Fiat 500 Abarth, any good?
- Thread starter Zeebedy
- Start date
I'd argue it is given the availability of modern finance. I'm sure I recall a fair number of deals for sub £300.00. Even a cursory hit up on google just now shows 249 + VAT.
Soldato
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But you can get all sorts of silly stuff by being hocked up on finance these days, the same people couldn't buy one.
When nearly 90% of new cars bought in the UK are on some form of finance deal that's totally irrelevant.
Was the MG available at the time? If so...point stands.
Soldato
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Why does the label matter. It's not even a label that has a formal definition.
Supercar, hypercar, hot hatch, warm hatch, tepid hatch... They aren't real things and whether you label a Fiat 500 a hot hatch or not, it doesn't help the OP. He wants to know if it's any good.
If your opinion is that it's too slow, fine, but don't discount it because of some made up criteria you don't think it meets.
OP - I imagine it will be pretty good fun. Test drive it. I had a Renaultsport Twingo 133, which I imagine is similar in spirit, and that was great fun. Only 133bhp but so chuckable and cornered like it was on rails. Impracticalities due to size caught up with me though, so make sure it has enough rear and boot space.
Supercar, hypercar, hot hatch, warm hatch, tepid hatch... They aren't real things and whether you label a Fiat 500 a hot hatch or not, it doesn't help the OP. He wants to know if it's any good.
If your opinion is that it's too slow, fine, but don't discount it because of some made up criteria you don't think it meets.
OP - I imagine it will be pretty good fun. Test drive it. I had a Renaultsport Twingo 133, which I imagine is similar in spirit, and that was great fun. Only 133bhp but so chuckable and cornered like it was on rails. Impracticalities due to size caught up with me though, so make sure it has enough rear and boot space.
I find the stage 1 595 competizione as good to drive and more fun than my stage 3 Superb and that's saying something. May not be as fast on a straight line (not many cars are) but on a B road it is not much slower and handles like a go-cart.
One of the most fun cars I have owned, and I have owned and modified many. 225hp stage 1 and less than 1000kg with the rear seat delete is nothing to be sniffed at with brembo brakes and koni springs as standard. A lovely package imho.
One of the most fun cars I have owned, and I have owned and modified many. 225hp stage 1 and less than 1000kg with the rear seat delete is nothing to be sniffed at with brembo brakes and koni springs as standard. A lovely package imho.
I'm guessing you meant the GT, not the GTI? Unless you found a good deal, in which case I'm interested.
Not really, given that it was a 500 run special rather than a run of the mill mass production hot hatch.
What? It's turning circle is hilariously tight.
Had mine over a year now and still enjoy driving it, I changed the brakes from standard and the exhaust when I got it and I don't think I'll ever get bored of the pops and bangs it can kick out when you learn where the 'sweet spot' is to change gear. It's had a few comments but I'll take them out in it and they soon see why I still have it considering the types of cars I've owned in the past. Nearly half of my daily commute is B roads and that's where it 'all comes together'
One thing I would say from personal experience is if it comes with P Zeros on the front change them to PS4 and it'll change how the car drives. Gain much more confidence throwing it into corners with those on, I've still got P Zeros on the back but they'll get changed to PS4 when they are due.
One thing I would say from personal experience is if it comes with P Zeros on the front change them to PS4 and it'll change how the car drives. Gain much more confidence throwing it into corners with those on, I've still got P Zeros on the back but they'll get changed to PS4 when they are due.
Soldato
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That sounds like a hell of a lot of silly fun
Associate
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Had my 18 plate for 4 months now and put about 4000 miles on it.
It's really fun to drive - you get the usual 'oh its a Fiat 500 and isnt it cute' comments constantly but if you can get over that then its a great car.
If you have any questions just ask - worth joining 'Modified Abarth' and 'Abarth Owners Club' groups on Facebook as plenty of info on there.
Whatever you do don't buy one from Arnold Clark.
