500 Abarth - 3 months on...
Discussion
New to this forum so hi to all of you.
Thought you might be interested to hear my experiences with my Abarth 500.
Got the car from Lipscomb Kent. I bought an ex-demonstrator and got a good deal for it. Car had 1800 miles when I picked it up. Now has 7700 miles. Stupidly I got the Italian stripe decal from the dealer before finding most of the Abarth decals (including much better Italian stripes) online and much cheaper.
I had the oil changed at 6k miles. I will keep up with 6k mile oil changes as keeps the car running sweet given the amount of "fun" I have in it.
The car is standard in black with white decals and cloth seats (I wouldn't bother with leather as the standard seats are great).
On rural back roads the car is a treat but avoid potholes at all costs or have a good dentist on speed dial! The suspension is hard but you get used to it and it works effectively to give the car great body control. On motorways the car is noisy but that is to be expected for a car this size.
The power delivery is great and gets better the more the engine and turbo run in. However, I'm tempted with a power upgrade to the SS spec although I won't go the whole hog as I can't stand the white wheels. Yet to be seen what I can negotiate with my local dealer.
I have tried the car with normal and super unleaded. Didn't notice much difference except with VPower. Car was great in the snow
Did a 2,000 mile round trip to Scotland over 10 days in October 09. Considering we were 4 up in the car (2 adults and 2 kids) and a boot full of luggage, the car did amazingly well. It was snug but surprisingly comfortable.
Only had two small issues:
1. The Blue & Me connection doesn't accept iPods. You have to spend £70 on a Blue & Me adaptor. Not a major issue until you try to find an adaptor - they are nigh on impossible to get hold of. But when you do get hold of one, they work fine.
2. Reverse gear doesn't have a synchro. If it is difficult to engage reverse, just put it into first gear and then into reverse.
Overall, I think the car is great and I'm looking forward to my next trip to Scotland in March
Thought you might be interested to hear my experiences with my Abarth 500.
Got the car from Lipscomb Kent. I bought an ex-demonstrator and got a good deal for it. Car had 1800 miles when I picked it up. Now has 7700 miles. Stupidly I got the Italian stripe decal from the dealer before finding most of the Abarth decals (including much better Italian stripes) online and much cheaper.
I had the oil changed at 6k miles. I will keep up with 6k mile oil changes as keeps the car running sweet given the amount of "fun" I have in it.
The car is standard in black with white decals and cloth seats (I wouldn't bother with leather as the standard seats are great).
On rural back roads the car is a treat but avoid potholes at all costs or have a good dentist on speed dial! The suspension is hard but you get used to it and it works effectively to give the car great body control. On motorways the car is noisy but that is to be expected for a car this size.
The power delivery is great and gets better the more the engine and turbo run in. However, I'm tempted with a power upgrade to the SS spec although I won't go the whole hog as I can't stand the white wheels. Yet to be seen what I can negotiate with my local dealer.
I have tried the car with normal and super unleaded. Didn't notice much difference except with VPower. Car was great in the snow
Did a 2,000 mile round trip to Scotland over 10 days in October 09. Considering we were 4 up in the car (2 adults and 2 kids) and a boot full of luggage, the car did amazingly well. It was snug but surprisingly comfortable.
Only had two small issues:
1. The Blue & Me connection doesn't accept iPods. You have to spend £70 on a Blue & Me adaptor. Not a major issue until you try to find an adaptor - they are nigh on impossible to get hold of. But when you do get hold of one, they work fine.
2. Reverse gear doesn't have a synchro. If it is difficult to engage reverse, just put it into first gear and then into reverse.
Overall, I think the car is great and I'm looking forward to my next trip to Scotland in March
She's sighing at me as I write this, but I'm trying to persuade my better half that its worth going for the Abarth over a 1.4 500.
She is the sort of person who will put her foot down when given the opportunity, but economy is her concern. How does it do on petrol when being driven sensibly on the motorway? I've had a look at published figures but I don't trust them. And any idea on the economy difference between the Abarth and the 1.4 on motorways?
(Hope you don't mind me popping this in here - doesn't really warrant its own thread. And its good to hear how you're getting on with it.)
She is the sort of person who will put her foot down when given the opportunity, but economy is her concern. How does it do on petrol when being driven sensibly on the motorway? I've had a look at published figures but I don't trust them. And any idea on the economy difference between the Abarth and the 1.4 on motorways?
(Hope you don't mind me popping this in here - doesn't really warrant its own thread. And its good to hear how you're getting on with it.)
Mine has only covered 600 miles from new so only going to get better.
Current tank of fuel is doing 39mpg, Im sure i could get more than this as its all been done in Sport mode and thats not trying to hard to drive frugaly.
On a run in Non Sport mode people have been reporting 45ish mpg so can be done i think.
There is a thread running on the Abarthisti site here - http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth/best-mpg-s...
My wife has a 1.2 lounge and that only get 45 mpg so for a 1.4 turbo its quite good
Current tank of fuel is doing 39mpg, Im sure i could get more than this as its all been done in Sport mode and thats not trying to hard to drive frugaly.
On a run in Non Sport mode people have been reporting 45ish mpg so can be done i think.
There is a thread running on the Abarthisti site here - http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth/best-mpg-s...
My wife has a 1.2 lounge and that only get 45 mpg so for a 1.4 turbo its quite good
Edited by eightseventhree on Wednesday 20th January 09:06
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