I frequently visit a local 7-11. Another one of their regular customers is a pretty lady who owns this nice Fiat 500 Gucci edition. When I first saw it, the first thing I could think of was the mid-1970’s AMC Matador Oleg Cassini edition.
It turns out that there have been a few Gucci-labeled special editions over the years, most notably the 1979 Cadillac Seville by Gucci, though it turns out that the first Gucci-special was an AMC Hornet wagon. The Gucci-edition Fiat 500 was available starting in 2011 in the USA, from what I can gather, and was available as late as 2013 in Canada.
Along with the car, there was a selection of Fiat/Gucci handbags, clothing, and other swag.
No doubt proper accessorizing is important when living the Fiat 500 by Gucci lifestyle!
Speaking of accessorizing, the lady who owns this nicely-preserved example likes to drive around with her pet Chihuahua in the passenger seat, though it likes to sit in the driver’s seat when it is unoccupied. She told me the Chihuahua is 20-years old but still feisty, and her Fiat has been a dependable companion over the years as well. Somehow it seems appropriate that the Gucci-edition Fiat 500 would have a loyal Chihuahua as co-pilot.
The word “Brougham” tends to conjure up images of large, floaty American sedans with vinyl roofs and opera windows. Here’s a latter-day example with a little bit of “Brougham style” but maybe a bit more practical for congested urban areas. Just remember to bring your co-pilot.
This is a new one on me. I know the designer-thing worked on high end cars back in the 70s (and into the 80s) but it didn’t really work for AMC. It will be interesting to see how this one does. Perhaps this car makes a good basis for a fashion accessory.
It is also interesting how FCA has kept the 500 relatively fresh despite no real changes in over a decade. At least they are not letting it shrivel.
You must not have read the news yesterday, JP. FCA announced the 500 is dead for the US effective immediately. There will be no 2020 models, but if you want a 500, there are tons of ’19s left on the lots.
I did not see this. Never Mind (in my best Gilda Radner voice). 🙂
Maybe not completely dead; FCA is just going to stop building them in Toluca.
Oh, man, that is such bad news for me. Though not completely unexpected, as Fiat sales have been disappointing. The lease on our delightful 2017 500e, which has become the main car in our household, is up in February. I’ve been planning on buying the car, but now I’m not so sure.
Thing is, EVs require little to no maintenance, and repairs are rare. But if you do need a repair you need the factory and warranty support (8 year battery warranty). If FCA ends up dropping the whole Fiat brand in the US, I don’t want to be sent to a Jeep dealer if my 500e needs fixing.
Damn.
I wonder what FCA’s going to do about a California compliance car without the 500e?
By the way we have quite a few Fiats in Portland but I’ve never seen one of these silly Gucci models.
The 500e was never a great choice to keep past the lease. It was a compliance car with very limited distribution. So even at a Fiat-Alfa store there wasn’t a good chance to find a technician knowledgeable and experienced in the things unique about the “e”.
If you want to keep an EV past the warranty the only reasonable choice at this point in time is the Leaf. They were sold in reasonable enough numbers and have a chance of reasonable service and parts availability for the future.
Well, consider the Levi’s edition on several models, and the low end models did see the designer edition do fairly well. It was a cheap and easy way for an OEM to upsell a car with minimal capital outlay, as it was usually just choices in interior fabrics and interior and exterior colors, not any real changes to the other cars built on the same line. Broughams sold by tying in with well known haute couture designers who had recently started selling their names and not so actively designing couture, like Givenchy, Bill Blass, Halston, and Cassini. Hornets, Pacers, Gremlins and Jeeps got the Levi’s treatment, which resonated with the more blue collar buyers of those models.
I’m severely bummed as an Abarth owner to hear that FCA is cutting the 500 off after 2019 with no replacement planned. All versions are aesthetically fun in a way that no other automaker seems willing to attempt. America really, REALLY loves its cookie-cutter SUVs, CUVs and trucks with little interest in unadulterated fun-size snacks.
Yep, I love my 2012 Abarth… 47,500 miles in the 7 years I’ve owned it. No troubles, a smile every time I drive it. I can honestly say it has been the lowest cost to maintain of any new car I’ve ever purchased.
