RE: Abarth 595 Competizione: Review
Discussion
g7jhp said:
Fiat 500's and the Abarth 500's are now a victim of their own success (very like the Mini).
Why spend £20k+ on a new Abarth 500, when you can pick-up used 2010 Abarth 500 with sub 30k miles for £7.5k.
Stick on a private plate and 99% of people couldn't tell the difference.
Couldn't agree more. Have you seen the 'Ferrari' and 'Maserati" editions? £30K - Completely insane why anyone would lay out that kind of money for a 500Why spend £20k+ on a new Abarth 500, when you can pick-up used 2010 Abarth 500 with sub 30k miles for £7.5k.
Stick on a private plate and 99% of people couldn't tell the difference.
The Ferrari and Masserati editions had more power than the Esseesse which at the time was the most powerful with 160hp.
I'll be honest, the Ferrari and Masserati cars are a bit pricey but the Tributo 695 whilst expensive imo is worth every penny and I applaud Fiat for creating such a great machine amidst the drudgery of todays cars. With 190bhp, a proper mechanical limited slip diff, no rear seats, the gearbox from the racing car and plastic windows as a weight saving option it's fantastic. It's just a shame I can't afford one.
I'll be honest, the Ferrari and Masserati cars are a bit pricey but the Tributo 695 whilst expensive imo is worth every penny and I applaud Fiat for creating such a great machine amidst the drudgery of todays cars. With 190bhp, a proper mechanical limited slip diff, no rear seats, the gearbox from the racing car and plastic windows as a weight saving option it's fantastic. It's just a shame I can't afford one.
crashley said:
Christ! Where does that leave the 911, which has been around 50yrs? Porsche should be practically giving them away!
Think you've missed my point, I'm saying this isn't really a "new" car is it, it looks literally the same as the old one which has been around since 2008 (?)lewisf182 said:
crashley said:
Christ! Where does that leave the 911, which has been around 50yrs? Porsche should be practically giving them away!
Think you've missed my point, I'm saying this isn't really a "new" car is it, it looks literally the same as the old one which has been around since 2008 (?)The trouble is with the 595 is that with all the extra's, its falling into a higher category which has more equipment, better handling and more exonomical and with 90bhp more... (note Peugeot 308 GTI 270), so really Fiat need to add more standard equipment on the base model (sat nav to start with).
ecsrobin said:
I have owned my series 4 Abarth 595 Competizione (exactly the same as reviewed) and I can't stop smiling, it may not be the quickest but then there always will be something on the road quicker than you. The seating position is high however I like the very high and vertical seating position, I'm 6'3" and after a long drive yesterday I had no back issues which is a first for me, however there's a seat drop option from an aftermarket supplier that I may purchase.
I'm also amazed how much positive reaction it's had from petrolheads and non petrolheads it certainly has become a talking point in the workplace.
"When I grow old I want to be like the big racing car"
When we had ours it was an early one, it got the most attention from everyone, kids and grown ups alike.I'm also amazed how much positive reaction it's had from petrolheads and non petrolheads it certainly has become a talking point in the workplace.
"When I grow old I want to be like the big racing car"
Loved every drive in it regardless.
Cupramax said:
Look at the size of it next to the original, it looks like a fat chav thats been in the pies 
Have to disagree. The original looks like a toy and not in a good way. God help anyone getting into a serious accident in that - they'd definitely be getting carried away and not walking away.tomv1to said:
The Ferrari and Masserati editions had more power than the Esseesse which at the time was the most powerful with 160hp.
I'll be honest, the Ferrari and Masserati cars are a bit pricey but the Tributo 695 whilst expensive imo is worth every penny and I applaud Fiat for creating such a great machine amidst the drudgery of todays cars. With 190bhp, a proper mechanical limited slip diff, no rear seats, the gearbox from the racing car and plastic windows as a weight saving option it's fantastic. It's just a shame I can't afford one.
You can upgrade to 190bhp for just over £1k. I'll be honest, the Ferrari and Masserati cars are a bit pricey but the Tributo 695 whilst expensive imo is worth every penny and I applaud Fiat for creating such a great machine amidst the drudgery of todays cars. With 190bhp, a proper mechanical limited slip diff, no rear seats, the gearbox from the racing car and plastic windows as a weight saving option it's fantastic. It's just a shame I can't afford one.
tonyb1968 said:
The trouble is with the 595 is that with all the extra's, its falling into a higher category which has more equipment, better handling and more exonomical and with 90bhp more... (note Peugeot 308 GTI 270), so really Fiat need to add more standard equipment on the base model (sat nav to start with).
I think you are missing the point of the brand really. I don't think anyone has bought an Abarth because it represented the best value for money. I don't think many people think what's the best car I can get for £23,000 oh that will be the lowish powered, not that fast, not that well equipped, okish handling, tiny little Abarth. I think they tend to be driven by older guys who buy one because they like them, it''s their 2nd or 3rd car, so the lack of glove box is not an issue, the amputee leg room in the back, does not matter.
nikaiyo2 said:
I think you are missing the point of the brand really. I don't think anyone has bought an Abarth because it represented the best value for money. I don't think many people think what's the best car I can get for £23,000 oh that will be the lowish powered, not that fast, not that well equipped, okish handling, tiny little Abarth.
