Abarth 595 Competizione 180
Discussion
Fatsterjack said:
Really useful thread this as I'm seriously considering getting one of these for the daily commute/running around.
How are you finding the exhaust day to day? The 180 seems to have a bit more growl than the 160 I drove but with a bit less drama (fewer pops and bangs).
Glad it's serving some use for yourself! How are you finding the exhaust day to day? The 180 seems to have a bit more growl than the 160 I drove but with a bit less drama (fewer pops and bangs).
The exhaust is one of the most prominent features of the car, it is unlike some systems which can be managed or quieted and is constantly present unless cruising on motorways etc when the car relativity calms down ( inside at least)
Cold starts are noisy, and not just high in decibel but also characterize - most of my mates have been impressed by the noise rather than think it is just a vulgar and nasty drone.
As a daily car you'll find a lot of advice that would discourage you from choosing this car, and on the surface there is some weight behind it. However, as the car is always "on" so to speak, you'll be able to appreciate it's character and talents on every journey. It's only know when I get a lift in a mates Corsa VXR or Fiesta ST that I can't help thinking there just a little dull.
I'd definitely recommend the 180 on power at least as it feels much perkier and has extra grunt that feels much superior than the 20 bhp gain suggests, and in Competizione spec as this one comes with all the best and most desirable kit as standard - sabelt seats, monza exhaust, etc.
There's a good few on autotrader (including a good few Biposto 2 seater models if you have a lot of... courage) and Fiat dealers are pretty keen in my experience to knock a good few pounds off.
Hope that helps mate, and more questions keep them coming
neilbauer said:
|http://thumbsnap.com/NLSkjuOP[/url]It looks like you could just remove the bracket that is between the seat and the runner and attach the seat straight to the runner! But it couldn't be that easy could it?
Fatsterjack said:
Thanks!
Had plenty of 'loud' cars and not too bothered by the fact that it would always be on, more that it's liveable with which from what you describe it certainly is.
https://youtu.be/iZvI7wfT4kMHad plenty of 'loud' cars and not too bothered by the fact that it would always be on, more that it's liveable with which from what you describe it certainly is.
https://youtu.be/yx5Ew8aY60U
They are my favourite videos of how it sounds, love the fact the nissan 370z has nearly 3 times the capacity yet gets blown away by the Abarth - the videos don't do the car justice
DanTheDangerous said:
I like this car, exhaust sounds great! I hope you enjoy it. It reminds me a bit of a 106 GTI that i used to own. Little and great fun, mine was tuned so had the exhaust on etc so it sounded way better than standard.
I currently have a lease car through work, sometimes I wish I had gone for one of these!
Glad to hear you like it - I ran an old 106 1.1 few years back and this car defiantly has the same sense of smallness and nimbleness that the pug had (thankfully it has 3 times the power)I currently have a lease car through work, sometimes I wish I had gone for one of these!
My old 106 without power steering was a heavy old thing to get moving but at speed it felt fantastic, ironically because of its low weight
In terms of size, it's close to the 106 (in fact it's even shorter) but it's a bit taller. Would have loved to had a GTi 106, or even tuned mine, but unfortunately after a month of ownership ( it had 189,000 miles and was bought sold as seen from a scrap yard) it gave in on the A1 in spectacular fashion
Peugeot are definitely missing out not making a 108 GTi...
Campovolo73 said:
To be honest, i think that one of the most incredible things about this car is its interior space. If you consider the size of its body, it's just amazing how roomy it is! They managed to use every square inch in the smartest way...
I'd defiantly agree with that, compared to my old 208 GTi it's not much smaller inside despite being much smaller outside - I parked next to one yesterday and was shocked how bulky it looked.I love how the rear head rests poke out over the back of the car when the book's open, properly crammed in there.
I've had a 50 inch tv and an armchair (desperately) in the boot and don't feel I've lost anything coming from the bigger peugeot - the only times I notice it is parking (which is massively easier) and if I try to adjust the seat back - there so close to the door I can't do it with the door closed. Small price to pay for a properly little car
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/blog/what-happ...
Driving back home yesterday and I saw a convoy of a 106 GTi and 2 Saxo VTS's reminded me of this article.
Today other than the Abarth range and the Vauxhall Adam S, and the suzuki swift, there aren't any proper junior hot hatches around.
