500 Abarth - Where to start?
Discussion
Evening,
Long time lurker on the forum, just never really felt I've had anything constructive to post!
Anyway, on to business... I've been looking for a new car for nigh on 6 months now as I've been told I will at some point be giving my company car back (not sure exactly when, long story!), so I've pondered what will be my trust Zetec S's replacement!
Part of me wants to stay with what I know and buy a small hot hatch like I've pretty much always had (well my 106 wasn't in the slightest "hot", but a little hatch none the less!) while the other half of me wants to bankrupt myself buying a V8 of some sort, although I couldn't possibly justify the cost of a typical night "on the drink" everytime I got bored and fancied a blast upto Hartside!
Always had a bit of a soft spot for the 500 Abarth's although I never really entertained the idea as I thought they were "just another Fiat". Finally went out for a blast in one over the weekend and I can now see why everyone raves about them. Nice punchy turbocharged engine in a car about the same size as my New Balances!
So anyway, decided that when I've returned back up North from work, I'm going to go and have a proper test drive of one!
Few things really..
- What should I be looking for that can go wrong?
- Normal Abarth or essesse? I'd probably tune either so I'm presuming a non ss could get similar power pretty easily? (lead to believe its pretty much a map change anyway?)
Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated?
Long time lurker on the forum, just never really felt I've had anything constructive to post!
Anyway, on to business... I've been looking for a new car for nigh on 6 months now as I've been told I will at some point be giving my company car back (not sure exactly when, long story!), so I've pondered what will be my trust Zetec S's replacement!
Part of me wants to stay with what I know and buy a small hot hatch like I've pretty much always had (well my 106 wasn't in the slightest "hot", but a little hatch none the less!) while the other half of me wants to bankrupt myself buying a V8 of some sort, although I couldn't possibly justify the cost of a typical night "on the drink" everytime I got bored and fancied a blast upto Hartside!
Always had a bit of a soft spot for the 500 Abarth's although I never really entertained the idea as I thought they were "just another Fiat". Finally went out for a blast in one over the weekend and I can now see why everyone raves about them. Nice punchy turbocharged engine in a car about the same size as my New Balances!
So anyway, decided that when I've returned back up North from work, I'm going to go and have a proper test drive of one!
Few things really..
- What should I be looking for that can go wrong?
- Normal Abarth or essesse? I'd probably tune either so I'm presuming a non ss could get similar power pretty easily? (lead to believe its pretty much a map change anyway?)
Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated?
rb5er said:
Alternatively a Fiesta ST? Or a V8.
Fiat 500 is for girls, but then again you may well be one so might be perfect for you.
I feel that the ST would just feel too similar to what I'm driving currently (They are pratically the same as my Zetec S inside, albeit with a bit fancier trim!)Fiat 500 is for girls, but then again you may well be one so might be perfect for you.
V8, I'm scared of when they go wrong and the 6mpg when I inevitably boot it! 66 mile a day round trip to work could get pricey!
edit: not a girl, that was also one of my other concerns, it being slightly feminine even in the sportiest trim!
Yes a fiesta ST will have a lot of similarities with your Zetec-s but it has much nicer Recaro seats, more toys and better trim as well as being much quicker and more sporty to drive.
When I see a 500 I look to see if there is poontang driving it.
There are plenty of other fun hot hatches that are not big drinkers too but not many will be as nimble or fun.
When I see a 500 I look to see if there is poontang driving it.
There are plenty of other fun hot hatches that are not big drinkers too but not many will be as nimble or fun.
Remap on all models will bring any car up to 180+ from 135 standard
Ss will bring konis discs and wheels with noisy exhaust if you want it all
Some people have put the bigger turbos on from punto or 695
tmc or gtt seem to do the business for that stuff but I'd be suspect at putting 250bhp down in such a light car
Just had a remap from dms for small outlay on mine and have an absolute scream in it.
My 700+ amg can't hold a candle to it at legal speeds, just remember you will end up driving like you stole it!
Ss will bring konis discs and wheels with noisy exhaust if you want it all
Some people have put the bigger turbos on from punto or 695
tmc or gtt seem to do the business for that stuff but I'd be suspect at putting 250bhp down in such a light car
Just had a remap from dms for small outlay on mine and have an absolute scream in it.
My 700+ amg can't hold a candle to it at legal speeds, just remember you will end up driving like you stole it!
Edited by Charliesum on Monday 6th October 22:07
Things to look out for:
Wiring loom in the boot can corrode, costing around £400 to replace (IIRC) so play aound with the lock/unlock function of the fob and do a physical check.
Door handle hinge snapping costs £12 for parts.
A noisy bearing in the climate control is apparently a common complaint too.
The back box can rust through after a few years. They cost around £50-£100 off ebay.
If it has a Koni suspension there's a chance it could be making a knocking noise over the bumps, this is supposedly because of a bad batch that came from Koni, so it doesn't affect all cars.
After that its all the usual stuff to check for, i.e. service history etc.
As for the standard versus SS question. The standard suspension is too soft for my liking hence why i changed the suspension for a Koni one. The SS one is too hard as it has simple been lowered but not had the damping upgraded. So either way i would recommend getting a different suspension, or if your on a tight budget get a standard one.
Hope this helps.
Wiring loom in the boot can corrode, costing around £400 to replace (IIRC) so play aound with the lock/unlock function of the fob and do a physical check.
Door handle hinge snapping costs £12 for parts.
A noisy bearing in the climate control is apparently a common complaint too.
The back box can rust through after a few years. They cost around £50-£100 off ebay.
If it has a Koni suspension there's a chance it could be making a knocking noise over the bumps, this is supposedly because of a bad batch that came from Koni, so it doesn't affect all cars.
After that its all the usual stuff to check for, i.e. service history etc.
As for the standard versus SS question. The standard suspension is too soft for my liking hence why i changed the suspension for a Koni one. The SS one is too hard as it has simple been lowered but not had the damping upgraded. So either way i would recommend getting a different suspension, or if your on a tight budget get a standard one.
Hope this helps.
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