Joined
·
588 Posts
Hi there! I just bought a FIAT Sport (automatic) in Rosso Brillante on 2/20/12. I had been on the market for a new car for only a short while. I used to drive a staid, reliable, family-sized 4-door sedan (2002 Honda Accord, 4-cyl EX) which still runs perfectly and is paid off. Thus, there was no rational reason for me to want to buy a new car. I just didn't feel that the 4-door sedan "fit me," for lack of a better reason, and it probably never did, given that I don't have family in the States, never haul around stuff, don't drive more than one other person EVER. Call it mid-life crisis. I wanted a smaller car, one that got better gas mileage, but more importantly, one with some style, whatever that meant to me. I did not want to drive a bland Honda Accord any longer (although it is a fabulous, fabulous car)!
I test drove many cars (all the hatchback versions): Honda FIT, Honda Civic, Toyota Yaris, Scion xD, Scion iQ (so cute!), Ford Fiesta (definitely my least favorite), Mazda2 (my #1 car until I drove the Fiat on that fateful day) and the Mini. I liked some more than others, and my reaction was usually "Yeah...this is nice, I guess I'd be willing to let go of my Honda for this...it is smaller." The Fiat was never on my radar because of its "Fix It Again, Tony" reputation. But on Presidents' Day weekend, I test drove the FIAT, and I totally and utterly fell in love. Never mind the mediocre gas mileage, the "untested in the U.S." reliability, the "made in Mexico" factor, the lack of power. This was the first car that made me regret still owning the 2002 Honda Accord. I had to have it, and I had to have it right then and there.
I bought the extended warranty (an additional three years) and the maintenance package and did not bargain hard. I drove off the lot with an automatic Sport in Rosso Brillante with sun roof, safety and convenience package, dark brown & black interior, extended warranty & maintenance package (was I a total chump?). BAM!
Did I just make the biggest mistake ever? Driving home on the freeway, the sun shone in through the sun roof, and I did not realize that the sun roof did not come with an interior cover (no, I do not consider the mesh thing an interior cover). I was getting warmer by the second and it was very bright. ****. What did I just do? I called the dealer the next day and the sales manager offered to re-tint the sun roof to a very dark color, and one of my very supportive friends has found HotFiat.com that offers an interior cover, so I should be okay. (Yes, I know that living in Southern Cal means you should have a sun/moon roof, and yes, my Honda has a sun/moon roof. Did I ever use it? Rarely.)
But I am/was freaking out a little. I am so used to driving reliable Hondas, and not used to driving a fun car, whatever that means! I drove my new FIAT last night in West LA traffic (from here to there, maybe 1.5 miles, taking 25 minutes, you know, the usual) and I have never had so much fun sitting in stop and go traffic. I played with the steptronic (I am not very good, I do know how to drive manual, albeit not well) and just felt happy.
Does this feeling last? I am not a driving enthusiast, quite clueless about cars, and I went with my emotions on this, which is usually not very wise. I would love to hear from some supportive FIAT owners about their experience. The salesperson said that the people in Europe have been driving this car since 2005 and that it won awards for reliability...can somebody speak to that? Are the cars comparable?
I would love to hear from you!
I test drove many cars (all the hatchback versions): Honda FIT, Honda Civic, Toyota Yaris, Scion xD, Scion iQ (so cute!), Ford Fiesta (definitely my least favorite), Mazda2 (my #1 car until I drove the Fiat on that fateful day) and the Mini. I liked some more than others, and my reaction was usually "Yeah...this is nice, I guess I'd be willing to let go of my Honda for this...it is smaller." The Fiat was never on my radar because of its "Fix It Again, Tony" reputation. But on Presidents' Day weekend, I test drove the FIAT, and I totally and utterly fell in love. Never mind the mediocre gas mileage, the "untested in the U.S." reliability, the "made in Mexico" factor, the lack of power. This was the first car that made me regret still owning the 2002 Honda Accord. I had to have it, and I had to have it right then and there.
I bought the extended warranty (an additional three years) and the maintenance package and did not bargain hard. I drove off the lot with an automatic Sport in Rosso Brillante with sun roof, safety and convenience package, dark brown & black interior, extended warranty & maintenance package (was I a total chump?). BAM!
Did I just make the biggest mistake ever? Driving home on the freeway, the sun shone in through the sun roof, and I did not realize that the sun roof did not come with an interior cover (no, I do not consider the mesh thing an interior cover). I was getting warmer by the second and it was very bright. ****. What did I just do? I called the dealer the next day and the sales manager offered to re-tint the sun roof to a very dark color, and one of my very supportive friends has found HotFiat.com that offers an interior cover, so I should be okay. (Yes, I know that living in Southern Cal means you should have a sun/moon roof, and yes, my Honda has a sun/moon roof. Did I ever use it? Rarely.)
But I am/was freaking out a little. I am so used to driving reliable Hondas, and not used to driving a fun car, whatever that means! I drove my new FIAT last night in West LA traffic (from here to there, maybe 1.5 miles, taking 25 minutes, you know, the usual) and I have never had so much fun sitting in stop and go traffic. I played with the steptronic (I am not very good, I do know how to drive manual, albeit not well) and just felt happy.
Does this feeling last? I am not a driving enthusiast, quite clueless about cars, and I went with my emotions on this, which is usually not very wise. I would love to hear from some supportive FIAT owners about their experience. The salesperson said that the people in Europe have been driving this car since 2005 and that it won awards for reliability...can somebody speak to that? Are the cars comparable?
I would love to hear from you!