Seems a shame, and but I guess because of the likes of the Fiesta ST and like been so cheap (a second hand one on PCP or even new) I guess there just isn't a market case for them. The only way they can sell is by being a heart over head purchase (Abarth )
Driving back home yesterday and I saw a convoy of a 106 GTi and 2 Saxo VTS's reminded me of this article.
Today other than the Abarth range and the Vauxhall Adam S, and the suzuki swift, there aren't any proper junior hot hatches around.
Seems a shame, and but I guess because of the likes of the Fiesta ST and like been so cheap (a second hand one on PCP or even new) I guess there just isn't a market case for them. The only way they can sell is by being a heart over head purchase (Abarth
) clarki said:
I know what you're saying, back in the day I was in the Punto GT gang.
However, the fiesta isn't just cheap. It's also a bloody good car. Maybe that's why nobody really bothers with the cars you've suggested??
Don't get me wrong, this thread isn't anti-fiesta its a fantastic car and probably one of the best of the decade (can't really see anything else doing the same mix of skills any better)However, the fiesta isn't just cheap. It's also a bloody good car. Maybe that's why nobody really bothers with the cars you've suggested??
It's a shame the ka isnt up too much - same platform as the 500, surely an ST upgrade is something missed with that one? I've heard the next one will be a developing world car, so I dont hold much hope for that one either
The original sport Ka is the car I'd buy if it were available now, exactly what I look for in a car - cheap, unpretentious, fun, full of kit, blue leather seats
Having been inpired by an article on piston heads home page I've made a descion with my car.
I'm going to try and solves it's hellishly bad audio system
The CD player itself isn't bad, a typical mid 2000's cd player with 6 presets and an aux in plug. The sound is a bit thin but turn up the bass on the settings and the car does a decent job of being loud - much like my 106, the paper thin doors and smallness of the car mean its never going to rival a Lexus for audio sound.
The problem is Audio streaming - there's none. You need to plug or your phone into the USB plug socket and control the music on the speedo, not the radio itself. It feels half baked and is a poor patch up installed on the car, showing how much tech has changed since is came out 9 years ago (looks like this car could be like the original mini and just go on forever, no bad thing )
So my plan is to use a google chrome cast audio (£30) and plug it into the USB to of my car to charge it, plug the aux cable into it and stream the songs/sat nav straight from my phone to it (its basically designed to work in any music system and turn it into a Bluetooth style speaker)
I reckon if I wire it up and hide it under the passenger seat, could be a very cheap and effective upgrade. I'll post more when its in and working
I'm going to try and solves it's hellishly bad audio system
The CD player itself isn't bad, a typical mid 2000's cd player with 6 presets and an aux in plug. The sound is a bit thin but turn up the bass on the settings and the car does a decent job of being loud - much like my 106, the paper thin doors and smallness of the car mean its never going to rival a Lexus for audio sound.
The problem is Audio streaming - there's none. You need to plug or your phone into the USB plug socket and control the music on the speedo, not the radio itself. It feels half baked and is a poor patch up installed on the car, showing how much tech has changed since is came out 9 years ago (looks like this car could be like the original mini and just go on forever, no bad thing
)So my plan is to use a google chrome cast audio (£30) and plug it into the USB to of my car to charge it, plug the aux cable into it and stream the songs/sat nav straight from my phone to it (its basically designed to work in any music system and turn it into a Bluetooth style speaker)
I reckon if I wire it up and hide it under the passenger seat, could be a very cheap and effective upgrade. I'll post more when its in and working
Mike1990 said:
The original Sport Ka is a riot to drive!
My old work mate used to drive me to work in his, 20+ Miles of nice A/B-Roads, ace motor. Always had a soft spot for them since, which resulted into me buying a Fiesta Mk5 ZS as my first junior hot hatch.
Just thought i'd share a few pictures of my GF's neighbours Sport Ka along with my ST.
Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Those cars look great, twice in 2 years the fiesta st has been in the last head to head of my car purchasing, so I'm rather keen on them. I don't like blue cars, its not favorite colour and I wouldn't normally see myself buying ond, HOWEVER, the blue that's on most ST's is sublime, and one of my favorite Production colours going.My old work mate used to drive me to work in his, 20+ Miles of nice A/B-Roads, ace motor. Always had a soft spot for them since, which resulted into me buying a Fiesta Mk5 ZS as my first junior hot hatch.
Just thought i'd share a few pictures of my GF's neighbours Sport Ka along with my ST.
