[Zaku]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Easiest clutch I've ever driven, and the ergonomics are awkward as you sit very upright, reaching out for the controls it feels like a park bench compared to the cockpit of an 86. The details are fading after nearly 4 years but the 86 has never made me smile like that.

The engine barks and howls and turbo lag is real but small in the 1.4L, but to me far more forgivable than the fly by wire delay in the 86s throttle. It darted so effortlessly through traffic and just begged begged begged for more. People say that about the 86 as well, but to me the 86 it's much more serious, whenever I go for a risk in the 86 I feel bad for my passengers, in the Abarth I gave absolutely zero shits how uncomfortable I made that salesman and my gf.

I won't argue that it's a perfect car, or even objectively the best car in the segment, it is and will be terribly devisive because it has glaring flaws. But I had a blast driving it that I didn't replicate in the 86 until I was on a closed circuit. I didn't buy it because I didn't want to have to eat the loss selling it 3-5 years later when i got bored of running FWD at the track, but in hindsight the money saved would probably have allowed me to pick up a beater project car is relegate the Abarth more easily to commute and occasional fun duty, and now that I actually have first hand experience with a FWD that can turn, well, let's just say I have an eye on those falling prices and their long term reliability for similar reasons.

It's a great time to be an enthusiast with a $20kish budget if you're not stuck up about FWD with the Mini, Abarth, fist/fist, gti, even the Mazda3 (and older speeds) all readily available to put a smile on your face and a load of lumber in the back, and a new Civic on the way.

Thanks This is Super Insightful