# Which Fiat is Best for You? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 31, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446 "2009-03-31T15:44:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ThePylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@ThePylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThePylon)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/21 "2009-04-01T18:03:51Z")
Interestingly, was listening to Phil “Lemon Aid” Edmunston on CBC earlier today. He mentioned that combining Fiat and Chrysler was as good an idea as 2 drunks trying to support each other walking down the street. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/22 "2009-04-01T18:28:37Z")
> [@ThePylon](#): > > Interestingly, was listening to Phil “Lemon Aid” Edmunston on CBC earlier today. He mentioned that combining Fiat and Chrysler was as good an idea as 2 drunks trying to support each other walking down the street. Well, it can’t go any worse than Chrysler/Mercedes. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/23 "2009-04-01T20:31:53Z")
I had a 1974 Fiat 124 Spider. It was a cool car, it had some issues but only paid $900 for it, and it was a looker. ---
**Author:** ![Discipline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Discipline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discipline)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/24 "2009-04-01T21:17:25Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I had a 1974 Fiat 124 Spider. It was a cool car, it had some issues but only paid $900 for it, and it was a looker. I still have a '79. It’s a gem. People holding a grudge like **Mamma Zappa** are likely the biggest reason Fiat hasn’t tried very hard to return until just recently. These days they make perfectly fine small cars, and actually have pioneered some interesting technologies. They’ve got some style in the 500 (I’d love to own an Abarth SS 500) and practicality in their other models. Getting Fiat here will also pave the way for Alfa Romeo as well, and I can’t see their new MiTo hatchback being anything but successful. I’m looking forward to seeing them here, even if I have to go to a Chrysler dealership to do it. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/25 "2009-04-01T21:37:36Z")
Always remember that Fiat stands for Fix It Again Tony… ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/26 "2009-04-01T21:41:47Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > At least the combined Chrysler / Fiat dealerships can save space by parking the Fiats in the beds of the Dodge pickups. > > 😃 That way they won’t need to include a spare tire, you’ll just use the “backup vehice” to take the tire to a repair shop for repair/replacement 😉 ?Pitstop? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/27 "2009-04-01T21:44:28Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Both Fiat and Renault were terrible a few years ago. Most of todays market would not have had bad experiences with them . They might get a holiday from the customers but the old problems better be gone if they want to survive. They were rust buckets and unreliable in the past. At that time VW made solid inroads into America. So the market was there. I looked in Wikipedia and see that it hasn’t been made since 1987, so why is it that I see “Renault” and think (in tune) “NEW RENAULT ALLIIIANCE!”?? :mad: That’s effective advertising. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/28 "2009-04-01T21:48:05Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > So Fiat will be coming to America. I think I like the Panda, but would find myself unable to resist any car called a “Grande Punto.” > > Seriously, they make some cute little good-for-the-city cars. Take a look and go down to your Chrysler dealer to get on the waiting list. > > [http://www.fiat.com/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/FIAT\_COM/showroom/showroom.jsp?BV\_SessionID=@@@@0526268226.1238513858@@@@&BV\_EngineID=ccciadegkmgjjgjcefecejgdfkhdfjh.0&categoryOID=-1073762978#;](http://www.fiat.com/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/FIAT_COM/showroom/showroom.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0526268226.1238513858@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccciadegkmgjjgjcefecejgdfkhdfjh.0&categoryOID=-1073762978#;) I drove the little two seat mid-engine X/1-9 (or whatever the number was) for a while. That was a fun car and cornered really well. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/29 "2009-04-02T00:04:38Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I drove the little two seat mid-engine X/1-9 (or whatever the number was) for a while. That was a fun car and cornered really well. Close enough. X1/9. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/30 "2009-04-02T01:47:50Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Close enough. X1/9. That’s the POC I was trying to think of. I looked up Fiat Spyder and it was the wrong car. You didn’t want to grab the door handle too hard because it would come off in your hand. Same for the window crank. Fun to drive but I’d rather arm wrestle an MGB into mechanical submission (the carbs on those things..oy) ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/31 "2009-04-02T05:47:47Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Always remember that Fiat stands for Fix It Again Tony… **F** eeble **I** talian **A** tempt at **T** echnology FIAT’s use Maggot Marelli electrical units. These are the only electrical items in the world that make the stuff from Lucas look good. IOW run fast run far. ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/32 "2009-04-02T06:44:26Z")
I’d want a 500, but I have something more important to say. Their minivan is called a “Ulysse”. _Ulysse_. I wonder how Honda feels about that? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/33 "2009-04-02T07:24:39Z")
[Topolino](http://www.netcarshow.com/fiat/1936-topolino_500/800x600/wallpaper_02.htm), _per favore_. The original 500. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/34 "2009-04-02T09:30:42Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > **F** eeble **I** talian **A** tempt at **T** echnology > > FIAT’s use Maggot Marelli electrical units. These are the only electrical items in the world that make the stuff from Lucas look good. > IOW run fast run far. That’s just mean. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/35 "2009-04-02T10:08:20Z")
This is the same problem the Big Three had wrt their quality reputation. Many of us were actually Fiat owners - few of us will be scrambling to get another one. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/36 "2009-04-02T10:36:05Z")
Meh. I lost my respect for Fiat when they prettified the Multipla. They took something utterly unique and turned it into just another MPV. [Behold, the ugliest car in the universe!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fiat_Multipla_front_20080825.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/37 "2009-04-02T13:51:57Z")
I like the PALIO. It is a popular brand in Brazil (most of the taxicabs are palios), so i must be fairly reliable. If they can sell this car for $13,000 (with A/T, AC, and power windows), they could do well. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/38 "2009-04-02T14:04:47Z")
Here’s some pics of [the 850’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_850). I had the sedan, it doesn’t look too impressive but it was cute, it was smaller than a VW bug. Mine was even that same baby blue color. I really wanted the Spider though but my dad wouldn’t even let me drive his. I’m really surprised that they were supposed to be such bad cars. My family couldn’t get enough of them. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/39 "2009-04-02T15:49:35Z")
My family had a 128. It was the car I learned to drive in. I don’t remember it as having had any unusual amount of mechancial difficulties but I was a kid so I would probably have ignored them. I do remember thinking the X1/9’s looked cool. Nowadays, I’d probably stay away from any car that was connected to Chrysler. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446/40 "2009-04-02T17:51:12Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > My family had a 128. It was the car I learned to drive in. I don’t remember it as having had any unusual amount of mechancial difficulties but I was a kid so I would probably have ignored them. I do remember thinking the X1/9’s looked cool. > > Nowadays, I’d probably stay away from any car that was connected to Chrysler. You would need the Chrysler to tow the Fiat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fiat-is-best-for-you/491446.md?page=3)