Hatches by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on FlickrI miss ford making the original KA, can't see why the haven't put the effort in with the new one. I've heward they make no profit on it, so surely a specced upsporty version would give a good chance to increase the price?
How do you find the fiesta ST? I'm using that and my old 208 GTi as the yardstick to judge my abarth against.
Mike1990 said:
For me it had to be in Spirit Blue as my previous Fiesta's, the Mk5 ZS was in Imperial Blue and the Mk6 ST in Performance Blue, so couldn't not have it in any other colour
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
I agree with that fully - the GTi rides better and has a really smart interior (especially with the led lit full length sunroof in prestige form) but the fiesta is the sharper drive.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
It terms of pace, my mighty GTi was very quick through the gears, but at motorway speeds it didn't feel as quick as you'd expect it to. Wasn't slow, just seems tall geared I guess, and slower than a fiesta (not that I've tried to keep up or anything lol)
The Abarth lacks the feedback through turns and the way may old 208 would flow with a busy road, but in terms of pace? My Abarth would be ahead by a long shot. Haven't yet had an encounter with an ST though...
Mike1990 said:
For me it had to be in Spirit Blue as my previous Fiesta's, the Mk5 ZS was in Imperial Blue and the Mk6 ST in Performance Blue, so couldn't not have it in any other colour
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
I agree with that fully - the GTi rides better and has a really smart interior (especially with the led lit full length sunroof in prestige form) but the fiesta is the sharper drive.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
It terms of pace, my mighty GTi was very quick through the gears, but at motorway speeds it didn't feel as quick as you'd expect it to. Wasn't slow, just seems tall geared I guess, and slower than a fiesta (not that I've tried to keep up or anything lol)
The Abarth lacks the feedback through turns and the way may old 208 would flow with a busy road, but in terms of pace? My Abarth would be ahead by a long shot. Haven't yet had an encounter with an ST though...
Kohmikey said:
Hi I ordered the 595 competizione 180 in officiana red a couple of weeks ago and was constantly searching reviews and YouTube videos on what others think of it. Anyway I have only just came across this thread and it is the first long term owners review that I have come across and is perfect for what I was looking for, here is why......
My car history is longer than it should be considering I have been driving 13 years I have owned 9 cars e.g. seat ibiza cupras (mk4 & mk5), Leon cupra r (mk2), Nissan S14 Silvia, Juke nismo, 370z - my favourite so far but not child friendly
, to my current Audi TT mk2 tdi. Let's just say unless I was forced to change like with the 370z, I get bored quickly and it is starting to not only get on my wife's nerves but also quite costly aswell.
So realising that my currently remapped TT was going to have a software update at some point (hello vw emissions scandal) which I can only imagine will not only wipe the remap but reduce performance and eventually cost more to tax I decided to look for a new car. The thing is I now have to show myself that I have learned from my previous cars and what I need, don't need, like and don't like. This means the next car has to be child seat friendly, petrol, quick, look sporty, be generously specced as standard, reasonably priced, cheap to maintain, sound good and most important of all be fun to drive as this is what will keep me interested in it. This led me to the Fiesta ST and the Abarth 595. I was actually swaying towards the ST on cost and power but got the chance to test drive the Abarth first. All I can say is as soon as the salesman started the car up I was amazed at how good it sounded, my 370 was so quiet in comparison and that was a 3.7l v6! Then after having a go in it i knew I wouldn't need to try the ST out and I came back with an order a few days later. The thing is since then it has been playing on my mind if I have made the right decision and there are lots of positive reviews but after reading the review of someone who's actually bought the same exact model as mine I am very confident that I have so you get a big thumbs up from me!
Now all I have to do is wait!
Yours look good btw!
