Abarth 595 Competizione as a daily?

[geeks]

Promise to do some proper pics tomorrow however picked her up this evening. I am a very happy man! This is literally the only pic I have right now as no sooner had we driven back it was dark. Tomorrow I will go out and get some arty pics and some pics of the inside. I am completely smitten with it

[geeks]

Am trying to be a little restrained with it but even so it still makes me giggle! Turns out I do have another pic of it when we pulled up at home the wife snapped this one!

[geeks]

I got up this morning and the car was gone.................... Mrs geeks had seen fit to take it to work fortunately for me, we collect her new car today so that shouldn't happen again anytime soon lol!

[geeks]

You don't need to on the new one, its now on a flap operated by the sport button, I guess they got tired with the claims for them! It's a shame the changed the exhaust tips though, I preferred the old ones to the new chrome ones but hey ho!

[geeks]

DELTAHPE said:

geeks said:

You don't need to on the new one, its now on a flap operated by the sport button, I guess they got tired with the claims for them! It's a shame the changed the exhaust tips though, I preferred the old ones to the new chrome ones but hey ho!

I have to wonder if it will make any difference to seizing up I imagine it'll still have a pivot much the same?

I guess the thinking is that people will actively press it more often to keep it freed up, when I get it back I will have a look underneath and see what is what


In other news, I am being sent selfies by the wife as she takes her colleagues out for runs in my car, this is not cricket lol, I haven't even taken anyone for a run yet

[geeks]

Well the log book says it’s mine but we are married, nothing is technically mine

On the plus side she picked up her new car today, new Focus ST-Line X and very nice it is too! Can’t fault it, handles well, goes alright, comfortable and is stuffed to the gills with gadgets! So naturally we went out and took a few photos, this was probably the better one.

[geeks]

DELTAHPE said:

geeks said:

Well the log book says it’s mine but we are married, nothing is technically mine

On the plus side she picked up her new car today, new Focus ST-Line X and very nice it is too! Can’t fault it, handles well, goes alright, comfortable and is stuffed to the gills with gadgets! So naturally we went out and took a few photos, this was probably the better one.

Interesting how they compare, for me I like the purity of the Abarth the lack of gadgets is a bonus.

Well they don't really compare, one is a great little hot hatch, the other is a superb family car.

Indeed the Abarths simplicity is great, however the lack of cruise control still continues to baffle almost everyone! I also didn't realise the auto dim rearview mirror was an option, so that sucks as the non dimmable one seems to distort things behind you and it takes a little getting used to. One final shout out to the indicators, dear Fiat, for the love of the holy ghost, please set them up so they don't self cancel so sensitively!

Edited by geeks on Thursday 4th October 09:27

Edited by geeks on Thursday 4th October 09:28

[geeks]

DELTAHPE said:

geeks said:

Well they don't really compare, one is a great little hot hatch, the other is a superb family car.

Indeed the Abarths simplicity is great, however the lack of cruise control still continues to baffle almost everyone! I also didn't realise the auto dim rearview mirror was an option, so that sucks as the non dimmable one seems to distort things behind you and it takes a little getting used to. One final shout out to the indicators, dear Fiat, for the love of the holy ghost, please set them up so they don't self cancel so sensitively!

Edited by geeks on Thursday 4th October 09:27

Edited by geeks on Thursday 4th October 09:28

Ah! I wasn't thinking about Ford's confusing model designation, was thinking ST when it's not.

No the ST for the new Focus platform isn't out yet, I think, but when it is, it should be very, very good if the one we just picked up is anything to go by!

[geeks]

Bungleaio said:

geeks said:

Well the log book says it’s mine but we are married, nothing is technically mine

On the plus side she picked up her new car today, new Focus ST-Line X and very nice it is too! Can’t fault it, handles well, goes alright, comfortable and is stuffed to the gills with gadgets! So naturally we went out and took a few photos, this was probably the better one.


I like the matching colour scheme, was that a conscious decision or do you always have red?

Its just the way it ended up to be honest, I always have red when I can but she usually has black or blue but fancied a change this time around so went for red!

Have now pumped 250 odd miles onto mine, did a long trip yesterday over to Marlow and back, mix of motorway and country roads, much fun was had, even more Optimax was burned went out with the guys from the office for lunch, many compliments on the car and the way it goes and sounds as well

Next up is the seat lowering kit me thinks but want to make sure I get one that retains the seat sliders!

Edited by geeks on Sunday 7th October 12:20

[geeks]

Anyone coming to the PH Sunday Service next weekend?

