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Mini's are about the same size, equally unreliable, nearly impossible to upgrade, very rudimentary, and extremely awkward in interior layout, but somehow Fiat still just wasn't able to cultivate the cult following Mini has.
Minis are a size and price class up from 500s, both here and in the rest of the world. And nearly impossible to upgrade? HUGE aftermarket and enthusiast following says otherwise. If you do have an R56 like you say, you should know this. I had both an R56 and F56 (an '11 and a '14) and my wife was a MINI Genius at the local dealership. Upgradability is one if it's strong suites. I loved the interior of our '11 with the chromeline trim, sport pack, and premium HK stereo. The '11 had hands-free BT and a lot more, even though we didn't opt for the nav setup. I actually loved that car. So much fun to drive. Which is why when the lease was up we got the '14. The '14 was reliable and fun, too (especially the 3 cyl turbo with the 6 speed manual trans), but it had a lot of little recall issues, which was annoying.
At any rate, I love the 500 Abarth. I've driven both a 500 Sport and 500 Abarth and wouldn't mind having one in the fleet. I wish we had got the 500E EV over here, but it was a California compliance car. Still, the most reliable 500 on the market, lol. And torquey and fun to drive, as well, from all accounts ( I know 3 people that have them out in San Diego).
The fiat is a good example of how you fail if you dont understand the market. europeans and americans have a very different view of what a car is. in europe a car is simple practical and small, in america a car is a status symbol, the bigger the better.even the colors the fiats came in were not right for the american market,Im sure almost all of the sales were to people who just bought it because it was cute and quirky.
The fiat is a good example of how you fail if you dont understand the market. europeans and americans have a very different view of what a car is. in europe a car is simple practical and small, in america a car is a status symbol, the bigger the better.even the colors the fiats came in were not right for the american market,Im sure almost all of the sales were to people who just bought it because it was cute and quirky.
There is indeed profound difference between European and American car preferences, but I'd argue that it's less to do with Europeans being practical or Americans obsessed with status. Americans also care about practicality, while Europeans certainly aren't devoid of considerations of fashion, style, aspiration and prestige. Rather, the differences is in cultural paradigms of what constitutes practicality and fashion. Americans have wide roads, low population density, lots of parking spots, cheap gasoline, larger families and lots of accouterments to carry around. Europeans have high taxes and cramped cities; thus their preference for smaller cars, and in particular for cars-period, as opposed to trucks.
People who think Chrysler is done should read this before they say anything because the ones who think FCA is doomed don't know a dam thing about about anything.
Minis are a size and price class up from 500s, both here and in the rest of the world. And nearly impossible to upgrade? HUGE aftermarket and enthusiast following says otherwise. If you do have an R56 like you say, you should know this. I had both an R56 and F56 (an '11 and a '14) and my wife was a MINI Genius at the local dealership. Upgradability is one if it's strong suites. I loved the interior of our '11 with the chromeline trim, sport pack, and premium HK stereo. The '11 had hands-free BT and a lot more, even though we didn't opt for the nav setup. I actually loved that car. So much fun to drive. Which is why when the lease was up we got the '14. The '14 was reliable and fun, too (especially the 3 cyl turbo with the 6 speed manual trans), but it had a lot of little recall issues, which was annoying.
At any rate, I love the 500 Abarth. I've driven both a 500 Sport and 500 Abarth and wouldn't mind having one in the fleet. I wish we had got the 500E EV over here, but it was a California compliance car. Still, the most reliable 500 on the market, lol. And torquey and fun to drive, as well, from all accounts ( I know 3 people that have them out in San Diego).
I'll give you an example of poor upgradablility...rear fog light switch. It's there, the bulb is there, the little indicator on the speedo is there, but doesn't work unless you mess with German software codes with special equipment.
Swapping out the speedo for a nav system? Forget it.
A battery swap requires reprogramming.
Other than that I like it and would strongly consider a newer one. It is a fun ride.
I bought a Fiat 128 FrontWD when nobody had FrontWD back in 1971. After an accident I bought another. But after buying their sport model in 1974, and having to replace the alternator 4 times in 2 years, having the electric fuel filter break down numerous times, I never bought another one.
What's wrong you jealous they make good money and got a bonus.
I'm referring to the video of Chrysler auto workers taking their lunch break at a city park smoking weed and drinking booze (and throwing the bottles into the park) before going back to the plant. After the video was made public, those workers were fired, and later brought back to the plant to go back to work despite the video evidence of them getting high or drinking before going back to work at the factory.
I own a 2014 500L Easy. I wonder if We're talking about the same car? I love the Eurosplit 6 speed. It has all the bells and whistles..back up camera and such...it fits 4 full grown adults. I bought it for $10,000 in 2016 and it books at trade..for $8,000. Not all that bad. I see others on the lot for $11,500.
It's funny looking..to be sure--but handles well..the only knock I have on it is that it's a bit unresponsive at low rpm's...when in auto mode. I run it manual..and shift at 3,000---it zips...and the top end of 160 is reachable--if you dare..I got it up to 143mph...still was not redlined.
39,000 miles and no issues except for a recall for an issue I was not experiencing.
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