Abarth 500 - fast, fun frugal?
Discussion
So, I had a go in one of these this evening and for something so small, it certainly packs a punch, and is more spacious than I thought it would be. The boot is a cavern compared to my old Mini Cooper S.
Its looking like my 130i is soon to fall foul of company car allowance rules, and, what with the price of fuel not coming down anytime soon, maybe its time to think laterally...
The Abarth 500 promises 40+ mpg and VED of £150ish, both better than my current steed. In theory, it shouldn't suffer the same depreciation woes as fast fiats of old which means after 3 years of warranty-backed up fun, it should sell on well enough too.
Yes, going from a 260bhp car to one with half the power sounds madness, as does going back to front wheel drive. But, a blast through the gears down a sliproad showed the little "fiat" has got enough guts to keep it honest, and plenty of real world, useable grunt.
So. Has anyone else gone from big, fast and thirsty to small, nippy and frugal, and are still finding the change ok?
In terms of the "what car", the Abarth seems to deliver the best fun/£ ratio allied to an historic badge with potentially good residuals in the sub £14k hatch sector, right?!
Its looking like my 130i is soon to fall foul of company car allowance rules, and, what with the price of fuel not coming down anytime soon, maybe its time to think laterally...
The Abarth 500 promises 40+ mpg and VED of £150ish, both better than my current steed. In theory, it shouldn't suffer the same depreciation woes as fast fiats of old which means after 3 years of warranty-backed up fun, it should sell on well enough too.
Yes, going from a 260bhp car to one with half the power sounds madness, as does going back to front wheel drive. But, a blast through the gears down a sliproad showed the little "fiat" has got enough guts to keep it honest, and plenty of real world, useable grunt.
So. Has anyone else gone from big, fast and thirsty to small, nippy and frugal, and are still finding the change ok?
In terms of the "what car", the Abarth seems to deliver the best fun/£ ratio allied to an historic badge with potentially good residuals in the sub £14k hatch sector, right?!
Check my garage 
It is a fantastically fun car, and i defy anyone not to drive it without a smile on their face.
Ours has only just covered 1000 miles, so MPG is still a little on the low side, 35ish, although i think you may struggle to see 40 unless you drive it like a girl.
I took ours out this evening on a short trip, and as i hadnt driven it for a while, i forgot how brilliant they are.
Along with that, you could get it SS'd although that is a very expensive dealer upgrade (approx2500K) but it does boost the hp to around 160 which is insane.
Take it out for another drive (maybe a weekend demo) and see then.
We can fit myself (6ft) wife and 2 teenage kids in it in reasonable comfort, although i woudlt want to travel a long distance in it.
Good luck!
It is a fantastically fun car, and i defy anyone not to drive it without a smile on their face.
Ours has only just covered 1000 miles, so MPG is still a little on the low side, 35ish, although i think you may struggle to see 40 unless you drive it like a girl.
I took ours out this evening on a short trip, and as i hadnt driven it for a while, i forgot how brilliant they are.
Along with that, you could get it SS'd although that is a very expensive dealer upgrade (approx2500K) but it does boost the hp to around 160 which is insane.
Take it out for another drive (maybe a weekend demo) and see then.
We can fit myself (6ft) wife and 2 teenage kids in it in reasonable comfort, although i woudlt want to travel a long distance in it.
Good luck!
jason s4 said:
Check my garage
It is a fantastically fun car, and i defy anyone not to drive it without a smile on their face.
Ours has only just covered 1000 miles, so MPG is still a little on the low side, 35ish, although i think you may struggle to see 40 unless you drive it like a girl.
I took ours out this evening on a short trip, and as i hadnt driven it for a while, i forgot how brilliant they are.
Along with that, you could get it SS'd although that is a very expensive dealer upgrade (approx2500K) but it does boost the hp to around 160 which is insane.
Take it out for another drive (maybe a weekend demo) and see then.
We can fit myself (6ft) wife and 2 teenage kids in it in reasonable comfort, although i woudlt want to travel a long distance in it.
Good luck!
The SS kit would be tempting, but one of the popular remaps would probably be where i'd head. I digress...It is a fantastically fun car, and i defy anyone not to drive it without a smile on their face.
Ours has only just covered 1000 miles, so MPG is still a little on the low side, 35ish, although i think you may struggle to see 40 unless you drive it like a girl.
I took ours out this evening on a short trip, and as i hadnt driven it for a while, i forgot how brilliant they are.
