The 2012 Fiat 500 is one of the somewhat forgotten new models — probably because we’ve seen it on the auto-show circuit for the past year — and it’s? finally going on sale in the next few weeks. However, when the 500 does hit dealerships it will only be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.
There are three trim levels for the Fiat 500, the entry Pop, sportier Sport and top-of-the-line Lounge. Currently, the only way to get the six-speed automatic is to buy a Lounge model starting at $19,500, which is $4,000 more than the base Pop.
Buyers who can’t drive stick will have to wait until March or April when automatic-equipped vehicles go on sale. The Fiat 500 sold in the U.S. is assembled in Toluca, Mexico, so there isn’t a delay due to European shipments.
First 2012 Fiat 500s To Arrive With Manual Transmissions (The Car Connection)
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Comments?
cody Jan 18, 2011 12:31:19 PMdave t.,
any fuel economy estimates for this yet?
Amuro Ray Jan 18, 2011 12:34:34 PMSeriously, only people that don't do research will pay a premium price to buy a vehicle made from an auto factory in Mexico. I didn't realize that 500's not shipped from Italy...
Their auto workers are paid ~$2/hr with no career future due to the country's employer-favored regulations, in order to stay "competitive" with China.
FIAT FLOP Jan 18, 2011 12:48:36 PMDear FIAT:
$19,000 for an automatic? That's pricy considering how small it is. Not only that, have you looked at how ugly it is? Maybe there was something Lost in Translation.....
FIAT FLOP Jan 18, 2011 12:50:34 PMNotice the side view shown here. My guess is you will never see a front end shot in any USA advertising.... Best word to describe it is Ugh!
Tony Jan 18, 2011 12:51:58 PMAmuro Ray,
and you telling me that you would buy a car made on Italian factory?
This is just funny. I don't think I would buy any regular Italian car. If Germans can't make it well, the Italians even more so.
David Thomas - KickingTires Editor Jan 18, 2011 12:56:07 PMCody,
Sadly no mpg estimates yet. We're waiting too.
AR,
Ford Fusion is made in Mexico. Has top reliability score on Consumer Reports.
Fiat Flop,
Actually this was one of the few shots that wasn't head on for me to choose from.
Amuro Ray Jan 18, 2011 1:29:17 PM@ D.T. and Tony (not sure if you're implying the same thing, Tony).
My comment is on Mexico's auto workers working situation. Has nothing to do with reliability (which I didn't mention at all).
Point is, you are paying over $20K for sthg that's, in a way, the end product of sweat labor! The production cost is VERY little, hence once question the justification of a premium price.
If it's shipped from Italy, at least you have extra expensive shipping cost and the current currency exchange fiasco going on...
Amuro Ray Jan 18, 2011 1:30:16 PMhence one questions...
Tony Jan 18, 2011 1:31:10 PM40 years ago this car was made in Ukraine:
http://americandreamcars.com/1968zaporozhets.htm
Tony Jan 18, 2011 1:32:53 PMDT,
lately Fusions started to show up with bad engines @ 85K miles. I want to see them when they are 10 years old.
H Jan 18, 2011 1:40:28 PMAR,
How much did you pay for your iPod or TV or your shoes or just about anything else these days?
You paid too much since it was made in China and those workers get paid pennies on the dollar.
Dan Jan 18, 2011 1:59:03 PMAR:
"Seriously, only people that don't do research will pay a premium price to buy a vehicle made from an auto factory in Mexico."
So we should never be willing to pay more for a Sentra than its competitors?
Soakee Jan 18, 2011 2:00:34 PMCars this small should be manual only, first, last, and otherwise. If you can't drive a stick, shop elsewhere.
Amuro Ray Jan 18, 2011 2:21:41 PM@ Dan,
Keyword here is "Premium."
In case u don't notice, the incentives on the Sentras (even 2011 models) have always been huge, relative to sales price of vehicle. Same thing for the Versa.
Alex Jan 18, 2011 2:52:18 PMWhen are you guys going to get your BYO section on the 500 up? The fiatusa.com one is nice, but I want to see the invoice.
Stephen Jan 18, 2011 2:58:17 PMI've seen the '500 in person. It's not as ugly as in photos. No idea why not.
Despite getting drawings from Italy, most of the engineering was done in Auburn Hills. No idea why. But I consider it an American design. I mean, the Grand Cherokee isn't a Daimler design. It just has lots of high end ideas. It's also Auburn Hills.
I've not seen fuel economy figures. What i'd really like to see are EPA figures. Then there's some sort of apples to apples comparison that could be made.
My transmission of choice is manual. And, my 5 speed 1.9 liter 4 banger 4 door sedan averages over 43 MPG. 50 on trips. I'd love a 1.3 liter turbo in that car.
Paul Jan 18, 2011 3:33:16 PMBuy a VW and get a car made in Mexico.A PT Cruiser? Made in mexico.A 1989 K car? Mexico. The Chrysler 2.2? Mexico.Puebla and Toluca have long been hotbeds of automotive production.The old VW Type 1 Beetle plant was pretty crude,but otherwise,they are modern plants with hard working assemblers.
Dan Jan 18, 2011 4:23:42 PM@AR:
Yep, that's what I said.
In this instance, "premium" and "more" are synonyms.
Amuro Ray Jan 18, 2011 4:58:36 PM@Dan,
I kinda don't understand what you are implying then...
500 is a subcompact at a PREMIUM price - it's a LOT more than vehicle of similar sizes. Fiat is not a premium brand like its Italian relatives. It's definitely cheap to build cars in Mexico too.
Sentra is a "value" (a.k.a. cheap) car in its class. Year round incentives too ($2500 on 2011)!
Not sure what Sentra's competitors you are referring to that you've to pay MORE than the Sentra.
Dan Jan 18, 2011 6:16:35 PMAR:
Future tense. Hypothetical.
hoosier_roy Jan 18, 2011 11:47:05 PMAmuro Ray: STFU!
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