Either you're a really old guy stuck in the past or you just don't know what you're talking about...
I'm a 41 year old guy who looks around and sees brand new 2011 Fiats STILL standing around in the showrooms not being sold even though they are now marked down to about half the price of the competition. That's the situation for Fiat here in Sweden, and I believe that's what we were talking about - the situation outside of the UK.
So - I'm afraid you are wrong. Bravos (or Fiats in general) ARE considered cheap because they are really cheap. And yes they do carry a really bad quality reputation - that's why they're not moving out of the showrooms despite the heavy mark downs. Again, I'm not talking about the situation in continental Europe in general, just what it's like in Sweden; which was the original premise of my post.
And, to be honest, the reputation isn't just based on the past. I drive a -08 Bravo that was an absolute bargain to buy, runs very cheap, quieter than the nearest competitors in this market (i30 and Cee'd) but compared to the Volvos, Saabs and BMWs I have previously been driving it certainly doesn't convey being a "quality vehicle" by a long shot.
Things rattle, break, fall off and tie rod ends need replacement already after 55000 kms (I have never had to replace one before 150000 kms on any car I've previously owned). In the winter there's never enough cabin heat even when I use a block heater before taking off and cover the grille with cardboard like people haven't had to do since the 60s. On top of that I had to replace the brake booster at 37000 kms! I have honestly never even heard of one of those failing at all before, at least not until the car is 30-some-years-old and the rubber membranes crack due to age.
But all this doesn't matter - I like the car a lot. It does
exactly what I bought it for - getting me really cheaply from point A to point B, without deafening me along the way, and without boring me to death like a Cee'd or i30. So what it all boils down to is - it's a car that delivers just about everything I want from it (except cabin heat in the winter) and at a good price. But "quality vehicle"?? Definitely not.