General Welcome to our American users!

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General Welcome to our American users!

Im an Aussie living in the USA and I will be driving my new FIAT 500 tomorrow - super geeked about it!!!!!
 
Just curious, what's the premium over sticker on these right now?
 
Having finished the Mongol Rally last summer in a Fiat Punto, I just went to a local NorthWest Fiat Owners Club meeting here in Seattle a few weeks ago to give a little presentation about our trip (EPIC!).

Anyway, at their meeting they had one of the two new local Chrysler dealers who will be setting up their Fiat dealerships to talk about the 500. According to him, and corroborated by some press releases I've read online, Fiat USA will be following the Saturn and Scion (not sure if you have these in the UK, Saturn was a GM brand, Scion is a Toyota brand) model of "No Haggle" pricing. So, basically, dealers are not allowed to either mark up vehicles above sticker, nor offer deep discounts to compete with other dealers. Fiat will allow dealers to only be so close geographically to reduce competition. Despite Saturn's other failings, this was a pretty popular way to price cars, and it seems to work really well for Scion. Your car buying experience is all about customizing your vehicle instead of bickering over the price.

So, all that said, supposedly there will be no premium over sticker. The first 500 "Prima Edizione" were already reserved on a first come first serve basis, and when the rest start showing up in showrooms they'll be sold the same way, first come first serve. Supposedly the prices on Fiat USA's website (which I can't seem to post until I have 5 posts... so, um, Google it) are the prices we should expect them to be sold at.

Differences between the European and US models:
- bigger engine (at least, no 1.2L offered here anyway)
- more sound baffling
- different brakes/suspension/exhaust to meet US requirements

Also, no exact dates on when Abarth will be coming, but rumors are when it does make it here it will have 170bhp which I believe is more than what's available in Europe... but I won't believe too much until there actually is an Abarth sitting in my driveway. Since I'm not on the list for one of the first 500, I think I probably will wait and try to get one of the first Abarths as soon as they're available.

Can't wait!
 
Got the email saying that I've been spotted. :D

I'm also waiting for the Abarth to come stateside. The 170hp number came from a press release from Chrysler Media.
 
Ben,

Thanks for setting this up. I worked long and hard to find information. I'm a car geek. I own Porsches, VW's a Honda (wifes) and now I'm awaiting #241 Prima Edizione. I first saw the Fiat 500 on a trip to Italy in 2008. I told my wife if they ever came to the USA I would own one. In my area of Northern California I have a dealer in my town but they are having trouble getting the temporary location set up. I was able to attend the North American launch party. I got a real nice 15 minuite response by someone that works direct for Ms Soave giong over the car you see me sitting in. Regarding the price all the Prima's are one price including destination at $19,500 no including options. NO premiums alowed by the dealers. The only options are Sunroof, Engine block heater and one other thing that slips my mind. The Prima's are fully loaded with most of all the high end things found on the Lounge but NO automatic transmissions. I ordered my car in white and can't wait to get it.

Attached is a picture of me at the launch party on November 16th in LA. Great looking Mocha Latte Sport Model. If my Prima is as good as this car I will be a very happy camper.
Cheers!
 

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Im not sure if its the same the rest of the world but the BMW Minis are sold very similarly in the UK. It seems to keep the cars at a premium price over other competitors equivalent, but they still sell many many units. Also the resell value seems to very good for the seller Due to the prices not falling at the dealership for new units.
For our friends Stateside who dont know much about Fiat. In Europe Fiats have really struggled to hold their value in the past. Its good to see that they are taking steps to avoid that over there.
 
my story is similar to 777Joee's; first saw the car on a trip to Paris in the summer of 2009, and have been waiting for it to arrive in US. Wish the diesel engine option would be offered, but maybe soon. Very interested in the C version, which our MN dealers suggest may be available this summer. They tell us the first car we will be able to sit in should arrive this week or next. (Fingers crossed)
 
Thank you Ben for setting up this Forum.

I am new to the Fiat brand and cannot wait to learn more about the car on your Forum.

After driving a Fiat 500 for the first time, I am a fan. I was surprised. I really enjoyed driving the 500.

We will be opening our dealership here in Austin, TX on March 1st. I will refer new Fiat 500 owners to your Forum and participate on the site.

Ciao
 
Thank you Ben for setting up this Forum.

I am new to the Fiat brand and cannot wait to learn more about the car on your Forum.

After driving a Fiat 500 for the first time, I am a fan. I was surprised. I really enjoyed driving the 500.

We will be opening our dealership here in Austin, TX on March 1st. I will refer new Fiat 500 owners to your Forum and participate on the site.

Ciao
Austin Texas? Is that Guitar Town? My knowledge of Texan geography isn't great, if so, then "Everybody said you can't get far on $37 and a Jap guitar."

Look forward to all you from across the pond in the Leisure Lounge and other places around the Forum. Mind you, after you read some of my threads you'll realise why you fought for independance; they're worse than the tax on tea.
 
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I don't know how far you can get with a Jap Guitar, but $37 worth of gas in a Fiat 500 might get you from one end of Texas to the other. It takes a good six to eight hours to get from El Paso on the west of TX to Austin.

Looking forward to checking out the Leisure Lounge and really exploring the forum.

By the way, taxing tea is tacky. ;-P
 
I don't know how far you can get with a Jap Guitar, but $37 worth of gas in a Fiat 500 might get you from one end of Texas to the other. It takes a good six to eight hours to get from El Paso on the west of TX to Austin.

Looking forward to checking out the Leisure Lounge and really exploring the forum.

By the way, taxing tea is tacky. ;-P
Bonita, It will take you 6 hours to get from Austin to Midland. Forget El Paso. That'll be nearly 12. Pack a lunch.

I have Prima Edizione #376. Waco has no dealer yet. Someone needs to be talking to me about delivery. wink, nudge.
 
I don’t mean to complain, and it’s only my second post here, but 500 (USA) seems exclusionary. What about us Canadians?
It’s akin to calling a UK spec car the English Version.
I’ve just purchased a North American 500, which is actually built in Mexico.
 
Just picked up my 500 on Saturday from Bob & Chuck Eddy's Austintown Ohio, gotta say I love it more every time I drive it! :p
 
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