Spider vs Miata comparison

[So Cal Mark]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/autos-co ... 4sJ#page=4

[baltobernie]

Mass-media reviews, unfortunately, rarely comment on the dealer network. Reviewers have the cars delivered to their door cleaned, tuned and fueled. When done, another flatbed hauls it away, replacing it with another make and model.

Two of our members recently visited separate Fiat dealers in the metro DC area, and both prospects were completely ignored by salespeople (in the middle of a weekday). It's one thing to put up with the eccentricities of an inexpensive fun car, but when you're talking about 30 large, the reputation of the dealer network would certainly factor in my decision-making process.

[Ramzi]

Bernie,

I had a similar experience with our local dealer in Ft Worth. After purchasing on of the first Fiat 500 sold in Dallas / Ft Worth and possibly even the state, the would not even give me the time of day when I repeatedly approached them to put a deposit down on a new 124. That said.... all dealerships are not created equally. John Montgomery of Benson Fiat took the best possible care of us on this deal. If you are considering a Fiat purchase... please consider people people like John - who have supported the mark for decades.

R

[baltobernie]

One shouldn't have to travel 1,000 miles to visit an accommodating car dealer. There are four or five Mazda dealers closer to me than the nearest Fiat agency.

And I think one realistically needs to consider the possibility that Fiat will not be in the US five years from now. Sergio has made it abundantly clear that FCA needs to find a partner or parent to achieve the economies of scale necessary to be viable.

Now if he brought this Fiat to the US, the future of the company would be assured!

[Ramzi]

consider the possibility that Fiat will not be in the US five years from now

Impossible. There would certainly be a bailout. After all its Chrysler..... we love to bailing them out

[carl]

I was totally ignored by the sales staff at Safford Fiat although the receptionist did give me a polite hello. I consider this a bonus, not getting swarmed by salesmen. Admittedly I was not actually looking to buy a Fiat so maybe they read that of me. I remember back in 1978 walking into my local Yamaha dealer to buy a new XS750 and had to yell "anyone want to sell me a bike today?" That did get a nice response.

[Turbofiat124]

Bernie,

I had a similar experience with our local dealer in Ft Worth. After purchasing on of the first Fiat 500 sold in Dallas / Ft Worth and possibly even the state, the would not even give me the time of day when I repeatedly approached them to put a deposit down on a new 124. That said.... all dealerships are not created equally. John Montgomery of Benson Fiat took the best possible care of us on this deal. If you are considering a Fiat purchase... please consider people people like John - who have supported the mark for decades.

R

I had to Google that one. I didn't know John was a Fiat salesman. I hadn't seen him in ages.

[Ramzi]

John Montgomery is the Studio manager for Benson Fiat in Greer, SC. Largely because of John, they are one of the largest Fiat and Alfa (4C) distributors in the S.E.

Ive purchased a 'few' of new cars over the years, and its not an experience which I particularly enjoy. However, this was an exception.

R-

PS
We will be heading to FFO in a few days. If youre there, come say hi and take a test ride in our new Benson Fiat 2017 124 Fiat Spider (highly modified).

[Turbofiat124]

If and when I'm in the market for a Fiat 500, I'll definitely give him a call. I only live about 150 miles from Greer.