Am now 600 odd miles into ownership and still grinning like an idiot everytime I hop into it.

Bungle, where are you based? I want a go in a car with the steering extension to see if I like it before taking the plunge, if you are anywhere near MK at any point any chance you could oblige?

[geeks]

Bungleaio said:

Where is the SS? Despite being a member on here for years I've never been to one.

I'm Leicester so a meet up and a drive isn't all that tricky to set up.

Silverstone for next weekend, I haven't been one before either, like you say, quite off given how long I have been a member!

Superb on the drive front! Maybe a PH Abarth meet up at some point wouldn't be a bad idea

[geeks]

ecsrobin said:

geeks said:

Bungleaio said:

Where is the SS? Despite being a member on here for years I've never been to one.

I'm Leicester so a meet up and a drive isn't all that tricky to set up.

Silverstone for next weekend, I haven't been one before either, like you say, quite off given how long I have been a member!

Superb on the drive front! Maybe a PH Abarth meet up at some point wouldn't be a bad idea

My plan was to go and get track time. Then my local brewery offered me free food and beer on the same day.....

This stuff never happens to me! Lucky git

[geeks]

Cheers Bungle, no rush keep me posted! Nice look on the key, was planning on doing the same as it feels a bit cheap and delicate, I also own a Citroen Realy that has the same fob and even that has the metal hoop!

In other news I washed the car over the weekend!


Came up nice and shiny! While I knew it was dirty the rinse bucket was filthy, Megs shampoo and a wash it really did the business!

[geeks]

ecsrobin said:

If I park mine on your drive I wonder if you’d notice, think it’s filthy and clean it again

you'll be lucky, I had to literally force myself to clean it once, if I saw it filthy again I just wouldn't bother

[geeks]

Mines still going well, just over 2000 miles (I haven't been out for work a great deal of late, well by car anyway). It desperately needs another wash as well!

I have a rattle from the exhaust as well, mine is there in sport mode but you have to be stood behind it to hear the rattle, I have put it down to a lose heat shield, seems to be coming from the passenger side.

Looking into getting cruise installed in the new year, the roadworks on the M6 are a killer, also for everywhere else, it seems to be at its happiest cruising at 90, not 75 lol!

Other than that I love it, makes me smile everytime I get in it

[geeks]

Love it, sometimes regret not going for yellow, hope she enjoys it just as much as the old one

[geeks]

I have had mine since October and have covered 4k in Sabelts and its fine, surprisingly well mannered on the motorway.

That said I get it is a stiff ride and not everyones cup of tea, I actually love how scrabbly it is

[geeks]

Glad you are both pleased djgritt, a bit of me still regrets not going for yellow!

Enjoy getting your unsupervised run

[geeks]

BMWBen said:

DELTAHPE said:

Ransoman said:

Mines just ticked over 5000 miles thanks to a jolly from Aberdeen to the borders, and I have to do the same journey on Monday so expecting to hit 6k by mid feb.

It's still as good as new and drives brilliantly. only 2 faults to speak off. The fan sometimes squeeks at speed "1" and twice when I have put the handbrake on, the ratchet seemed to hit a hard stop half way up causing my hand to slip off the handle, but then it is fine when i try again (??!)

Couldn't be happier though. Fast, Loud, fun and 46mpg. I just wish the roads in Aberdeen weren't so rough. the ride is pretty good but can't cope here.

46mpg ? how exactly do you manage that?

Edited by DELTAHPE on Saturday 2nd February 10:32

Changing the topic slightly, but I'm really struggling to get mine down below 30mpg Doesn't matter how hard I try it just won't do it!

Say what? Stop short shifting, thrash it and keep the revs up, I can easily keep mine at 15 lol!

[geeks]

Bungleaio said:

It's not refined at all on the motorway. I've had to slow down a few times in order to have a phone conversation but after years of classic minis it's fine for me.

I've also had a few people ask what I'm driving when I've made an enthusiastic start from the lights whilst talking

Different when you have a proper roof I actually find it pretty well refined on the motorway and I stepped out of an Audi A4 (a car only really at home at 100 on a motorway) into this. Is it the last word in comfort? No. Is it good enough? Yeah I reckon.

Yestreday I did some 500 miles from MK to Sunderland and Back. Forgot to reset the OBC before setting off so only logged the return leg which was shorter as the outbound included a diversion when they shut the M1 yesterday morning.

Route back was A19/A1/M1/A508 I didn't hang about as I wanted to try and beat rush hour but still achieved a respectable economy all things considered...