Mito Cloverleaf or 500 Abarth? Owners views please!
Discussion
As title really.
Having moved closer to work and cut my commute from 80 miles per day to under 30, I think its time to retire my little diesel Renault Clio workhorse. She's about to hit the 200,000 mile mark (bloody magic, never had a more reliable car) and I fancy a hot little runabout to use during the week (still got my Pork for the weekends so no high mileage will be going onto this new option).
Had my eyes on three contenders for a while now - the Mito Cloverleaf, Fiat 500 Abarth and RenaultSport Twingo 133. Now down to two as I test drove the 133 a couple of weeks back and just didn't like it.
Going this weekend to hopefully drive the other two back to back (same Dealer helpfully!) but given the expected wet roads I don't expect to learn much about their performance or handling.
So my question to owners of either car would be - what's their strengths and weaknesses? Can, for example, the Cloverleaf put down its power without torque steering? Is the Abarth screwed together well? Any known weak spots on either model? Given this will most likely be a late model with some warranty, what are Fiat and Alfa service standards like?
Any input from owners welcomed, especially anyone who has owned or driven both.
Thanks much
Having moved closer to work and cut my commute from 80 miles per day to under 30, I think its time to retire my little diesel Renault Clio workhorse. She's about to hit the 200,000 mile mark (bloody magic, never had a more reliable car) and I fancy a hot little runabout to use during the week (still got my Pork for the weekends so no high mileage will be going onto this new option).
Had my eyes on three contenders for a while now - the Mito Cloverleaf, Fiat 500 Abarth and RenaultSport Twingo 133. Now down to two as I test drove the 133 a couple of weeks back and just didn't like it.
Going this weekend to hopefully drive the other two back to back (same Dealer helpfully!) but given the expected wet roads I don't expect to learn much about their performance or handling.
So my question to owners of either car would be - what's their strengths and weaknesses? Can, for example, the Cloverleaf put down its power without torque steering? Is the Abarth screwed together well? Any known weak spots on either model? Given this will most likely be a late model with some warranty, what are Fiat and Alfa service standards like?
Any input from owners welcomed, especially anyone who has owned or driven both.
Thanks much
Morning .....can't comment on the Mito I am afraid......but I have just bought myself (last weekend) an A500 as a knock about play car......and so far I am loving it!!......over the last few years all my play cars have been big (mainly auto) V8s .......Id forgotten just how much fun a small hot hatch is ...especially in London!!
I bought a 59 plate from a dealer with 6mth warranty for a shade under 9k ....1 owner, 25k miles, leather, blue&me, inter-scope sound....fully loaded basically. The build quality seems to be very good (I came straight out of a Merc into this) and I certainly cant find any issues.
In terms of driving, as you have probably read, the driving position is slightly high...but I don't mind that at all. The gear stick falls very nicely to hand, well laid out (if somewhat sparse) dash, and good pedal feel. As its so small you feel like your doing a million miles an hour ....especially with the sport button pressed
...and I don't think I will tire of the turbo gauge telling me to change up. I have experienced a small amount of torque steer (pulls left) , but all my driving so far has been on slightly damp roads.....and that only happens when turbo boost is at about 1bar+. It sounds great and needless to say it handles like a go-kart 
need anything else...just holla
snaz
I bought a 59 plate from a dealer with 6mth warranty for a shade under 9k ....1 owner, 25k miles, leather, blue&me, inter-scope sound....fully loaded basically. The build quality seems to be very good (I came straight out of a Merc into this) and I certainly cant find any issues.
In terms of driving, as you have probably read, the driving position is slightly high...but I don't mind that at all. The gear stick falls very nicely to hand, well laid out (if somewhat sparse) dash, and good pedal feel. As its so small you feel like your doing a million miles an hour ....especially with the sport button pressed
...and I don't think I will tire of the turbo gauge telling me to change up. I have experienced a small amount of torque steer (pulls left) , but all my driving so far has been on slightly damp roads.....and that only happens when turbo boost is at about 1bar+. It sounds great and needless to say it handles like a go-kart need anything else...just holla
snaz
Hi mate,
I bought a six month old Cloverleaf in March - so far Im loving it.
Gets 43mpg on my commute to work and cracking fun when you want to have a bit of a play - the engine is an absolute belter.
