Thinking of getting a 500/595, but the seats!
Discussion
Looked at a Abarth 500 on Saturday, had leather seats, looking at a Abarth 595 next Saturday that has the fabric seats.
Now I was a large chap, still am, but have dropped from 129.5kg/285lbs/20 stone 5, to 103kg/227lbs/16 stone 3 and still losing weight
I found the Abarth leather seats narrow and the bosters digging into my bum
.
Are the Abarth fabric seats better?
Now I was a large chap, still am, but have dropped from 129.5kg/285lbs/20 stone 5, to 103kg/227lbs/16 stone 3 and still losing weight
I found the Abarth leather seats narrow and the bosters digging into my bum
.
Are the Abarth fabric seats better?
Edited by cirian75 on Monday 31st October 16:43
I had the fabric ones on my old 500C and even with the Koni fitted and the ride lower I found then perfectly comfortable for long distances
I did Reading area to Pyrenees only stopping for fuel and felt fresh ... same on the way back
I am 6ft1 and 13 stone
When I originally test drove a 500C the demo car had the leather and I really didn't like them
I did Reading area to Pyrenees only stopping for fuel and felt fresh ... same on the way back
I am 6ft1 and 13 stone
When I originally test drove a 500C the demo car had the leather and I really didn't like them
My mother in law had a couple of Abarth 595's for a while, I thought that the seats were pretty comfortable enough for the short journeys I drove in it.
What wasnt comfortable was the driving position!! I dont know if it was due to my T-Rex like stature (long legs and short arms) but without the steering having reach adjustment I just could not get comfortable at all!
Nice little zippy car though and had a lovely sound to it. If you havent considered one, have a drive of the VW UP! GTI. Whilst that also doesnt have reach adjustment on the steering wheel, I found it a lot easier to get comfortable in in comparison to the Abarth's, and I think that for bang for buck along with strong residuals they are fantastic value for money!
What wasnt comfortable was the driving position!! I dont know if it was due to my T-Rex like stature (long legs and short arms) but without the steering having reach adjustment I just could not get comfortable at all!
Nice little zippy car though and had a lovely sound to it. If you havent considered one, have a drive of the VW UP! GTI. Whilst that also doesnt have reach adjustment on the steering wheel, I found it a lot easier to get comfortable in in comparison to the Abarth's, and I think that for bang for buck along with strong residuals they are fantastic value for money!
ecsrobin said:
It’s Abarth lose the extra R 
When you say fabric seats do you mean the sabelt bucket seats? I never got on with the leather seats I found you’d end up on the passenger seat if trying to drive fast, the sabelts were very comfortable.
Fixed the spellingWhen you say fabric seats do you mean the sabelt bucket seats? I never got on with the leather seats I found you’d end up on the passenger seat if trying to drive fast, the sabelts were very comfortable.
Talking about the Abarth stock cloth seats.
Might look for sabelts if I get a 595
Edited by cirian75 on Monday 31st October 16:48
I'm considering a 2015 or so 595 coming from a bit of an old shed Ka Mk2. I guess the seating position is the same/very similar to the Ka being the same car underneath? If so I guess I'd be OK as I have short legs but quite long arms and can get the Ka set to suit me well, or do the bucket seats negate this effect?
Might seem an odd move to some, but I've quite enjoyed the Ka as a run about and then I made the connection about the 500/Ka being the same car underneath when buying spares. Of course it didn't take long to realise that the Abarth models would be like the Ka on steroids (and nicer looking too IMHO).
My other concerns provided the seating position isn't an issue for me are how hard the ride is (which I guess I'll only know by driving one) and how at risk they are from theft? I did consider that I could debadge a 595 though the exhausts and wheels would give it away anyway I suppose. I was considering a Twin-Air as a sort of middle ground between my current 1.2 Ka and the 595, but it seems a small step up in power for much less mpg and I read that they can be unreliable if not scrupulously serviced, though I guess the same could be said of the Abarth models too?
Might seem an odd move to some, but I've quite enjoyed the Ka as a run about and then I made the connection about the 500/Ka being the same car underneath when buying spares. Of course it didn't take long to realise that the Abarth models would be like the Ka on steroids (and nicer looking too IMHO).
My other concerns provided the seating position isn't an issue for me are how hard the ride is (which I guess I'll only know by driving one) and how at risk they are from theft? I did consider that I could debadge a 595 though the exhausts and wheels would give it away anyway I suppose. I was considering a Twin-Air as a sort of middle ground between my current 1.2 Ka and the 595, but it seems a small step up in power for much less mpg and I read that they can be unreliable if not scrupulously serviced, though I guess the same could be said of the Abarth models too?
OldSkoolRS said:
I'm considering a 2015 or so 595 coming from a bit of an old shed Ka Mk2. I guess the seating position is the same/very similar to the Ka being the same car underneath? If so I guess I'd be OK as I have short legs but quite long arms and can get the Ka set to suit me well, or do the bucket seats negate this effect?
Might seem an odd move to some, but I've quite enjoyed the Ka as a run about and then I made the connection about the 500/Ka being the same car underneath when buying spares. Of course it didn't take long to realise that the Abarth models would be like the Ka on steroids (and nicer looking too IMHO).
My other concerns provided the seating position isn't an issue for me are how hard the ride is (which I guess I'll only know by driving one) and how at risk they are from theft? I did consider that I could debadge a 595 though the exhausts and wheels would give it away anyway I suppose. I was considering a Twin-Air as a sort of middle ground between my current 1.2 Ka and the 595, but it seems a small step up in power for much less mpg and I read that they can be unreliable if not scrupulously serviced, though I guess the same could be said of the Abarth models too?
Mine was bulletproof over 4 years and 50,000 miles others I know have said the same. They do have common issues like door handles and boot wiring but I believe that’s more based on the age of the car. Might seem an odd move to some, but I've quite enjoyed the Ka as a run about and then I made the connection about the 500/Ka being the same car underneath when buying spares. Of course it didn't take long to realise that the Abarth models would be like the Ka on steroids (and nicer looking too IMHO).
My other concerns provided the seating position isn't an issue for me are how hard the ride is (which I guess I'll only know by driving one) and how at risk they are from theft? I did consider that I could debadge a 595 though the exhausts and wheels would give it away anyway I suppose. I was considering a Twin-Air as a sort of middle ground between my current 1.2 Ka and the 595, but it seems a small step up in power for much less mpg and I read that they can be unreliable if not scrupulously serviced, though I guess the same could be said of the Abarth models too?
The answer to most of your questions is go and do a test drive.
Regarding theft if you live near the midlands I would say do not get one, anywhere else you’re fine but extra security could help as no factory alarm. It never bothered me I’m in the south but a few have gone missing in west sussex recently.
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