Fiat 500 Abarth 180hp - Okay for a Bloke to Drive?

Fiat 500 Abarth 180hp - Okay for a Bloke to Drive?

Author
Discussion

MikeG88

Original Poster:

148 posts

132 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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As a homeworker I no longer cover any real mileage in my 320d - 1000 miles since Jan 13th and 400 of those miles were covered on a journey to see family 'up north' this week. Alas I need a small car that I can take to the shops once a week and then leave to rot in a communal basement car park underneath my flats. I had my heart set on a Boxter S but it would be wasted driving ~150 miles a month.

I quite like the idea of the 500 Abarth Esssssesssse, small car, 180hp etc. Should be fun to drive and cheap to buy.

The only thing that bothers me is the image of a man driving one, Ive never taken to the idea of dressing up as a woman or tucking my penis in between my legs so I'm not sure if I could buy a Fiat 500 Abarth.

I once saw a young lad driving one and he looked like he just came off stage performing at a JLS concert and by that I mean he looked like a complete bell end and that image would bother me if anyone I knew saw me driving it. Plus It would give my friends no end of banter at my expense but I could handle that.

Are there any owners on here that are blokes?

How do you feel driving one?

Do people give you funny looks?

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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If you're that insecure, you probably shouldn't leave the flat!

Michael Schumaker has/had one and is on record as loving it. Although his sexuality has been questioned by a drunken Rubens (allegedly)no-one has yet questioned his gender.

Go for it. It's at least as manly as a Beemer or a Porker Boxster.

For the record, this year I have been mainly driving MR2 Turbos, Cinq Sportings and a Volvo T5.

Soupie69uk

922 posts

216 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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I like them, I would get either red or the primer grey colour and not white/pearl as that is more girly to me.

I think girls mainly drive the non abarth 500's. In fact I go out with one. Keep trying to get her to get an abarth so I can have a shot but she thinks they look too boy racer.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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You'd look a right bender in it.

RealSquirrels

11,327 posts

191 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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I'd be careful, it's a slippery slope.

OR

It's a car, not a fking dress.

Blib

43,797 posts

196 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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I drive a Fiat 500 Twin Air as a daily. PM me and maybe we could meet up? Have a drink? Dinner, perhaps?

Lefty

16,132 posts

201 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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I'm a bearded 6'4" 15 stone bloke and used to drive my wife's white 500 twinair regularly, I loved it.

Don't be so sensitive, unless you're overcompensating for something... :wink:

eskidavies

5,347 posts

158 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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I ocationally work with a young lad he's a chippy, we work on site blokes ,banter ,ribbing and stuff,his van was down one day,he turns up on his car,fiat 500 with pink fking wing mirrors.cue the piss taking.

irocfan

40,158 posts

189 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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for fks sake - it's a shopping trolly, as are the majority of cars on the UK roads. Drive it, enjoy it and who gives a fk what anyone else thinks?

Squadrone Rosso

2,740 posts

146 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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By a range rover as you obviously have a micro penis....lol

Exoticaholic

1,043 posts

211 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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I am a bloke and I am on my third, a 595c Competizione. The previous two were 500c Bi-colours.

I have never had any funny looks except positive comments. Workmen, refuse collectors, members of the Armed Forces, ladies of all ages, and young lads.

It's a scream to drive. Enough said.

TRB

2,269 posts

136 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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It's a thread that pops up every now and then. If you don't give a st what people say or think, then get one, they're cracking little motors, if you do care, car choice is the least of your worries.

I got one a few weeks ago, great for my little commute and good fun when you get a chance. I'm a big lad and preferred the driving position of the regular seats rather than the fancy ones in the 595 (which was the car that caught my eye at an event). I went poverty end of the market, the cheapest 500 with Esseesse kit I could find. I wanted a black one (most seem white), but it seems a fast-moving market and the lower mileage examples were selling quickly. Went to see a black one, but it had sold, same dealer had this one, un-prepped, dirty and lacking the 'official' esseesse alloys - but I drove it home (and took a pic on arrival).



A bit noisy on the motorway, but otherwise I'm pleased.

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
TRB said:
It's a thread that pops up every now and then. If you don't give a st what people say or think, then get one, they're cracking little motors, if you do care, car choice is the least of your worries.

I got one a few weeks ago, great for my little commute and good fun when you get a chance. I'm a big lad and preferred the driving position of the regular seats rather than the fancy ones in the 595 (which was the car that caught my eye at an event). I went poverty end of the market, the cheapest 500 with Esseesse kit I could find. I wanted a black one (most seem white), but it seems a fast-moving market and the lower mileage examples were selling quickly. Went to see a black one, but it had sold, same dealer had this one, un-prepped, dirty and lacking the 'official' esseesse alloys - but I drove it home (and took a pic on arrival).



A bit noisy on the motorway, but otherwise I'm pleased.
Black would be my first choice too, but the red looks wicked. Your Abarth looks great. The basic model is meant to be the way to go with the Abarths it seems, although the biposto thingy that's out is a different matter!

OP, that was a subtle way of calling every owner on here pooofy, but I think owners on here are a little older than 12, so don't really feel the need to reinforce Victorian gender stereotypes with their automobiles.

Exoticaholic

1,043 posts

211 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Exoticaholic said:
I am a bloke and I am on my third, a 595c Competizione. The previous two were 500c Bi-colours.

I have never had any funny looks except positive comments. Workmen, refuse collectors, members of the Armed Forces, ladies of all ages, and young lads.

It's a scream to drive. Enough said.

Blib

43,797 posts

196 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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Not only do I own a 500TA, I also own this. It's got a 126 engine in it. So, that makes me masculine. yes


viggyp

1,917 posts

134 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Exoticaholic said:
I am a bloke and I am on my third, a 595c Competizione. The previous two were 500c Bi-colours.

I have never had any funny looks except positive comments. Workmen, refuse collectors, members of the Armed Forces, ladies of all ages, and young lads.

It's a scream to drive. Enough said.
I often see a white 500 Abarth SS driving around London bridge toward the city. The guy driving always seems to get a thumbs up from both sexes. I need a neck brace as always do a double take.

Sir Snaz

571 posts

185 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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I have one and have not been bummed yet .......one lives in hope biggrin

sng45

497 posts

175 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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I have a black Abarth 595 - of course I take great care not to sit on the gear lever rather than the seat each time I mince into my car !

I actually swopped a big butch 420bhp Audi RS4 for my Abarth and much prefer the Abarth. To make matters worse I also have a Boxster ( shock horror !) although it is a new 981 model which gets the thumbs up from all macho motoring journalists as being better to drive than any 911 - so that must be alright then !

I actually have a couple of 911's as well along with an Evo 2 Integrale which has been tuned to 300bhp and also a Ferrari 328 GTS as well as a few other cars but lo and behold the car I prefer to drive most of the time is my Abarth 595 !

Who gives a toss what anyone else thinks ? I certainly don't - do what you want it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it - life's too short - buy what YOU want and enjoy driving it !

MikeG88

Original Poster:

148 posts

132 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks all. I dont really care (maybe a little) except the endless abusive banter I would get from friends.I did discuss the possibility of a 500 abarth and they all agreed they were cool as crack.

That red one looks great. I think the 500 will now be the primary candidate to replace the german st machine. Ive read nothing but positive comments about them.

eskidavies

5,347 posts

158 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Blib said:
Not only do I own a 500TA, I also own this. It's got a 126 engine in it. So, that makes me masculine. yes

Good thing with that if you get an arkward parking space you can lift the car in yourself,proper masculine.smile