My Review of 2007 Fiat 500 1.4 Sport

Originally submitted at Autoweek.com

History is doing that whole repeating itself thing again. Back in the late 1950s, European buyers got to choose between the two coolest small cars on the planet: Britain's BMC Mini and Italy's tiny rear-engined 500.Now, 50 years later, Fiat launches an all-new 500 to offer the toughest challenge ye...

2007 Fiat 500 1.4 Sport2007 Fiat 500 1.4 Sport

More Minute than Mini

By WorldGlider from Brooklyn, NY on 7/19/2007

 

4out of 5

Pros: Easy To Understand

Best Uses: Staying Informed

Fiat wants to create the iPod of cars (their words, not mine) which is nothing more than offering a complete design and a more complete marketing campaign. Mini does the same and reaps the benefits of selling small cars at big car prices. The 500 comes in two to three inches shorter than the Mini which is already right sized for city living. Only SMART comes in shorter but you lose a back seat and maybe a lot more emotionally. 500’s size includes the loss of a proper hood causing your mini car to become more of an egg and less a car. Back seat room is hardly worth measuring at this level and better left to dogs and kids to discuss. Fiat does a nicer job than Mini creating the emotion of the old 500 without recreating the actual car. This isn’t a knock on Mini by any means, but you sometimes wish the Mini demonstrated a modern Mini in more ways than contemporary dimensions and materials. The 500 uses modern materials, dimensions and design, proper. Regardless, the Mini is my choice as a couple inches won’t cramp my parking style and the racing creed behind it demonstrates a heritage more to the contemporary tunes on my iPod.

(legalese)

My Review of 2008 Ford Escape XLS

Originally submitted at Autoweek.com

OUR TAKE: We like the refreshed look of the Escape. It's a bit manlier outside, with stronger, more defined details and harder edges. Inside, the restlying doesn't make it best-in-class, but it's a slightly more upscale environment that doesn't scream ''cheapskate'' at you every time you sit in it....

2008 Ford Escape XLS2008 Ford Escape XLS

Not A Significant Upgrade

By Eric Moon from Brooklyn on 7/12/2007

3out of 5

Pros: Easy To Understand, Informative

Best Uses: Staying Informed

The Escape has always been a favorite of mine. When released years ago it was at the forefront of small SUV’s, perhaps even mid-size trucks as the former mid-size SUV’s are now large and the large one’s are gigantic. The Euro styling, clever interior space utilization and various engine options led to an innovative design that made you proud to own a Ford, and their stock. I eagerly waited for the latest Escape at the LA auto show only to be let down by what appears to be a mid-life upgrade due about two years ago. The Escape with Hybrid and all, deserved much more talent thrown at it but I’m sure Ford was sweating bullets on the Edge. They should have sweated more. In the mean time I’m disappointed with the effort and sweat over breaking even with my current Ford stock.

(legalese)