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Fiat owner gets revenge for unreliable van
Ben Terrett, a graphic designer in London saw this FIAT Doblo and snapped a photo. We thank him for his expert eye and quick reflexes. While at first glance this might seem to be a commercial van covered with advertising for the driver's company, it is in fact a van covered with angst. The sides and rear spell out a laundry list of complaints the owner has with it: "This FIAT is very unreliable, 2 new clutches, 2 new flywheels, 2 new master cylinders, 2 new servos, Since new, Nothing but aggro." Apparently this guy isn't too happy with his little FIAT and hasn't gotten any satisfaction from his dealer. As Terrett points out, it looks like a pretty effective way to take revenge. Thanks for the tip, James!
[Source: Noisy Decent Graphics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
pez 8:37PM (10/14/2008)
ive seen this several times, i think its great... last time some chick in a jetta had posterboard taped to her rear windows with all the repairs she had done.
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Brent Schmidt 8:19PM (10/14/2008)
How long ago was the VW seen? What year... am actually looking at buying a new Rabbit or Jetta this week...
Dasupersprint 8:10PM (10/14/2008)
I hope it's a rent, he might have some trouble to sell it.
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SeattleJeremy 8:11PM (10/14/2008)
Maybe if he learned how to drive clutch, this wouldn't be a problem?
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MemphisNET 8:24PM (10/14/2008)
I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe the poor guy just can't drive standard. :D
Alvin 8:31PM (10/14/2008)
Or maybe that Fiat van is really that unreliable. Who knows.
Kitko 8:47PM (10/14/2008)
Guys, 90 percent of cars in Europe are manual and the rate is even higher for vans.... I have an automatic and people are scared - they have no idea how to drive an automatic car.
People are generally good with manual boxes. Delivery times for auto versions are much higher.
Fiat, on the other hand... their cars were notoriously unreliable, I seriously don't know a Fiat (or Alfa Romeo, Fiat's sister, that share many parts with Fiats) owner who hasn't have serious troubles with the car. The quality improved over the past 2 years, but it's still nothing to write home about.
Remeber Clarkson glorifying an Alfa? "surely, it will break, but look how beautiful it is...."
MemphisNET 9:00PM (10/14/2008)
I'm aware of the manual vs auto in Europe. I make light because of all the gearbox related issues thats all. If you saw that here in North America, or you had a friend that had all sorts of mtx problems, we'd all have a laugh and assume they can't drive stick.
But you're absolutely right. It could just be poor quality. :D
Brn 8:24AM (10/15/2008)
kitko, Just because there are a lot of sticks in the UK, doesn't mean everyone there can drive them.
whofan 8:15PM (10/14/2008)
Just about any foriegn car gets praise and positive views both by the media and public opinion.
American cars are no worse or better. All mechanical things have problems from time to time.
I would like to see the day when the domestic brand cars get treated fairly in both the press and opinion.
If you were to shop the big 3 you will find a good vehicle and value.
Soon we may find out how important the domestic auto industry is to us.
If you want to buy foriegn thats your choice but take the comparible domest cars for a test drive too before deceiding what to buy.
The Fiat here could just as well be a Toyota or any other make for that matter.
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dinnercoat 5:19AM (10/15/2008)
This story is about a Fiat. Why exactly are you rambling on about "the big 3"?
kevin 8:38PM (10/15/2008)
I cant tell you how many horror stories Ive heard from people servicing their BMWs or Mercs at ridiculous prices.
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casey 8:21PM (10/14/2008)
i had a lot of trouble with a mercedes E. i traded it in on an Infiniti Q. no problems 10 years later. not a one. this driver of the Fiat seems to have gone to a lot of trouble. i would have just sold it.
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akboss 8:32AM (10/15/2008)
Something tells me this guy is more motivated by purpose than result. Although just selling a crappy car like thousands of other people, unloading their problems on somebody else, this person is willing to fight the battle against a large, wealthy company with the possible result of improving ALL their cars (or at least dealer service) for future buyers of Fiat. Its often the ones that seem strange and stand out that do things that to improve (in this case cars) for the apathetic majority.
BigTeebo 8:27PM (10/14/2008)
I remember seeing a Ford minivan getting the same treatment, clearly listing the dealership that sold him it.
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Big Rocket 8:42PM (10/14/2008)
I wish more owners would do this to their vehicles. If this practice becomes widespread, automakers and dealers might think twice before giving customers the short end of the stick.
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why not the LS2LS7? 8:54PM (10/14/2008)
I see this kind of thing a lot on both ends of the auto row near me.
I also once saw a Jag XJ-S driving around with yellow construction paper lemons pasted on it.
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RIck 8:56PM (10/14/2008)
Yeah, didn't see that lame brain cliche coming.
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J M C 3 9:21PM (10/14/2008)
It sounds like a way to also 'shake down' a dealer or manufacturer if some disreputable person doesn't get what they want from the dealer or manufacturer.
There's a guy out in the Hamptons of Long Island who drives around in a 15 old beater car with " (Un-named Ford dealer) sucks.com" Written on the side of his vehicle in an effort to publicly humiliate and publicly pressure the Ford dealer to give him a new car.
It turns into a kind of extortion IMO.
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Kwesi 9:27PM (10/14/2008)
so, i guess its safe to assume that he didn't/doesn't plan to sell this....
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