I think they tend to be driven by older guys who buy one because they like them, it''s their 2nd or 3rd car, so the lack of glove box is not an issue, the amputee leg room in the back, does not matter.
Well, no really, I see where the brand is coming from, just look at what its meant to be competing against.I think they tend to be driven by older guys who buy one because they like them, it''s their 2nd or 3rd car, so the lack of glove box is not an issue, the amputee leg room in the back, does not matter.
Ford's ST
Peugeot's Sport
Citroen's DS
VW's GTI
Renault Sport
Nissan's Nismo
Those top of the range models give you better driving experiences, better equipment levels, better overall value, in cars that offer far more in a package.
The Abarth should have decent levels of equipment to start with, and it doesn't, plus it still has issues, one of the reasons it didn't make my "to buy" list.
I love the look and sound, but if I purchased a car just for that reason then I would be stupid, and when the competition is pushing better cars, its a no brainer tbh
tonyb1968 said:
nikaiyo2 said:
I think you are missing the point of the brand really. I don't think anyone has bought an Abarth because it represented the best value for money. I don't think many people think what's the best car I can get for £23,000 oh that will be the lowish powered, not that fast, not that well equipped, okish handling, tiny little Abarth.
I think they tend to be driven by older guys who buy one because they like them, it''s their 2nd or 3rd car, so the lack of glove box is not an issue, the amputee leg room in the back, does not matter.
Well, no really, I see where the brand is coming from, just look at what its meant to be competing against.I think they tend to be driven by older guys who buy one because they like them, it''s their 2nd or 3rd car, so the lack of glove box is not an issue, the amputee leg room in the back, does not matter.
Ford's ST
Peugeot's Sport
Citroen's DS
VW's GTI
Renault Sport
Nissan's Nismo
Those top of the range models give you better driving experiences, better equipment levels, better overall value, in cars that offer far more in a package.
The Abarth should have decent levels of equipment to start with, and it doesn't, plus it still has issues, one of the reasons it didn't make my "to buy" list.
I love the look and sound, but if I purchased a car just for that reason then I would be stupid, and when the competition is pushing better cars, its a no brainer tbh
Ford's ST - seen on every road, I could have gone for the ST200, but the colour is awful and the interior is not finished to the same standard as the Abarth. However it does have more home comforts.
Peugeot's Sport 208 GTi just doesn't look nice, however the interior is ok.
Citroen's DS - eve rated it 3 stars over the Abarth also the top version only comes with a gold roof??
VW's GTI - Polo GTi is £1000 more for a similar spec to the Abarth a lot of the features are options on the VW, I was also not impressed when I had a polo hire car it was cramped and felt of a low build quality.
Renault Sport - sadly the Clio is almost perfect however I would prefer less doors and the seats don't appeal, the megane is almost perfect but you'd have to spec it with the recaros for an extra £1300 which then puts it at a few £k over the Abarth
Nissan's Nismo - there's only the Juke and that's a bit large for my needs.
When you put spec to spec, every car listed has most of the standard features of the Abarth as optional extras which then tip the vehicles over the price bracket of the Abarth.
Not that fast? Faster than an ST, but realistically they're all about the same speed anyway.
None of the alternatives tickled my fancy, even dynamically, never mind how much better the Abarth looks/sounds etc (subjective I know). The only other car I would have gone for is Focus RS, but it was £14k more than I paid
None of the alternatives tickled my fancy, even dynamically, never mind how much better the Abarth looks/sounds etc (subjective I know). The only other car I would have gone for is Focus RS, but it was £14k more than I paid
Fiat absolutely nailed it with the 500 - it feels special, which no other small car manages.. The abarth with its fancy seats feels even better.. Comparing it to the ford is silly, because the ford feels like a cheap hot hatch (which is great!). The fiat always had that classless thing going on though - you can work in McDonald's or be Kate Middleton kind of vibe..
I'd have one, but not the fast expensive one.. 140 bhp and all the style and occasion would do me.
I'd have one, but not the fast expensive one.. 140 bhp and all the style and occasion would do me.
howardhughes said:
g7jhp said:
Fiat 500's and the Abarth 500's are now a victim of their own success (very like the Mini).
Why spend £20k+ on a new Abarth 500, when you can pick-up used 2010 Abarth 500 with sub 30k miles for £7.5k.
Stick on a private plate and 99% of people couldn't tell the difference.
Couldn't agree more. Have you seen the 'Ferrari' and 'Maserati" editions? £30K - Completely insane why anyone would lay out that kind of money for a 500Why spend £20k+ on a new Abarth 500, when you can pick-up used 2010 Abarth 500 with sub 30k miles for £7.5k.
Stick on a private plate and 99% of people couldn't tell the difference.
Of course they mostly continue to drive OK so you might not care but the "monthly cost" of owning a £7.5K used one and a leased brand-new one are probably a LOT closer than you'd like to imagine (this is true of a LOT of cars if we're honest)
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