If anything beyond grey pleather interior is considered brougham, long live brougham! Don’t forget the Pierre Cardin Javelins as well
I hadn’t heard the news about the 500 cancelation, sad but unsurprising really in this bleak seeking market. I honestly cannot think of a reason for the Fiat brand to exist without it though, the rest of the Fiat lineup is just the 500l and 500x, both directly derived off the small 500’s styling if it became morbidly obese. FCA brands right now have models that their brand is literally hinged on for identity, imagine cancelling the Wrangler for Jeep or the Challenger for Dodge.
Don’t they still make the 124 Spider yet as well?
Don’t they still make the 124 Spider yet as well?
Yes they, actually Mazda, still makes the 124. The Fiat gloom parade started a week ago with management saying there may not be a next gen 124. Management continued that, while the 124 is profitable for them, it doesn’t fit their marketing plan, so they want to stick a fork in it. Another win for the MBAs in their plain charcoal grey suits.
The pre-CC effect took hold a couple of days ago as I was behind one of these Gucci versions at a light. My aunt had an original 500 back when she was a 20-something and these certainly (the 500 in general) harken back to that quite well. After first the Beetle and then the Mini, I suppose lightning can strike twice but a third time is a little against the odds.
How many people do you figure have dueling 500’s in the garage? I mean this 500 and then the Ford that has enough room on the trunk lid to spell out Fivehundred….
I often see a white Gucci version on the way to work in traffic, complete with vanity plate. I really think Fiat missed the boat on some other possible designer tie-ins. Consider the possibilities with other Italian design houses. For minimal costs to Fiat, they could have done a Versace edition, a Fendi edition, or a Dolce and Gabbana edition, either more in tune with the probable demographic than Gucci. Younger, and more colorful than the tricolore of the Gucci with gold accents. A few decals, along with new choices in interior fabrics and colors, would have been a tour de force for a car that sold more on style than substance.
I will gladly hold on to my base Pop edition, and am sad to see the end of the line for the 500 in the USA. Twelve years with almost no changes does not bode well for sales of anything. However, I hold out hope that Fiat decides to bring over something fun and new to our shores, like a new Panda, maybe rebadged as a 600. We have the Tipo being built and sold as a Dodge in Mexico, and the Doblo selling as a Ram, so there is always hope.
Nice catch, Brougham.
Sorry to see the Fiat 500 go away. I was seriously thinking of buying one as a 2nd car and leaving the Ford Escape parked in the driveway.
The biggest issue was finding one with a stick shift which put the fear of God in every used car salesmen that I encountered. None knew how to drive a stick. Each would have to find another salesmen or a mechanic from the service Dept to drive it off the dealership lot before they would let me take a test drive.
Let’s hope a devoted website or Nuovo FIAT 500 club develops to track spare parts, junked frames, and repair houses. Now is the time to develop a network of resources.
I have a feeling that the Nuovo 500 will appear in future CC articles.
The fact that FCA has discontinued the 500 name plate won’t have a big impact on parts availability. Would you be worried about getting parts for a 2015 Honda Civic, because Honda discontinued it. Sure they still sell a car named Civic but the current Civic is a different car. The big difference is that Honda sold hundreds of thousands of Civics while there just aren’t that many 500’s in the US. So it makes financial sense for Honda to continue sourcing parts for them and the units in operation means that it makes financial sense for the aftermarket too.
The fact that FCA has discontinued the 500 name plate won’t have a big impact on parts availability.
The big difference is that Honda sold hundreds of thousands of Civics while there just aren’t that many 500’s in the US.
Exactly my concern. Doubly so for the Fiat, vs the Civic in your example. Besides the huge numerical superiority of the Civic, giving Honda an incentive to continue to provide parts and service support, the 500 is an oddball, even in FCAworld. The typical Mopar dealer, for instance, will have buckets of trans fluid for the ZF automatic on hand, but the 500 uses an Aisin trans.
I was interested, for a while, in having a Saturn Astra as a beater, so watched the deterioration of GM parts and service support with interest. When Saturn was first shut, you could go to the Saturn web site and it would refer you to the nearest dealer that had been designated as a Saturn service point and would have Saturn specific service tools, parts and trained personnel to work on the cars. That lasted maybe 5-6 years. Then the Saturn web site was changed to tell owners to take their car to “any GM dealer”, implying that none would have Saturn specific parts on hand. A couple years ago, the Saturn site was taken down entirely, and a large number of Astra parts started transmuting to unobtainium from GM about 3 years ago, yet the last Astras sold are barely 10 years old now.
