Abarth 500 - Pleasantly Surprised!

[Stefan DS3R]

My Wife is looking to change her 500 1.2 Lounge in for an Abarth and we had a chance to test drive a standard Abarth and an Essesse version yesterday.

The standard one had leather as the only extra and that was it. First ten minutes and I didn't like it at all, far to choppy in ride and felt like it was all over the place!

After a while though you kind of get used to it and it wasn't too bad at all, decent enough acceleration but didn't feel overly quick.

We then immediately swapped to an Essesse version with the Sabelt racing seats and Monza exhaust, it sounded lovely on idle!

Well this was like chalk and cheese, noticeable difference in power and for me a much better ride, no wear as composed as my DS3 Racing but we really liked it.

Insurance wise it's a fraction more then her current 1.2 and the Essesse is only £2 a year more then the standard version for us.

So the hunt is on now for a Campovolo grey Essesse with leather, climate and she's fallen in love with the red chequer roof and Abarth side stripes. Whether we'd put a Monza on it or something else I'm not sure, the Monza did sound good but they are only mild steel I think?

Not sure we'll stretch to a new one as I think we'd only get about £7,500 - £8,000 for her fully spec'd Funk White with red leather current 500.

Quite looking forward to the occasional use of the Abarth when she gets it!!!

Stef

[Geneve]

Abarth ride does get slated - too firm and unsettled - and essesse is apparently worse, so your comments are interesting.

[Stefan DS3R]

Both were firm but I just felt the Essesse didn't skit around the road as much.

Stef

[shokan]

i think that model of fiat500 is outstanding choice.
they have been on the market here & quite a few around....imo much neater than anything else in mini car segment.

i really like this abarth....modifed from the factory assetto corse edition (1 of 49, 2 on the market here in tokyo)
wicked looking little whip (click on any pic for enlargement)

http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU03596876...

this is also more than interesting.....

http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU01914858...

good luck with finding one to your wishes, i think will be no regrets.

[Stefan DS3R]

She really likes those Asseto Corse ones, only issue is they're only two seater!

Stef

[shokan]

Stefan DS3R said:

She really likes those Asseto Corse ones, only issue is they're only two seater!

Stef

stef....i think there's more issues! there's only 49 of them (reportedly) all race prepared (race suspension, oversize brembos),
weight has been reduced from stock by almost 200kg, and the turbocharged engine has been remapped to produce about 200bhp (power to weight ratio is amazing).

but with full cage means a tough climb in & climb out (& no skirts mate), no sound insulation & flow through dual exhaust means noisy, & suspension set up means no speed bumps, pot holes, 17"wheels & skinny profile tires means your bottom will feel every pebble you drive over.....but all in all maybe funnest little mini car around. talked to 1 of the brokers. he will not talk price over the phone, but insists it is street legal here.
i would guess the price is quite far south of 5 million jpy (US$70,000). (i WANT it, my wife wants an alfa 147 gta....which it will be cause she's smarter than me!!)

imo the abarth 500 1.4 model you are looking for is best street pocket rocket since honda crx si (& far better than the mini which has gained too much weight & girth). this corse version is a mini godzilla.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WjCOFFtxfo

Edited by shokan on Monday 25th July 09:32

[GT02]

The standard shocks are not so great is the general consensus on the Abarth, there are a number of aftermarket options but Abarth now directly sell the Koni FSD shocks which apparently completely change the handling experience for the better.

I personally find the standard setup (I have non SS Abarth) tends to bounce mid-corner if you hit a bump, which is a bit unsettling the first few times!

You want to be sure the SS you drove didn't have the different shocks, the SS does have different springs, but they are just lower ride height (about 25mm I believe).

Monnza is mild steel and will rust is the general consensus, but it sounds the mutt's whatsit's and if you can get a car with one already on (so you don't pay the stupid price!) I would recommend it without hesitation! (I have one).

Also, they go better on super, its noticeable, so you may want to drive a few before you dismiss the standard car.

[Lagerlout]

shokan said:

stef....i think there's more issues! there's only 49 of them (reportedly) all race prepared (race suspension, oversize brembos),
weight has been reduced from stock by almost 200kg, and the turbocharged engine has been remapped to produce about 200bhp (power to

Edited by shokan on Monday 25th July 09:32

These are racing cars, they are definitely not legal for the street in the UK.

[jamesrose]

I have had an esseesse Abarth for about week now, it's totally standard, and my god the ride is firm. It
Makes my noble feel like a range rover vogue. Its a shame as I'm very pleased with the rest of the car

Do you know if the new Koni shocks make the ride a little more forgiving, crashing over even the smallest bumps is going to get boring very quickly.

[Lagerlout]

Yes they do, but I wouldn't bother with them. Go for the Bilstein kit, it's much better quality and the ride is transformed.

[Stefan DS3R]

Lagerlout said:

Yes they do, but I wouldn't bother with them. Go for the Bilstein kit, it's much better quality and the ride is transformed.

I would imagine a lot cheaper too?

We finally bought an Abarth, a non Essesse version which is only 3 months old and an ex-demonstrator.

It's Campovolo grey with red leather and 17" alloys, picking it up on Saturday as long as the Monza exhaust arrives in time for fitting!

Will look at remaps and something like the Bilstein a bit further down the line.

Stef

[jamesparrett]

Its a shame you've just bought one although very pleasant I am sure! We have Abarth within our group and have a fair selection at the moment...

http://www.meridien.co.uk/usedcars.php?template=/m...

Next time! I love my standard Abarth 500 so I am sure you will love it too! I am tempted by a Monza exhaust also but we shall see... We have a Black Essesse sat here at the moment and that is rather tempting too at £14,000!

[Stefan DS3R]

We did have a look in your Portsmouth dealership and took a couple out for test drives, unfortunately though you didn't have anything in that matched our exact requirements.

Stef

[jamesparrett]

Stefan DS3R said:

We did have a look in your Portsmouth dealership and took a couple out for test drives, unfortunately though you didn't have anything in that matched our exact requirements.

Stef

Thats a shame... Still, if ever you need it servicing, you know where you can go and be looked after! I hope you enjoy it and I also hope to see you at a meeting at some point soon... i wouldn't mind a look around your DS3R!

[Stefan DS3R]

jamesparrett said:

Thats a shame... Still, if ever you need it servicing, you know where you can go and be looked after! I hope you enjoy it and I also hope to see you at a meeting at some point soon... i wouldn't mind a look around your DS3R!

Thanks James, will catch up with you at a future meet for definite.

Stef