MJG
Thank you for the feedback on the manual gearbox I may end up with one as a Lemon Law remedy I have read about some odd behaviour when reversing up a hill, something to do with the clutch and pressure plate That does trouble me a bit yet the 2015 model year has not arrived here. Are they available there?
With regard to the debut of the 500L into the U.S. market, I agree with you I hope that the reputation can be salvaged. The 500L is a wonderful car, sans the Dodge Dart gearbox.
I first saw them in France in October 2013 and immediately wanted one. I later found out that FIAT was starting to sell them in the US
I did a little research, not enough I suppose, on the vehicle. For example I d/l the app for this forum on my iPhone and monitored the conversations I also looked at CarSurvey.org. Unfortunately the FIAT you have is not the same thing that was unleashed here.