Thanks for replying to this mate glad to hear I've helped someone in some small way - reading your story was exactly how it happened to me - when the dealer started it up, I was sold. Definitely think you've done the right thing by choosing an Abarth, there won't be a journey you take in that car when your not reminded that it's a fun and raw hot hatch. Yes, as ST would get universal respect of most people you meet but the odd few that know what an Abarth is like will more than make up for it. My car history is longer than it should be considering I have been driving 13 years I have owned 9 cars e.g. seat ibiza cupras (mk4 & mk5), Leon cupra r (mk2), Nissan S14 Silvia, Juke nismo, 370z - my favourite so far but not child friendly
, to my current Audi TT mk2 tdi. Let's just say unless I was forced to change like with the 370z, I get bored quickly and it is starting to not only get on my wife's nerves but also quite costly aswell. So realising that my currently remapped TT was going to have a software update at some point (hello vw emissions scandal) which I can only imagine will not only wipe the remap but reduce performance and eventually cost more to tax I decided to look for a new car. The thing is I now have to show myself that I have learned from my previous cars and what I need, don't need, like and don't like. This means the next car has to be child seat friendly, petrol, quick, look sporty, be generously specced as standard, reasonably priced, cheap to maintain, sound good and most important of all be fun to drive as this is what will keep me interested in it. This led me to the Fiesta ST and the Abarth 595. I was actually swaying towards the ST on cost and power but got the chance to test drive the Abarth first. All I can say is as soon as the salesman started the car up I was amazed at how good it sounded, my 370 was so quiet in comparison and that was a 3.7l v6! Then after having a go in it i knew I wouldn't need to try the ST out and I came back with an order a few days later. The thing is since then it has been playing on my mind if I have made the right decision and there are lots of positive reviews but after reading the review of someone who's actually bought the same exact model as mine I am very confident that I have so you get a big thumbs up from me!
Now all I have to do is wait!
Yours look good btw!
Quite happy to say even with its flaws, it's massively loveable car. Great colour choice in yours too, you'll have to share some photos when you get it
problemchild1976 said:
i love the look of these cars and the power they can get out of the little 1.4
its a lot of money for a warm hatch though
but then my BRABUS forfour was expensive when new too (£17k dropping to £11k after a year)
the 500s do seem to be popular and are holding their value
glad you are enjoying it - what does a remap take the power up to?
JJ
It is as expensive as the likes of the peugeot sport 208 GTi and Fiesta St3 amongst others, but in terms of power and pace it's right up there with them, I don't feel short changed having come from a 208 GTi. its a lot of money for a warm hatch though
but then my BRABUS forfour was expensive when new too (£17k dropping to £11k after a year)
the 500s do seem to be popular and are holding their value
glad you are enjoying it - what does a remap take the power up to?
JJ
Saw some limited edition Abarth 500's that were sold at 38000 pound going for 28000 on autographed, with 5 years of use, even a normal fiat 500 hold there value well so it bodes well for the Abarth range.
Saw on YouTube a guy has got his up to 240 bhp but to be honest I think 180 is too much for the car around 80% of the time, so I think any more power is a waste. A good set of tyres and a lot of fuel is where I'd always spend my money.
Been a while since I've updated this so heres a quick sit-rep;
- crossed 5,000 miles
- first time driving in London with the car (as well as my first time there)
- showed some utter knob that a 1.4 Fiat sounds much nicer that his orange 350Z (that felt very nice )
5000 miles in, the car is really fitting into my life very well. other than a slightly smaller boot and lack of a 5th seat, can help feeling the Abarth is as practical as my old 208, most of the time, you'd never notice how much physically smaller the car is. I recently saw a new 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport, and after my initial longing for its fantastic chassis (which sadly my 595 can't really match), couldn't help notice how large it seemed. Good things do come in small packages!
Also this year, I've had my first time driving in London. I've driven in Birmingham and Cardiff extensively, but i was slightly apprehensive about London as its so much bigger, with congestion charges, no sat nav and no local knowledge. It was here I released that I live in a very Abarth friendly world - wales, with big empty roads and winding lanes suit the car well. put it in an environment of speed bumps, width restrictions, traffic, and theres no way round this, its hopeless. Heavy steering with an over active accelerator, rubbishy loud exhaust and a crash ride, i totally understand how many reviews say that the full spec 595 would drive you mad on an everyday basis.
in simple terms, this tuned city car doesn't work in a city.
to end on a high, whilst in st davids multi story car park i had the perfect opportunity to show the car off. a bloke in a tuned (i.e ruined) fiesta ST thought the fifth floor of a car park was the perfect to rev the hell out of his car. as great as the ST is, the sound is somewhat lacking compared my 595. imagine sucking air through your teeth and thats about all you hear. all i had to do was start the Abarth, creep out the car park at a safe speed and judging by the spitting, popping and howling exhaust, its safe to say, my car won
As if by magic, while waiting outside in traffic, a foul orange 350Z pulled up along side. from one of my first posts, i posted a video of a shouting match between an 595 the 350Z. much like that video, the 595 sounded far better in real life. And its not like you have to drive in an anti social manner or rev the hell out of the car, the car is always on full volume.
