The Fiat 500E is Neat as Hell

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg) 01/10/2017 at 19:29 • Filed to: None

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My brother turns 16 soon, and he’s more than likely going to end up with a car of some sort. None of us had even remotely considered the Fiat 500E before, but after reading the front page article on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I saw two of them for sale at a local off-lease place. Swung by to take one for a test drive today. It’s really perfect for him. It was well equipped, comfortable enough, safe, a riot to drive, really quick from 0-40, and of course there’s the whole “no paying for gas or maintaining a gas engine” thing. What amazed me most of all was that it felt like a real car, not like a Mitsubishi Mirage or a golf cart. The cabin was comfy enough, and although there was some cheap plastic, there was nothing that surprised me given that it was an inexpensive little city runabout.

For a 16 year old kid who wants something a bit cool and unique and will drive maybe 15-30 miles a day tops, it seems perfect. I think it will even fit his guitar case with the back seats folded down. He hasn’t been able to drive it yet, what with him still being on his permit, but he seems ok with the idea. Obviously, if he decides he doesn’t like it then it doesn’t matter two hoots what I think. The car he really wants is a Jaguar X-Type, but I highly doubt that will happen.

The one we drive looked just like this. It’s like an Abarth but with cooler wheels.

If we get one, it’s likely that a dealer friend will pick one up at auction for us, meaning we’ll pay closer to wholesale than retail price. With that in mind it becomes an even more enticing proposition for my parents.

S65 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/10/2017 at 19:33

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Why does he want a X-Type

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > S65 01/10/2017 at 19:34

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He likes the look, the relative comfort, and the fact that it uses Ford running gear.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/10/2017 at 19:35

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Is he really going to be okay with short commutes only though? When I got my first car I drove as faaaaaaar from my town as I could on every occasion.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/10/2017 at 19:36

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1. Yes.

2. He’s got access to other normal cars should the occasion arise.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/10/2017 at 19:38

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...

[Sits down]

[Mumbles]

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/10/2017 at 20:19

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Good news is that it’s available with a sunroof. Bad news it’s only available in a couple states. Why not sell it nationwide?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob 01/10/2017 at 20:21

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I have no idea, I guess they thought it wouldn’t sell everywhere. But this one has a sunroof and is here.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > dogisbadob 01/10/2017 at 21:05

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Because according to Sergio Marchionne, FCA lose $16,000 for every 500e they produce. The reason they sell it in California is because the state requires at least 2.7% of all the vehicles sold by each manufacturer in California be an electric vehicle.

smobgirl > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/10/2017 at 21:09

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Well, every teenager runs out of gas once, it’ll just be a more modern experience.

smobgirl > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/10/2017 at 21:12

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I really like the idea of them but I’ve never driven one. I’ve read they’re supposed to be pretty fun to drive.

I can throw my banjo in the hatch with the seats still up but only barely (and they’re rarely both up anyway).

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > smobgirl 01/10/2017 at 22:45

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Even with a 24 gallon tank I managed it once.

Amoore100 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/11/2017 at 20:00

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Why not X-Type?

My parents got me a V50, it’s basically a Swedish X-Type. Your parents got you an A8 which I can say probably cost exponentially more to repair.

Amoore100 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/11/2017 at 20:00

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Why not X-Type?

My parents got me a V50, it’s basically a Swedish X-Type. Your parents got you an A8 which I can say probably cost exponentially more to repair.

TysMagic > dogisbadob 01/13/2017 at 15:11

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Just checking the emissions boxes there.

TysMagic > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/13/2017 at 15:12

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after just looking at these as well, I must agree. They’re incredibly cheap for very low mileage fully warrantied ones. Same can be said for the regular 500 if electric just won’t do it.

charrigan > dogisbadob 02/09/2017 at 10:29

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FCA only built the 500e to comply with the California laws regarding vehicle sales. FCA simply wanted to sell the minimum required due to the losses on each car they sold.

Expect to see many of these start popping up all over the US. Its a quick nice flip for dealers to turn a profit.

charrigan > dogisbadob 02/09/2017 at 10:31

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Also if you are 6ft tall or taller the sunroof cuts SO much from your headroom. Which is why I got one without a sunroof.

dogisbadob > charrigan 02/09/2017 at 10:55

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Too bad there was no electric 500c, because then you get infinite headroom ;)