[cooper3]

My 500 was manufactured in 17 days following the order, but has now sat in storage for a week and Fiat claims will likely sit there for another 1-2 weeks. Interestingly Fiat CS has no idea what this "storage phase" is all about. Is the car vacationing in Mexico?!

 

[Fast500]

I know there are 200 fiats sitting at the train tracks here in phx yet no studio established or sales.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I've been told mine is in pre-production for the last 3 weeks. I have a VIN! Just not an actual car.

 

[Deron]

From what I can tell it looks like 3-4 weeks on the line, another 3-5 weeks to clear U.S. Customs and then destination delivery timeframe.

 

[MoneyMan]

"storage" could mean several things: awaiting customs release, awaiting enough vehicles to fill a specific number of train cars, etc.

personally I believe its the latter of the two. the plant in Toluca Mexico also builds the Dodge Journey which comes to the States as well. my 'guess' is that the 500's and Journeys come to a holding area and are awaiting more vehicles to fill a train car to either go east, west, or north.

if you happen to be in an area that has not been getting many 500's because of a lack of Studios, you may have a longer wait.

again, pure speculation on my part......but it makes sense to me. I hope you all get your 500's soon!

 

[sec-guy]

It seems to be a customs issue. I've heard that there are >3000 stuck in this process (including ours). The dealership is being very very kind. We're told that next week may be our week, as they start getting released for import into US.

 

[Deron]

It seems to be a customs issue. I've heard that there are >3000 stuck in this process (including ours). The dealership is being very very kind. We're told that next week may be our week, as they start getting released for import into US.

Customs has probably been downsized like other Fed agencies to help pay for corporate welfare.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I've been told mine is in pre-production for the last 3 weeks. I have a VIN! Just not an actual car.

update. Mine is in some level of production as of today. Don't know what level. My local dealer has a Lounge in the same color/style but with chocolate/cream interior and every option available including Sat Nav en route. It's also an auto...mine ordered was a 5 speed. I mentioned that as a possible replacement and they upped my trade allowance almost $1000 to help offset the cost.

Still, almost 26k for a tiny little car. Well, my last two car purchases were close to 40k each...so I guess 26 ain't too bad?

 

[Deron]

update. Mine is in some level of production as of today. Don't know what level. My local dealer has a Lounge in the same color/style but with chocolate/cream interior and every option available including Sat Nav en route. It's also an auto...mine ordered was a 5 speed. I mentioned that as a possible replacement and they upped my trade allowance almost $1000 to help offset the cost.

Still, almost 26k for a tiny little car. Well, my last two car purchases were close to 40k each...so I guess 26 ain't too bad?

If your dealer is like mine, they ordered way too many automatics and not nearly enough sticks. Dealer even admitted it in passing conversation.

They're probably trying to clear their lot of automatics...I'd hold off for the manual trany if I were you. More fun and better mpg.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I know my dealer ordered a lot of lounges. I don't think the lounge comes in a manual.

 

[Deron]

I know my dealer ordered a lot of lounges. I don't think the lounge comes in a manual.

You're exactly right...no stick in the Lounge and no convertible in the Sport.

Bummer since that leaves out certain options if you want a rag top like me.

The day I bought mine, two other people also ordered Pop's with many's.

 

[RobR]

You're exactly right...no stick in the Lounge and no convertible in the Sport.

No stick in the Lounge in the U.S? I wonder why. I ordered my Lounge with stick here in Toronto.

 

[Deron]

No stick in the Lounge in the U.S? I wonder why. I ordered my Lounge with stick here in Toronto.

I think FIAT underestimated the manny popularity here...IMO, a small car like this screams for a stick shift, especially with the extra 5 mpg.

Local dealer here has 74 on the lot and only 5 are manual trannys.