NY Times Article

[SeaDawg]

The article can be found here:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/automobiles/22FIAT.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

[jamesday24]

I liked that article.  He could have driven from Naples, Maine to Naples, Florida.

I disagree that the Sport button doesn't do anything.  How is it some people can't feel the difference?

[ciddyguy]

jamesday24 wrote

I liked that article.  He could have driven from Naples, Maine to Naples, Florida.

I disagree that the Sport button doesn't do anything.  How is it some people can't feel the difference?

Either his sport button isn't working or he has the wrong idea of what it exactly does.

It is supposed to tighten up the steering and quicken the throttle response but if it defaults to Eco when you shut off the car then that may be why as some may not realize it does that and assume it doesn't do anything and that it's a placebo of some kind.

Otherwise, I liked the article although not wild about his mileage dropping, but then again, he may well have had headwinds a good chunk of the way, as others here on the forum have said, this car isn't the slipperiest of shapes with its blunt front end and if you get above 70, it shows.

But the fact that even at it's worst, just over 36MPG tells me this car, no matter what will sip gas, which is a nice thing to have in a car.

[SeaDawg]

jamesday24 wrote

I liked that article.  He could have driven from Naples, Maine to Naples, Florida.

I disagree that the Sport button doesn't do anything.  How is it some people can't feel the difference?

 He probably didn't realize you had to take your foot off the accelerator for it to take effect, if you push it while underway.

He also got the sound system thing wrong.  It is the amplifier that is in the 'trunk' not the subwoofer, which is under the passenger seat.

[cogtooth]

I don't doubt his feelings about sport mode.  There is hardly any difference on mine, either.  It just makes me optimistic that the computer can be altered possibly by the dealer to change some of the driving functions.

[SeaDawg]

cogtooth wrote

I don't doubt his feelings about sport mode.  There is hardly any difference on mine, either.  

I haven't really driven any distance with the Sport Mode engaged, but I can tell you that the steering feedback with Sport engaged is more resistant that the hydraulic power steering on my 79 Pontiac TransAm.  As to change in engine performance, it seemed like it was more lively but I found the steering somewhat overpowering and switched Sport mode back off.  Perhaps once I get breakin mileage behind me I'll prod it a little harder and try again with Sport Mode.