Alfa back to the US with Chrysler? - Page 54

RussianM3_dude · #**796** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretceterini

The MiTo V6 GTA, IF it is built, will blow the doors off a supercharged Mini for about the same price...

RussianM3_dude · #**797** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfissimo Int.

That pretty much says what we all know very well. Although some alfa's are not better than the competition it is much more fun to drive and takes skill to drive. German or mini (same thing) drive themselves. No real skill needed for the average driver. Not really fun by any means and well the designs are always what attracts us. Sure the Mito is funky but it is growing on me at least.

I see nothing wrong with this car using the Grand punto chassis. Top of the line Mito is 15,000 pounds (mentioned in the video) , around $25K USD. Most likely top of the line here in the US may runs similar cost, maybe lower, as I think Mini S is around $22-25K from memory. I think the Mito will be a better car. IMO it is all about the driver and good tires. If you have that you can make the Mito even with less performance in corners perform fantastic and have fun doing it.

I do not like magazine articles about cars(thats why I no longer subscribe to any car magazines) , it is all opinion and the level of skill the author/driver has driving and understanding the car. So I take it with a grain of salt. one or two times driving a car is not enough time to get to know an alfa at least. So when most say it has bad steering, bad this and that and is just mediocre (not backing alfa on everything!!), I have the feeling the driver does not know the car and is most likely a BMW M driver. LOL Let the car do the driving.
Once you hone your alfa driving skills it will outperform the competition. Regardless of reviews and spec's. All about the driver and connection with the car. Thats alfa. Just my opinion without driving the mito.

**Alfissimo Int.** · #**798** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussianM3_dude

I think people who say German cars drive themselves have just never drove one and are talking out of their behind. I could as well say that Ferrari are so competent that they drive themselves... and I've driven a few on track.
Being good is NOT the same as being boring.
I live next to some very twisty roads (I live close to the Alps after all) and I have taken both the MiTo and the Cooper/S over the same roads. The MiTo has a punchy engines and is fairly competent... but it's no go-kart like the Mini. I made myself nauseous after 15 minutes and was literally hollering and wooping in the car, just having a lot of fun. The Alfa is basically a stylish city car.

**eight-o-one** · #**799** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 04:58 PM

From my brother Steve who works in the Prototype Shop at Chrysler........
New fun facts and such.....Fiat 500 will be badged as a Chrysler

The Abarth version is in AND will be marketed. There are also some NEW
oddities.....Full ELECTRIC 500 (not hybrid). Steve says it is pretty cool.
The Abarth 500 has 17" wheels with extremely low profile tires. He said it
took two (2) guys PLUS the tire machine to get the tires on the wheels because of the "very ridgid" sidewall. Now he says this one is a monster
and is very quick.

Also lurking around is a Lotus Elise that is full electric.
It may OR may not be produced and marketed as a Dodge. He also says
that with all the Italians involved; English has become the 'secondary'
language. He is STILL trying to interpret "hand and arm" gestures and as yet
can't decipher whether the "yelling" is normal or frustration or madness
or just being "Italian"

,,,,,Ed K.

**Nicola** · #**800** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eight-o-one

... Also lurking around is a Lotus Elise that is full electric....

**AlfaVeloce** · #**801** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eight-o-one

...Fiat 500 will be badged as a Chrysler

...

AlfaTango1 · #**802** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 09:10 PM

If they are going to cross badge these cars I'll take the Fiat or Alfa, if not I may, and that's a big may look at a Chrysler version. Not very likely though.

**AlfaVeloce** · #**803** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaTango1

If they are going to cross badge these cars I'll take the Fiat or Alfa, if not I may, and that's a big may look at a Chrysler version. Not very likely though.

**eight-o-one** · #**804** (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicola

Interesting news Ed. Thanks for posting.
I don't have the inside edge you have, but isn't a full electric Elise already on the market as a Tesla?

paulbinct · #**805** (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 05:21 AM

Unfortunately EVERY popular press article mentions the old Fix it Again Tony moniker for Fiat and the bad quality of the 1970's (!! - like who did no not have bad quality back then? - well some of the Japanese cars....) and the general bad attitude towards the Fiat name. So the question for Fiat as a brand in the US is if they think that their past stigma (deservedly or not) is still strong enough that they theink overall they can do better with a mini-Dodge or Chrysler rather than rebuilding the Fiat name. Add to this that after the 500 is done, and Fiat and Chrysler become more integrated, I doubt if they will need or want the Fiat badge. SO it may not be worth it to try to rejuvenate it for one car model run. This is a marketing issue I am sure based on focus groups and public opinion data and crap like that. Personally as many year Fiat (and Alfa) owner I would love a Fiat 500, not a Dodge 500. But face it those like me (us) are a distinct minority. It depends on how Fiat wants to position the Fiat brand if it is going to use it and the Alfa brand also.

dretceterini · #**806** (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eight-o-one

From my brother Steve who works in the Prototype Shop at Chrysler........
New fun facts and such.....Fiat 500 will be badged as a Chrysler

The Abarth version is in AND will be marketed. There are also some NEW
oddities.....Full ELECTRIC 500 (not hybrid). Steve says it is pretty cool.
The Abarth 500 has 17" wheels with extremely low profile tires. He said it
took two (2) guys PLUS the tire machine to get the tires on the wheels because of the "very ridgid" sidewall. Now he says this one is a monster
and is very quick.

Also lurking around is a Lotus Elise that is full electric.
It may OR may not be produced and marketed as a Dodge. He also says
that with all the Italians involved; English has become the 'secondary'
language. He is STILL trying to interpret "hand and arm" gestures and as yet
can't decipher whether the "yelling" is normal or frustration or madness
or just being "Italian"

,,,,,Ed K.

**Alfissimo Int.** · #**807** (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretceterini

I will take the first Abarth "Chrysler" 500 ESS that comes into the country, unless the price is not what it should be (under $25K)

**AlfaVeloce** · #**808** (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulbinct

... the bad quality of the 1970's (!! - like who did no not have bad quality back then? - well some of the Japanese cars....) ...

AlfaTango1 · #**809** (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaVeloce

Well I don't know Paul, in the early 70's not even the Japanese. I mean, I had 1972 Datsun 240Z and though it was the second most loved car of my youth, (and I'd own one again if I found the "right one" whatever that is) it was replete with quality issues, rust even though it was never owned or traveled outside of Texas, poor body fit, weak axles, and iffy interior. I had less trouble from my 1970 Fiat 850 Spider, the most loved car of my youth.

RussianM3_dude · #**810** (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfissimo Int.

I have owned a lot of German cars. Being good is easy. Actually learning how to maneuver a car is hard and takes real skill. Alfa's are not meant for mediocre people such as yourself. Take a driving course and learn something first before becoming a critic on all cars just because you have driven some. Your opinion along with most reviews on cars in general are worthless to me.
I use to race them. So I know but still am no expert at all and do not claim to be one. I have also driven Ferraris on a track and street as well, so what? Alfa's are actually more fun IMO. Again another car that 99% of it's owners can't drive. Ever talk to a typical ferrari owner??
Right the go-kart. That term is not what I want in a car, sorry. Go-karts are for kids. That would wear on me. I have driven them and they do wear on me.
The alfa can do the same or better than the mini, you just need skill to do what the mini can do all by itself. Thats whats fun about alfa's but clearly your not quite getting it.