughts on how this would compare to the Mini?
I've been a passenger in both. I think the Mini wins on styling, but both are great city cars. Parking was actually easy in Rome. I don't know how performance compares. Both were surprisingly roomy inside.

 

[Britalian]

That works out a bit cheaper than the IT price, I reckon.

In my experience, the Mini is either driven by gay chaps or perma-tanned 20something girls wearing shiny black puffa jackets and wearing aviator or Hepburn shades.

Drove the 500 for a 2 week rental and felt quite sturdy, if a little plasticky inside.

 

[impolyt_one]

there will be tons of price gouging on this thing for at least awhile, order one and sell it for a profit.

 

[Find Finn]

Ciquecento

500

I know ciquecento means 500 in Italian, but if you say fiat ciquecento in europe people will think of the first one.

The 500 is based on the Panda, but it's a whole lot better.

 

[wootx]

500, actually

 

[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by Britalian

That works out a bit cheaper than the IT price, I reckon.

In my experience, the Mini is either driven by gay chaps or perma-tanned 20something girls wearing shiny black puffa jackets and wearing aviator or Hepburn shades.

Drove the 500 for a 2 week rental and felt quite sturdy, if a little plasticky inside.

In my experience, the Mini is the mid-life-crisis car for women, at least here in the Northeast US. And the Mini can be rather plasticy inside too.

I know about the mid-life crisis thing, as I bought a Mini S cabrio for my now-ex as such a present. It was a 2005 and they'd just come out. My main objection was that the ride would rattle your teeth out; very jittery. (I drive a BMW 5-series in comparison.) However I've driven the newer ones, and it seems that the ride has improved a lot.