Abarth 595 Competizione as a daily?
Discussion
Mrs geeks is due a new car, on the list was the new 595, she took it out at the weekend and on her return salesman offered me a run out too, not wanting to be rude I took him up on the offer. On return I was sold I wanted one, the pointed me at the managers own one mentioning it was for sale, its the Competizione with every option (he is checking on the PP which I believe gives it an LSD, anything else?) on it for a good price and only 1600 miles on the clock for a 6 month old car.
Booked in for a go in it on Wednesday. Before I head down I am aware there are a few here that use them in such a fashion, I do between 13 and 20,000 miles a year probably 75% motorway and 25% A/B Roads and City work (I am not office based it's rare that getting to a customer site doesn't involve the motorway at some stage). What are their motorway manners like? MPG? Running costs (servicing etc)
I'll also be taking a look at the Mini JCW and the Golf GTi as well if that helps as a reference (both 2 years older for the same money), I reckon without having driven them, the Golf will be the better compromise and the Mini probably a middle ground between the 595 and the GTi but having really enjoyed the short run in a base spec 595 I can't imagine not enjoying the Comp even more.
Booked in for a go in it on Wednesday. Before I head down I am aware there are a few here that use them in such a fashion, I do between 13 and 20,000 miles a year probably 75% motorway and 25% A/B Roads and City work (I am not office based it's rare that getting to a customer site doesn't involve the motorway at some stage). What are their motorway manners like? MPG? Running costs (servicing etc)
I'll also be taking a look at the Mini JCW and the Golf GTi as well if that helps as a reference (both 2 years older for the same money), I reckon without having driven them, the Golf will be the better compromise and the Mini probably a middle ground between the 595 and the GTi but having really enjoyed the short run in a base spec 595 I can't imagine not enjoying the Comp even more.
So I am back!
Cracking little machine that, was happy with it on the longish DC run I got, went down some bumpy A and B Roads at normal traffic pace and a short run of "making progress" and I will be honest it's more comfortable than my A4!
Sabelts were wonderful and they had already had the lowering mod (but still went back and forth) really supportive and I reckon with a little fine tuning I would be just as comfortable as any other car. It has the PP and that LSD does an excellent job of keeping it in check as well on the tight stuff you could take enormous liberties with it and it would scrabble out of the corner effortlessly!
Beats audio was excellent quality, not so fussed about the sunroof but it has one. Actually there isn't an option it doesn't have!
Last word has to go to that exhaust, it makes such a wonderful noise, hilarious just childlike glee the whole time I was in it!
Colour me impressed! Very impressed as it goes. Now to see if we can get a deal we are all pleased with and I think I will take it!
Cracking little machine that, was happy with it on the longish DC run I got, went down some bumpy A and B Roads at normal traffic pace and a short run of "making progress" and I will be honest it's more comfortable than my A4!
Sabelts were wonderful and they had already had the lowering mod (but still went back and forth) really supportive and I reckon with a little fine tuning I would be just as comfortable as any other car. It has the PP and that LSD does an excellent job of keeping it in check as well on the tight stuff you could take enormous liberties with it and it would scrabble out of the corner effortlessly!
Beats audio was excellent quality, not so fussed about the sunroof but it has one. Actually there isn't an option it doesn't have!
Last word has to go to that exhaust, it makes such a wonderful noise, hilarious just childlike glee the whole time I was in it!
Colour me impressed! Very impressed as it goes. Now to see if we can get a deal we are all pleased with and I think I will take it!
undred orse said:
Great to hear you like it!
I tried to give a balanced view based on your comment about motorways and the fact that an Abarth could be seen as a bit "raw". But if you feel comfortable in it then go for it they are wonderful cars with a great character.
I'm sitting here now facing a 35 mile mainly b road commute in my Mini JCW and wishing I had the Abarth with me - I suppose that says a lot.
As far as the sunroof is concerned I would always go for one. I had one in my Abarth 500 SS and loved it. Tilt it open for extra noise from the exhaust. It also brought light in and the option of opening it for even more exhaust.
What colour are you getting?
Loved it, the more I sit here thinking about it the more I enjoyed it! Your review did help thank you, I will still test the Mini but it's going to have to be leagues ahead to make me chose it over the Abarth if I am honest.I tried to give a balanced view based on your comment about motorways and the fact that an Abarth could be seen as a bit "raw". But if you feel comfortable in it then go for it they are wonderful cars with a great character.
I'm sitting here now facing a 35 mile mainly b road commute in my Mini JCW and wishing I had the Abarth with me - I suppose that says a lot.