Screwed together much better than any of my previous Renaultsports and in 8000 miles it hasnt yet seen the inside of a dealership - and Im fussy.
The one downside is the stupid DNA thing. It really needs to be in D most of the time - N makes everything feel very elastic.
I also narrowed it down to a 500 or the Mito - Im 35 and would feel a bit stupid turning up places in an ST or a VXR... Went with the Mito in the end, as I couldnt help but feel a little, erm, feminine in the 500 - personal choice etc. I also felt the 500 was trying a bit too hard to be 'funky' - the Mito is just what it is - I like that.
I bought a six month old Cloverleaf in March - so far Im loving it.
Gets 43mpg on my commute to work and cracking fun when you want to have a bit of a play - the engine is an absolute belter.
Screwed together much better than any of my previous Renaultsports and in 8000 miles it hasnt yet seen the inside of a dealership - and Im fussy.
The one downside is the stupid DNA thing. It really needs to be in D most of the time - N makes everything feel very elastic.
I also narrowed it down to a 500 or the Mito - Im 35 and would feel a bit stupid turning up places in an ST or a VXR... Went with the Mito in the end, as I couldnt help but feel a little, erm, feminine in the 500 - personal choice etc. I also felt the 500 was trying a bit too hard to be 'funky' - the Mito is just what it is - I like that.
Afternoon everyone, thanks for the brilliant replies, just what I needed. Test drives have had to be re-arranged for a couple of weeks' time for unforeseeable reasons but I am looking forward to them.
Having spent a bit more time on the web, I think I like the look of the Mito more, but not to a degree that would influence me if I liked the 500 driving experience better.
Sounds like some decent fuel eco figures too, which would be an unexpected bonus (although not the reason for buying either of these two).
Keep any more feedback coming and I'll look forward to adding my thoughts once driven them both.
Thanks
Having spent a bit more time on the web, I think I like the look of the Mito more, but not to a degree that would influence me if I liked the 500 driving experience better.
Sounds like some decent fuel eco figures too, which would be an unexpected bonus (although not the reason for buying either of these two).
Keep any more feedback coming and I'll look forward to adding my thoughts once driven them both.
Thanks
I have had a Mito Cloverleaf for almost a year now. Have to say I really like it. Very well put together car feels very solid, also feels quite heavy for a small car. I still haven't got used to its dimensions when I am sitting in it, it feels like a much bigger car than it is if you know what I mean.
The fuel economy is tragic, I think I average early 30s, although I hardly do any motorway driving, all B roads and A roads really.
No torque steer is evident, although you can certainly spin the wheels pulling away from junctions. I may have quite a heavy right foot as well which wont help.
The back is ok for smaller adults I would say, although anyone over about 5'8" would probably find it cramped.
Its a great engine in the Mito, it has quite a roarty note when in D mode, which is the only mode worth using really. The N is boring and makes the car feel unresponsive and dulled. The A for all weather got me very stuck in bad weather up the Lecht and dulls the throttle response even more than the N mode, totally useless.
Also its a gorgeous car, something out of the ordinary and great fun to drive, also a bit more "grown up" than a 500 I feel.
Get one they are ace.
The fuel economy is tragic, I think I average early 30s, although I hardly do any motorway driving, all B roads and A roads really.
No torque steer is evident, although you can certainly spin the wheels pulling away from junctions. I may have quite a heavy right foot as well which wont help.
The back is ok for smaller adults I would say, although anyone over about 5'8" would probably find it cramped.
Its a great engine in the Mito, it has quite a roarty note when in D mode, which is the only mode worth using really. The N is boring and makes the car feel unresponsive and dulled. The A for all weather got me very stuck in bad weather up the Lecht and dulls the throttle response even more than the N mode, totally useless.
Also its a gorgeous car, something out of the ordinary and great fun to drive, also a bit more "grown up" than a 500 I feel.
Get one they are ace.
I had a mito QV for a day when I was looking for a replacement for my Brera. Ended up taking it back by lunchtime as I hated it, lovely car to look at but that DNA system is awful. Why oh why do they fit it you really have to be in D all the time or it's slower than a week in the jail but downside to that it's a bit jumpy in stop/start traffic.
