Patchogue Fiat dealer's formal opening

One of Long Island’s two Fiat dealerships, in Patchogue, is inviting prospective customers to a formal opening Friday evening of its refurbished showroom. 

Brown’s Fiat will host visitors from 6  to 8 p.m. at 483 Route 112.

Owner Gary Brown, who also runs the adjacent Brown’s Jeep Chrysler Dodge, says the 3,800-square-foot showroom can display three to four cars and has been fully operational for about six weeks.

The island’s other Fiat outlet is in Westbury, at 928 Jericho Tpke. It's run by Joel Sporn of Westbury Jeep Chrysler Dodge.

Italy’s Fiat SpA owns a controlling 52 percent of Chrysler. 

The  first U.S. Fiat models -- a front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder powered subcompact coupe and convertible, are priced to start about $16,000. 

Generally positive critical reviews include one by Car and Driver, which calls the car “cute and fashionable” on its website and "maneuverable . . . lightweight . . . frisky and fun enough to engage enthusiasts. . ." But, it added, the car  “could use a few more horses.” 

Fiat left the U.S. market in 1983 amid poor sales and reliability issues.

Said Brown, who expects Fiat to add more models in coming years, “It’s a well engineered, well-built car at a great value.”

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