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Well guys and gals, it's been a terrific 11 years and 131,7xx miles. Today I traded my 2004 TL auto for a 2015 Fiat 500e. They are currently running a promo in CA and OR for a 3 year lease @ $90/mo no money down.
After some haggling I got a Black eSport edition 500e for $95/mo taxes included. 3 years/10k miles. I average 6k a year as my TL is just a daily commuter of 25 miles. With the trade in value of $4800, I put down $2209 and waiting on my $2500 EV refund from CA state, I have no monthly payments at all either. Insurance is $50/mo higher than the TL (2015 vs 2004).
I've been nursing the 3rd gear for 2 years. I just went in for a left collision sensor which they said they fixed but the airbag light came back on the same afternoon on my way home. (waste of money there) and I already registered the car for 2015, ugh. New late last year.
All that being said, the 500e will be my new daily commuter with HOV lane access and 12 or 14 free rentals per year from enterprise. I have to pay for charging at work, but that's not bad at all.
Don't have pictures yet, these are from the dealer's website
Funny thing. On my way home, I actually got more mileage b/c of the stop and go on the 15 freeway. heh.
Ugh, this reminds me, I gotta lower this thing. It's higher than my TL.
A guy I work with had one of the first 500, Fiat 500s that were imported to the US. He drove it for about 18 months and the novelty wore off. He had a few issues with it as well. For you it's a long way from a TL to a 500e, but hey, a new car, no payments - that's something.
Good luck and hope you enjoy it -
It was a purely economic decision for the household. We have the Infiniti JX35 and mini cooper S for the family as well so I don't worry about going on long trips. I really love the TL, and it was basically a swap, and I have no real out of pocket expenses. It's going to kill me to not be able to change anything on it since it's a lease. Maybe a lightbulb.
For me as the driver, it's very roomy. Just as roomy as my TL. I can't say the same about any passengers in the back. heh. Cheers.
It was a purely economic decision for the household. We have the Infiniti JX35 and mini cooper S for the family as well so I don't worry about going on long trips. I really love the TL, and it was basically a swap, and I have no real out of pocket expenses. It's going to kill me to not be able to change anything on it since it's a lease. Maybe a lightbulb.
For me as the driver, it's very roomy. Just as roomy as my TL. I can't say the same about any passengers in the back. heh. Cheers.
Strange move tough. Purely economic would have been one less vehicle. anyway just giving you a hard time, the fiat 500 is a decent little car.
Why do I get the feeling you can throw this car into the corners at terrifyingly high speeds? I've always wanted a chance to bag one of these, lol.
For having driven my father's one, it turns on a dime but it's more tippy than you'd expect. You feel like you're gonna topple over and roll infinitely. He has the convertible one.
Carpool sticker? That'd be the number one reason for me to get a 500e.
Yup, HOV lane access will be available after I get plate #. I've heard that it takes a while to get the stickers now.
Funny too, Chrysler/Fiat is required to sell the EV for every Hellcat they sell I've heard. I think they sold like 9000 of those. And they're losing money on these leases. Good for me.
03-21-2015, 12:20 AM
Huge downgrade
anyway just giving you a hard time, the fiat 500 is a decent little car.
