Quote:
Originally Posted by DAEMANO
Speaking solely in terms of a Fiat, the performance bargain is the straight 500 Turbo model (not the Abarth). It's $19,500 base with the same engine as the Abarth, just detuned (or lacking of the extra grunt provided by the ECU when pressing the Abarth's sport button).So a track build with a base 500 Turbo would look something like this.
2477 lbs / 2387 lbs (w/rear seat delete)
203 HP / 239 lb.ft TQ
$19,500 Fiat 500 Turbo MSRP (new)
+$900 Dyno-comp Stg 1 ECU Tune
+$850 Koni shocks & Springs combo or ST Coilovers
+$950 Wilwood BBK
+$600 Summer/Track tires (16" will do). Your choice.
$22,800 Fiat 500 "USA Competion Spec"
This would be a beast at the Auto-X or track. No it wouldn't offer the pure driving pleasure of an FRS/BRZ/86. However if we're going to toss cars like the high COG, front drive Fiesta ST ($22,195 msrp, 2700 lbs, 197 hp, 202 lb.ft tq) against a Fiat, dollar for dollar new an upgraded Fiat 500 Turbo would absolutely smoke the Ford. It's 400 lbs lighter, and has more HP and TQ.
As far as new cars go, an upgraded 500 Turbo may actually be the current performance bargain king if we're talking purely about lap times per dollar. Now that sounds strange, but for these prices I'd love to see another new equipped so well, weigh so little, and have so much power. Otherwise, on the strength of it's chassis dynamics, platform, and aftermarket, give me an '86 all day.
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Disagree.
The US Fiesta ST MSRP's at 21.4k And absolutely NOBODY is paying anywhere even close to that. lol Fords have massive incentives and wiggle room. For the price you pegged the Fiesta ST for, you could easily pick up a Focus ST.
Looking at the detailed contents/specs of the vehicles, Imho Fiesta ST is clearly giving you more for less.
So you throw 3 grand worth of mods into the 500 turbo... When people can get a Fiesta ST for almost the same price as the 500, and throw the 600-800$ mountune kit in, which actually gives you better performance & power than the spec's you posted for the 3 grand worth of mods in the 500. Still coming out with more for less.
Find me a reviewer that favors the Fiat from a driving experience stand point....
Don't get me started on the looks... Or the reliability/warranty issues everyone's having with their Fiat's..
Anyway, the 86 looks better than both. Handles better than both.. If I wasin the market for another coupe....
I bought a Fiesta ST though in the end. Don''t want another coupe right now. Needed 4 doors.
Fiesta ST is a way better bargain than the Mini/Fiat's.. And doesn't lookas goofy as either. (Granted it does have some weird dimensions going on) Looks a little squished. Still no where near as goofy as the other two.
Next on my shopping list, when there is room for another in the garage..Will probably be an updated '86 hopefully with a power boost. Need to fix thatTQ.
I'd never dream of letting a Fiat in my garage.. I would however take the exhaust note and the Italian lady from the Abarth 
I don't know why anyone would consider a Fiat over an 86 though.. To me that'scrazy talk.. but to each his/her own.
Also, FiST's are posting better times than the Fiat's... And getting pretty much glowing reviews from everyone. Not quite to the extent that the '86 did, but definitely picked over the Fiat in pretty much every review out there as far as driving enjoyment & track fun.