Russ Darrow Metro Mazda

One sure sign of whether a brand, model and/or dealer is doing the individual & collective job is customer loyalty a/k/a repeat business. I purchased a 2012 FIAT 500 hardtop Pop in May of last year. The doing the individual & collective job is customer loyalty a/k/a repeat business. I purchased a 2012 FIAT 500 hardtop Pop in May of last year. The experience is documented on this page ~ as is my ownership experience w/the studio (to include various service experiences). This week, I traded my Pop in for an Abarth. The Pop was amazing; reliable, fun, fuel efficient (city/hwy combined average of 49 mpg in Spring/Summer/Autumn - 46 mpg Winter) and fulfilling. But I was always very curious about the performance version of the Cinquecento. I am fortunate enough to have driven them several times, thanks to a very generous staff at Bergstrom FIAT of MKE, as well as other models. Those drives always held my attention. I, finally, did something about it. Brandon had some work to do. I am relatively thrifty. Luke had his work cut out for him. I am known to be very particular & somewhat knowledgeable. Jeremiah, Kyle & Milton simply had to keep up the great work I've come to expect from this dedicated studio. Simple. Right. I am happy to say each of these individuals and the collective matched and/or exceeded all my expectations. There was the added pressure of the missus being with me for this purchase. She was equally impressed with their level of professionalism. In fact, it appears she may have a FIAT 500 purchase in her future. There is little which pleases me more than rewarding a job well done. Thank you Bergstrom Auto Group for assembling the original FIAT USA of MKE team and thank you for putting the current team together. You keep impressing us and we'll keep coming back. More

I have, now, been part of the MKE FIAT famiglia for 1 1/2 years. In my first year, I only added very small personal touches to my 'cento. I finally feel comfortable with more bold customizations… and they ar years. In my first year, I only added very small personal touches to my 'cento. I finally feel comfortable with more bold customizations… and they are in full swing. Fortunately, for me, the service department at Bergstrom FIAT is always up to the challenge presented to them. Kyle has added; fog lights, hatch pull strap upgrade, shifter & boot, bonnet spear, mirror caps (with Kelsey) and the mother of all Pop modifications -- so far as I'm concerned -- the chrome bumperettes. Kyle has made certain every customization appears factory quality. The service department has helped me complete my personal mission of adding shiny bits not available (in North America) as factory upgrades. My car, now, looks as I've always envisioned it and I owe to the fine folks at FIAT MKE. The icing on the cake is these folks see fit to walk/talk you through their progress & Brandon ensures you're happy prior to driving away. I really don't know how they do it with such a small team. I'm glad to have them. Thanks to all! More

Excellent service from the first email, to selection, test drive and then delivery! Great dealership atmosphere, welcoming and comfortable. No high pressure sales, just great help all along the way! test drive and then delivery! Great dealership atmosphere, welcoming and comfortable. No high pressure sales, just great help all along the way! More

I recently visited Bergstrom FIAT of Milwaukee for a warranty replacement. The part is called a Jounce Bumper. Driving my little mouse in the city of Milwaukee this Winter and Spring has been tough. warranty replacement. The part is called a Jounce Bumper. Driving my little mouse in the city of Milwaukee this Winter and Spring has been tough. The roads are horrible. I started to hear a 'clunk' noise when I drove over especially large bumps and potholes. Although this noise did not always occur, it was rather troubling. I spoke to Brandon @ Bergtsrom FIAT about it. He acknowledged some brand rumbling concerning the 'clunk', explained what FIAT discovered was causing the sound and informed me there may very well be an upcoming easy fix. The moment the part/s arrived Brandon contacted me via email. I spoke to the maintenance manager, Jim, and he set me up with a service appointment. When I took my 500 in Jim explained the part, the work to be done and assured me he saw no reason to doubt the part works. In addition, Jim asked me whether there was anything else I wanted them to look into. Any and all concerns were welcome, as opposed to being brushed off. I must say, this is an area in which FIAT of MKE truly shines. The folks there always make an effort to help the owner feel at ease and comfortable. Amazing. Great news -- The parts worked like a charm! When I arrived to pick up my little mouse I found Brandon detailing my Cinquecento. I don't mean he was wiping dust off my vehicle. He was giving it a quick detail. This can't be normal. In addition, this week I took my 'cento in for a regular service (oil change & inspection). After the service, Kyle washed my 500. It was raining that day, so Jim invited me to feel free to come in on the next sunny day for a proper wash. Wow! After nearly a year (purchased May 2012), I am still treated like an old friend... famiglia @ Bergstrom FIAT. I think it's worth noting I don't own a 500T Sport, a 500 Abarth or the soon-to-be-released 500L. I own a 500 Pop, which is the base 500 trim. So, this is simply a case of an outstanding team doing a brilliant job. I highly recommend Bergstrom FIAT of Milwaukee sales & service department. More

