Why do folks call Fiat 500 beautiful? Looks like VW Beetle with Downs Syndrome

[glenn1]

Not sure why the Fiat 500 gets such praise as a "beautiful" car? IMHO it looks like a turd. What am I missing about the appearance that is so great?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Yeah, I don't really get it either. Italian reliability minus the looks and performance, plus the risk that Fiat will again stop selling in the US, leaving you stranded for parts and service. Thanks but no thanks.

 

[MagickMan]

Mmmm, I'd love to own a Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari. That's one badass little hatch.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Beautiful? No, but at least it doesn't look like every other car on the road. I would call it interesting and quirky in an Italian kind of way.

 

[brblx]

it looks better than anything else that size, i think.

i mean, look at our subcompact market. i think the mazda2 is one of the better looking ones (compared to fiesta, fit, ect) and i'll still admit it reminds me of a restyled geo metro.

also it's quite a bit smaller than the new beetle and new mini, from what i've seen. odd as it seems, you can actually fit four adults in those cars, if you have to. i don't think that's happening with the fiat.

 

[homercles337]

Mmmm, I'd love to own a Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari. That's one badass little hatch.

Holy hell. That is hot! Where do i get one?

 

[DominionSeraph]

Why do folks make threads relating to the visual aspect of an object without including pics of said object?

Now looking at it, it looks to capture the very soul of European styling. So I'm guessing it's Europeans calling it beautiful?

 

[exar333]

My fiance wants one. We test drove one last month and it drove OK. Feels a lot like driving an older VW Cabrio. The MT is pretty decent, even with the ~100hp. With 120-150hp the car ~2250lbs would be decently quick for a compact.

The painted dash inside actually looks pretty cool. Would be very easy to keep clean, and looks unique.

Definitely not a bad car. The looks are subjective, definitely.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Looks like a ladybug.

 

[goobernoodles]

There's a lot worse looking cars out there to start threads over. At least this one is somewhat unique.

 

[punjabiplaya]

it's got that retro Euro chicness and cuteness or whatever

edit: but what do I know, I bought a bright ghey blue smiley face

 

[HAL9000]

Love it, beautiful. Questions?

 

[PricklyPete]

It's European. Are you questioning European tastes?

 

[ultimatebob]

I don't get it... My MINI is faster, cooler looking, AND gets better gas mileage.

 

[Arkaign]

It's a decidedly dorky looking thing. It's only cool in an ironic/hipster sense, like the people that wear glasses that actually don't NEED glasses, but like the frames.

That said, it's a cut above move subcompacts.

 

[theeedude]

Beats me too. I guess it's same reason some people like Vespas. Makes them look like Italian retrosexuals.

 

[Doppel]

Why do folks make threads relating to the visual aspect of an object without including pics of said object?

Now looking at it, it looks to capture the very soul of European styling. So I'm guessing it's Europeans calling it beautiful?

Thanks, OP should have linked pic.

Thing does look European. Its headlights are a nightmare of epic proportions. Even the wheels here scream weak, barely able to get erect. The car in general is ghastly to behold.

Beats me too. I guess it's same reason some people like Vespas. Makes them look like Italian retrosexuals.

This.

I'd feel shame parking one of these in the driveway. Intense, deep-seated shame at what I'd become and my neighbors would rightfully judge me and say awful things to their wives. And their wives would say awful things to their husbands. And the children would say awful things to their parents. And it would all be true.

EDIT: I guess what I'm saying is I'd feel great pity for a woman explaining to her girlfriends why her husband is driving a Fiat 500.

 

[brblx]

the thing is just that the size doesn't really make sense in most places, and it's not even as cheap as the competition.

the 1.4 engine with some 15" wheels and standard power/safety features is like 20 grand.

my 3 (approximate representation here) was thousands less than that for crying out loud.

and i'm not even that crazy about its looks...but it is a lot more classy than the 500, i think (and i admit to liking the psycho grin in the front fascia). for 18k i got 16" aluminum wheels, all your standard power/tilt/cruise type stuff, bluetooth...it's just a different level of car.

and i don't say that to be snobbish. anyone who brags about their car (especially a japanese compact) is a tool, obviously. i'm just expressing what i've observed, which is that you can get a great compact for the price of most of these new subs (the 500 is almost...sub-subcompact. sub^2). i previously owned a versa which only saved me about 3k. although it was a very competent car and a hell of a roomy 'people carrier,' it just wasn't that special. it had a 6spd manual and the engine was in the 'good enough' range; even the suspension, while fairly soft and compliant, was very competent at holding a corner and responding to 'oh shit' situations.

but the mazda only lost a bit of rear legroom and a superfluous gear (the versa did kinda need the extra gear; first was really steep to help the slightly anemic low end). everything else improved. indepenent rear suspension, a stiffer chassis and generally much sportier handling, a much better feeling gearbox, more powerful engine, more seat/wheel adjustment and way better seat support, projector (halogen, but quite nice) headlamps...lots of the same stuff it had over the mazda2, also, which seemed to cost even more than the versa (~16k with basic options).

even without mazda, i would've sooner bought a civic...or am impreza...even a corolla...

i thought this thing would be like 10k. but as it's priced, it's just another 'smart' car. useless unless fitting into tight parallel parking spots is 90% of your concern when buying a car.

 

[makken]

found the top gear segment on it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZmGv-ecm3I

 

[SparkyJJO]

Yet another car I wouldn't be caught dead driving.

Well, I guess that statement doesn't make sense :hmm: But you get the idea.

 

[Pariah]

I never heard anyone describe it as beautiful, but it's a nice looking small car. Especially when compared to the competition.

 

[MagickMan]

Holy hell. That is hot! Where do i get one?

They made `em for one year and only sold 150... and they sold for ~$50k.

However, you can get an Abarth 695 Competizione, which is slightly faster, for about the same money.

 

[Arkaign]

Mmmm, I'd love to own a Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari. That's one badass little hatch.

Wow, same power to weight ratio as a 300C R/T. I'm thrilled beyond belief!

 

[MagickMan]

I can't say that it's the power that I find attractive, though I'm sure it's quick enough, it's the handling. They're supposed to be in a league of their own and as much fun as three Playmates in a barrel of Astroglide.

 

[Sulaco]

It looks like it melted...