anyone considering the Fiat 500 Abarth?
 

I've tried the regular fiat 500 sport last summer for about 1500km. I was very impress with everything you have with this car. I'm 6ft tall and there was plenty of room for me and it was very comfortable for 600km in one day.

I could use more power, so this is why I did not check more on it. But now there is a version coming out soon, the Abarth. If you check the specs, it should be a great small car.

I was planning to go with the brz/frs/gt86, but the Abarth could be a good option too.

What do you think?

link to the specifications:
http://www.media.chrysler.com/dcxms/...arth_Specs.pdf

This thread is worthless without the YouTube video of the commercial for the car.

It looks like a great little car, but it's not really on my radar, I'm pretty set on the BRZ.

They're better cars in it's price range.

Isn't Abarth start around $22k~$23k?

Yeah, like KidWonder stated, I think, there's more option for that price range

I sat in this car (not abarth) for a while at the LA auto show. The interior feels like a cheap toy and the reviews never place this car above its peers. There are multiple reasons why sales are falling off badly. I know most cars have plastic galore interiors but the interior of the FIAT is particularly bad. Seriously save your money.

Cracking little car. Really, really quick for the size and segment it is in. I had a nose around one at a dealership a few years back and it is just a bit too busy and contrived for my tastes. But if you wanted a small hatch why not?

I admire what Fiat has done but I don't see one in my future.

you already saw this before you posted the above, didn't you? :D

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/2...d-from-22-000/

^nope, went to their official website

I think they are fun little cars. I was in one at the tampa auto show and was impressed. I hate the look of mini's interiors so if I were looking for another little fwd car this would be high on my list. However I do not think many enthusiasts would be cross shopping FRZ with Abarth's just due to the drive train.

I don't think I'd pay 22k for one. I do like them, but for 17-18k.

Looks awesome and fun but man that price isn't worth it. The most i'd pay is 19k. Fiat is not helping themselves on this one plus sales aren't up par.

I didn't know the price. Here in Canada, the 500 sport is around 20k$. So I taught it would be around 23k$ or 24$. But from what I read here, it will be around 28k$-30k$. It's a bit too much for what it have to offer I think.

You could purchase a slightly used genesis Coupe ,mazda speed 3,mini cooper turbo, or 350z for the price of a 'abarth'.

No no! Used vs New is a not-starter on car forums. Really, how long is a piece of string? You can compare used v new v used, etc... forever.

Even new vs new I think a lot of people would struggle to find the value in the Fiat if it is not their cup of tea.

All day long, I'd choose the MINI over the Fiat. I had an '07 MINI S and even though it turned out to be an unreliable pain in my ass that got unloaded ASAP, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if it had a solid warranty.

The dealer experience was absolutely fantastic with MINI as well. Fiat? You're going to a Chrysler dealer. Never had a good experience there.

I kind of like them too, would be a great little city runabout for the wife and significantly cheaper than a GTI.

There was one that showed up at the auto-x last summer and the exhaust note was really good. Loud for a stock car.

Overall the car reminded me of a little angry dog with lots of attitude.

Those stupid cars look like these guys
http://images2.fanpop.com/images/pho...48-280-280.jpg

And for $22k, you're not much off from getting an FRS.

I still can't get over why somebody would buy such an atrocity. Just get a Yaris for wayyyy less if subcompact is what you want.

There's a lady that runs track and autocross events in my SCCA region and her car is pretty quick. The exhaust note also sounds really aggressive.
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/...pso0sicb6v.jpg

Drive one, it's a hoot. More fun than a Toyobaru on public roads without being too obnoxious.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/take-abarth


The only reason I got an FRS is because I thought I would get bored of the FWD and sell the car in a few years vs. keeping the FRS a lot longer. It's definitely cheaper, marginally more practical, better gas mileage and has oodles more character. "Atrocity" :bonk:

The main downfall of the Abarth is the existence of the Fiesta ST.

yep.. my brother works at a fiat dealership, so i've had the chance to play with them from time to time. they are fun, i just can't get over the interior layout and the overall appearance.. i tend to prefer a more traditional looking coupe..

Living in San Francisco, I was heavily considering the Abarth based on what I had heard and read about it. It looks and sounded pretty mean and I was stoked to test drive one.

However, I simply hated the seating and shifter position. It just wasn't a cockpit that I wanted to be in. Surprisingly, it didn't feel very small but when I tested the BRZ, the first twin I tried, I felt at home. The cockpit was more driver-centric IMO and the seating positioning was miles ahead of the Abarth.