The weather is getting warmer, and the car seems to be benefitting from it, as I've only had the car during (a mild admittedly) winter. can't wait till spring/summer to carry on this improvement. think a track day is looming
- crossed 5,000 miles
- first time driving in London with the car (as well as my first time there)
- showed some utter knob that a 1.4 Fiat sounds much nicer that his orange 350Z (that felt very nice
)5000 miles in, the car is really fitting into my life very well. other than a slightly smaller boot and lack of a 5th seat, can help feeling the Abarth is as practical as my old 208, most of the time, you'd never notice how much physically smaller the car is. I recently saw a new 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport, and after my initial longing for its fantastic chassis (which sadly my 595 can't really match), couldn't help notice how large it seemed. Good things do come in small packages!
Also this year, I've had my first time driving in London. I've driven in Birmingham and Cardiff extensively, but i was slightly apprehensive about London as its so much bigger, with congestion charges, no sat nav and no local knowledge. It was here I released that I live in a very Abarth friendly world - wales, with big empty roads and winding lanes suit the car well. put it in an environment of speed bumps, width restrictions, traffic, and theres no way round this, its hopeless. Heavy steering with an over active accelerator, rubbishy loud exhaust and a crash ride, i totally understand how many reviews say that the full spec 595 would drive you mad on an everyday basis.
in simple terms, this tuned city car doesn't work in a city.
to end on a high, whilst in st davids multi story car park i had the perfect opportunity to show the car off. a bloke in a tuned (i.e ruined) fiesta ST thought the fifth floor of a car park was the perfect to rev the hell out of his car. as great as the ST is, the sound is somewhat lacking compared my 595. imagine sucking air through your teeth and thats about all you hear. all i had to do was start the Abarth, creep out the car park at a safe speed and judging by the spitting, popping and howling exhaust, its safe to say, my car won
As if by magic, while waiting outside in traffic, a foul orange 350Z pulled up along side. from one of my first posts, i posted a video of a shouting match between an 595 the 350Z. much like that video, the 595 sounded far better in real life. And its not like you have to drive in an anti social manner or rev the hell out of the car, the car is always on full volume.
The weather is getting warmer, and the car seems to be benefitting from it, as I've only had the car during (a mild admittedly) winter. can't wait till spring/summer to carry on this improvement. think a track day is looming
- Bad news, car has a nail in its tyre. damn.
Thanks to the good blokes down at king David's tyres in bridgend, my car no longer has a nail sticking in one of its Michelin's. 15 quid and very quick, can't recommend them enough.
Plus I got a good look under the wheel arch of the Abarth, ill post some photos when I'm back home. Brembos and FSD dampers look big on such a little car needless to say
Plus I got a good look under the wheel arch of the Abarth, ill post some photos when I'm back home. Brembos and FSD dampers look big on such a little car needless to say
Here are my pictures as i said in the last post;
(apologies they're poor quality, i had to lower the quality and crop them to get them on here)
the front offside was where the pesky nail decided to embed itself, luckily the damage was caught by a keen eyed mate of mine and i managed to get it fixed pronto. if i hadn't, dread to think what could have happened. (although to be fair, during its weekly clean, the Abarth gets a damn good check over)
the wheel was off within minutes of being there, great service especially as i arrived 2 mins after they had closed on a saturday - once again can't recommend king david tyres in bridged enough
and there is the suspension and brake set up at the front. the brake discs are 305x28mm perforated discs with Brembo four piston callipers (quoted straight out the brochure i still have) the suspension is the Copaf front suspension with FSD (frequency selective damping)
Size of brakes and branding is one thing, whether or not they're effective is another. the suspension, for all the stiffness and bounce it produces, does a very good job keeping the car flat and allows seriously quick progress and sweeping roads. not as adjustable as my old 208, but very effective (and a little bouncing on a rough road feels much faster)
one thing i don't remember mentioning are the brakes, which are superb. no qualifying or explaining needed, they feel strong, constant, well servo-ed and don't trigger the abs like the early Abarths were sometimes noted for. part of their success is that they don't have a lot of car to stop, but also there quite big for such a small car (|the photo unfortunately doesn't show this great, but they're thick chubby units, much like the suspension.
there is the spring itself, in real life, its a deep red colour, and looks great and substantial. i had a tyre change on my 208, and although not strictly a good assessment, the small springs it had under its body left me a little disappointed. not so here.
