RE: Fiat 500 Abarth: PH Used Buying Guide

[DamnKraut]

What seems to be missing a bit in the guide is anything on long term quality/ longevity, especially of the interior - something I’d expect Fiats to be especially poor at and something I recall mentioned in one of Doug Demuro’s videos featuring a 500 Abarth.

[millen]

Seem to remember the bloke who set up the My LFA is Ready thread (now closed) said his Abarth (695 perhaps?) was one of his all time favorite daily drivers. He should know - was buying a new supercar every couple of weeks at one point in the summer.

[TdM-GTV]

DamnKraut said:

What seems to be missing a bit in the guide is anything on long term quality/ longevity, especially of the interior - something I’d expect Fiats to be especially poor at and something I recall mentioned in one of Doug Demuro’s videos featuring a 500 Abarth.

This I can respond to. My wife has one. Firstly, there isn't a lot to wear badly in there is the fairly basic which is a bonus in some ways. Condition seems to remain very good. I think Demuro always thinks anything European will fall apart for some reason.

It's a great car. It's huge fun. I have a supercharged Jag right now and the little Abarth makes me wish I had something lighter and slower.

My two pence would be that the steering lacks feel and it's a bit springy, the stability control whilst allowing fun is a little bit careful, the seating position is a bit penny farthing and the indicators are really annoying on a roundabout, however, it's just so much damn fun and with a record Monza exhaust I'm not sure I want to live without one in my life.

[g3org3y]

Had one of these as a hire car in Scotland a few months back complete with all the stickers down the side. Not exactly inconspicuous and did turn heads.

Fun little thing, lots of character and sounded great.

However, extremely hard ride meant driving long distances were a chore. Moreover steering feel non existent. Shame as it was otherwise fun to chuck around the corners.

[ToothbrushMan]

it coming up to 10 years old now the Abarth 500 - think it deserves some kind of a freshen up in one or two areas that spring to my mind; -

1. lower front seats with adjustment. Have FIAT screwed themselves to do this with some poorly placed or overly thick floor pan bracing right where the seat bases bolt over?

2. revised steering for better feel.

3. new dash - that central speedo with integral rev counter and boost gauge looks terrible. How about 2 big clocks with the other readings on traditional dials in one large cluster.

4. reach adjustable steering wheel. (this cant be that hard to do surely)

5 get rid of silly looking circular headrests for something less girly-fied.

Man the car up a bit. Loads of guys say its a girls car but if had 300 bhp and 4wd they would soon change their tune..........its an attractive thing.

[phil4]

ToothbrushMan said:

it coming up to 10 years old now the Abarth 500 - think it deserves some kind of a freshen up in one or two areas that spring to my mind.

I might be wrong but the Abarth 595 Comp my other picked up the other month was pretty facelifted. New touch screen stereo, now dash display, new lights etc. etc. etc.

[J4CKO]

Alucidnation said:

J4CKO said:

Fiat must be due to revamp the 500, its been in production for 11 years now and, as far as I am aware the basic car is unchanged, there have been three versions of the Fiesta in that time.

If it ain't broke.

Not quite how the car industry operates, but it is a pretty simple sort of thing, people like it, its selling and it has had tweaks, however, it must be due a revamp, on another thread people are saying how Rover dragged the Metro out too long, which they did, Fiat seem in danger of going down that path, albeit from a better starting point, and to be fair, they have previous with the original 500 that went from 1957 to 1975, 18 years.

[Sford]

My sister has one (500 manual with an exhaust) and I've driven it a few times. Think it's absolutely awesome. The little thing is great fun to drive, handles great and puts a smile on your face every time you get in it. Plus, I think it's one of those cars you look at when you walk away from it. A lot of modern stuff just doesn't have that effect.

FiL had one as well, 595 with the auto box and that was great too. He had a remap and the thing flew. Really great car, bonkers car.

[geeks]

They appear a bit marmite, you either love them or hate them.

The latter ones the steering is much improved, the 2018 Comp i have just picked up, I get plenty of feedback, you definitely know what the front end is doing, but the weight to is a little off and it does try to self centre a bit to eagerly. Engaging the TTC improves things further, especially when pressing on a bit.

[996Targa]

pb8g09 said:

Looking at the interior picture on the pedal grouping, is there anywhere to put your left foot when not on the clutch?

I bought a new 595C Turismo two years ago. There is a small footrest to the left of the clutch which is big enough for my size 8. It is adequate for me but not of Porsche standards.
Great little car.

[airdocful]

J4CKO said:

The Fiesta ST was mentioned, anyone driven both ?

Only been in some barking mad special edition with a sequential box that was 30 grand, it was great but too full on really.

I had a 2013 Fiesta ST for a year, was amazing! Had always wanted an Abarth so sold up and bought a 135hp 500, and I've had it for a month. Initially liked it, put a monza exhaust on it, so it made an amazing noise, but I quickly realised that it was nowhere near as good as the ST (and isn't great as a 20 mile commuting car), and now I'm selling it and jumping into a Straight 6 BMW 130i this weekend!

Moral of the story - Never meet your heroes

[geeks]

airdocful said:

J4CKO said:

The Fiesta ST was mentioned, anyone driven both ?

Only been in some barking mad special edition with a sequential box that was 30 grand, it was great but too full on really.

I had a 2013 Fiesta ST for a year, was amazing! Had always wanted an Abarth so sold up and bought a 135hp 500, and I've had it for a month. Initially liked it, put a monza exhaust on it, so it made an amazing noise, but I quickly realised that it was nowhere near as good as the ST (and isn't great as a 20 mile commuting car), and now I'm selling it and jumping into a Straight 6 BMW 130i this weekend!

Moral of the story - Never meet your heroes

Holy lurking post Batman! 6.5 years, good effort!

[Squadrone Rosso]

The new cars have a tft virtual cockpit which is excellent.

You get a better infotainment system too (7” Uconnect NAV on mine).

You get a proper glovebox too.

[arfur]

Mine is for sale at the moment, not sure why I'm selling it other than I do very little mileage and have 2 other cars.

I've had it since new, done my usual trick of modifying etc and it's still a brilliant car

It's been to Spain, in the Pyrenees and never missed a beat.

I even averaged 75mph on a 750 mile drive back from southern France ... and no backache, the seats are fine for me

Probably the best car I've ever owned ..

Hmm .. why am I selling it then ? bah

Edited by arfur on Thursday 11th October 16:17

[geeks]

Looks familiar!

[g3org3y]

Ours had the red boudoir spec interior. I must admit, I didn't find the seats especially comfortable but they did look cool. Foot rest was present but small. I felt the pedals were very good for heel and toe.

[DJP]

Do these have the same dire clutch and gearbox as the basic models?

[arfur]

DJP said:

Do these have the same dire clutch and gearbox as the basic models?

In what way ? They are known to be very reliable and shift is quick and smooth in mine anyhow

[ecsrobin]

Great cars mines been a fair few places and getting close to 30k on the clock in just over 2 years, mainly from euro trips and drives out rather than commuting. Perfect for me and city living.

Would happily upgrade to a biposto or an i30N.

Reference a harsh ride as many mention it, it is far better than any Honda Civic.





And a 695 passenger lap round rockingham: https://youtu.be/vc5Ma_BkC_o

[airdocful]

geeks said:

Holy lurking post Batman! 6.5 years, good effort!

Hehe, decided it was a good time to join the fray