Thoughts on Abarth?

Is there some sort of general hive mind consensus on the Abarth yet. Fun, reasonably safe, wet dog turd. They seem to be plentiful at the dealerships now with minimal options. I can lease for 319$ a month with 0 down.

I had a monstrously loaded mini cooper S clubman and hated it, mainly all the gadgets and navi and just general weird way it went about things. It also creaked and groaned like a dying sailboat. I want tiny simple and tossable. Something that I can step on the gas and not be in the triple digits in 5 seconds.

My scion IQ is so not cutting it for me and will be set to a relative who needs 70hp so she does not drive like a maniac. That leaves me with a 640+hp 9 mpg daily driver and almost 4.75$ a gallon gas.

Its that or I break down and lease something silly again like a new beetle convertible which I actually really like.

I've put about 13000 miles on mine since September. It's a fun little car as well as a decent commuter.

640hp?!!! Mother of god

Blitzed306 wrote: 640hp?!!! Mother of god

Weary's one of them types that actually has money. His 640hp says something like SRT10 or ACR on the back of it.

All I know is that they're slower than a '13 GT500 on even a tight AX course.

Nice cars! Had one in Targa Newfoundland last year and it was great!

The driver came second in his devision in it: http://motoring-event-services.com/FTP%20Folder/TargaResults/TO-Final.pdf

And the car won the manufactor's award: http://motoring-event-services.com/FTP%20Folder/TargaResults/Presidents%20Team.pdf

You must just love european cars built in mexico. I recently had a beetle for a rental car. Gas mileage was mid 20s from Orlando to Miami and commuting around there for two days. It was spacious but it was not comfortable. The lack of any type of arm rest and odd seat position def left things to be desired.

ReverendDexter wrote: All I know is that they're slower than a '13 GT500 on even a tight AX course.

The thought had crossed my mind.

Biggest thing is out here all I do it sit in traffic 80% of the time. The few times that I get to stretch the cars legs are on smaller roads so keeping the max fun speed down would be a plus. 110 in second gear is getting old fast So a even a GT mustang would not really be a lot of fun.

Weather is so nice I could go back to driving something like a early SL or pagoda or even another 356 coupe.

Guess I am thinking vintage 500cc bike instead of 1300cc sport-bike

I was just seeing what the group mind thought. The wife is pulling for something more comfortable/manual/GT so I keep threatening to buy a Vantage which I will never hear the end of.

I'm not one to say this normally, but I think in this case, the answer is definitely: Miata.

Is it bad I'm thinking Chevy Spark based on your desire for the least speed possible? What's that old saying about it being more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow? 110mph might not seem slow, but in 2nd gear with 640hp on tap in traffic, I'm sure it seems downright pedantic. I think an Abarth would suffer still from power. You need to set your sights low, as in basement low. Something about a 1.2L 4 cylinder (yes there are motorcycles with bigger engines) and 2300lbs with 4 seats sounds amusing to me...

Raze wrote: Is it bad I'm thinking Chevy Spark based on your desire for the least speed possible? What's that old saying about it being more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow? 110mph might not seem slow, but in 2nd gear with 640hp on tap in traffic, I'm sure it seems downright pedantic. I think an Abarth would suffer still from power. You need to set your sights low, as in basement low. Something about a 1.2L 4 cylinder (yes there are motorcycles with bigger engines) and 2300lbs with 4 seats sounds amusing to me...

I have 1.0 Liter at 77hp right now in my IQ at 1800lbs, I really do like the little thing but the CVT just absolutely kills the car/

Miata might actually be the right answer,

This doesn't have much to do with anything, but I have noticed lately that I see a LOT more 500's on used car lots than I do on the street. Anyone have any idea why?

Personally I think the Abarth is a neat little car. I haven't gotten to play with one too much ergonomically, so I don't know how it feels in comparison to a Cooper S. I do know they make great noises, seem to be pretty comfy, and handle well for a car that oversquare vertically. I'd probably consider one in the future if they turned out to be reliable on the used market (I am done with car payments i've decided).

bravenrace wrote: This doesn't have much to do with anything, but I have noticed lately that I see a LOT more 500's on used car lots than I do on the street. Anyone have any idea why?

I have as well. Not exactly sure what is up. Most of the fiat forums seem to like them, but they are really cheap cars and I think a good number of people bought them as toys.

wearymicrobe wrote: That leaves me with a 640+hp 9 mpg daily driver and almost 4.75$ a gallon gas.

I fail to see the problem here.