The whole repair only took 15 mins, and after the tyre pressure monitor had lost cool and needed a reset (all tyres switched from "OK" to "KO" - is that me or is that a nice touch?) I'm back on the road.
5100 miles in, still love the car, don't regret buying it, and looking at a Biposto more and more...
(apologies they're poor quality, i had to lower the quality and crop them to get them on here)
the front offside was where the pesky nail decided to embed itself, luckily the damage was caught by a keen eyed mate of mine and i managed to get it fixed pronto. if i hadn't, dread to think what could have happened. (although to be fair, during its weekly clean, the Abarth gets a damn good check over)
the wheel was off within minutes of being there, great service especially as i arrived 2 mins after they had closed on a saturday - once again can't recommend king david tyres in bridged enough
and there is the suspension and brake set up at the front. the brake discs are 305x28mm perforated discs with Brembo four piston callipers (quoted straight out the brochure i still have) the suspension is the Copaf front suspension with FSD (frequency selective damping)
Size of brakes and branding is one thing, whether or not they're effective is another. the suspension, for all the stiffness and bounce it produces, does a very good job keeping the car flat and allows seriously quick progress and sweeping roads. not as adjustable as my old 208, but very effective (and a little bouncing on a rough road feels much faster
)one thing i don't remember mentioning are the brakes, which are superb. no qualifying or explaining needed, they feel strong, constant, well servo-ed and don't trigger the abs like the early Abarths were sometimes noted for. part of their success is that they don't have a lot of car to stop, but also there quite big for such a small car (|the photo unfortunately doesn't show this great, but they're thick chubby units, much like the suspension.
there is the spring itself, in real life, its a deep red colour, and looks great and substantial. i had a tyre change on my 208, and although not strictly a good assessment, the small springs it had under its body left me a little disappointed. not so here.
The whole repair only took 15 mins, and after the tyre pressure monitor had lost cool and needed a reset (all tyres switched from "OK" to "KO" - is that me or is that a nice touch?) I'm back on the road.
5100 miles in, still love the car, don't regret buying it, and looking at a Biposto more and more...
MY TRIP WITH A VOLVO XC70
Although this is a thread about the Abarth 595 i own, i thought it would be interesting to mention a car I've had the chance to drive for the last couple of days. in no feasible way are the Volvo and my little fiat related, but there is method to my madness. The volvo i drove is an estate car with a slightly off-road feel and look bestowed upon it, in many ways then, an early "crossover" type vehicle (in spirit at least)
for the most part, it looks like a traditional volvo estate with chunky bumpers. I've drove a volvo v70 estate and it was a great car, did around 400 miles in a day and felt fresh at the end like i have only drove 40. the xc70, is actually quite tall,(about 10cm up on the estate)and its a long car (4.7 meters to my fiats 3.5). i should also mention i took this car from where i live in rural wales into London and back.
On the drive down, i started used the cars impressive tech to do most of the driving. blind spot monitoring, radar cruise control, 6 speed auto gearbox, auto air con, in fact, to much to mention. But put simply, the whole 130 miles on the m4 was pretty much done by the car. cruising at 70mph, it would slow down when approaching a veichle, waiting until it moved or i changed lane. the car told me when it was clear to change lane, as as soon as i had, we accelerate back up to speed. obviously, you need to have good lane discipline, to prevent you from undertaking or pulling out on someone going much faster, but other than minimal steering inputs to maintain the car's position in a lane (theres lane depatrue warning too) the car semi-drove itself.
and as a committed petrolhead who often goes out simply to drive, i loved it. There are no interesting motorway journeys, so why not let the car take the strain? if like on the new tesla it has a lane keeping function, i wouldn't have needed to do anything till we arrived in London. My Abarth is very much an analog car in this respect, no cruise control or any other assists (other than a traction control which can't compete with 180 bhp so tends to occasionally flash on the dash but do little more).
if I'm honest, after a pleasant (but very slow) drive in London, i started to question why i didn't drive a big comfy estate car with all the latest mod cons (even though my car was from 2011). the drive back gave me the same thoughts, and right up until i left the m4, i was slightly wishing i had been a touch more sensible in my car choice.
