A small FIAT / Abarth thread - post your pics here
Discussion
Stuperbulous said:
How about two rare Abarth's sat next to each other?
Just round the corner from me at my new dealer. Would love to do a deal on the Biposto but the price is too high for the mileage compared to others I’ve seen. There’s also a normal 695 with carbon pack and racing pack for less in Alton.
I should get a photo of mine on here... before it goes. Perhaps. I Have one of it on the drive, but Flickr is down at the moment.
I have to say, I purchased my Comp 160 as a heart over head decision in october last year. I knew on the test drive that the seats, whilst comfy on my ass/back, were putting some pressure into my lower legs. But I thought it'll be fine. That sound was addictive and the wacky handling made driving it exciting.
Sadly, I don't think it is the right tool for the job. I have a 30 mile each way commute across country A and B roads. The Abarth should be perfect for this. But the vast majority of the time I have to trundle along (literally, people drive so so slow these days, like 20 under the NSL all the time). At this speed, and with the roads in the poor state they are, it feels like the Abarth is being phyiscally grumpy with me for going so slowly. I arrive at work with sore shoulders and sore knees/ankles every day having been jiggled up and down vigorously for an hour.
The main points against it for me are:
1)Seating. I'm 6ft 3. I fit in the seat. I don't even find the high position a problem. Lower legs feel like they're being pressured though, squeezed from the bolstering and strained from lack of support (short seat squab). I think though this is a symptom of the crap interplay of seat/wheel/pedals. If I set the seat for a comfy leg position, I can barely reach the wheel. If I set for the wheel my legs are so bunched up my knees are hitting the wheel, which means operating the pedals becomes tricky. The compromise seems to be a bit of strain the shoulder and a bit of strain in the knees from being splayed out. Its fine for 20-30 minutes. But I can be in the car up to an hour at a time and it becomes very uncomfortable by then.
2) Ride. Ride isn't bad honestly, I expect it to be stiff and it is. Its livable, providing you can make progress that is. At low speed, its genuinely irritating; bucking and bouncing everywhere. At speed it skims down the road without being troubled and is muchos fun, but at low speed its making a mountain out of every mole hill and swan diving into any recess. As I am more often than not resigned to plodding along at 37 mph with everyone else, it gets very old.
3) Range. Fuel tank is small and whilst the MPG is absolutely fine in the mid 30's my maths doesn't seem to have worked. Having to fill up mid week and at the weekend is annoying, especially as filling up mid-week requires a decent detour as there aren't any stations en-route.
4) Pedals. Why are they so high off the floor? I was wondering why my right foot was aching so badly all the time. I was finding trying to maintain a light throttle (to drive sedately like all the other plebs on the road), was really requiring some effort. Heel on the floor, imagine trying to lift your toes right up to your shins whilst sitting at your chair with your joints nearly at right angles. Thats the position I have to adopt 90% of the time. At first I thought it was because the pedals were hinged at the top, but I have driven other cars like that and its never been a problem. Then I realised I can place one foot atop the other and still slide under each of the pedals!!! I can't even get 1 foot under the pedals on other cars. They're entirely too high off the floor!
Trouble is. I do love it. Replacing it is genuinely troubling me.
I am going to look at a 208 GTi today. But even if that ticks all the boxes....parting with the Abarth is going to be tough. What can I do?
Would lower seat rails and steering extension spacer solve anything?
I have to say, I purchased my Comp 160 as a heart over head decision in october last year. I knew on the test drive that the seats, whilst comfy on my ass/back, were putting some pressure into my lower legs. But I thought it'll be fine. That sound was addictive and the wacky handling made driving it exciting.
Sadly, I don't think it is the right tool for the job. I have a 30 mile each way commute across country A and B roads. The Abarth should be perfect for this. But the vast majority of the time I have to trundle along (literally, people drive so so slow these days, like 20 under the NSL all the time). At this speed, and with the roads in the poor state they are, it feels like the Abarth is being phyiscally grumpy with me for going so slowly. I arrive at work with sore shoulders and sore knees/ankles every day having been jiggled up and down vigorously for an hour.
