TheRX7Project
04-19-2011, 09:48 AM
So yesterday I was getting off the freeway by the condo I'm buying, and saw that Bergstrom Fiat is now open. I've been looking forward to the Fiat invasion for some time now. When the car was introduced in 2007 I figured it would be one of those "Unobtainable in the US" cars and I'd just have to think it was cool looking from across the ocean. I'm glad I was wrong.
I'm a big dude- a really big dude, both tall and wide- and my main concern was if I would even fit in the car. Well I do fit. Actually, I had the seat all the way back and had to move it up 2 notches to be comfortable. The one I drove did not have a sunroof but I sat in one with it, and there was plenty of headroom in either. It was a little bit tight width wise, about on par with my RX7. Not "relax" comfortable but not uncomfortable either.
So we got out on the road, and I'll admit I was very happy with the steering and handling, the sport suspension feels firm but not overley harsh- definitely daily drivable. The short wheelbase took some getting used to, especially since I've been driving a friend's Pacifica the past couple days (long story).
I didn't want to beat the crap out of it because the dealer came along so I didn't really get to give it a real workout. The two things I didn't like about the car was that it's 1.4L engine is pretty slow. I wasn't expecting much, and they did a good job with the gear ratios to make it work, but my Scion has about 60 more HP (and a whole extra liter) and the difference is more the evident. The other thing is the clutch. It's way too light and has NO feeling whatsoever. I even stalled the car taking off from a light because I can't "feel" the clutch.
The Sport model I tested was priced at 18,500. It comes with a 4-year 48k bumper to bumper, 3-year 36k roadside assistance, and also a 3-year 36k maintenence plan (which according to the dealer includes wear-out parts?)
Overall I like the car, I'm probably going to buy one in a couple years (after the wedding) but I'll look for a used one first for sure. I really am waiting for the convertable which is coming out next year. If they'd give us the turbo version as well, I'd be pretty much sold.
I'm a big dude- a really big dude, both tall and wide- and my main concern was if I would even fit in the car. Well I do fit. Actually, I had the seat all the way back and had to move it up 2 notches to be comfortable. The one I drove did not have a sunroof but I sat in one with it, and there was plenty of headroom in either. It was a little bit tight width wise, about on par with my RX7. Not "relax" comfortable but not uncomfortable either.
So we got out on the road, and I'll admit I was very happy with the steering and handling, the sport suspension feels firm but not overley harsh- definitely daily drivable. The short wheelbase took some getting used to, especially since I've been driving a friend's Pacifica the past couple days (long story).
I didn't want to beat the crap out of it because the dealer came along so I didn't really get to give it a real workout. The two things I didn't like about the car was that it's 1.4L engine is pretty slow. I wasn't expecting much, and they did a good job with the gear ratios to make it work, but my Scion has about 60 more HP (and a whole extra liter) and the difference is more the evident. The other thing is the clutch. It's way too light and has NO feeling whatsoever. I even stalled the car taking off from a light because I can't "feel" the clutch.
The Sport model I tested was priced at 18,500. It comes with a 4-year 48k bumper to bumper, 3-year 36k roadside assistance, and also a 3-year 36k maintenence plan (which according to the dealer includes wear-out parts?)
Overall I like the car, I'm probably going to buy one in a couple years (after the wedding) but I'll look for a used one first for sure. I really am waiting for the convertable which is coming out next year. If they'd give us the turbo version as well, I'd be pretty much sold.