Then This happened. first off, i tried to overtake a honda doing 30moph on a 60mph large country road. the auto box and torquey diesel engine were great at motor way speeds, but here, there was much noise, but little forward motion. i did pass, but given the choice, i wouldn't do that again, as it simply didn't pass quick and safely enough for my liking. then, a "blast" down a country road turned my like for this car upside down. i may be stating the obvious, but a fwd estate car made into a "soft roader" is the most joyless car to try and drive with any verve. poor body control, leaning, wobbling, it did them all. the brakes were good, but they would be, as your not going at a particularly quick speed.
i like the volvo, and in fact, most cars of this style. if you had a family, and drove on the motorways consistently, it would be a great car and fit into your life. My Abarth may occasionally wear my out, give me cramp and be a noisy little so and so, but its also huge fun. I'm glad i live with a car like that and not the other way round.
Although this is a thread about the Abarth 595 i own, i thought it would be interesting to mention a car I've had the chance to drive for the last couple of days. in no feasible way are the Volvo and my little fiat related, but there is method to my madness. The volvo i drove is an estate car with a slightly off-road feel and look bestowed upon it, in many ways then, an early "crossover" type vehicle (in spirit at least)
for the most part, it looks like a traditional volvo estate with chunky bumpers. I've drove a volvo v70 estate and it was a great car, did around 400 miles in a day and felt fresh at the end like i have only drove 40. the xc70, is actually quite tall,(about 10cm up on the estate)and its a long car (4.7 meters to my fiats 3.5). i should also mention i took this car from where i live in rural wales into London and back.
On the drive down, i started used the cars impressive tech to do most of the driving. blind spot monitoring, radar cruise control, 6 speed auto gearbox, auto air con, in fact, to much to mention. But put simply, the whole 130 miles on the m4 was pretty much done by the car. cruising at 70mph, it would slow down when approaching a veichle, waiting until it moved or i changed lane. the car told me when it was clear to change lane, as as soon as i had, we accelerate back up to speed. obviously, you need to have good lane discipline, to prevent you from undertaking or pulling out on someone going much faster, but other than minimal steering inputs to maintain the car's position in a lane (theres lane depatrue warning too) the car semi-drove itself.
and as a committed petrolhead who often goes out simply to drive, i loved it. There are no interesting motorway journeys, so why not let the car take the strain? if like on the new tesla it has a lane keeping function, i wouldn't have needed to do anything till we arrived in London. My Abarth is very much an analog car in this respect, no cruise control or any other assists (other than a traction control which can't compete with 180 bhp so tends to occasionally flash on the dash but do little more).
if I'm honest, after a pleasant (but very slow) drive in London, i started to question why i didn't drive a big comfy estate car with all the latest mod cons (even though my car was from 2011). the drive back gave me the same thoughts, and right up until i left the m4, i was slightly wishing i had been a touch more sensible in my car choice.
Then This happened. first off, i tried to overtake a honda doing 30moph on a 60mph large country road. the auto box and torquey diesel engine were great at motor way speeds, but here, there was much noise, but little forward motion. i did pass, but given the choice, i wouldn't do that again, as it simply didn't pass quick and safely enough for my liking. then, a "blast" down a country road turned my like for this car upside down. i may be stating the obvious, but a fwd estate car made into a "soft roader" is the most joyless car to try and drive with any verve. poor body control, leaning, wobbling, it did them all. the brakes were good, but they would be, as your not going at a particularly quick speed.
i like the volvo, and in fact, most cars of this style. if you had a family, and drove on the motorways consistently, it would be a great car and fit into your life. My Abarth may occasionally wear my out, give me cramp and be a noisy little so and so, but its also huge fun. I'm glad i live with a car like that and not the other way round.
Fatsterjack said:
As I've previously mentioned, really useful thread this. Only contributed to what was starting to become inevitable and I bought a 595 Comp. on Thursday. Pick it up in a couple of weeks. Record Grey with Natural Leather Sabelts, black wheels and yellow callipers.
Thanks again for a really useful write up.
Thanks for replying mate! I've looked around on the web but there isn't much about the 180 version so hopefully this thread will work as some form of information source Thanks again for a really useful write up.
Your spec sounds great. I bought mine as a cancelled order off the lot and do play about on the configuration quite a bit, reckon I'd go for Rally Beige paint, convertible, black roof, Brown interior. Would look like an allegro 595 rather than Abarth, but I quite like that
When you get it defo send some pictures!
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