The main points against it for me are:
1)Seating. I'm 6ft 3. I fit in the seat. I don't even find the high position a problem. Lower legs feel like they're being pressured though, squeezed from the bolstering and strained from lack of support (short seat squab). I think though this is a symptom of the crap interplay of seat/wheel/pedals. If I set the seat for a comfy leg position, I can barely reach the wheel. If I set for the wheel my legs are so bunched up my knees are hitting the wheel, which means operating the pedals becomes tricky. The compromise seems to be a bit of strain the shoulder and a bit of strain in the knees from being splayed out. Its fine for 20-30 minutes. But I can be in the car up to an hour at a time and it becomes very uncomfortable by then.
2) Ride. Ride isn't bad honestly, I expect it to be stiff and it is. Its livable, providing you can make progress that is. At low speed, its genuinely irritating; bucking and bouncing everywhere. At speed it skims down the road without being troubled and is muchos fun, but at low speed its making a mountain out of every mole hill and swan diving into any recess. As I am more often than not resigned to plodding along at 37 mph with everyone else, it gets very old.
3) Range. Fuel tank is small and whilst the MPG is absolutely fine in the mid 30's my maths doesn't seem to have worked. Having to fill up mid week and at the weekend is annoying, especially as filling up mid-week requires a decent detour as there aren't any stations en-route.
4) Pedals. Why are they so high off the floor? I was wondering why my right foot was aching so badly all the time. I was finding trying to maintain a light throttle (to drive sedately like all the other plebs on the road), was really requiring some effort. Heel on the floor, imagine trying to lift your toes right up to your shins whilst sitting at your chair with your joints nearly at right angles. Thats the position I have to adopt 90% of the time. At first I thought it was because the pedals were hinged at the top, but I have driven other cars like that and its never been a problem. Then I realised I can place one foot atop the other and still slide under each of the pedals!!! I can't even get 1 foot under the pedals on other cars. They're entirely too high off the floor!
Trouble is. I do love it. Replacing it is genuinely troubling me.
I am going to look at a 208 GTi today. But even if that ticks all the boxes....parting with the Abarth is going to be tough. What can I do?
Would lower seat rails and steering extension spacer solve anything?
raining_sulphur said:
am I right in saying the new comp 180 with sabelts has height adjustable seats? Upgrade 
Test drove the 208 this morning.... its worryingly good!Doesn't have the theater of the Abarth of course and won't have people turning their heads in the street as they wonder how such a dinky little machine makes so much racket. But.... But..... I think my body is going to thank me later. Objectively, this is an easy decision. The 208 is the better car, the better tool for the job. But those Abarths sink their hooks into you extremely quickly, despite all the shortcomings.
Otispunkmeyer said:
Test drove the 208 this morning.... its worryingly good!
Doesn't have the theater of the Abarth of course and won't have people turning their heads in the street as they wonder how such a dinky little machine makes so much racket. But.... But..... I think my body is going to thank me later. Objectively, this is an easy decision. The 208 is the better car, the better tool for the job. But those Abarths sink their hooks into you extremely quickly, despite all the shortcomings.
The 208 is actually on my 1of3 car choices. I’ve pretty much my heart set on the abarth, but the 208 Gti and surprisingly an Adam S are the rival choices. Doesn't have the theater of the Abarth of course and won't have people turning their heads in the street as they wonder how such a dinky little machine makes so much racket. But.... But..... I think my body is going to thank me later. Objectively, this is an easy decision. The 208 is the better car, the better tool for the job. But those Abarths sink their hooks into you extremely quickly, despite all the shortcomings.
Otispunkmeyer know what you're saying.
I have the standard new 145bhp 595.
After 80 hours of driving since buying I’ve averaged 16mph, a 9.5 mile commute to work and back each day sadly takes around an hour morning and night. Is only weekend driving that ups the average. Gives about 30mpg meaning filling up once a week.
However a 120 mile drive at the weekend returned 48mpg which can’t complain about at all.
Find the pedal position a bit awkward but not terrible and also feel the 595 doesn’t feel too happy below two thousand revs minimum. Don’t get me started on pot holes, my drive each day is like an obstacle course most journeys.
Waffle over, would I change the car? Not at all.