Also - it has no alarm and recently many have been stolen and then are on eBay days later after being stripped for parts so something to consider. Many owners use a steering wheel lock and fit aftermarket alarm.
If you are buying brand new then wait - new specs and colours have just been announced and should be available to order shortly.
It's really fun to drive - you get the usual 'oh its a Fiat 500 and isnt it cute' comments constantly but if you can get over that then its a great car.
If you have any questions just ask - worth joining 'Modified Abarth' and 'Abarth Owners Club' groups on Facebook as plenty of info on there.
Whatever you do don't buy one from Arnold Clark.
Also - it has no alarm and recently many have been stolen and then are on eBay days later after being stripped for parts so something to consider. Many owners use a steering wheel lock and fit aftermarket alarm.
If you are buying brand new then wait - new specs and colours have just been announced and should be available to order shortly.
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The 1.6L MG Maestro had a 0-60mph of 9.6 seconds. The later 2.0L EFI version brought that down to 8.5 seconds.
The road going version of the Lotus Sunbeam had around 150bhp, and Talbot claimed a 0-60 of 7.8 seconds.. A very quick car in it's time.
The Abarth is indisputably a hot hatch. It is a high performance derivative of a small hatchback car, and the availability of larger, more powerful hatchbacks from other manufacturers dosen't change this at all.
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As many owners have said they really are a riot. Had my '17 Plate 595 Comp (Performance Pack) for over a year and 10,000 miles. Its not perfect but it really makes me smile every time I drive it.
Good things:
1) It is tiny.
2) It makes a brilliant noise, pops and crackles.
3) Some of the small touches are lovely, alloy petrol cap/oil cap, carbon backed seats.
4) Digital dash.
Small things I really wish they would address:
1) For the love of god allow the steering wheel to adjust for reach, it would make finding a driving position so much better.
2) Do wish they updated the loom to allow cruise control to be optioned.
3) Ditch the sport button and just leave the car in sport as default, it really doesn't need the softly softly mode.
Do I regret buying one? Not for a second.
Good things:
1) It is tiny.
2) It makes a brilliant noise, pops and crackles.
3) Some of the small touches are lovely, alloy petrol cap/oil cap, carbon backed seats.
4) Digital dash.
Small things I really wish they would address:
1) For the love of god allow the steering wheel to adjust for reach, it would make finding a driving position so much better.
2) Do wish they updated the loom to allow cruise control to be optioned.
3) Ditch the sport button and just leave the car in sport as default, it really doesn't need the softly softly mode.
Do I regret buying one? Not for a second.
I absolutely love mine and am going to absolutely miss it when my i30n is delivered. It will not be my last and I'll be picking up an Series 4 in a couple of years once they come down a bit in price.
Servicing wise, think they're every 9k Miles. It uses Selina oil which is a pain to get hold of and your average garage wont easily be able to get hold of it, use Shop4Parts.
It's small, like, tiny. I can't use my boot for anything really, especially once the Disklok is in there. Crime is very common, you want an alarm and disklok as a minimum.
I've got the Comp, so it's got the Koni FSDs and TTC. Such good fun.
Honestly just drive one, they're by no means a straight line car, get it round some corners and it just keeps gripping.
Oh and to add, community. Good Gosh it's got a very active and lovely community.
Servicing wise, think they're every 9k Miles. It uses Selina oil which is a pain to get hold of and your average garage wont easily be able to get hold of it, use Shop4Parts.
It's small, like, tiny. I can't use my boot for anything really, especially once the Disklok is in there. Crime is very common, you want an alarm and disklok as a minimum.
I've got the Comp, so it's got the Koni FSDs and TTC. Such good fun.
Honestly just drive one, they're by no means a straight line car, get it round some corners and it just keeps gripping.
Oh and to add, community. Good Gosh it's got a very active and lovely community.
Nah they're lovedAlways wanted one of these
I was in Starbucks drive-thru yesterday and one of the staff straight away was "Give it a rev", if I remember tonight I'll take mine down a tunnel and record the sound. It's epic.