Am i mad?? - Page 1 - Scotland

Not driven either, but have lots of passenger experience in a Clio R27. IMO the Clio runs rings around most cars in that class and the Abarth would be no match - I just find the 197 very planted.

Abarth - mostly SHOW with a good bit of go

197 - mostly GO with a little bit of show...

KB_S1

5,967 posts

251 months

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Tuesday 17th November 2009

Don't know about the Abarth specifically but my GF has a 500 (100hp version).
It is a great car for her, very well packaged and look great.

It is not an interesting car to drive. Other than the engine note and fine gearshift there is nothing to involve you as a driver.
The chassis setup does not lend itself to enthusiastic driving, the damping, suspension and steering never seem to settle when trying to press on.

Great car for GF's. No fun to drive though.

jamieboy

5,921 posts

251 months

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Tuesday 17th November 2009

a11y_m said:

Abarth - mostly SHOW with a good bit of go

Like you, I've not driven one - a friend of mine has one and really rates it, although it's sometimes a bit stiff.

KB_S1 said:

Don't know about the Abarth specifically but my GF has a 500 (100hp version)....Great car for GF's. No fun to drive though.

The Abarth, and in particular the Abarth EsseEsse are pretty different to the shopping version, though. smile

heebeegeetee

29,827 posts

270 months

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Tuesday 17th November 2009

jamieboy said:

The Abarth, and in particular the Abarth EsseEsse are pretty different to the shopping version, though. smile

Isn't the only difference a rock-hard ride?

In the recent Car Mag PCOTY it said of the essesse "On anything other than a super-smooth surface it just can't cope, bouncing around, failing to control it's body movements, sending serious thumps through to the cabin. More than once a day the Abarth will throw you clear of your seat... and on B roads... the 500 falls apart".

Sounds totally unacceptable to me. It came last out of the 4 superminis (Clio Cup, Ibiza cupra, twingo Cup).

jamieboy

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Tuesday 17th November 2009

heebeegeetee said:

jamieboy said:

The Abarth, and in particular the Abarth EsseEsse are pretty different to the shopping version, though. smile

Isn't the only difference a rock-hard ride?

No, as well as the suspension it's got more power and better brakes than the standard Abarth, IIRC. Obviously, they're both massively different from the 100bhp car.

heebeegeetee said:

In the recent Car Mag PCOTY it said of the essesse "On anything other than a super-smooth surface it just can't cope..."

I read that. Whether that's an accurate description or whether they've massively over-played how big an issue it is, I don't know. Wouldn't be like a magazine to resort to hyperbole... hehe

Edited by jamieboy on Tuesday 17th November 11:44

J888SXY

515 posts

222 months

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Tuesday 17th November 2009

I like the look of his E36 Alpina B3.

Woza said:

http://www.georgemackay.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=746...

would involve losing the 197.....

Anyone ever driven one of these?

Woza.

a11y_m

1,861 posts

244 months

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Tuesday 17th November 2009

jamieboy said:

a11y_m said:

Abarth - mostly SHOW with a good bit of go

Like you, I've not driven one - a friend of mine has one and really rates it, although it's sometimes a bit stiff.

I'm glad I put in that I've never driven one as reading back my comment above sounds a bit harsh lol. It's all my perception/own opinion of the Abarth based on what I've read about it.

But having been in a 197, the Abarth would have to be pretty special to beat it in terms of driving fun. I just wish Renault could guarantee a "good" one if I was to buy one as I couldn't live with my 172 experience again laugh