Well, the LS family uses different motor mounts than the older style engines, and of course the electronics are more involved, but yes, it’s not an overwhelmingly difficult conversion.

Project? Looks like it's got everything it needs already, and nothing it doesn't.

Giving up carbs? That's just a fad.

Desktop technician here. I get the same thing all the time.

I’m beginning to suspect that the whole Fiat 500 entry is a US vs Europe thing: I don’t think I’ve noticed any of the issues listed. They just wouldn’t occur to me.

my Impreza has the same pointless button, as far as I can tell it unlocks only the hatch, but that’s silly, imo.

I have a 2011 Golf which is the standard by which all hatchbacks are measured. It has the same setup as the Fiat: Car auto locks and to open the hatch you have to simply hit the unlock button on the door then open the hatch. Is that really too hard for you?

1) No interior hatch release button. And the key fob button only works when the out of the ignition. A hatch that auto-locks makes this very frustrating