Abarth 595 Competizione 180
Discussion
Mike1990 said:
Enjoyed reading that 
Love the Abarth's, i had a good drive years ago of the normal one, even for 130 or so BHP it felt pretty brisk, jumped into my Renaultsport Clio 172 afterwards and didn't feel any faster, obviously being a rev hungry engine.
I'm toying with getting mine on a rolling road as it seems so much more than the 180hP advertised - makes my old 208 feel pretty flat. Feels quicker as all the power comes in one lump at 4000rpm Love the Abarth's, i had a good drive years ago of the normal one, even for 130 or so BHP it felt pretty brisk, jumped into my Renaultsport Clio 172 afterwards and didn't feel any faster, obviously being a rev hungry engine.
Today was a good test for my car - a proper long day of miserable driving. In the rain, mostly in traffic for 2 and a half hours doing dreary tasks - the perfect time to show up any car that's not particularly good to live with.
Apart from slightly cramped legs I have in the driving position (steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach) and a couple of "air through gritted teeth" bumps, the car was as good as ever.
If anything it's basis as a city car played dividends in a packed cardiff, where any space in a car park is fair game.
One thing I did notice is the fuel gauge - everyone I speak to and every car I've owned have all gone on the red light = 50 miles of fuel. (I know many people say they never have less than half a tank etc but I'm not that sort of person.) The 595 gave me about 5 miles on the light before everything mentioned impending doom. I was a bit miffed by the gauge until I filled the car to the brim for £35. At nearly 300 miles to the tank its doing a good job not financially ruining me too.
Apart from slightly cramped legs I have in the driving position (steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach) and a couple of "air through gritted teeth" bumps, the car was as good as ever.
If anything it's basis as a city car played dividends in a packed cardiff, where any space in a car park is fair game.
One thing I did notice is the fuel gauge - everyone I speak to and every car I've owned have all gone on the red light = 50 miles of fuel. (I know many people say they never have less than half a tank etc but I'm not that sort of person.) The 595 gave me about 5 miles on the light before everything mentioned impending doom. I was a bit miffed by the gauge until I filled the car to the brim for £35. At nearly 300 miles to the tank its doing a good job not financially ruining me too.
Craikeybaby said:
That's strange, the fuel light on my wofe's shopping spec 500 comes on at 70 miles range, then goes all impending doom with 35 miles range. I thought the Abarths used the same instruments etc.
Its probably me being overly cautious, but I was surprised how the red light went off 5 miles after been on. However, I am intending to keep this car at least half full as its so cheap to fill would be a missed opportunity not to. Although that means I have to stand slightly crouched to reach the fuel filler quite a lot neilbauer said:
Good video, although if I watch much more about the 695 biposto I'll probably end up with one when spring comes I'll have to get mine on track, to fully see its talent in a suitable place.
this weather is great for the car, getting wheelspin in 3rd gear at the moment at full throttle, the only downside from its tiny kerb weight
I wasn't expecting to want one, but I need one now! Thanks fro the writeup.
Funnily enough I'm in need to reducing my outgoings so getting rid of my own neg equity car for a much cheaper (but much more fun car) is pretty attractive right now.
I'm going to have a proper look for one tomorrow and see what turns up.
Funnily enough I'm in need to reducing my outgoings so getting rid of my own neg equity car for a much cheaper (but much more fun car) is pretty attractive right now.
I'm going to have a proper look for one tomorrow and see what turns up.
buymeabar said:
I wasn't expecting to want one, but I need one now! Thanks fro the writeup.
Funnily enough I'm in need to reducing my outgoings so getting rid of my own neg equity car for a much cheaper (but much more fun car) is pretty attractive right now.
I'm going to have a proper look for one tomorrow and see what turns up.
From my experience mate you won't regret it - I essentially downsized from my 208 GTi but this car feels if anything a much better prospect. Everyone I know asks about it/wants a go and although it's not perfect its a genuinely characterful car. Even the entry level 135hp version is a load of fun and there are some cracking bargains on autographed to be hadFunnily enough I'm in need to reducing my outgoings so getting rid of my own neg equity car for a much cheaper (but much more fun car) is pretty attractive right now.
I'm going to have a proper look for one tomorrow and see what turns up.
I do like these, it would be the only Fiat I would buy, my only down side is that its just too compromised to be seen as "good", and my experience with a fiat 500 just put me off owning one all together, but I still love the look and the retro styling, its just a shame about the harsh ride and cramped cabin (and its expensive for what you get), plus I do quite a bit of longer distance driving, I wouldn't survive very well in an Abarth and i'm only 5'10 and not that wide 
Good luck with your's OP it seems you fell for one head over heals, if you can live with all its niggles and cope with the compromises it has, I dont think you will go far wrong in having lots of fun with her
Good luck with your's OP
it seems you fell for one head over heals, if you can live with all its niggles and cope with the compromises it has, I dont think you will go far wrong in having lots of fun with her 
|http://thumbsnap.com/yLQIjjhH[/url]
cat with a hat said:
They both look fantastic! So much so that I had a nosy in the classifieds 
Id have to agree with you but i am biased Ive been meaning to put a few extra pictures on some of the little details that make the car feel like it can justify its price - the biggest criticism of this car is that its against the likes of Fiesta ST's/ 208 GTis etc in terms of price. When it first came out it was against Panda 100HP's/C2 VTS and Twingo RS's and seeing as all these are no longer available the Abarth's job is much harder than it was 7 years ago.