As far as the sunroof is concerned I would always go for one. I had one in my Abarth 500 SS and loved it. Tilt it open for extra noise from the exhaust. It also brought light in and the option of opening it for even more exhaust.
What colour are you getting?
As for the sunroof, it has it although I wasn't fussed about it but I can see the advantage to it as well, not had a car with a sunroof for years though so I would probably enjoy it again.
Its in Circuit Grey I think, that or Record Grey, here is a quick pic I took on the way out, it has the Grey Abarth styling with Yellow Brembos!
Just had an email from the dealer, it sold last night to another dealer, I am pretty cross to be honest, appreciate I hadn't chucked a deposit down but they knew I was dead keen (I had told them as much) and could have called me to say we have another dealer interested do you want it before we send it out the door!!!
Well I wasn't really looking but the one I saw just grabbed my attention then I wanted it, it was a few months old, 1600 on the clock and up for £18k with every available option including the performance pack ticked! I am actually pretty pissed with the dealer for not calling me, I know I hadn't placed a deposit but I had just driven it and got them to price mine up in PX etc so they knew I was keen, then to just sell it to another dealer a couple of hours later stinks! I doubt they will get a new one down to anywhere near £18k so they have lost a sale, well or not as the case may be, I have lost a purchase! The wife will be going ahead with one (her new Motability car) but its a base 595 and not the same, also hers and not mine!
The JCW I was looking at has sold as well!
Seems I am no good at this car buying stuff!
Will have to put it on hold as there is no decent JCW or 595 Comp nearby that do it for me
The JCW I was looking at has sold as well!
Seems I am no good at this car buying stuff!
Will have to put it on hold as there is no decent JCW or 595 Comp nearby that do it for me
Feels like I am hunting a Unicorn here, I want a comp with the performance pack, everytime I find one and call up it is sold, dealer did offer me one they found but it had the tan leather (YUK!)
The search continues and I will be fussy about the spec because I compromised on my previous car and regretted it, am determined not to this time around, not fussed about colour just PP and not a hideous interior!
The search continues and I will be fussy about the spec because I compromised on my previous car and regretted it, am determined not to this time around, not fussed about colour just PP and not a hideous interior!
Well then, looks like I could be in line for a brand new one, just been offered a superb deal on a comp with the performance pack, apparently you can still get it if you don't mind waiting!
Now to chose the colour, so I go for; Modena Yellow (Black Graphics, Black Calipers), Abarth Red (Black Graphics, Red Calipers) or Record Grey (Grey Matt Graphics and Yellow Calipers)? I can't make my mind up..
Spec wise I am thinking:
Supersports in Matt Black
Beats Audio
Now to chose the colour, so I go for; Modena Yellow (Black Graphics, Black Calipers), Abarth Red (Black Graphics, Red Calipers) or Record Grey (Grey Matt Graphics and Yellow Calipers)? I can't make my mind up..
Spec wise I am thinking:
Supersports in Matt Black
Beats Audio
Bungleaio said:
I've had a 595 Turismo for 6 months and love it but I've just ordered a new 595c Comp. There's nothing wrong with the Turismo but I wish I'd gone for the convertible from the start. The wait for delivery commences.
Mind if I ask what you've been given as a delivery time? We are almost 3 weeks into our 8-12 week wait, still no firm date which we should get next week. Bungleaio said:
I think it will be a lot longer than 12 weeks. The factory is closed and won't reopen until September. This is due to their normal summer shut down in August plus they have stopped production ahead of the WLTP changes.
I was told that I am likely to see my car in November but it depends on how many orders were taken between the factory closing and my order being placed. I'm hoping to get it before Christmas.
This delay is why I've decided to order now, the garage has given me a guaranteed value on my current car based on the value of it now plus I beat the July 1st price increase.
I would ask your dealer for a revised date, it maybe that they have found a car that's already built to your spec and they are just waiting for it to be moved. My spec is pretty unique so it will have to be built for me.
Hmmm this is contrary to what I have been told! I was told that the 595 would continue production until the August shut down. Mine is a factory build as well as their are no new 595s with the PP in the country. Think I am going to get onto the dealer again as they are ominously quiet.I was told that I am likely to see my car in November but it depends on how many orders were taken between the factory closing and my order being placed. I'm hoping to get it before Christmas.
This delay is why I've decided to order now, the garage has given me a guaranteed value on my current car based on the value of it now plus I beat the July 1st price increase.
I would ask your dealer for a revised date, it maybe that they have found a car that's already built to your spec and they are just waiting for it to be moved. My spec is pretty unique so it will have to be built for me.
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