Along with that, you could get it SS'd although that is a very expensive dealer upgrade (approx2500K) but it does boost the hp to around 160 which is insane.
Take it out for another drive (maybe a weekend demo) and see then.
We can fit myself (6ft) wife and 2 teenage kids in it in reasonable comfort, although i woudlt want to travel a long distance in it.
Good luck!
The mpg is an interesting one - the owner reports don't seem to tally with the manufacturers claims!
Your comment about long journeys is interesting. In the short blat I had on a dual carriageway, I thought it was perfectly refined, very much as good as my BMW.
snorkel sucker said:
Abarth 500 - fast, fun frugal?
I'm all of the above 
It really is a tardis inside, can even fit my boys 3 wheeler buggy in the boot. Comfortable space for 4, although not sure about long journeys. Your passengers teeth may fall out due to pot holes (and lack of suspension in the Abarth 500).
I went form a 300bhp Impreza STi to the Abarth, and the grin factor is almost like for like. She's a blast do drive
Mileage, I'm getting 32mpg but that's mainly city
I would highly recommend getting one. Don't waste your cash on the essesse kit, there's easier ways to get more bhp for less cash.
Edited to add, buy a grey one (without stickers)
Edited by abarth500 on Wednesday 8th June 22:07
abarth500 said:
snorkel sucker said:
Abarth 500 - fast, fun frugal?
Your passengers teeth may fall out due to pot holes (and lack of suspension in the Abarth 500). I went form a 300bhp Impreza STi to the Abarth, and the grin factor is almost like for like. She's a blast do drive
Interestingly though, I didn't find the ride that bad at all and, despite my car having 5 doors, its once in a blue moon I have rear passengers. There was just as much leg room in the back of the 500 though; the 1 series isn't massively well endowed in this regard.Fun factor is critical for me. If im going to be made to get something which is "kinder to the planet" then im damn well going to make sure its got some character!
ETA - I drove a campovolo grey one. That would definitely be the colour I would go for. But with stripes!
snorkel sucker said:
The SS kit would be tempting, but one of the popular remaps would probably be where i'd head. I digress...
The mpg is an interesting one - the owner reports don't seem to tally with the manufacturers claims!
Your comment about long journeys is interesting. In the short blat I had on a dual carriageway, I thought it was perfectly refined, very much as good as my BMW.
If you want the mad power then yes, go for either a TMC box or the official SS kit, which includes remap, suspension, alloys/tyres, brakes all round, badges etc.The mpg is an interesting one - the owner reports don't seem to tally with the manufacturers claims!
Your comment about long journeys is interesting. In the short blat I had on a dual carriageway, I thought it was perfectly refined, very much as good as my BMW.
MPG isnt bad really, especially the way i drive it and it can be improved with normal driving.
I bought ours around 40 miles away, and whilst it was reasonably comfy, on the way back, the bounce was getting a little annoying, although it will ease with use.
Must admit, im not sure it will be as refined as the BM
snorkel sucker said:
If im going to be made to get something which is "kinder to the planet" then im damn well going to make sure its got some character!
Then get another test drive, and sign on the line.Its the most fun ive had on four wheel in a very long time!
You will not regret it.
jason s4 said:
Then get another test drive, and sign on the line.
Its the most fun ive had on four wheel in a very long time!
You will not regret it.
I agree, they are great, mine puts a smile on my face when I get to work!Its the most fun ive had on four wheel in a very long time!
You will not regret it.
Great toys in them too, blu-tooth, nice soundsystem, voice command thingy, and the handy little boost gauge which confirms when you are driving like a maniac
snorkel sucker said:
So, I had a go in one of these this evening and for something so small, it certainly packs a punch, and is more spacious than I thought it would be. The boot is a cavern compared to my old Mini Cooper S.
Its looking like my 130i is soon to fall foul of company car allowance rules, and, what with the price of fuel not coming down anytime soon, maybe its time to think laterally...
The Abarth 500 promises 40+ mpg and VED of £150ish, both better than my current steed. In theory, it shouldn't suffer the same depreciation woes as fast fiats of old which means after 3 years of warranty-backed up fun, it should sell on well enough too.
Yes, going from a 260bhp car to one with half the power sounds madness, as does going back to front wheel drive. But, a blast through the gears down a sliproad showed the little "fiat" has got enough guts to keep it honest, and plenty of real world, useable grunt.
So. Has anyone else gone from big, fast and thirsty to small, nippy and frugal, and are still finding the change ok?