I expect the same to happen to the 500 as soon as the last of them are out of warranty.
“I expect the same to happen to the 500 as soon as the last of them are out of warranty.”
My point is that is going to happen whether the model is still around in a new generation or if the name plate is discontinued.
Saturn is not a good comparison since it was the brand that was discontinued and that was always a stand alone brand with their own stand alone stores. The Fiat brand isn’t going away, yet, and they have never had their own stand alone stores, they have always been at either a CDJR store or the Fiat-Alfa store.
Too much money for not enough car that should get much better gas mileage. Not to be a sour puss, but this is what knocks it off my list.
Too much money for not enough car that should get much better gas mileage
Not as efficient as a Honda or Toyota, and the 500 wants premium gas, so dig a bit deeper for that extra 80 cents/gallon.
I have been thinking about getting a 500 Cabrio ever since they came out, as a nice weather, bomb around town, second car. Last April, the dealer in Ann Arbor had a virtually new 2017 Pop Cabrio that they had been using as a service loaner, on offer at a very attractive price. I went for a look-see.
I had read all the test reports crying about the hard ride and lack of power.
I pulled the car out onto Jackson Rd and we were off. First thing I thought was “what are they crying about a lack of power for? This car is accelerating pretty briskly”. Then I noticed the engine sounded like it was running excessively fast for cruising at 45, found the automatic was in second. Being unfamiliar with the gear selector, I had it in manual shift mode. Must have inadvertently redlined it for it to be in second. Switched the car into automatic mode and resumed the drive. On down the road we went, and I thought to myself “why was everyone crying about the hard ride? It rides fine for a small car” Pulled out onto I-94 and, with two aboard, it zoomed up to 80 with no distress and was perfectly stable on the road. Combined with the small size, tiny turning circle and the general eagerness of the car, the sense was of driving a really fast golf cart. Just to clarify, to me, driving like a really fast golf cart is good.
I had one question for the salesman, before I scribbled out my check: given when they registered the car, there should be 3 1/2 years factory warranty remaining on it, but the warranty disclosure document attached to the car did not have the box checked for “balance of factory warranty in effect”, it only said the dealer had a 3 month/3,000 mile warranty on it. The salesman said the factory warranty was in effect, but he, and the sales manager both refused to have the warranty document corrected to show, in writing, the warranty was in effect. Their sales pitch amounted to ordering me to “sign here, give us money”. umm…if that’s how they treat people they are trying to sell a car to, how do they treat a customer that has a problem with the car? So, in the space of about 15 minutes, they talked themselves out of a sale.
This was the same dealership that could never solve some of the chronic problems with the Alfa that Car and Driver had on a long term test last year.
Went up to Golling in Bloomfield Hills, which had a new 2019 Pop Cabrio in stock. I was so impressed with the 2017, I was willing to koff up 19 big ‘uns for the new one. Had the checkbook in my pocket. Fiat made some changes in the Pop, starting in 18: adding the turbocharger from the previously discontinued Turbo model and the 16″ wheels and 45 series tires from the previously discontinued Sport model. Pulled the car out on to Telegraph Rd, and disaster.
The 2017, with 55 series tires rode perfectly fine. The 19, with the 45 series rollers constantly bounced. Didn’t matter which road I was on during the test drive, or which sort of pavement, from new concrete to broken asphalt, there was a constant bouncebouncebounce, the sort of crappy ride all the road test journos had cried about. Reviewing the old road tests later, all the journos had been driving a Sport, or Turbo, which both had the 45 series tires that the Pop is now afflicted with. And the turbo? In traffic, there was no perceptible improvement in acceleration. Just to be sure, I drove my VW over the same roads I had driven he Fiat on. Compared to the bouncy Fiat, the VW rode like a 707.
Pass on the 2019, start searching for another near new 2017.
A 2017 showed up on Carvana: 3 years of warranty remaining, less than 10K miles, and a better color (black) than the one in Ann Arbor (dark grey), and a pretty steep price. Sucked it up and bought it. Had the money in the bank account. Had all the sales documents in order. Delivery to casa del Steve set for August 29th, about two weeks hence. The next day, the A/C at casa del Steve seized up. The service tech that checked out the A/C confirmed, the 37 year old compressor has compressed it’s last. He also pointed out my furnace is 20 years old. I could get a modest discount if I replaced both, and I wouldn’t need to deal with HVAC issues again until I’m 85 and ready to check in to the geezer hotel. Only problem, the HVAC issue leaves a big, smoldering crater in my bank account. I called Carvana, and cancelled the transaction.
