Anyone in Glasgow have an Abarth 500/595?
Discussion
Wouldn't mind a look around one without a dealer breathing down my neck.
My wife quite likes the look of them as do I. I'm toying with the idea of getting one of these for us to share and leasing something a bit bigger...or buying two (if I really like it) and fulfilling my childhood ambition of modifying it over the longer term.
I've read mixed reports of them on-line but after seeing them at the Gumball 3000, I've been taken with them. Might be a tight squeeze for me at 6 foot 3 but wouldn't mind a look around someone's if possible.
Cheers,
Martin
My wife quite likes the look of them as do I. I'm toying with the idea of getting one of these for us to share and leasing something a bit bigger...or buying two (if I really like it) and fulfilling my childhood ambition of modifying it over the longer term.
I've read mixed reports of them on-line but after seeing them at the Gumball 3000, I've been taken with them. Might be a tight squeeze for me at 6 foot 3 but wouldn't mind a look around someone's if possible.
Cheers,
Martin
My wife had one for 2.5 years and it was a good little car, Im 6ft 2 and had loads of room, but you do feel like you are sitting really high in the seat.
We had quite a few (well known) reliability issues - the rear calipers seize on and screech like hell, which wore out the rear pads within 20k miles. The warranty didn't cover this despite many arguments but when it eventually completely cooked the rear wheel bearings they replaced the whole lot.
The clutch slave cylinder failed, which meant the clutch didn't disengage fully and therefore couldn't change gears, this was replaced under warranty. Whoever bought the car should expect to change the clutch soon!
The rear exhaust box had started to rust through but we sold the car before this needed replaced
The problem I found with the car is the parts from the 500 are typical poor FIAT quality and break down within a matter of months.
This aside, it was an excellent drivers car, handling is great and pretty nippy! The fly by wire throttle is a bit vague for me but the noise is throaty and addictive for a little 1.4.
Would I buy another one? Probably but I would need to know they had sorted the reliability issues out fully.
We had quite a few (well known) reliability issues - the rear calipers seize on and screech like hell, which wore out the rear pads within 20k miles. The warranty didn't cover this despite many arguments but when it eventually completely cooked the rear wheel bearings they replaced the whole lot.
The clutch slave cylinder failed, which meant the clutch didn't disengage fully and therefore couldn't change gears, this was replaced under warranty. Whoever bought the car should expect to change the clutch soon!
The rear exhaust box had started to rust through but we sold the car before this needed replaced
The problem I found with the car is the parts from the 500 are typical poor FIAT quality and break down within a matter of months.
This aside, it was an excellent drivers car, handling is great and pretty nippy! The fly by wire throttle is a bit vague for me but the noise is throaty and addictive for a little 1.4.
Would I buy another one? Probably but I would need to know they had sorted the reliability issues out fully.
Thanks very much for the detailed post. I've read about the above issues and it did worry me if I'm honest. I currently have an M135i but I'm no badge snob and find myself drawn towards many weird and wonderful cars. I don't know if I'd come to regret it or not but I like the look of them and would enjoy enhancing it over time. The exhaust on a standard 500 sounds good but the Monza on the 595 sounds even better. The sabelt seats look nice - not sure if they sit a bit lower? Might pay Abarth Glasgow a visit - just a pity the dealers up north are all Arnold Clark!
Phunk said:
I've got a 500c, welcome to have a look anytime, based in the west end.
I've got the Sabelts in mine, I believe they are a little bit higher.
Thanks for the offer. Overloaded with a new job just now but might take you up on that at some point. I actually thought the sabelts were positioned lower than the standard seats - how do you find them personally?I've got the Sabelts in mine, I believe they are a little bit higher.
How do you find the car overall?
Martin_M said:
Phunk said:
I've got a 500c, welcome to have a look anytime, based in the west end.
I've got the Sabelts in mine, I believe they are a little bit higher.
Thanks for the offer. Overloaded with a new job just now but might take you up on that at some point. I actually thought the sabelts were positioned lower than the standard seats - how do you find them personally?I've got the Sabelts in mine, I believe they are a little bit higher.
How do you find the car overall?
Overall I love the car, I can't fault it at all. I took it round Knockhill last month and it was a total hoot! Chews through tyres a bit though!
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