Easily the most unexpected thing about this car is the reaction to the badge - no one has associated this as being "just a fiat" - not many people have heard about it but that gives it a sense of exclusivity it seems. Good choice by fiat to build the Abarth brand separate to themselves.
Brakes are good and fill the wheels well - Having brembo written on the side on the bright red paintwork doesn't do anything bad for the looks either.
The Engine - literally no room in there whatsoever (all the vents on the bumper are functional to keep it cool, even the Abarth badge on the front has vents to get as much air in as possible) but looks better than the usual plastic lid with Eco-turbo-boost badging most companies put on.
The picture doesn't really show this well - nearly half the bumper is dedicated to the exhaust/diffuser. No complaints here with the looks, and I'm glad when a journey involves a tunnel/multi story car park to hear it even better.
the fuel filler is mounted a bit too low for me to stand up when filling the car which looks a bit comical, but the metal badged cap feels solid and weighty. when i do fill up (for about 25 pound) i always notice how nice it is, not some plastic green lid.
Simple design for the gearstick but works very well - made of metal, weighty shift and a proper leather surround. My 208 had an odd shaped square stick with red detailing - it looked good and was nice to use but can't help feeling that the Abarth's simpler design is the one id choose.
Odd feature of the mats (one I've never seen anyhow) is that you don't clip the mats into the carpet but screw them into the floor. Not necessarily better but a bit more special i suppose. notice the abarth badging? probably guessed by now its everywhere, all the time and on every single component of the car.
The standard Xenons are fantastic, on full beam on a dark road they are easily the best lights I've ever had. the silver part of the light is a headlight washer - surprisingly useful I've found.
The seats are fanatic as I've mentioned, but the quality of them is top notch too. The materials, cloth, metal backing all make them feel great. Even the pull toggle to bring them forward is a quality trying to use. The seat adjuster shows how detailed they are, and again with an obligatory Abarth badge. The only problem is they're very close to the door, so you need to have incredibly small hands to adjust them with the door closed.
The wheel is a good effort too - having come from a Peugeot with their new small wheel/ raised dials (which i really liked) i thought this wouldn't be able to compete. If anything, it feels much more natural. especially as its has a fantastic texture to the leather. The buttons on there are for the stereo and aren't the best - bit flat and not easy to use unless your looking at them. But for actual driving, i can't complain.
Having done 1000 miles in the car now I'm getting to know it better by the day. still enjoy driving it, still go the long way to most places and still happy i didn't follow the crowd with a Fiesta/Golf etc.
HOWEVER, if you do motorway miles and your my height (or tall in anyway) runaway from this car. the ride is good at speed, its quick in gear for overtaking, its not bad on fuel and it sounds great accelerating but quietens down on a cruise. But a 4 hour journey in the cramped seating position was not a cheery experience. Its an obvious thing to say (I'm not a huge motorway user anymore) but i doubt Mercedes/Audi/BMW are having emergency meetings about Abarth nicking their customer base.
Keep your journeys on fun roads however, and this car is pretty much perfect
Greatly enjoyed reading your write up. I love the 595s, and would definitely buy one when I'm done with my 2010 NP Abarth 500. I thought i'd leave some more encouraging stuff, from someone that has done a lot of miles, on a variety of roads and conditions in one of these little cars.
I bought mine with only 17,000 miles on the clock, in February 2013. Almost two years later it is on 62500 miles. Has it ever let me down? Nope. Has anything ever gone wrong with it? Well, it needed a wheel bearing. I've never had such reliability from a car, and it puts up with a lot. I live on terrible rural roads, to then commute to Glasgow on the M8 every day. It's about 80 mile round trip. It just does it. I'd even goes so far as to call it a 'hardy' car. I'm not bored of it. I still enjoy driving it every day, and I've mastered getting pops and bangs on command of my feet. I feel like I could rationalise buying it; i've reasoned that it is simply more important to drive something like the Abarth, than something that is 'better'.
The 595 loos much nicer than my old one... the lights and the black accents rather than chrome.
I bought mine with only 17,000 miles on the clock, in February 2013. Almost two years later it is on 62500 miles. Has it ever let me down? Nope. Has anything ever gone wrong with it? Well, it needed a wheel bearing. I've never had such reliability from a car, and it puts up with a lot. I live on terrible rural roads, to then commute to Glasgow on the M8 every day. It's about 80 mile round trip. It just does it. I'd even goes so far as to call it a 'hardy' car. I'm not bored of it. I still enjoy driving it every day, and I've mastered getting pops and bangs on command of my feet. I feel like I could rationalise buying it; i've reasoned that it is simply more important to drive something like the Abarth, than something that is 'better'.