Last Friday, a dealer in Toledo listed a 2016 Pop Cabrio, dark grey, 8K miles, for $11K, about 1 year of warranty remaining. I start thinking “there is enough in the bank account to handle the HVAC issues *and* that 2016”. Started thinking about driving down to Toledo for a look-see this Thursday or Friday.
Then the news about the 500 being dropped broke Sunday. I had always assumed that, somewhere in the not too distant future, the 500 would be an orphan, and start developing parts and service availability issues. Surprise! That day is here. Cancelled the trip to Toledo.
So that is my long and twisting love affair with the 500 Cabrio.
That’s some adventure trying to get a 500 Cabrio. The most interesting part was how badly the lower-profile 45-series tires affected the ride versus the less sporty 55-series. I’ve never much liked shorter sidewall tires. I don’t think they look all that great with the larger rims, and the compromise in ride quality just doesn’t seem worth it (narrower sidewall tires are invariably an extra-cost item, too).
And I recently discovered that the ‘standard’ turbo engine on the latest (and, presumably, last) 500 is no bargain, either; the base price increased by $1500. Essentially, FCA just brought back the original, non-Abarth turbo option, but now it’s a ‘mandatory’ option across the board.
It’s a pity because, otherwise, the 500 is a rather nifty little car. Frankly, I’d much prefer one of them versus, say, a New Beetle, MINI, or smart fortwo.
And, yeah, Car and Driver’s Alfa was a real horror story and, from what I can gather, it’s not an isolated incident, either. They really wanted to love that car, too. You can bet that the dealer not documenting the warranty on the ’17 500 was a calculated and very deliberate maneuver. You definitely would have needed that warranty coverage.
With the unexpected home HVAC issues that put an end to any thoughts of getting a surely troublesome 500, it sounds like things actually worked out for the best.
I recently discovered that the ‘standard’ turbo engine on the latest (and, presumably, last) 500 is no bargain, either; the base price increased by $1500.
The 500 was originally priced as a fashion accessory. In 17, they not only cut the price by about $1500, they added content, like making 15″ alloy wheels standard on the Pop, which had had steelies and plastic wheel covers in earlier years. Then, in 18, they bumped the price back up, and increased the shipping charge.
It’s a pity because, otherwise, the 500 is a rather nifty little car. Frankly, I’d much prefer one of them versus, say, a New Beetle, MINI, or smart fortwo.
My other option for a topless summer car was a Beetle convert. In the Bug’s favor, I have been very pleased with my Jetta wagon and receive excellent service from the VW dealer in Ann Arbor.
Tried out a couple Bugs over the summer. As much as I am biased in favor of VW, I could not get past the noise and buffeting in the Bug with the top down. The wind deflector is a $450 option, and none of the Bugs I looked at had it, so I can’t judge it’s performance. Without it, the feeling at speed was of someone in the back seat constantly beating the back of my head with a pillow. Heading out Ford Rd in the boonies, where the speed limit is 55, the other day, I noticed two girls in a Bug convert behind me. It looked like they were both sitting in hair tornados as the buffeting was blowing their long hair all over the place.
When I got in the 500, I cranked the roof to the sunroof position, which opens at least 80% of the roof area. The only turbulence was a little swirling of the remaining hairs on the top of my head, no pillow beating my head, and quiet. With the side windows closed, I had both open roof motoring, and was able to converse with the salesman as I spanked the car down the road at 50.
…thoughts of getting a surely troublesome 500,
I have seen just enough anecdotal information that not all 500s live up to the “Feeble Italian Attempt at Transportation” reputation to be encouraging. A guy I correspond with on FB has put 35K on the one he bought used, and it’s been trouble free. A guy in Chicago did annual updates on youtube on his 2012 500 that he bought new. He drove that car for over 7 years, 70+k miles with no big issues. His Fiat finally went away because he was distracted by a second hand Audi, and he had to clear garage space for it.
