Dilemma... Abarth 500 / Ibiza Cupra / 308 GTi?

[No. 9]

Pistonheaders!

Could do with some thoughts and opinions on this so bear with me...

I wilI be commuting about 60miles a day very soon, either 50/50 motorway or 100% B Road with some traffic lights stopping are my routes.

I am looking at (or interested in) either a Abarth 500, Ibiza Cupra or a 208 GTi. Not particularly for munching miles but more as a newer treat and replacement for my current drive which is a CZT with a touch over 200bhp and returns about the same mpg as the above if less. I am aware that each of the above have their own faults such as harsh ride (500), gearbox and engine (Ibiza) and odd driving position (208) but there'll always be compromises won't there?

Can any owners give me some honest advice about what they've experienced with the above?

My budget is around 5k so no silly talk of 695s or PeugeotSport or whatever it is ??.

Thanks guys.

Edited by No. 9 on Sunday 15th December 16:19

[Kent Border Kenny]

I’ve an Abarth 595 Trofeo and love it. Nice chassis, and very enjoyable engine.

It’s the first car I’ve had with the fabled Italian seating position, designed for gorillas, which means it’s quite miserable on a long motorway drive, something made worse by the short seat that doesn’t support the back of my legs, and the lack of cruise control.

[Drive Blind]

No. 9 said:

Pistonheaders!

Ibiza Cupra

with the twin charged 1.4 ?

lots of issues with those engines.

[No. 9]

Yeah that's the one. I'll admit it is no. 3 on my quite short list because of that, and if there was something that went wrong with it then £££.

For the first reply, I'm 6ft 2, would the short seat be annoying?

[Vaux62]

308 GTI for 5k? Assume you mean 208?

[No. 9]

Vaux62 said:

308 GTI for 5k? Assume you mean 208?

Erm... Yes. My bad.

Edited by No. 9 on Sunday 15th December 17:00

[595Heaven]

The Abarth probably ticks the harsh ride and odd driving position boxes, but if you want character and big grins, then it is an absolutely brilliant car.

[Don Roque]

I would avoid the Abarth at those sorts of miles. The seating position is very odd and not particularly comfortable. The seat base feels like a mushroom, floating very high and adrift in the centre of the car. The high seating makes an already tall car (proportionally speaking) feel even taller. I'd go for the 308 GTi out of that lot, even if it were just for the comically small steering wheel!

[Windyj]

I work 4 on 4 off and do 100 miles a day on my commute in an Abarth 595 Turismo. Its fine for me I don't have an issue with the seat. Its not the most relaxing on the motor way but fun on any other road so makes up for it that way. Just watch the pot holes they do take their toll on diamond cut wheels, Averages around mid forties mpg as well so fairly economical too.

[ZX10R NIN]

At this price point it's hard to look past the 208:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

An alternative to the Abarth is the Mito Quadrifoglio more power & a slightly less crashy ride:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Griff74]

As an ex-Abarth owner I fully agree with the comments above, super fun car, lots of laughs to be had but hateful for any motorway journey over 30 mins due to driving position, over sensitive throttle combined with a very bouncy ride and no cruise control on the Euro ones.

I'd avoid anything with the VAG Twincharge engine, there is a reason they dropped it from all their cars so quickly and started using the 1.8tsi instead (which is a great engine BTW).

[No. 9]

Windyj said:

I work 4 on 4 off and do 100 miles a day on my commute in an Abarth 595 Turismo. Its fine for me I don't have an issue with the seat. Its not the most relaxing on the motor way but fun on any other road so makes up for it that way. Just watch the pot holes they do take their toll on diamond cut wheels, Averages around mid forties mpg as well so fairly economical too.

This sounds promising, the part about mid 40s mpg. It's not a clincher but it's good to know. As for motorway runs not being relaxing, I travelled to Barrow and back from Worksop and the drone I got from my exhaust at 75mph was ridiculous but it is what it is.

PS I do have quite a lot of lovely twisty roads near me too 👍🏻

[No. 9]

Griff74 said:

As an ex-Abarth owner I fully agree with the comments above, super fun car, lots of laughs to be had but hateful for any motorway journey over 30 mins due to driving position, over sensitive throttle combined with a very bouncy ride and no cruise control on the Euro ones.

I'd avoid anything with the VAG Twincharge engine, there is a reason they dropped it from all their cars so quickly and started using the 1.8tsi instead (which is a great engine BTW).

Cheers, have seen a fair few threads now about that engine and box combo so I'll think it's coming off my list 👍🏻. Makes sense really.

[No. 9]

ZX10R NIN said:

At this price point it's hard to look past the 208:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

An alternative to the Abarth is the Mito Quadrifoglio more power & a slightly less crashy ride:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thanks for this fella. The pug does look v. lush, but that model Mito!! I didn't know it existed, and I'm fond of the Mito look generally.

[Yacht Broker]

BMW 125i and ignore the fuel costs. That budget might even squeak you into a cab version. Creamy 6 cylinder engine, RWD, solid feel, great driving position etc etc

[LuS1fer]

The Abarth is very small and as above, the 208 seems to be exceptional value (compared to a Fiesta ST which seems far more expensive).
I hired a 208 1.2 and drove it 200km non-stop, while on holiday, along Spanish motorway and it was a good little car. The GTi is more rorty but at that price, a gift. I am on my second ST after looking at a GTi and, with that depreciation, just as well!

The Mito has never been my cup of tea. Punto underneath and Timex quality digital readouts.

[Lukas239]

208 GTi gets my vote here every time. Great price used. I love the idea of an abarth 500 but definitely more of a statement/gimmick than an actual drivers car.