ON THE ROAD
Happy people, happy Fiat Fiat 500 starts new trend
Aside from its great looks, the Fiat 500 features seven air bags, child seat anchor system and a tire pressure monitoring system, among other things.
By Olivia Garcia
Photos by Mark Nessia
T
here’s something about driving a Fiat that makes you feel a part of a special trendy class. For a couple of days, I had the opportunity to test-drive the 2012 Fiat 500 Lounge around town, and I couldn’t help but feel happy, cute, fun — and young. Heck, I even wanted to pull up in a busy intersection, jump out and bust out a Jennifer Lopez dance move. Then reality set in, and I realized that I am not as cool of a dancer as she is. Plus, I don’t think my cop husband would have liked me creating a traffic hazard in town. But my girlfriend Denise Ornelas was ready to get a flash mob going. Like I said, this is how the Fiat makes you feel. Fun. Trendy. Happy. And there is nothing wrong with that. We need happiness in our lives. Studies show happier people live longer and enjoy better relationships, and that happiness rubs off on the people around them. 50
Bakersfield Life
March 2012
Apparently I am not the only one who recognizes the Fiat fandom. Rick Armijo, sales manager for Fiat of Bakersfield, has been in the auto business for 32 years and said he was impressed by the instant car camaraderie. “I’ve never seen this fraternity,” Armijo said. “It’s trendy. It’s new.” And it will likely catch on, since Fiat of Bakersfield has been selling them like crazy since opening its doors in January at 611 Oak St. (Armijo said they will move to the Auto Mall later this year.) As for the average buyer, the age range may surprise you. Parents buying for teenagers? Yes. Young adults? Of course. People in their 60s, 70s, and 80s — and older? Yep. “We just sold one to a 90-year-young man,” said Andrew Moran, sales and leasing consultant for Fiat of Bakersfield. “Our demographic is literally 16 to 90,” Armijo added.
The accessibility of the Fiat 500 makes it easier to handle air, audio and window controls.