Abarth 595 but doing 15k a year?

Abarth 595 but doing 15k a year?

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Discussion

Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Sunday 14th January 2018
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My golf GTI is coming up to 3 years old so I'm just kicking ideas around with what a possible replacement for it could be or whether to keep it. The golf is flawless so keeping it wouldn't be a hardship but it's always nice to get a new car.

I've had a wander around a few dealerships and the 595 looks like an interesting prospect. I really like small cars so I'm happy with the size of it but as it's aimed at sporty driving I'm just wondering what it's like when you have to spend a few hours on a journey? I do at least one day of doing 150 miles each week.

My last few cars have been - Golf GTI, Pug 208 1.2, BMW 325 convertible, R53 mini cooper S, Volvo V40 t4 (original shape). Impreza WRX, Mini cooper S Convertible.

I know they don't have cruise control or heated seats but for the cost of them they look like they could be fun for a couple of years.

I don't think I'd go for the 180bhp one as the suspension sounds very stiff but how's the 160bhp to live with?

clarkei

72 posts

160 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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Bought a 2016 car recently. Love it. Fantastic around town, more than enough go. Have not done any trips over say 30 miles. Might become a bit wearing. A great around town car though

Phunk

1,972 posts

170 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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I did 15k a year in a 500c, no real issues.

Annoying that European and American cars have cruise.

I’m pretty sure I saw a place in Essex that will do a retrofit

E31Shrew

5,920 posts

191 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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I was given one as a loan car while my Alfa was in for a service. Drove 30 miles back to the office and 30 miles back to the dealership. Have never been so happy to give a car back!

Gio G

2,945 posts

208 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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OP - with the mileage you are doing, I would say there are plenty more cars to consider.. Whilst I love our 595, I would not want to do more than 20 miles a day. Also consider the manual version does not have a 6th gear and feels it really needs it..

G

Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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Thanks everyone, the responses are what I thought they would be but the garage called me this morning and offered a test drive so I'm going to take one for a spin at the weekend.

I'll report back.

Jester86

434 posts

108 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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I've just done a circa 200 mile round trip to visit family in my 595 Comp with performance pack.

Suspension is compliant, not crashy and more comfortable than you might think. This was all motorway mileage mind. Road conditions have so much to answer for, so many cars would be brilliant little cruisers if we didn't have god awful roads in places.

Gio G

2,945 posts

208 months

Monday 15th January 2018
quotequote all
Bungleaio said:
Thanks everyone, the responses are what I thought they would be but the garage called me this morning and offered a test drive so I'm going to take one for a spin at the weekend.

I'll report back.
I am sure you will enjoy the test drive.. as these little cars provide instant grin factor smile

We have the Turismo version and the suspension is very hard. We had a puncture on the back P-Zero tyre recently and the ATS man reckons he see's lots of Abarth's mainly due to potholes.

G

Gmlgml

388 posts

80 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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I’d be more led on suitability for you based on the regular roads you drive on, rather than the judging the car in isolation.

If you can test drive it on roads you’ll use all the better.

Yes, the suspension is on the hard side of firm but it’s perfectly ok on a decent surface.

Like others though I’ve had two punctures and a damaged wheel in less than six months. It doesn’t do our shi££y roads very well. It’s wince inducing sometimes, as what looks like a fairly minor pothole subsequently sends reverbarations throughout the car.

I’ve done 200 mile plus journeys and been perfectly fine, but conversely shaken to bits on a few miles of bad tarmac.

I’m actively looking at spending 500 on replacing the shocks and springs to get some compliance back.

Other than that I love it.

ecsrobin

17,025 posts

164 months

Monday 15th January 2018
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My 2016 comp is about to roll onto 20k having owned it since September 16 so exactly 15k per year.

I only used to do around 9k a year but the car is too much fun! 800miles is the furthest we went in one stint and I’d do it again tomorrow!

Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
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Just to update following the test drive. Having snow falling this morning wasn't a great start but it wasn't too heavy so I didn't cancel, it was only the pavements that were an issue anyway. I arrived at the dealer and the car was being warmed up for me so it wasn't a shock getting in and I could enjoy the engine from the start, as much as you can when it's snowing anyway.

Took it out on dual carriageways, town centres and the roads in between. I was in the 165 Turismo, it wasn't the latest model as they didn't have a Turismo demo in but there's not that much difference I don't think to the driving dynamics anyway. The ride is firm but not overly so for me. It was a great drive and I really liked it.

The garage offered me a good price for my current car and a decent price on a new unregistered car in a beautiful colour. It's only got the 5 inch screen but running google maps off my phone won't be an issue.

TL:DR Loved it collecting a Turismo in podium blue next weekend, can't wait.


ecsrobin

17,025 posts

164 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
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Superb! I think the podium blue is the best colour, I run the 5” and google maps and no issues (in fact that’s what got us round Europe in the summer)

djgritt

618 posts

163 months

Tuesday 23rd January 2018
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Nice purchase.

We also bought a Series4 Turismo last Autumn (165hp model with the revised styling etc) and it’s brilliant. We had a Series3 base model (140hp) before this one and it was also a brilliant little thing.

My GF uses it as a daily commuter and does approx 40miles a day as a minimum - she did almost 20k in the Ser3 one in 18 months and all without any fault or problem whatsoever - we traded it in still on it’s original tyres and untouched wheels - we live in Rural Dorset and it sees crap roads on a daily basis so don’t be too concerned that the slightest rut will break something!

The Turismo with the Koni FSD Rears is also far more a comfortable ride than the base model was too...

Also, the newest 165hp models run the same Turbo as the 180hp Competizione so it’s only a simple remap away from the same or more power levels etc if you ever felt you needed any extra.

celestequattro

78 posts

170 months

Thursday 25th January 2018
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I bought a 160 Comp 3 years ago and ran up 65k miles in 2.5 years. No problems with reliability or anything.

Now running a 695 Biposto as my only car. Couldn't be happier.

Just go for it.

ecsrobin

17,025 posts

164 months

Thursday 25th January 2018
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celestequattro said:
I bought a 160 Comp 3 years ago and ran up 65k miles in 2.5 years. No problems with reliability or anything.

Now running a 695 Biposto as my only car. Couldn't be happier.

Just go for it.
Would love to hear more about running the Biposto as your only car. I want to make the change from 595 comp to 695 (if I can get a good deal) but have concerns over lack of creature comforts on a daily.

Exoticaholic

1,043 posts

211 months

Friday 26th January 2018
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In my previous 595c Competizione Series 3, I covered 32k miles in a bit over 2 years and never have had any problems, apart from blistering paint on the front spoiler which was rectified under warranty.

Now I am running a 595c Competizione Series 4, which I hope to keep for much longer!



thewifescar

69 posts

135 months

Friday 26th January 2018
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DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
Same here, really tempted

ecsrobin

17,025 posts

164 months

Friday 26th January 2018
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Fiat press release said:
"Auto, Motor und Sport" readers selected Abarth 595 as best car in the "Imported Mini Car" category. The Italian compact sports car won the coveted "Best Car" for the third consecutive year, with the votes of 27.2 percent of readers, and also made it into the first three in the overall Mini Car rankings.

Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Friday 26th January 2018
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Picked it up today and I'm really happy with it. Only driven it home from the garage as I want to get it all properly sealed but I'm very impressed so far.


Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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12 hours of work later and it's all ready for the road, I could have done it faster but I took my time. Despite buying a car that has been sat on the forecourt for a few weeks it is surprisingly light on swirls.

I mainly used Gtechniq products as I find them easy to use and last for ages. C5 on the wheels, paint is poorboys black hole with C2v3. Leather and mats are also protected.

Some pics before I refitted the number plates





As for driving it, I've only done 30 or so miles but it's great fun and makes a lot better noise than it should for it's size. There's also a fairly busy social scene for these so I'm looking at getting it out to a few meets and runs.