I took my 'cento in for some aesthetic changes (Sport/Lounge shifter knob & boot) this week. I could not be happier with the product, price & service. Jim, despite being home sick, checked on prod (Sport/Lounge shifter knob & boot) this week. I could not be happier with the product, price & service. Jim, despite being home sick, checked on product prices and forwarded his findings to Kyle. Kyle contacted me and let me know exactly what the parts & installation would cost. In short, The FIAT OEM parts & installation cost me less than an after market shifter knob alone. Not only that, the service provided by Kyle - as it's been with Mike before - was topnotch AND took less time than estimated. I will normally rate a sale or service one rung beneath perfection, because I'm always looking for more-and-more-and more after that. But I can no longer rate the service @ FIAT of MKE any less than 100% satisfied. I highly recommend this service department to all 500 owners. They are the icing on the cake that is the FIAT of MKE sales department. These people understand the fact fine servitude = customer loyalty. More

Kyle is a young man who is mature beyond his years. He is the exact type of employee I would like all of mine to be. Although Bergstroms no longer carries Smart Cars, because of Kyle's knowledge, skill, pati the exact type of employee I would like all of mine to be. Although Bergstroms no longer carries Smart Cars, because of Kyle's knowledge, skill, patience, sincerity and communication, I trust no one more to work on my car. Bergstrom's is lucky to have him. More

I went to the studio not knowing a single thing about FIATs - other than the fact that they're Italian, have great design, and run some of the coolest TV commercials around. I left with a full knowledge FIATs - other than the fact that they're Italian, have great design, and run some of the coolest TV commercials around. I left with a full knowledge of FIAT history, culture and model features. I also left with the key to my heart in their hands. It was a great experience with a great brand. More

I recently drove out to [Bergstrom] FIAT of MKE. They have a 2013 "eco" Pop, Sport, 500T and Abarth in the showroom. For the sake of this review, let's think of them as the "spoiler" 500 famiglia. The ra have a 2013 "eco" Pop, Sport, 500T and Abarth in the showroom. For the sake of this review, let's think of them as the "spoiler" 500 famiglia. The rame (copper) 500T looks even better up close than it does in photos, and it was the specific reason for my this studio visit. Brandon, Heather, Leah & Ryan were kind enough to encourage me to take the 500T & Abarth out for a spin ~ to compare fun factors. This seems to be a somewhat rare occurrence in the world of selling the higher end 500s. I've read stories (online) of studios refusing test drives to potential buyers of the turbo-charged Cinquecentos. This is puzzling to me. Why would anyone purchase a car running $18-27k without knowing what kind of driving experience to expect? Thanks to the difference in philosophy @ FIAT of Milwaukee, I've been able to test every 500 available. For those not in-the-know, FIAT of North America has already invaded the N.A. small car market with 4 trim levels/versions of the FIAT 500. The 2011-2012 line-up consists of; 500 Pop, 500 Sport, 500c, and the 500 Lounge. The 2013 "eco" Pop and the 2013 500T bring the line-up to lucky number seven. We FIAT aficionados reserve a special, separate place for any Scorpion-badged automobile. So, the Abarth will not be counted among the common 500s in this review. When I first read about the idea of another mass produced 500 (the 500T) I was a little skeptical. I understood the thought process behind it ~ "Let's build a motorized ladder between the Sport and the Abarth". I mean, why buy a "Scorpione" and modify/customize it beyond recognition when one can purchase a slightly less expensive 500T and use the savings towards creating your own track ready beast? But I didn't know how prudent the decision was, and I thought they could have just as easily put the time and money into the upcoming 500L line. Once I saw the photos (and appearance in the Immigrants television spot) of the proposed new addition, and read the initial reactions from various sources, I knew I liked it ~ the stock blacked-out lights were something I needed to see for myself. I'm not from Missouri, but I am most definitely a "Show Me" breed of consumer. Let's get back to this special visit. The missus & I drove out to FIAT of MKE to see the car for ourselves. I especially wanted to see the real aesthetic, as well as mechanical, differences between the 500T and the Abarth. The following is what I found. One: Those lights! I can't believe how much of a difference they make. I've seen several attempts at getting rid of the chrome on the 500. I get wanting to do this on Sports. I don't get why anyone would want to do it on a Pop, 500c or Lounge. The chrome adds a special sparkle to those trim levels. It doesn't add anything to a Sport, though. The FIAT solution is the definitive solution to taking chrome away from the 'cento in a way cool enough for the mighty mice. Two: The wheels ~ they, too, are blacked-out now. I need to warn you. You're not going to see much of a difference on the showroom floor. You don't get a true appreciation for this aesthetic modification up close. There must be some distance to really get what this change does to the look of those wheels. This mod is an accessory to the aforementioned lights. Three: The rear end is more a Sport rear on steroids than it is a tamed down version of the Abarth. Again, it reminds the FIAT fan this art on wheels is a step between the aforementioned cars. The front end is a tamed down version of the Abarth pretending to be a beefed up version of the Sport. This isn't as much a slam on the design as it is being honest about the fact FIAT could've put a bit more money into that small detail. This is a part of the badging. This is a matter of proper ~ respectful ~ brand placement. I can admit that was a lazy mod on the part of FIAT NA. But it's not a deal breaker. It still looks pretty cool! Four: The interior is absolutely a Sport with a bit of a richer revamp. There is; the Abarth shifter, the 500T specific stitching, the lack of the Abarth dash/console upgrades, and (the most notable) changed speedo face. The Abarth has a nero (black) version of the standard 500 face. The 500T has a nero face, but the mph is measured in increments of 10 ~ not 20. And this small tweak does make a difference. I mean, that cluster is situated in front of the driver. One can't help but see it. It's more tough than cute. And it's still beautifully designed, which is important for a FIAT. Five a/k/a Drive: It's a blast!! It doesn't roar, like an Abarth, but this little mouse has guts. One can feel the difference between the 500T and a 101hp/non-Turbo Sport immediately. If I'd still thought this motor a waste of time and money, those thoughts would have been left in the billowing dust of this little rocket taking off. It's not an Abarth ~ the exhaust note makes that truth absolutely clear. But that distinction is something one can change. What isn't as easily changed is the difference in speed between the two FIATs. And that's what makes a place in the stable for this one. I thoroughly enjoyed driving both cars. And I highly recommend others check it out for themselves. If you're lucky enough to drive a nero perla (black pearl) 500T, you too will be in-lust. Could there may be a second 500 purchase in my horizon? Who knows? For now, big thanks to everyone @ FIAT of MKE. As per usual, you continue to make us feel as though you care about our opinions. Bravo! More