That being said, the Abarth looks like the most fun you can get out of a subcompact.

Over a year old necro -_-

Wasn't my fault! And the question is still relevant IMO

you guys need to learn the art of thanking people for actually searching... if you want people to search, then thank them for doing so instead of shunning them for bumping an older thread...

it's like a loose-loose around here.. post something that's been asked, and everyone says SEARCH MORON... then you search, and try to to ask for more detail and everyone goes off on the HOLY REVIVE BATMAN train.....

Old thread revived, I see ;)

For anyone contemplating a new Fiat 500, I urge you to pay the money and rent one for a full week first. I've had a couple of these as longer term rentals and it was enough to deter me and give public service announcements on this car. For example, next time you're in one, flash the highbeams. Hear that clunking sound? That's the mechanism hitting and happened in every Fiat I've ever been in. Look closely at the finishes and how poor they are.

For the price point, there are better vehicles, but I will say that the car is super cute to look at. They did do a great job at bringing the feel of the old one back to life.

Here's my vintage 1964 Fiat 500 D with my rental just a few weeks ago :D

Loved the Petrolicious vid
:thumbup:

For anyone who hasn't seen it:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWcRjrBt4oo"]Fiat 500: Speed of Sunshine - YouTube[/ame]


Thinking of a Toyobaru?

Aww, my little Luigi is web famous ;)

so do you make cf plate frames? i'm interested in a very specific design that no one seems to make...

specifically, a perimeter design like this
http://www.licenseplateframes.com/pe...e-plate-frame/

I do run a hobby business where I sell carbon fiber license plate frames. I've been doing it for years. Wow, time flies...

I've PM'd you about your inquiry :)

I also have an Abarth (cabrio even) in the stable. A custom frame for both the Frs and 500 are definitely relevant to my interests. Can you send info to me as well? Thx!

How do you like the Abarth? I've only driven the regular 500, and my neighbor here has one. I actually looked at it, and I think the build quality is much better than the regular one. I may have to take back my comment to early models :cool:

PM me. I've been getting lots of interest. Perhaps a forum discount is in order ;)

Picked up a Blanco Abarth Cabrio last July. It gets most of our long trips as the FR-S is now too stiff for long trips. It's great in that duty, excellent mileage, surprising power, very good seats, decent stereo, and it's sprung 20% softer than a hard top Abarth so the ride is much more luxurious than most small cars. Nay I say light years ahead of cars like the Smart, iQ, and Minis Cooper. Interior has proven durable. A while back I wrote up my impression of the whole car right here:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...=Abarth&page=3

For the license plate frames a forum discount is a spectacular idea. I'll drop a PM now. :thanks:

He searched, but ultimately the joke's on you. Something seemed off about his post so I decided to get stalker-y. Go copy/paste his posts into Google. They're pulled straight from other sites, and the first has been posted verbatim on several forums. Methinks we've a spammer in our midst, and people get suckered into thinking they are participating while the spammer pads his postcount. Soon links start popping up in their posts, etc.

Or I could be wrong, but he could at least site Jalopnik/Oppositelock for the post.

Anyway, back to the topic. I've been thinking really, really hard about getting one. Some dealerships have excess inventory on the lot and they're going for as much as 7 grand off sticker. Sure for 22 it doesn't seem like a great deal, but 16? Hell of a steal, IMO. I test drove them back to back a while ago and ultimately liked the FR-S more, but I'm not sure if I like it 10 grand more... People are snapping them up though, so I have to make a decision soon if I want one, I suppose.

I like the look of the Smart and the IQ, but they are bloody expensive for what you get. Years ago, I rented a Smart ForFour in Europe- sweet little car. My travels inspire me for vehicle choice and Canada's lovely 25 year old law allows cars to be imported easily... I've my sights set on something special right now. Stay tuned ;)

PM's received. Replies en route. Sorry for the delay. My eyes took a computer break.

So, I don't feel the need to create my own thread since I'm sure that'll just draw ire, but after a long time and much back and forth, I went with the brain over the heart. I bought a barely used Abarth today for what I think is a great deal. Like I said in my previous past, the cost has been driven down on these a ton, and while it may not hold great resale value, I can drive the snot out of it and say that I spent several thousand less than I would have with a comparable preowned FRS/BRZ. I'm not going anywhere though. I still love the twins and wouldn't mind adding one to the garage in the future. :D

http://i.imgur.com/I04UXop.jpg

^ Looks sweet.

"Marginally more practical?" Not buying that one - the twins have far more storage space, and their greater length makes it possible for them to carry longer objects.