My Fiat’s back end in Austin
 
I don’t normally use Dangerous Minds to endorse a product, but I’ve made an exception for my new Fiat 500. Mainly, because I really believe it’s the best damn automobile out there for the price (starting at $15,000). If you’re in the market for a new car, check this one out.

The Fiat 500, the Italian classic of the 1950s, 60s and 70s, has been brought into the future and it’s a lovely automobile. Fiat, in partnership with Chrysler, is making the car in Detroit (it’s assembled in Mexico) and this is the first year that it is available in the USA. There’s a handful of dealerships in the States, including Austin and L.A.

The Fiat’s engine uses ‘multi-air technology” which results in less gas consumption, better mileage and less emissions than traditional valve train engines. It ain’t electric, but it’s about as close to green as you can get with a gas engine. I’m getting around 42mpg on the open highway and 35 in the city. It’s a relatively guilt-free ride.

Though I’m no expert, I have owned a few cars in my life and the Fiat 500 is the finest small car I’ve ever driven. Tough and fast enough to navigate a maze of tornadoes in Waco last month while the ballsy sound system was cranking Primal Scream.

I include this commercial, not because DM is being paid to do so, we’re not, but because this is what my car looks like and, as you can probably tell, I’m quite proud of it. And as commercials go, it’s a good one.