Missus has a newish 208 1.2 and find it a bore to drive to be honest especially compared to the 595.
I have the standard new 145bhp 595.
After 80 hours of driving since buying I’ve averaged 16mph, a 9.5 mile commute to work and back each day sadly takes around an hour morning and night. Is only weekend driving that ups the average. Gives about 30mpg meaning filling up once a week.
However a 120 mile drive at the weekend returned 48mpg which can’t complain about at all.
Find the pedal position a bit awkward but not terrible and also feel the 595 doesn’t feel too happy below two thousand revs minimum. Don’t get me started on pot holes, my drive each day is like an obstacle course most journeys.
Waffle over, would I change the car? Not at all.
Missus has a newish 208 1.2 and find it a bore to drive to be honest especially compared to the 595.
Edited by 66Grey on Monday 26th March 14:23
66Grey said:
Otispunkmeyer know what you're saying.
I have the standard new 145bhp 595.
After 80 hours of driving since buying I’ve averaged 16mph, a 9.5 mile commute to work and back each day sadly takes around an hour morning and night. Is only weekend driving that ups the average. Gives about 30mpg meaning filling up once a week.
However a 120 mile drive at the weekend returned 48mpg which can’t complain about at all.
Find the pedal position a bit awkward but not terrible and also feel the 595 doesn’t feel too happy below two thousand revs minimum. Don’t get me started on pot holes, my drive each day is like an obstacle course most journeys.
Waffle over, would I change the car? Not at all.
Missus has a newish 208 1.2 and find it a bore to drive to be honest especially compared to the 595.
well you would! The 1.2 in the 208 is about as limp wristed as they come!I have the standard new 145bhp 595.
After 80 hours of driving since buying I’ve averaged 16mph, a 9.5 mile commute to work and back each day sadly takes around an hour morning and night. Is only weekend driving that ups the average. Gives about 30mpg meaning filling up once a week.
However a 120 mile drive at the weekend returned 48mpg which can’t complain about at all.
Find the pedal position a bit awkward but not terrible and also feel the 595 doesn’t feel too happy below two thousand revs minimum. Don’t get me started on pot holes, my drive each day is like an obstacle course most journeys.
Waffle over, would I change the car? Not at all.
Missus has a newish 208 1.2 and find it a bore to drive to be honest especially compared to the 595.
Edited by 66Grey on Monday 26th March 14:23
I will admit though the 208 does not feel all that fast. Its supposedly 1 second faster to 60 than the Competizione I have but you wouldn't know it sitting behind the wheel. Sad thing is, there is nothing else on the road like the Abarth 595. Its in a class of 1.
Everything else isn't as theatrical, isn't as exciting, doesn't feel like you're doing your best impression of Dr. Strangelove. But thems the breaks... the other cars have practicality and comfort on their side and sometimes, life dictates that those be factors you go for.
Trust me I don't want to part with it. Walking back from Tesco, across the car park today and spying it, alone in its own space, from the rear three-quarters; it looks damn good. But the discomfort in my right leg having had to crawl home at < 29 mph is the angel on my right shoulder urging me to make life easier for myself. The Abarth, naturally occupies the left. As it should.
Forgive the lack of pic for the time being, but I’ve just put a deposit down on a 595 Competizione, s3 as I’m not keen on the shape of the new s4’s. Test drove yesterday, fell in love. It’s fantastically fun, brutal and angry when on the loud pedal and full of character. Hopefully pick up next weekend. So excited!!
Otispunkmeyer said:
raining_sulphur said:
am I right in saying the new comp 180 with sabelts has height adjustable seats? Upgrade
Test drove the 208 this morning.... its worryingly good!Doesn't have the theater of the Abarth of course and won't have people turning their heads in the street as they wonder how such a dinky little machine makes so much racket. But.... But..... I think my body is going to thank me later. Objectively, this is an easy decision. The 208 is the better car, the better tool for the job. But those Abarths sink their hooks into you extremely quickly, despite all the shortcomings.
And, as you say, they do get their hooks into you - but I always knew it wasn't practical for me - so after 15 months I had to hand it back; for a 4x4 Panda....which I also think is a mistake. When the PCP is up i fancy a 208 GTi.
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