6G Celicas Forums

Its here in America. Im so excited I really love this car. What do you guys think of it .

Not sure what to think of it since its a low horse powered vertically flattened and horizontally stretched version of mini cooper. From what I hear it is excellent for city dwellers because you can almost park 3 of those in 1 parking space. I dont know who would this car appeal to in this country. People like functional cars even at expense of filling up every 15 seconds.

the fiesta is here too...

just slap a turbo on and you got yourself a fast light weight car lol

I've seen several being tested here in Michigan well over a year ago. They are great little cars, and they are not based on the Mini Cooper at all. Both the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500 are remakes of vintage versions of the same cars, but they don't share any underpinnings whatsoever. The Fiat is actually more practical as it will be cheaper than a Mini (which is owned and produced through BMW). Also, the Mini is starting to show it's age since it hasn't gotten a major restyle since we got it several years ago. Sure, they added the (hideous IMO) Clubman for people who need to haul more, but people who buy these cars don't usually need to haul a lot. Small, fuel efficient cars are necessary here, the majority of people who own large SUVs and trucks rarely haul things or take them off road. They think they are safe just because they are big and ride taller than a car, but the reality is that a lot of them are less safe overall than a small or midsize car. I won't even touch the horrible MPG that trucks get, but it's silly to call a hybrid that gets no better than 25 mpg a significant improvement. Especially when smaller trucks (specifically imports) are capable of getting at least 30. Anyway back to the Fiat... personally I love it and I think it looks much better than a Mini Cooper. It is more modern, and even though it is 5 inches shorter, the interior sizes are almost the same. In base model form, the Fiat blows the Cooper away as far as MPG (Fiat gets 37 City/56 Hwy while the Cooper gets 23 City/32 Hwy). The Cooper S (turbocharged version) only produces 28 City/37 Hwy.

Here is a pic of the US Production version (we get slightly revised bumpers among other little things):


Also, there is a turbocharged mid level version coming, and if I remember correctly the 500 Abarth is being brought here as well (turbocharged hot hatch version made to compete w/ similar cars like the Mini Cooper S):






And like it or not, with the economy the way it is, fuel economy is near the top of the list for new car buyers, the Fiat is just better in all ways that really matter: price, mpg, quality, and it's a new model to the US, so it's a fresh sight to see on the roads. Coopers are old news, I'm not saying that they are bad cars, I've driven a few and they are fun but the interior is not very practical, especially with the HUGE tach being centered in the dash. The Fiat's interior is much nicer to look at and it doesn't feel dreary to be in.

This post has been edited by Celicachick49221: Mar 17, 2011 - 10:10 PM

I believe the Abarth comes here in about a year. I can't wait for that one.

I want one. Preferably the Abarth, but I bet even the standard versions have decent pep. I like these kinds of things, I just can't help it...I am a city boy after all, as they say. But I like the looks, it seems to have decent seating for two and then a bit of trunk space, and I expect it to be quite frugal. Maintenance and reliability remain yet undetermined.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Mar 18, 2011 - 11:54 AM

They're for girls, mate.

But Ferdi is a girl

and a Celica is only for guys I take it? Or the Mini Cooper for that matter?

Also the current Fiat 500 has been sold overseas since 2007, as usual we Americans are late in getting anything good as far as cars lol. But as far as maintenance and reliability so far so good, at least with the reviews that are floating around. I'm personally looking forward to the Focus RS, 500 Abarth, and I'm already loving the Fiesta (even though it has a silent recall for transmission issues). If I won the lottery I'd get something practical and fun to drive, Ferraris and Lamborghinis are great but the upkeep is killer!

unfortunately IQ seems a little more up my alley. I have seen the concept with this crazy looking body kit. On the other hand it is 0-60 in a century so body kit will make it look kind of bleh.. unless of course one would swap something like a hawyabuza engine hehehehehe.

Another IQ-like vehicle is a concept of aston martin
http://www.lincah.com/2009-aston-martin-cygnet-concept

LOL The Aston Martin Cygnet IS a Toyota iQ, it's simply gotten an Aston facelift front & rear

Another interesting small car that we're getting here in the US is the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The engine is a 1.6 138 hp I4 with a 6 speed manual or 6 speed paddle shift dual clutch automatic. Estimated 40 mpg with either trans, 4 wheel disc brakes, 17" wheels, and starting price of only $17,000 (US). Best part is a turbocharged version will be added later on that will be pushing 175hp to the front wheels

What makes it unique is that it has a single normal sized driver's side door, and a set of smaller doors on the passenger side to maintain a sporty 2dr hatchback profile. The European version will get 4 normal doors:

That is a sexy looking car indeed

Bugger off you two.

I'd rock the Hyundai for sure. While in PR for spring break this year I drove a little yaris around all week. For as small as it is (I'm not exactly tiny at approx 6'), it wasn't bad.