I've never purchased a new vehicle before. But I have purchased a few used vehicles. I felt absolute dread at the prospect of going through the process of purchasing another car. I'd been bicycling for a purchased a few used vehicles. I felt absolute dread at the prospect of going through the process of purchasing another car. I'd been bicycling for a parking/permit/fueling/washing/waxing/detailing/major maintenance free year when I decided I should start anew my search for a vehicle. I had a short list of used cars on which I could settle, and I had a shorter list of new cars for which I could stomach a 5-yr payment plan. I knew, in 2008, FIAT re-introduced the 500 in Europe. And I knew they were keen on taking over a US auto manufacturer, and making another play on our shores with the Cinquecento. When I found out the 'topolino' would, indeed, be sold in the US I began my dream of owning one. But I digress ~ April 2012. I began some serious research on my shortlist of new cars, after two agonizing months of searching for a decent used car I'd actually want to drive. I began to zero in on the FIAT. But I needed to make certain whether I could be a FIAT man. I began contacting Bergstrom FIAT via email. I had a laundry list of questions for whoever they'd put on my case. Tony happened to be the 'lucky' specialist. For nearly a month, Tony patiently answered my queries. He was truthful in his responses, and enthusiastic about the car he, himself, drives. On May 19th 2012, I finally conceded to a studio visit ~ and it was as if FIAT knew exactly what they'd need to do to get me behind the wheel of their car. I played it cool, though, and didn't sit with Tony until I took numerous test drives. Tony, still, waited patiently and was an absolute gentleman professional throughout the process. He handed me over to Ryan, after we worked out our numbers. Ryan, too, was a patient and helpful host. I never felt especially pressured ~ and Ryan seemed intent on giving me the deal I wanted or nothing at all. That kind of attitude helps the decision-making process. I drove home in the 'cento I wanted at the price with which I could live. My post-purchase experience has been just as, if not more, pleasant. Tony, Ryan, Jim, Kyle... and Leah are great people with which to do business. They are courteous, and patient. The seem to understand the TOTAL experience is what breeds fanatics for the brand. And a fanatic I have become. I'm officially a FIAT man. Bravo! More

What a great place - Bergstrom Fiat! This dealership made my dreaded 'buying a new car' experience a good one. Leah, Pat, and even Ryan, were extremely patient with me. My decision making process leading to my dreaded 'buying a new car' experience a good one. Leah, Pat, and even Ryan, were extremely patient with me. My decision making process leading to the sale, was a long one. I drove to the dealership many time, took several test drives, asked lots of questions. I even changed my mind altogether. Throughout this process, the staff was knowledgeable, patient, yet with a great sense of humor. I was able to negotiate a good price. I asked for many personalizing items on my car. I got it all! It turned out to be a very pleasant experience, (contrary to my experiences with 'the other' Fiat dealer). I look forward to the coming back for service, though I hope not too often, to see the employees, and wait in the warm, aesthetically pleasing building. I would recommend Bergstrom's to all. And...I love my Fiat!! More