Fiat 500 vs 128i cabrio

[ulrichd]

Originally Posted by thez99

Gotta say the new Fiat's look like pieces of shit, specially the "convertables"

Wow: plural of Fiat is Fiats and it's convertible.

[doublevanosrc]

Any who compares a Fiat 500 with a 128i needs their head examined. The Fiat should be compared with the Smart Fourtwo and the regular Mini Cooper.

[RimasRS]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Just got some advertisement material for Fiat 500 in mail today. It looks quite appealing comparing to 128i. Unfortunately no good technical data, so I can only guess on something. Sure it has just 1.4 liter engine with 101hp, but 5 speed manual transmission can make it blast considering that weight of the car should be much lower. The car has all latest electronics, BT and iPhone/iPod + USB support. Leather seats. Cabrio edition looks cool also, it looks like you can open roof in matter of few seconds. But one thing most important, the car is double cheaper than 128, but still European origin, same country for Maserati and Lamba. Any thoughts?

Wow.... wake up dude FIAT vs BMW are u ok? Your world is going crazy...
I can't believe that u are serious...

[Lippo]

As above, the Fiat should be compared to the Mini Cooper, and here in England, a Ford Ka (same underpinnings) and a Renault Twingo.

I have never heard anyone compare the E82 with a Fiat. Here in England, Fiat is still poorly regarded after years of below standard build and crappy engines.

I drove a 500 a couple of years ago as a hire car for a few days. It was ok, although the visibility funnily enough was quite poor (pillars obstructed the view). They are very small inside and had a small boot as well. It is more sparse inside and the engines are not of the same standard as a BMW.

Good luck if you want to swap, the only reason I can see for this is to be 'different'. Me, I'd rather stay with the BMW!

[thez99]

Personally i dont even think the regular mini is a good comparison, I feel the stock mini's would def overpower and handle better for sure versus this thing.

[kullenberg]

My experience with Italian products is that the designs are great, but when they mass produce a product, the designs suffer,

[JimD]

I used to have a Fiat 124 spyder. It would be more comparable to my 128i vert. I learned why some say Fiat means "Fix It Again Tony". It was fun while it ran. Maybe their quality has improved but it would have to improve a LOT to be comparable. Fiat owns Ferrari and is a major car company. But Fiat is their value brand, not a premium brand. Not at all comparable to a BMW.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by thez99

Personally i dont even think the regular mini is a good comparison, I feel the stock mini's would def overpower and handle better for sure versus this thing.

Probably, I test drove a mini a few years ago and that thing handles like its on rails!!!

[Ash83]

The fiat 500 is not comparable to the 128i... even the Barath version is not close to a 128i..

If you are looking for a mini then yes take a look at the fiat. but if you want a small fun coupe around 30K then go for a 128i..

[allanrangell]

FYI, the 500 is made in Mexico...

[fullboost]

Originally Posted by allanrangel

FYI, the 500 is made in Mexico...

An Italian car manufactured in Mexico. 'Nuff said.

[MikeinAlexandria]

The Fiat looks cute in person and specs decent on paper, but that is as far as it goes. Remember, the base price in the US is barely $13,000, the rest of the cost is options and accessories. So most. The cars sold here are tarted up Kia's... And yeah, even the "Sport" drives like an economy car. If one wanted t do a fair comparison, I would make it with a MINI. Even the cheapest ($20,000) MINI Cooper is an excellent driving car. The new turbo Coupe is quick, handles very well, and everything is top quality. Maybe when Fiat brings their $30,000 Abarth Essesse, they will have a contender, but till then, the 500 is slow, squishy, feels a bit cheap inside, and just doesn't have the handling a small car should have.

I love my 128i, and while I did install the coilovers, it came from the factory pretty close to what I wanted. (my other car is an Elise, the only car I have ever owned that came from factory with a perfect suspension set up). If one is comparing then128i cabrio to the 500, it is really an apples to oranges thing, unless you live in a very dense city with tiny on street parking spots. (the Fiat has a clear advantage here)

If one needs a daily driver that can zip around dense city traffic, park in tny spots like the Fiat and handle long trips, I would recommend the MINI Cooper S, but for a grand tourer, the One Series is great. The Fiat feels a little unstable at 60+ mph, and if you push its limits, there is a lot of under steer..

Best, f curse, go test drive! No was excited to get a chance to drive the Fiat, and disappointed when I did.n just as excited about the new MINIs and happy they are great little cars.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by allanrangel

FYI, the 500 is made in Mexico...

The ones for the North American market are.

For the European and other markets, they are made in Poland (alongside the Ford Ka & Lancia/Chrysler Ypsilon which are essentially all the same car with different badges and trim etc)

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by fullboost

An Italian car manufactured in Mexico. 'Nuff said.

I've owned two (German) Bimmers built in South Carolina and two (Japanese) Honda motorcycles made in Ohio. All were excellent vehicles.

So your point is???

Tom

[Bimmerlover76]

Originally Posted by RimasRS

Wow.... wake up dude FIAT vs BMW are u ok? Your world is going crazy...
I can't believe that u are serious...

Agreed. But hey, whatever floats your boat. Or Fiat. It looks like a lil' boat. So cute!!! Whatever...

I like the Fiats but they are a fashion item!!! Nothing more. If you like to subscribe to Details magazine and always get your Starbucks mocha-chino (with skim milk, you sly dog), then what the hell, get it and flush the douche after you're done.