RideLust

Thumbs Up: Go-kart-like low speed handling.

Thumbs Down: Needs more power.

Buy This Car If: You want a frugal commuter that’s still fun to drive.

Fiat exited the U.S. market in 1984, a victim of declining market share caused by both the Japanese brands and the changing habits of the American consumer. After decades of offering affordable-yet-entertaining Italian cars like the X/19 and the Fiat 124 Spider, the quirky Italian automaker’s absence was noted primarily by devotees of the brand. American consumers instead bought trucks and SUVs, or dependable-but-bland econoboxes from Japanese automakers. Read More…

Here’s what we know: the former head of Fiat North America, Laura Soave, is no longer with the company. That’s a recent development, since she still held the position at last week’s Los Angeles Auto Show. Replacing Soave in the lineup is Timothy Kuniskis, who formerly held the title of director of product marketing for Fiat and Chrysler brands. There’s no word on when Kuniskis learned of his new role, but we’re guessing it was probably on his way through the door on Monday. Read More…

The best commercials, regardless of the product, fill you with passion and make you want to run, not walk, to buy whatever it is the company is selling. I think this commercial is for the Fiat 500 Abarth, and I think there may even be a car in it somewhere, but I’ve watched it a few dozen times and I’m still not sure. Regardless, I’d still call it the greatest car commercial ever filmed. Read More…

When Fiat rolled out launch plans for its diminutive 500 city car, the Italian automaker was ambitious. Initial projections called for a network of 130 Fiat dealers selling some 35,000 cars in the U.S. this year. Instead, construction delays limited the number of dealerships for most of the year (although the total is now at 130), and a lack of advertising has left buyers confused about Fiat’s return to the U.S. market. Read More…

We’re still two weeks away from the official U.S. debut of the Fiat 500 Abarth, but Fiat is dropping plenty of images and videos of the car prior to its Los Angeles Auto Show reveal. We like the first video below and fully embrace it’s concept of “go faster than yesterday,” but the second video leaves us shaking out heads at Fiat’s U.S. marketing. Read More…

In 2009, Fiat tuner Abarth got a crazy idea: work with Ferrari to build the world’s fastest Fiat 500, then put it into limited production at a cost-be-damned price just under $50,000. The result was the Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, and the Italian tuner soon found that the stratospheric price was no barrier to sales. Since the car’s launch in July 2010, some 1,300 examples have been delivered to customers. Read More…

Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

 

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Let’s get one thing straight, the new Fiat 500 Coupé Zagato Concept is cute, but the chick standing next to it is dead sexy. Just imagine how many of these little bad boys Fiat would sell if the sales consultants at dealerships looked like this. Fiat’s new little coupe is actually quite nice looking, in fact I like it more than the actual 500, even if it does remind me of a VW Beetle from the side. From the chopped dual-bubble roofline, to the sporty lower front valance, to the little ducktail spoiler out back, this little concept is a very nifty little car. Power comes from Fiat’s TwinAir two-cylinder turbo that makes 105hp and which, according to Fiat’s press release, maximizes the “fun to drive” element, while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emission levels.
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Chrysler Group, LLC, had ambitious plans for the launch of the Fiat 500 on U.S. soil. Their plan called for a network of 130 dealerships, from coast to coast, up and operational by the end of February. Blame it on an unusually harsh winter, missed construction deadlines or electromagnetic disturbances in the upper atmosphere, but their latest projection shows that only 20 dealerships will be operational as of today. Another 10 to 20 dealerships are expected to be operating by the end of March, but that’s still (at best) only 30% of dealerships. All 130 aren’t expected to be operational until September, causing Fiat USA head Laura Soave to admit the rollout “is a tiny bit behind”. Read More…

Remember the launch of Saturn, the “different kind of car company”? Remember how the Saturn buying experience was going to be unique, complete with modern and inviting dealerships and no-haggle pricing? If you’ve missed that since the demise of Saturn, I’ve got some good news for you: Chrysler is implementing “no haggle” pricing at Fiat dealers. Their strategy behind it is sound: the target market for the Fiat 500 (Generation Y) doesn’t like to negotiate pricing. Instead, they want to know that the price they’ll pay is the best deal, and that no other Fiat 500 buyer in the U.S. will get a better price (please note that I’m keeping my skepticism in check). In the words of Laura Soave, head of Fiat North America, “The pricing is the pricing. The younger generation doesn’t haggle. They don’t feel comfortable with it. They hate the experience.” Read More…