Like you, I grew up hearing that Fiat stood for "fix it again, Tony." That was the reputation of Italy's car maker here for a long time.

That attitude doomed the marque here in the U.S. and kept it out even as the Turin-based company -- which bought Case in Racine years ago -- started churning out pretty reliable, relatively earth-friendly vehicles.

Despite suffering some woes in recent years, Fiat is back thanks to a revived 500 -- it's legendary little car -- which has turned a lot of heads, a la the Mini Cooper rebirth, thanks to BMW. Recently, it announced a partnership with Chrysler.

But I like the Punto, which is also little, but a bit bigger than the 500 and a bit more workaday; less glam. But maybe you can't trust me, because I liked the Renault Twingo we rented in the Dordogne a few years ago, too. I don't need glitz; I'm a sucker for a small, fuel efficient car.

Because my cousins are the coolest people in the world, they lend me their silver, four-door Punto every time I visit, knowing that it's hard to get around the area without a car. It's pockmarked from a couple severe hail storms and it's a pretty basic car, but it's reliable, it handles nicely and it doesn't suck down gas, which there -- a country that's celebrating $6 a gallon fuel -- is a big deal.

The Truth About Cars.com gave the 2008 Punto four out of five stars.

So, if and when Fiat starts selling cars in the U.S., I hope they bring the Punto in at a reasonable price. Then, when it's time for us to get another car, we'll be ready for them.