How good are today's FIAT cars on English roads?

Question

I'm speaking from the states here....

I really should have come to this site first, before taking a shortcut through Y!A UK's "Society and Culture" forum. What WAS I thinking?

Anyway, after having been missing in action for 25 years, FIAT has announced that not only is it returning to the USA with Alfa Romeo, it will be BUILDING the cars in the US. Specifically, high end Alfas and the brand new FIAT 500. I know-it sounds like a halluncinatory dream, to me, too.

Although devoted to FIATS of all types, I know they have a spotted past, to say the least. What are they like now? Are they reliable, do they rust away into oblivion while sitting on the dealer lot? Do they dealers stand behind you? Are they still a blast to drive?

Would love to know how you perceive this mark.

P.S.: on behalf of the Yanks, let me apologize for the spectacle of Bush telling Russia to get out of Georgia. In the wake of the Middle East debacle, his position defies belief. I would've posted this on the Society and Culture section, but there were too many chavs indulging themselves.

Greetings from Virginia.

Answer 1

Have had two fiats in the past and loved them - no problems, in fact I had more trouble with vauxhall and fords that I've had since. If Fiat did a car suitable for my needs (ie excellent visability out of the rear!) then I would have one for my driving school. Couldn't ever really imagine the 500 taking off in the US though - it's very small - I thought you liked your big cars over there!!

Answer 2

i bought a fiat multipla 6 years ago and i still have it i moved from the uk to southrn spain and brought the car with me in that time the only thing to go wrong was the crankshaft sensor. the roads out here are very poor the the car puts up whith them day in day out no problem. i can honestly say its one of the best cars i have ever owned    

Answer 3

Well, as an Italian guy living in England, I can tell you that the FIAT vehicles are utter rubbish! They are so problematic, I dare to even touch one in fear of the door falling off! The dealerships leave a lot to be desired.

On the other hand, Alfa Romeo is the one and only car I will ever drive. They are by far the best car brand I have ever owned. I've had 3... I had the Alfa Romeo 145, then the 156, and I am proud to say, I now own an Alfa Romeo 8C Spyder.

I'm sure the American Public will come to love and enjoy the joy of driving an Italian Masterpiece, such as the Alfa Romeo legacy!

Answer 4

I got a 10 year old Punto, I call her Penny & we have had some wild times together. I met her at a car dealership near my town. As soon as I looked into her headlights .... it was love at first sight. Two Bambinos later we are still madly in love. We never fight, except just before she has her oil change (she gets a bit grumpy for a few days).

So yeah, I'd recommend a Fiat, h**l my kids are Fiats!

I love Fiats!!

Answer 5

Fiat 500 is a Ford they are made in the same factory but a diffrent badge and ford are less money  

Answer 6

Sorry, Fiat & Alfa are the most unreliable heaps you could ever have - not so much bodywork now, but major mechanical misery; check out any owners' forum (especially Alfa ones) - they're just a catalogue of disasters.

If they're to be built in the states, they may get better, but then the US doesn't have the best reputation in that area anyway - the US built BMWs & Hondas are much, much more problematic than their home grown models, and the Chrysler models sold over here have a pretty poor all round reputation.

I don't even think that modern Alfas are that attractive to look at, it's a bit of the Emperor's new clothes in my opinion.