Opened Fiat Dealers

[Mike S]

There are none yet.

[sketch]

Just called Ray Brandt Dodge in the New Orleans area, they have a demo car!  He says the studio won't be open for another 90 days or so, but I'll be test driving it today or tomorrow!

[Mike S]

My local dealer has had a demo for a couple of weeks but only his friends get to see it. I have called but don't get my calls returned. I'm going to buy my cars from another dealer.

[sjmst]

Mike S wrote

My local dealer has had a demo for a couple of weeks but only his friends get to see it. I have called but don't get my calls returned. I'm going to buy my cars from another dealer.

Yes, it seems dealers will be dealers. I thought that Fiat picked the best of the best, then trained them in how to deal with customers. Then we hear stories like yours, and the Canadian dealer tacking on extra fees.
I called three dealers. Two were responsive and the thrird I had to chase after to speak to.

[sketch]

Out of curiosity, Mike, are there many Chrysler dealers in your area?  The one that's taking up Fiat sales in the New Orleans area is in an arguably less convenient location, but their reputation for customer service is notably better than that of the one that doesn't require you to cross the river to get there.

[Mike S]

There are other Chrysler dealers but the only ones with a Fiat franchise are here (Ft Lauderdale), Miami and West Palm Beach (same owner as Ft Lauderdale).

Criswell is close too (just over 1000 miles away) and is my next best choice. At least that's closer than Chicago where I had to collect my new Volvo a few years ago because that was the closest place that had one. Let me explain - the last year for the V70R a hi-po wagon. There were 7 left in the country and not many were made.

[MrJones]

Bergstrom Fiat of Milwaukee is open with cars coming in the next 3-7 days.

[sketch]

I hope my dealer gets more cars in soon—they had to back the demo out of the showroom so I could test drive it today! :P

[PE#454]

I was poking around on YouTube and discovered that Golling Fiat of Bloomfield Hills, MI (natch) is open. They have a couple of videos up. Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hchjUqMy0Kc&feature=related

If this demo car is the regular Rosso, I think I'm really going to like my car. Perhaps the overcast day affords a more true picture of the red (with more blue tint instead of yellow, yay!)

Watching the entire clip, it appears they are showing two different 500s: one Rosso and one Rame.

[PE#454]

i found another video, under their Chrysler name...shows the first one off the truck. I guess this is where they got the pic that we found in our e-mail. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3qgUX4rf1E&feature=related

(Apologies if this has been posted already; I haven't seen it.)

[sam500]

Actually, last I heard, Golling only had the Rame. Something about their camera has made it look red before. I might be wrong, but I think they were the first to bring it up.

[theoanderin]

Hello! My name is Erin Alexander from FIAT of Kirkland in Kirkland, WA. We are shooting to be open by April 1st. BUT we do have our DEMO and are taking orders for all that would like to order from me:) My email is [e-mail] if you have any questions at all. I AM SO EXCITED TO GET OUR FIATS!!!!

[Fiat500USA]

theoanderin wrote

Hello! My name is Erin Alexander from FIAT of Kirkland in Kirkland, WA. We are shooting to be open by April 1st. BUT we do have our DEMO and are taking orders for all that would like to order from me:) My email is [e-mail] if you have any questions at all. I AM SO EXCITED TO GET OUR FIATS!!!!

Hi Erin,

Congratulations on your Demo and welcome to the forum!   I really admire your enthusiasm, it's just what we need from our FIAT Design Consultants!

[sketch]

Oh, it's worth noting that since I last spoke with my guy at Ray Brandt (or whatever they end up calling it), they had to put their demo under a cover in the showroom and can't give drives until they get their dealership license, so as to not advertise a car which they aren't yet allowed to sell.  I was told something similar by Fiat of Shreveport earlier in the week as well.

[theoanderin]

Thank you!!

 

I LOVE being a part of history!!

 

 

From: Fiat500USA [via Fiat 500 USA Forum] [mailto:ml-node+[hidden email]]
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2011 8:10 PM
To: Erin C. Alexander
Subject: Re: Opened Fiat Dealers

 

theoanderin wrote:

Hello! My name is Erin Alexander from FIAT of Kirkland in Kirkland, WA. We are shooting to be open by April 1st. BUT we do have our DEMO and are taking orders for all that would like to order from me:) My email is [hidden email] if you have any questions at all. I AM SO EXCITED TO GET OUR FIATS!!!!

Hi Erin,

Congratulations on your Demo and welcome to the forum!   I really admire your enthusiasm, it's just what we need from our FIAT Design Consultants!

Prima Edizione  29

 

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[Jim McKenzie]

Fiat of Clearwater, Florida (Dayton Andrews Chrysler-Jeep on Gulf to Bay) has emailed me the following on their marketing unit: "Hi Jim Actually it just came in this weekend. You can come over and ask for Steve in internet sales and he can help you. Charlie Flatley" I will heading there Saturday morning, likely in my X1/9 :)

[Gavin]

RacerRon wrote

My Local dealer, Mack Massey Fiat of El Paso, said that they should be receiving their demo model by next week. Their studio is not going to be ready until late summer, so they won't have any cars for sale until then. The person I talked to was very friendly and said I could take a test drive as soon as they receive their 500.

BTW, and I hope this hasn't been answered before, is every demo a Sport model?

Fiat of El Paso now has their Demo unit.
A sport model.
Red.

Tempted to run down and take a test drive...but it is 260 miles each way (3 1/2 hours X 2 = long day of driving) and I am on call for the next forever (5 weeks....gah, will seem like forever) and can't go more than an hour from work.

Gavin

[RacerRon]

Gavin,

I'm taking the 500 for a test drive in El Paso tomorrow. I'll give everyone by perspective and hopefully take some pics. Maybe they will let me test drive it all the way to Albuquerque.

[Gavin]

Do that and I buy the beers :)

Of course you will have to drive it back to El Paso, so I get all the beers :)

Gavin

Have fun....me = jealous...say hi to Stacey.

[RacerRon]

OK Gavin, I'll bring Stacey with me!