Fiat Stilo Abarth selespeed
Discussion
Don't know about the Stilo, but the selespeed thing worries me. My wife was interested in an Alfa with the same system. We drove one around Milbrook and was very impressed. Worked perfectly and seemed to have the perfect balance between comfort when in Auto mode and responsiveness when in sport mode (and using the flappy paddle things).
Only problem was that she then drove 2 selespeeds after Milbrook and hated them. Neither worked correctly and were rubbish! Don't know what the problem was, but the varying quality between them suggested that there was something wrong. From what I understand they are a bit of a nightmare, though worth checking out on Honest Johns for example (http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/)
I do like 5 cylinders though...
Only problem was that she then drove 2 selespeeds after Milbrook and hated them. Neither worked correctly and were rubbish! Don't know what the problem was, but the varying quality between them suggested that there was something wrong. From what I understand they are a bit of a nightmare, though worth checking out on Honest Johns for example (http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/)
I do like 5 cylinders though...
The engine is fantastic and sounds lovely, although it can be quite thirsty.
I ran a manual 3dr for a couple of years and would still have it apart from a motorway accident. I loved that car!
With a remap and induction kit from GSR engineering, 200+ bhp is acheivable very easily for around £400 and def makes the car a lot better. I personally didnt like the selespeed box as i thought the upshifts were crap but the downshifts were great. they are also slower than the manual but come with more toys as standard. Avoid the early '02 cars and go for a post 03 at least.
Mine was very reliable even after 30,000 hard miles and the only issues I had were a faulty heated wing mirror and rear screen, all replaced under warranty. Fiat dealers are sh*t though, find a good independant and use them!
mail me if you want any more info
I ran a manual 3dr for a couple of years and would still have it apart from a motorway accident. I loved that car!
With a remap and induction kit from GSR engineering, 200+ bhp is acheivable very easily for around £400 and def makes the car a lot better. I personally didnt like the selespeed box as i thought the upshifts were crap but the downshifts were great. they are also slower than the manual but come with more toys as standard. Avoid the early '02 cars and go for a post 03 at least.
Mine was very reliable even after 30,000 hard miles and the only issues I had were a faulty heated wing mirror and rear screen, all replaced under warranty. Fiat dealers are sh*t though, find a good independant and use them!
mail me if you want any more info
bmassey said:
thanks guys really helpful but ive heard the reliability isnt to good, is that true?
Elijah
Depends on the car usually. Like i said mine was pretty much faultless for 30,000 miles and i reckon would've continued to be. The early selespeeds arent great but the later ones are better. the best option is a late , manual 3dr. these can be picked up quite cheap and offer the better driving experience IMO.Elijah
Edited by bmassey on Monday 12th November 10:25
Get one that has been used well and looked after and you shouldnt have any problems. The engines are a damn good design but the electrics and selespeeds can be dodgy.
Check out stilosport.com or fiatforum.com for more info
Tread VERY carfeully.
I used to be the showroom manager for a Fiat franchise...
Abarth Selespeds were the only Fiat group car that was automatically placed with either auctions / traders as we NEVER resold them - warranty claims are legendary, especially when combined with the average Fiat dealers technician's skills...
Lovely cars, but can be ruinous to run. (Also I find Stilos have the world's most uncomfortable seats on a long journey, as the cushion only moves up and down for height adjustment, leaving the backrest where it was, throwing the lumbar supprt into the wrong place for me)
Have fun & good luck (you'll need it
)
Chris
I used to be the showroom manager for a Fiat franchise...
Abarth Selespeds were the only Fiat group car that was automatically placed with either auctions / traders as we NEVER resold them - warranty claims are legendary, especially when combined with the average Fiat dealers technician's skills...
Lovely cars, but can be ruinous to run. (Also I find Stilos have the world's most uncomfortable seats on a long journey, as the cushion only moves up and down for height adjustment, leaving the backrest where it was, throwing the lumbar supprt into the wrong place for me)
Have fun & good luck (you'll need it
)Chris
My brother had an Alfa with the sillyspeed gearbox, always going wrong. And when I had a Punto, I was party to a heated conversation between the owner of a new Stilo 2.4 Selespeed but the 5dr one with the leather etc whose car had been with Fiat longer than he'd owned it - and he'd owned it 6 months!! Shortly after it was on that dealers forecourt for sale.......
I wouldnt, I really wouldnt.
I wouldnt, I really wouldnt.
I've heard similar horror stories about warranty claims from my local Fiat dealer. I originally went in looking for a second hand one to replace my ageing Tipo 16v and was basically told they would never stock one.
Similarly, a friend of mine has an Alfa 156 Selespeed and is on his third gearbox. The last two jammed in third.
Needless to say, I still have the Tipo and spent money restoring and renewing parts on that instead. Having driven a Stilo Abarth since, I can confirm that the Tipo is 10 times the car in every respect. Find a good one and you'll never regret it.
Stilo Abarth - no way!!
Similarly, a friend of mine has an Alfa 156 Selespeed and is on his third gearbox. The last two jammed in third.
Needless to say, I still have the Tipo and spent money restoring and renewing parts on that instead. Having driven a Stilo Abarth since, I can confirm that the Tipo is 10 times the car in every respect. Find a good one and you'll never regret it.
Stilo Abarth - no way!!
i bought one new back in 03.stupidly traded my 20v turbo coupe in for it.the stilo was the biggest pile of shite i have ever owned.front tyres both down to the canvas at 4500 miles due to the subframe being out of line,still waiting for the dosh for 2 tyres from fiat uk.rear wishbones replaced at 6k cos of knackered bushings.cruise control died ,satnav died ,radio used to turn itself on of its own volition and at full volume!party piece was the electric seat slide which on tipping the backrest forward, the seat would go forward itself and in theory back when the backrest was tipped back.6 times my missus had the aa out for that one when the seat refused to go back!car went into the dealer for new control relays ,shame that fiat supplied the same relays as the originals and it did it again a fortnight later.nearly forgot the 20 mpg and the 1st to 2cnd gearchange which nearly always introduced your teeth to the steering wheel rim!for gods sake take my advice and dismiss any thoughts of buying one,or you will need psychiatric help after a few months ownership
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