I'm faced with an interesting opportunity. After three years and quite a few visits to the dealer for warranty service Fiat has thrown in the towel and offered to replace my car. Basically this is a potentially favorable deal on a new car. They've offered me original MSRP (more than I paid out the door) minus a nominal fee for 47K miles of use (15 cents a mile for miles over 36K, so 11,000 x $0.15 = $1,650), towards any new Fiat/Chrysler product. Catch is I pay full MSRP, no incentives or rebates. They pay tax, up to the credit amount, and fees. There is a cashout option but that requires "approval". I've got no idea how much the offer would be and how long it'd take.
Bottom line seems to be they're offering me $17,000+/- for my trade-in, paying my fees and most of the tax. More than it's worth and seemingly more than enough to offset the lost incentives/discounts. I think it's a very reasonable offer, especially since I never requested it. Fiat corporate has been very good to deal with.
So here's the real question. What do I buy from the Fiat-Chrysler catalog?
Obvious answer A: Buy another 500 Sport and enjoy it along with all it's quirks and shortcomings all with a fresh warranty.
Obvious answer B: Abarth! I'm leaning toward this.
Unrealistic answer C: Sell a bunch of stuff, dig into the savings and get a Alfa 4C. This is a good answer. But I'm looking for a daily driver. They've got one in stock and it's so pretty. Sigh...
So what suggestions do you guys have? I'm looking to keep MSRP under $26K. Dodge Dart? Cheap Chrysler 200? Cheap Jeep of some sort? Minivan? (no). Amaze me with your insight GRM!
My demographic info: 51yrs old, divorced, no kids, need a daily driver, already own a ratty old Miata and a full size truck.
D: Call a lawyer and work out a plan to get the money out of them in cash. Then go buy what you want. Not sure how realistic this idea is but I can't think of an FCA American product I would want for anywhere near $17k. I'd probably spend the money on a motorcycle myself but that's another story for another time.
4C would be my choice for a daily driver 
.
Actually, if you're convinced/happy to believe that the problems with the 500 are due to it being built after a wine-heavy Italian lunch, why not go for an Abarth?
Abarth or hellcat challenger are your only real options.
In all honesty, the 6cyl manual trans challenger with the track pack would be a fantastic daily.
Even the automatic 6cyl rental car I drove didn't suck.
Dusterbd13 wrote:
In all honesty, the 6cyl manual trans challenger with the track pack would be a fantastic daily.
Even the automatic 6cyl rental car I drove didn't suck.
What's the power like in the V6? Normally I wouldn't even consider aV6 muscle car but having a very positive experience with a manual V6 Camaro has opened my mind, and the challenger is so much better looking than a Camaro.
Sput
Reader
6/13/15 6:59 p.m.
My son took that offer and went with the Abarth. I'll call him 'satisfied';
Well, my two daily drivers are an automatic protege5, and a 64 el Camino with a stone stock tbi 350 from a late 80s full size chevy truck.
Tbe 6cyl challenger was quicker than either of them. There were times when I wished for more power, but overall it was respectable. On par with the 6cyl camaro rental a coworker had that I got to flog.
On par with a V6 Camaro is very good in my opinion. If I was in the op's position I would likely go with your suggestion. That is unless he has an issue going from a very small car tho a very big one. I prefer big cars.
I say Abarth.
Just curious, what problems did you guys have? My son's 500 Sport has been trouble free so far. What should he be watching for?
In reply to Zomby Woof:
The fact that it's a fiat built in the Mexican neon/pt plant. Mostly joking.
Are the U.S. Abarths Mexican Built as well?
If your not gun shy about another 500, I would upgrade to an abarth, otherwise a v6 challenger or a wrangler.
Zomby Woof wrote:
I say Abarth.
Just curious, what problems did you guys have? My son's 500 Sport has been trouble free so far. What should he be watching for?
Here's the warranty work I've had done in no particular order.
- Starter 2x
- Clutch interlock 2x
- Rear main seal
- Cam sensor
- Bump stops, both sides
- TPMS sensor
- Shift boot
- Arm rest
- Hatch badge
- Roof panel in front of sunroof repainted
- Countless software updates that if nothing else made the clock keep better time.
It left me stranded a few times with a dead starter. I suspect some of that problem might have been dealer mechanic related. I also had a intermittent problem where it wouldn't start on the first try. Starter turns but either doesn't engage the flywheel or the valves are open and it's spins with no compression. They had the car for a month and finally decided the can sensor was to blame. It did the same thing in the parking lot when I picked it up. That's when they gave up.
With all the issues I've enjoyed the car. Fiat was good to me, putting me in a loaner or rental whenever I requested one. The month they had it I was in a Mini Countryman (that I really didn't like that much).
I grew up around 70s era Fiats so that I've never had to replace a timing belt or make any rust repairs in three years of ownership is a big improvement.
I hadn't thought about a Challenger. Due to health problems I'm trying to stay on a pretty tight budget. A nicely equipped Abarth comes in around 26k. That's about as high as I'm willing/able to go considering my situation. Sadly the Challenger with the track pack is just a bit too much.
I'm going to hold off on a minivan until I need something with hand controls.
If I may, You mention health issues, would these have any implications on vehicle choice?
But back to the original question, if an auto is an option take a look at a new 200. What I have heard is go for the pentastar, but avoid the AWD.
neon4891 wrote:
If I may, You mention health issues, would these have any implications on vehicle choice?
But back to the original question, if an auto is an option take a look at a new 200. What I have heard is go for the pentastar, but avoid the AWD.
Probably yes at some point I might (will?) have issues with small cars and manual transmissions. I just have no idea when that day may arrive. I was diagnosed with MS a little over a year ago. I have tingling and odd sensations from my mid-chest to my toes, mostly in my feet and legs (just started in March). I haven't lost any motor control at this point. If you watched me walk you probably wouldn't notice anything wrong. I just did a six day, 2000+ mile road trip, solo, in the Fiat, out to the Indy 500 and around the mid-west. I'm currently able to do pretty much everything I've always done, just with the added challenge of constant discomfort and some bonus pain. I get up every day, make sure my feet/legs still work, then try to find something to enjoy. I hope to make the most of my driving and commuting within my budget for the time I have left.
Abarth sounds like the s answer here.
townsend7 wrote:
I'm faced with an interesting opportunity. After three years and quite a few visits to the dealer for warranty service Fiat has thrown in the towel and offered to replace my car.
Um. His name wouldn't happen to be Tony, would it?
Sorry, couldn't resist!
I don't think you can get a 6 pot challenger with a stick shift. How about a Dart with the turbo or a Jeep Renegade? I think you can get that with the turbo.
Charger V6 is not available with a stick-shift. You'll need to go with the V8 for it. It's worth the upgrade.
-FCA employee.
Wally
MegaDork
6/14/15 8:12 a.m.
Abarth. Aside from being a super fun little car my wife liked that the way you sit a bit high in it makes it easier to get in and out of when her legs bother her.
townsend7 wrote:
neon4891 wrote:
If I may, You mention health issues, would these have any implications on vehicle choice?
I hope to make the most of my driving and commuting within my budget for the time I have left.
Clean house and get the 4c.
The abarth is a riot, and will have the same comfortable seating position you are familiar with. But it is no 4c. If the alfa is new, it has a warranty and no stress! Same good dealer network you are currently enjoying.
If you are worried about re-sale in a few years, I am personally saving my pennies to buy a well cared for example in a few years. So you can sell it to me :-)
My ex suffered from MS, so I've kinda seen part of this movie.
My recommendation would be to get the car you really want now and if that's the 4C, get a 4C.
