Might not have been so in all markets...
Everyone seems pretty happy with the new 500 and Fiat's return to the States but a few very troubling points from my perspective... Most may or may not know I have owned/driven Yugo's since late '90s. No need to apologize they are very near cousins to classic Fiats in every way. Well mechanically, styling is clearly not a communist strong suit.
The Fiat dealer for Charleston, SC is a used car lot. Try as I might I almost never see anything Fiat, aside from the sign by the road, that says Fiat and Alfa Romeo lately. I think any stock is parked out back. My brother and sister both former X1/9 owners have 500s brother also bought a Renegade (Jiat?) I have driven both...not so much... I have looked around Abarth models and while at the dealership for test ride I checked out the undercarriage... solid rear axle, even the Yugo has 4 wheel independent! I drove the Cabriolet so added weight may have fouled the test drive, salesmen's enthusiasm was surely not to blame he was absolutely certain I was driving that baby home! I think it was my expectation having driven Xs for all but a few years since '81 I can't bridge these two cars together... you know? Take any other brand and compare '82 to 2012 models and there are steps every few years linking one to the next. Not so for the 500. I am not their target market, or I hope I am not, because I am not buying that many more cars. My kids will but they don't see 17k of value in the entry level cars. (OK maybe I don't and I am speaking for them...) The last troubling point,which is the reason for the header, local Dodge dealer advertised "buy a New Ram get a new 500 free" now the Yugo buy a Caddie get one was get the car and the 500 was a year lease free but that was not in the disclosure. Now the Fiata 124... I understand sharing platforms cost saving and all that but I question Fiat's commitment to this market. I hope not but Mike you might want to start working up your "500 jokes" time will tell but I really hoped for better. Just my thoughts...
Regards
Reading through post I think I may get blow back on the rear axle comment... perhaps it is some type of torsion blah blah blah and not two wheels hanging off one pole but it is not what I would ever call "independent rear suspension" and it seemed a detriment to ride quality.