In terms of the "what car", the Abarth seems to deliver the best fun/£ ratio allied to an historic badge with potentially good residuals in the sub £14k hatch sector, right?!
Completely O/T but that's Oulton in your sig pic, I'm sure I've seen you on a track day there, I remember chuckling thinking that somebody was launching their company hack round the track Its looking like my 130i is soon to fall foul of company car allowance rules, and, what with the price of fuel not coming down anytime soon, maybe its time to think laterally...
The Abarth 500 promises 40+ mpg and VED of £150ish, both better than my current steed. In theory, it shouldn't suffer the same depreciation woes as fast fiats of old which means after 3 years of warranty-backed up fun, it should sell on well enough too.
Yes, going from a 260bhp car to one with half the power sounds madness, as does going back to front wheel drive. But, a blast through the gears down a sliproad showed the little "fiat" has got enough guts to keep it honest, and plenty of real world, useable grunt.
So. Has anyone else gone from big, fast and thirsty to small, nippy and frugal, and are still finding the change ok?
In terms of the "what car", the Abarth seems to deliver the best fun/£ ratio allied to an historic badge with potentially good residuals in the sub £14k hatch sector, right?!
The boost gauge was a little annoying. So I put sport mode on!
The standard kit though is impressive, and I liked the sound of the, erm, sound system.
So then, the car seems to get a good writeup on here. Are there any other cars I should be considering in this bracket or is the Abarth the pick of the bunch? Its not really a sector I am familiar with!
The standard kit though is impressive, and I liked the sound of the, erm, sound system.
So then, the car seems to get a good writeup on here. Are there any other cars I should be considering in this bracket or is the Abarth the pick of the bunch? Its not really a sector I am familiar with!
Urban Sports said:
Completely O/T but that's Oulton in your sig pic, I'm sure I've seen you on a track day there, I remember chuckling thinking that somebody was launching their company hack round the track
That was probably me then! Was back in Feb 2010. Depending on your view, thats a good/bad thing about the 130i; its unassuming! It was a little damp at Oulton that day to really let rip, but it was fun nonetheless and was plenty quick enough upto Shell Oils hairpin. snorkel sucker said:
Urban Sports said:
Completely O/T but that's Oulton in your sig pic, I'm sure I've seen you on a track day there, I remember chuckling thinking that somebody was launching their company hack round the track
That was probably me then! Was back in Feb 2010. Depending on your view, thats a good/bad thing about the 130i; its unassuming! It was a little damp at Oulton that day to really let rip, but it was fun nonetheless and was plenty quick enough upto Shell Oils hairpin. snorkel sucker said:
The boost gauge was a little annoying. So I put sport mode on!
You mean sport mode was switched off? Never heard of such a thing Take a look at http://www.abarthisti.co.uk/, some very useful info on there. Fancy 300bhp and 379 nm torque from the abarth? http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth-tuning/sta...
May as well tell you about the niggles:
Fuel tells you you have --- miles at the most crucial time when you need petrol (on empty, below 30 miles left)
Exhaust end tips "stainless steel" peeled on mine. Nothing crucial, more cosmetic, but it was replaced under warranty with no questions asked.
Big big thumbs up though, lovely little things (and quite rare on the road).
Edited by abarth500 on Wednesday 8th June 22:39
This ^^^.
Dealers dont seem to budge on the price as they know that as soon as you drive one, you are going to buy one.
You might manage to squeeze a tank of fuel and some floor mats out of them though.
After driving it, i didnt even bother with anything else.
Didnt like the look of the Twingo, and the Cooper S was overpriced.
Dealers dont seem to budge on the price as they know that as soon as you drive one, you are going to buy one.
You might manage to squeeze a tank of fuel and some floor mats out of them though.
After driving it, i didnt even bother with anything else.
Didnt like the look of the Twingo, and the Cooper S was overpriced.
In a word NO.
Slow
Poor rear space and luggage/shopping room
Looks like you night be a gayer driving one just like the old shape TT but amplified
You might also like the VW nestle current shape...
Small penis issues. Or actually the opposite hey look at me I drive a s
t car to show I've got a large boner
Question how can a cash4car instead of taking the co car fall foul of the car rules?
Slow
Poor rear space and luggage/shopping room
Looks like you night be a gayer driving one just like the old shape TT but amplified
You might also like the VW nestle current shape...
Small penis issues. Or actually the opposite hey look at me I drive a s
t car to show I've got a large bonerQuestion how can a cash4car instead of taking the co car fall foul of the car rules?
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