Thanks, you have answered the questions that bother me, as an owner, in comparisons with what reviews had said about the 500 and what I have experienced. I have the base 2015 Pop, no turbo, 5 speed, and 55 series tires. The ride is great, the acceleration around town and getting onto the freeway fine. Passing is okay, but one needs to plan and use momentum rather than horsepower when planning such things. Drop a gear, and plan on a gradual increase in speed, nothing immediate as in a V8. But that, along with okay fuel consumption on premium (solid 35 mpg in combo city/highway, with 40 on long highway trips common), goes with the car.
What everyone who rode in it so far, or driven it, has mentioned, is that it is much more roomy inside than they ever thought. Not wide, but tall, and good seats for those over 6 feet tall, not too cushy but supportive for longer trips. Great visibility forward and to the side, but the C pillar does create a blind spot when backing out of parking spaces. With no trailing rear behind it, the spot is just where you don’t want it in those cases, but you adjust quickly. The back seat is not for any human to use for extended periods, but then, I could not imagine 4 people in such a small car on purpose. The ride is smooth, and while not luxury car quiet, it is comparable to any small economy car.
I have figured out that you can either hate something for what it is NOT, or love something for what it IS. If you thought it would be a small luxury import, you were sadly confused. Don’t compare it to a much more expensive MINI, compare it to a Hyundai Accent hatchback. The prices for the Accent was much closer than the MINI was to the 500.
As to parts, the 500X and 500L do use a lot of similar parts, but not all, and they will still be available. I don’t think that European versions will be stopped, so there will be parts, but one may need to use Google to get them rather than stopping into a dealership.
Guess what, they are now going to be cheaper than ever. If you want one, go for it, it’s a fun toy to enjoy. I use mine as a daily, but if you are looking for one as a secondary car, start your search!
I have the base 2015 Pop, no turbo, 5 speed, and 55 series tires. The ride is great,
The guy in Chicago who was doing annual video updates on his 500, when it was time for new tires, switched to 16″ wheels and 45 series tires from the 15″/55 that came on the car. He said he instantly noticed the deterioration in the ride, though he claimed he “got used to it”, with time.
He also discovered that the TPMS sensors are oddballs, not the same as a Dodge or Jeep. The NTB he took the car to for the tires did not have the Fiat sensors, couldn’t get them, so moved the existing sensors from the old 15″ steelies.
I just don’t understand people going with something different in tires when they are not changing anything else on the suspension or using the car as a racer. Their choice, but the engineers who designed it probably know more about giving it a good ride than an amateur looking at a Tire Rack advert. I can see doing something different when the original size is no longer available, but these are. Since I kept the same tires on when I replaced them at around 50K, I have not had any issues with the TPMS as they were not changed. I just did a bit of digging for parts prices on Rockauto as I suspect I am getting near the brake pad wear at 65K, and prices are not bad, and there are tons of choices for most of the parts. I don’t think availability on most parts will be the issue many think.
Just to let you know, I have not had any issues in 5 years with mine. I did have the recall for a clutch spring, but mine was fine before being replaced. I have changed the oil regularly, replaced one battery, the wiper blades and new tires, but no other repairs ever needed. I have driven it 10 hours to New Orleans from Florida without feeling cramped or worn out, and I use it in traffic on my daily commute without the manual giving me fits. If you like them, you can pick one up, cheap. Do it!
The above dialog would make great fodder for a CC story about the rise and fall of the Nuovo 500. Several other cars have followed this theme like the AMC Pacer and Nissan Juke. Initial burst of success foiled by shifting demographics or economic environment (ie: price of gasoline).
Waiting for the sound of a clicking keyboard🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗
… Initial burst of success foiled by shifting demographics or economic environment (ie: price of gasoline).
The price cut for the 2017 model year almost arrested the fall in sales. Then they jacked the price back up for 18, and switched to 16″ wheels, which made the ride worse.
Then there is the availability issue.
When i started thinking about moving on a Cabrio, in the spring of 17, there were none to be had. The dealer in Ann Arbor finally got some in, in September. Who is going to be looking for a soft-top car, in Michigan, in September, when there were none available all summer?
Last year, there were stretches where most of the dealers around metro Detroit had no 500s.
FCA zeroed out the advertising budget for Fiat.
Whether by indifference or incompetence, management has not been helping the 500’s case for some time.
Sorry to hear the 500 is going away – I love seeing them around on the roads. Even considered an Abarth Cabriolet to replace the Saab. 2015+ so you get the newer IP….