The 595 loos much nicer than my old one... the lights and the black accents rather than chrome.
OP - I've had mine (albeit just the 160bhp Esseesse) for about 6 months now and I absolutely love it. I'm 6'2" and I find the seats just about fit me, but I know what you mean about the driving position. A cm higher and it'd be a no go for me.
Another thing I've noticed is the Bluetooth connectivity and usability is terribly temperamental at times and with mine being an early ('09) the Blue+Me doesn't work.
I don't have the sports exhaust (Monza?) but I have seen them on eBay and the like. I'm not intending on modding it anyway as I have a weekend car that I'd prefer to spend my money on. For now.
Another thing I've noticed is the Bluetooth connectivity and usability is terribly temperamental at times and with mine being an early ('09) the Blue+Me doesn't work.
I don't have the sports exhaust (Monza?) but I have seen them on eBay and the like. I'm not intending on modding it anyway as I have a weekend car that I'd prefer to spend my money on. For now.
p4cks said:
OP - I've had mine (albeit just the 160bhp Esseesse) for about 6 months now and I absolutely love it. I'm 6'2" and I find the seats just about fit me, but I know what you mean about the driving position. A cm higher and it'd be a no go for me.
Another thing I've noticed is the Bluetooth connectivity and usability is terribly temperamental at times and with mine being an early ('09) the Blue+Me doesn't work.
I don't have the sports exhaust (Monza?) but I have seen them on eBay and the like. I'm not intending on modding it anyway as I have a weekend car that I'd prefer to spend my money on. For now.
https://youtu.be/yx5Ew8aY60UAnother thing I've noticed is the Bluetooth connectivity and usability is terribly temperamental at times and with mine being an early ('09) the Blue+Me doesn't work.
I don't have the sports exhaust (Monza?) but I have seen them on eBay and the like. I'm not intending on modding it anyway as I have a weekend car that I'd prefer to spend my money on. For now.
That video is the set up I have in my Abarth, I love the sound of it on start up, in tunnels, multi story car parks - definitely recommended if you get the chance to upgrade.
I totally agree with the blue and me system, I have no idea how to use it correctly, so I just leave my phone in the glove box so I don't use it. The driving position as I've said is, for want of a better phrase, deeply flawed but at least the sabelt seats add something
It reminds me that I'm driving a properly small car, and one that's quicker than most "proper" hot hatches on sale too
JeS10 said:
Greatly enjoyed reading your write up. I love the 595s, and would definitely buy one when I'm done with my 2010 NP Abarth 500. I thought i'd leave some more encouraging stuff, from someone that has done a lot of miles, on a variety of roads and conditions in one of these little cars.
I bought mine with only 17,000 miles on the clock, in February 2013. Almost two years later it is on 62500 miles. Has it ever let me down? Nope. Has anything ever gone wrong with it? Well, it needed a wheel bearing. I've never had such reliability from a car, and it puts up with a lot. I live on terrible rural roads, to then commute to Glasgow on the M8 every day. It's about 80 mile round trip. It just does it. I'd even goes so far as to call it a 'hardy' car. I'm not bored of it. I still enjoy driving it every day, and I've mastered getting pops and bangs on command of my feet. I feel like I could rationalise buying it; i've reasoned that it is simply more important to drive something like the Abarth, than something that is 'better'.
The 595 loos much nicer than my old one... the lights and the black accents rather than chrome.
Great to hear others loving the car much like I am - totally agree that it feels a sturdy car - heavy steering, bulky brakes, solid gearchange - everything you use gives a good feeling about this car. I bought mine with only 17,000 miles on the clock, in February 2013. Almost two years later it is on 62500 miles. Has it ever let me down? Nope. Has anything ever gone wrong with it? Well, it needed a wheel bearing. I've never had such reliability from a car, and it puts up with a lot. I live on terrible rural roads, to then commute to Glasgow on the M8 every day. It's about 80 mile round trip. It just does it. I'd even goes so far as to call it a 'hardy' car. I'm not bored of it. I still enjoy driving it every day, and I've mastered getting pops and bangs on command of my feet. I feel like I could rationalise buying it; i've reasoned that it is simply more important to drive something like the Abarth, than something that is 'better'.
The 595 loos much nicer than my old one... the lights and the black accents rather than chrome.
Make no mistake, my 208 GTi was better. Better equipped, bigger, more comfortable and not prone to explosive bursts of power that lead to shocking and alarming bouts of torque steer in the first 2 gears whilst over taking. Also, it used less fuel and costs less to insure, and on a country road it flowed much easier than my often twitchy Abarth. However, the more I drive the 595, the more I become enamoured with it.
Much like the maserati quatroporte or Alfa 4c, the car is deeply flawed and all the better for it.
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