Really thought I would have liked it but how wrong could I be.
Really thought I would have liked it but how wrong could I be.
When you turn the car off it defaults back to N. But you can just switch it into D for the whole journey. I use N until I am out of the town and switch into D at the last set of traffic lights leaving town. Or if I am driving sedately for whatever reason hit D for overtaking and then "forget" to put it back into N.
The DNA system is a gimick and not a great one at that but you can easily get round it and get used to it.
The DNA system is a gimick and not a great one at that but you can easily get round it and get used to it.
Ive owned my A500 since Feb. Like everyone else on here it was between the QV and the Abarth. I thought the Abarth was more childish (a good thing IMO)and i think the interior is much more luxurious when spec'd in red leather. I never drove the QV as an Abarth popped up in spec and price i couldnt refuse. My cars done 45000 miles now and feels great. It has a few little issues such as door handle hinges corroding and the wiring loom in the boot can corrode too (although mine hasnt). But i imagine these may be problems the Mito may have too.
My car has a tuning box and a custom bi modal exhaust. Its easy to wheel spin and torque steers slightly, but thats probably because of the tuning box. The exhaust makes the car sound fantastic, and when in 'loud' mode sounds like a Spitfire. I love the car, it gets LOADS of attention. I must get 3 people a week stopping me to ask questions, or ill get a thumbs up from other drivers.
I had 'a bit of fun' against a QV between the lights the other day and the cars were equally matched. So speed wise if you get the SS Abarth or a re-maped 135 there should be no difference with the QV.
There both special cars so either way your going to win!
My car has a tuning box and a custom bi modal exhaust. Its easy to wheel spin and torque steers slightly, but thats probably because of the tuning box. The exhaust makes the car sound fantastic, and when in 'loud' mode sounds like a Spitfire. I love the car, it gets LOADS of attention. I must get 3 people a week stopping me to ask questions, or ill get a thumbs up from other drivers.
I had 'a bit of fun' against a QV between the lights the other day and the cars were equally matched. So speed wise if you get the SS Abarth or a re-maped 135 there should be no difference with the QV.
There both special cars so either way your going to win!
Never been keen on the appearance of the Mito, but I seriously love the Abarth, and would definitely love to own one.
However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
Tony2or4 said:
Never been keen on the appearance of the Mito, but I seriously love the Abarth, and would definitely love to own one.
However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
That is rather wimpy!However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
For about £470 you could have them fitted from an aftermarket company http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth/bum-burner...
3yr warranty too
jacklewisno1 said:
Tony2or4 said:
Never been keen on the appearance of the Mito, but I seriously love the Abarth, and would definitely love to own one.
However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
That is rather wimpy!However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
jacklewisno1 said:
For about £470 you could have them fitted from an aftermarket company http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth/bum-burner...
3yr warranty too
However, many thanks for this link, JLW - very encouraging. Right part of the country, as well.3yr warranty too
jacklewisno1 said:
Tony2or4 said:
Never been keen on the appearance of the Mito, but I seriously love the Abarth, and would definitely love to own one.
However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
That is rather wimpy!However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
For about £470 you could have them fitted from an aftermarket company http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth/bum-burner...
3yr warranty too
Phunk said:
The american models have heated seats...
Hmm. I wonder whether that means that the wiring looms for GB versions of the Abarth all happen to include wiring for heated seats (I'm thinking along the lines that when a model of car has various electrical options available, they tend to mass-produce the wiring looms to include wiring for all the accessories, not just the ones ordered for a particular car, and they just leave any superfluous cables unconnected).
Phunk said:
jacklewisno1 said:
Tony2or4 said:
Never been keen on the appearance of the Mito, but I seriously love the Abarth, and would definitely love to own one.
However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
That is rather wimpy!However, the one thing that puts me & Mrs T off is the fact that the Abarth 500 doesn't have heated seats. I know that sounds a bit wimpy, but we've got used to the comfort of warm bums in the winter and wouldn't like to lose that.
Nearest main dealer to us (Bauer and Millett, Manchester) didn't think there was any prospect of heated seats ever becoming an option on the Abarth - shame, shame.
For about £470 you could have them fitted from an aftermarket company http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth/bum-burner...
3yr warranty too
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