[pikeman]

My local dealer is sitting on 9 cars, all with AT. When I went by a couple of weeks ago they said they'd be "flying off the lot". If someone wants a AT car in central TX, check out Austin Fiat. They might be getting anxious about these cars . . .
Pete

 

[Unknownsir]

my local dealer was allocated 1 car but not what i wanted. they asked to do a dealer trade with a dealer 100 miles away for one that had what i wanted. they were told they can't do a trade as they have had a lot of interest in that car. a month later they are still sitting on that car. meanwhile my local dealer has now been allocated one with what i want so i am impatiently waiting for it to arrive. i hope the other dealer sits on theirs for a year.

 

[algiorda]

My dealer told me he has no idea of what cars he will be allocated. Is this true?

 

[canesice]

My dealer told me he has no idea of what cars he will be allocated. Is this true?

I think this is true up to a point. Once the dealer gets the VINs assigned, he can lookup the features.
The dealer will know the VINs well before the cars arrive on the lot.

 

[Chipshot]

I'm hoping to order in October, though I fear my choice may be limited to preconfigured (and no, sniff, Abarths),

 

[algiorda]

Apparently, the manufacturers think they know best what the public wants. If they are resurrecting a vintage automobile from the 70's, don't you think you should also concentrate on manual transmissions which most people from that era were driving?

Doesn't look like many Automatics are selling like hot cakes.

 

[bffmike]

I wouldn't blame the manufacturers. They have to contend with the dealership system. If you could order and configure your car like a Tesla, this wouldn't be a problem.

 

[FSpidie]

Apparently, the manufacturers think they know best what the public wants. If they are resurrecting a vintage automobile from the 70's, don't you think you should also concentrate on manual transmissions which most people from that era were driving?

Doesn't look like many Automatics are selling like hot cakes.

Ha! I heard Austin is FINALLY get a manual, after all the automatics. A base Classica. Fiat seems to think the 124 is a Buick Lacrosse. They must have the bean-counting accounts determining the 124 configurations. Pretty ridiculous for a small two-seater, retro sports car. I wouldn't say the automatics are "flying off the lot," at least at Austin.

Since you can't order what you want, at this time, apparently, I've resigned myself to a long wait. Oh well, at least the price should be attractive by the time what I want finally shows up.

 

[Godina]

+1. My feelings exactly, but I'm 70 yrs old and may never git one.

 

[tonyo]

Does anybody live in the year 2017 ? My trip through this forum shows dates only in 2016.

 

[bffmike]

Wow what's is the future like?

 

[Chipshot]

2017 is near-term for people working in automotive product development. "Nimble" is not always the best description for manufacturers.

 

[tonyo]

I got a brain block because the car is a 2017 !!

 

[tonyo]

I am on Moparonlineparts waiting list for the NAV SD Card. Dave (at Mopar) says they have no clue as to when the SD Card will be available, but at least you're on the list !

 

[fabricio27]

Regarding manuals in Lusso trim. I took delivery of the first manual pearl white Lusso on the West Coast of the United States last Wednesday at Finday Fiat in Las Vegas, Nevada and they getting one more Lusso manual this week. What they told me there only 8 Lusso manuals currently in the US. You can find them at https://www.facebook.com/FindlayFiat/ or http://www.fiatusaofhenderson.com/ and talk to Santos Tenorio. They went beyond my expectations and always felt like family! I truly enjoy the Spider and they can ship the vehicle!

 

[JFernald]

When I was shopping, I drove a manual and an automatic. I thought that I would love the manual and I did. Then I drove the AT and was likewise impressed. I bought the automatic because it shifts like a manual but without the clutch pedal. Automatics are so good these days that the only real reason to by a manual is nostalgia.

 

[vandor]

I already started another thread on this, but just wanted to mention that it looks like it is possible to order a 124 just the way one wants it, but delivery will be in the spring of 2017.

 

[124GASM]

Lots of Manual Classica's on the West US Coast

My local dealer is sitting on 9 cars, all with AT. When I went by a couple of weeks ago they said they'd be "flying off the lot". If someone wants a AT car in central TX, check out Austin Fiat. They might be getting anxious about these cars . . .
Pete

When I went to my Dealer - Findlay Fiat in the Henderson Auto Mall.. They had 7 Manual Classica's... He said ALL the 1st shipment Manual Classica,s were delivered to the West Coast... CA, NV, UT, AZ... leaving the rest of the US ALL AUTO's.. Tried to coax me into a Lusso Auto... I said **** NO !!! SO I waited over 6 weeks to get my Fully Optioned Lusso Stick
The Wait was WORTH IT !!!!!! THIS CAR ROCKS !!!!


He also said that the Fiat Beancounters really MESSED UP.. They thought the older crowd in the USA would ALL want Auto's now... Boy did They Screw Up... YES.. The Auto's are piling up... and the Manuals are Hard to Find !!!! STICK, Til I DIE... YES.. I'll be that little old man, struggling to get out of his lil car... But It WILL STILL be a STICK !!!!!

 

[124GASM]

Either way is good.. BUT...

When I was shopping, I drove a manual and an automatic. I thought that I would love the manual and I did. Then I drove the AT and was likewise impressed. I bought the automatic because it shifts like a manual but without the clutch pedal. Automatics are so good these days that the only real reason to by a manual is nostalgia.

Yes, I can see your point.. but not for me... every Auto, even with manual mode, bores me after awhile... It's just NOT the same.... No it's NOT Nostalgia.. It's just that I truly Love to drive a Stick.... with an actual Clutch, and SHIFT !!!! ... I'm just one of that Rare Breed the auto makers hopes goes away ...... lol

 

[Chipshot]

Yes, I can see your point.. but not for me... every Auto, even with manual mode, bores me after awhile... It's just NOT the same.... No it's NOT Nostalgia.. It's just that I truly Love to drive a Stick.... with an actual Clutch, and SHIFT !!!! ... I'm just one of that Rare Breed the auto makers hopes goes away ...... lol

There are plenty of enthusiasts at auto companies who enjoy shifting for themselves. My guess is that a higher percentage of Spiders driven by FCA employees have manual transmission than those bought/leased by the public.