A $319 w/ zero down lease on an Abarth seems like the next best way after a test drive to find out if you like one. As long as it's only 24 mos and not a 6yr hitch.

Drive a Mazda2. Yes, they have half the HP, but you can legitimately drive the E36 M3 out of them and not be upsetting traffic. They are as cheap and simple as you can buy right now. The Abarth is faster, but is faster better? Maybe, maybe not.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote: That leaves me with a 640+hp 9 mpg daily driver and almost 4.75$ a gallon gas.

I fail to see the problem here. A $319 w/ zero down lease on an Abarth seems like the next best way after a test drive to find out if you like one. As long as it's only 24 mos and not a 6yr hitch.

Going to test drive tonight, see if I like it.

wearymicrobe wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: All I know is that they're slower than a '13 GT500 on even a tight AX course.

The thought had crossed my mind. Biggest thing is out here all I do it sit in traffic 80% of the time. The few times that I get to stretch the cars legs are on smaller roads so keeping the max fun speed down would be a plus. 110 in second gear is getting old fast So a even a GT mustang would not really be a lot of fun. Weather is so nice I could go back to driving something like a early SL or pagoda or even another 356 coupe. Guess I am thinking vintage 500cc bike instead of 1300cc sport-bike I was just seeing what the group mind thought. The wife is pulling for something more comfortable/manual/GT so I keep threatening to buy a Vantage which I will never hear the end of.

With the 3.73s 110 doesn't come until 4th.........2nd tops out around 60. 3rd around 85 or so.

Oh but on topic, a guy at work just bought one. Good looking little car (on the outside anyway). For me it's a bit pricey for what it is, but I get the appeal.

Well sat in one, little odd seating position but comfortable. Lots of buttons and dials and boost gauges with arrows that tell you when to upshift. That is not my cup of tea.

They have a white/red with white wheels and red stripes optioned out the way I would want though.

Leather/Stereo/Wheels/Decals. Little cluttered inside, same power as the SS kit like they have in Europe.

Dealer had ~250 fiats on the lot though. Just as far as the eye could see. Was a little weird. Going to test drive it this weekend but I do not have high hopes given the seating position and my general size. 20 Abarth's on the lot which was worrying as well.

Thought about it

Bought one

Love it

Thought about it

Bought one

Love it

110 in second gear is getting old fast So a even a GT mustang would not really be a lot of fun.

Wow. First-world problems indeed.

The Fiat 500 sounds like the right answer if you also want something that's reasonably quick.

Having spent a few days in one, the Chevy Spark is quite slow, but not at all miserable. Decent little car, in fact. Pretty neutral, a little understeer at the limit. Revvy engine. And holy crap, I've never seen anything in this price segment with heated seats. I also see a newspaper ad for one at least $1000 below MSRP. So you can pick them up cheap.

Shifter's vague and (like nearly everything with electric assist) numb steering.

I didn't drive the Abarth much, but I really enjoyed the 500 Sport, too. More fun and nicer to be in than the Spark, but not as cheap or as roomy. Spark has 4 doors, which definitely eases back-seat access.

If the back seat's not a priority (you did mention Miata, and I will heartily endorse any NC as a daily driver), the Fiat's a great choice.

Oh, and the short overall length makes it excellent for squeezing through traffic. Same goes with the Spark. I put the spark side by side with my fiancee's Yaris, and the Spark isn't much shorter. But the way it drives and the visibility makes it much easier to dodge traffic.

Whatever you get, avoid the Scion iQ like the plague. The CVT is awful, the packaging and storage solutions are nonexistent, and the gas mileage is not commensurate with its size. That vehicle has no reason to exist.

Alan Cesar wrote:

110 in second gear is getting old fast So a even a GT mustang would not really be a lot of fun.

Wow. First-world problems indeed. Whatever you get, avoid the Scion iQ like the plague. The CVT is awful, the packaging and storage solutions are nonexistent, and the gas mileage is not commensurate with its size. That vehicle has no reason to exist.

Not a problem so much as an observation. Ton's of fun on the track, real life with crappy roads makes for less fun. It has a purpose just not a DD.

Unfortunately I already have the IQ, it's dreadful, and it does NOT do what they say it should. MPG and space was just a bust. Love the thing when I have to go into the city but the freeway is terrible and it is already starting to rattle at 4K miles. I am not impressed with the little Toyota, plus I have already had two recalls.

Perfect car for someone other then me.

Not sure on your time frame but what about the Ford Fiesta ST? I have looked and driven the Fiat but I am on the fence about the Fiat and want to hold out till I can drive the ST to prevent making a mistake. I am in no hurry so time is on my side.