Abarth 595 Competizione as a daily?

[trevalvole]

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks. I find myself with daughters getting close to driving and no car suitable. They're going to need some boggo beancan but adding yet another car that can't be used on top is something I need to keep pondering.

How about a cooking 500 with the TwinAir engine? Not fast, but fun.

[DonkeyApple]

trevalvole said:

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks. I find myself with daughters getting close to driving and no car suitable. They're going to need some boggo beancan but adding yet another car that can't be used on top is something I need to keep pondering.

How about a cooking 500 with the TwinAir engine? Not fast, but fun.

And a useful donor for parts.

Something like that is definitely on the radar for them and it would be a perfect general runabout for everyone.

It's just the wrong type of farty noise toy that I'm keen to indulge myself with.

[Luke.]

DonkeyApple said:

trevalvole said:

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks. I find myself with daughters getting close to driving and no car suitable. They're going to need some boggo beancan but adding yet another car that can't be used on top is something I need to keep pondering.

How about a cooking 500 with the TwinAir engine? Not fast, but fun.

And a useful donor for parts.

Something like that is definitely on the radar for them and it would be a perfect general runabout for everyone.

It's just the wrong type of farty noise toy that I'm keen to indulge myself with.

Panda 4x4?

[DonkeyApple]

Luke. said:

DonkeyApple said:

trevalvole said:

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks. I find myself with daughters getting close to driving and no car suitable. They're going to need some boggo beancan but adding yet another car that can't be used on top is something I need to keep pondering.

How about a cooking 500 with the TwinAir engine? Not fast, but fun.

And a useful donor for parts.

Something like that is definitely on the radar for them and it would be a perfect general runabout for everyone.

It's just the wrong type of farty noise toy that I'm keen to indulge myself with.

Panda 4x4?

Too logical. They're girls.

[EJH]

DonkeyApple said:

Slightly random question but has anyone ever attempted to insure a new driver on one of these and seen vaguely sensible quotes?

We had an Abarth 500 from 2009 until the start of the year and the insurance premium changed dramatically this decade. The car was on a multicar policy with my GT4 and started off being ~20% of the price of the GT4 and in the last few years it was 65-75% of the price of the GT4 to insure. The (new) A110 that replaced the 500 is notably cheaper to insure.

I assumed the 500's insurance cost was due to the ease with which they seem to be stolen and that most of the vintage we had are with their last owners who will ensure the car meets an unnatural and dramatic death.

[SE2]

My Model 3 Long Range which is worth more, far bigger and obviously much quicker was only £5 extra a month to insure than my freshly departed 595 Turismo, so insurance for new drivers might be quite exorbitant.

[Portofino]

Quiet in here for a while now, any news anyone?

[pidsy]

Mines still sitting on the drive - I’m so lazy at selling things!

[Squadrone Rosso]

Woke mine up after 7 months lay up on 1st May.

Not driven since shoulder surgery in November but was away before.

Unplugged the CTEK, adjusted the tyre pressures and off out for a blast. Takes 40 years off your age. So much fun

[Rod200SX]

Just got a message from the OH, sounds like a front spring may have snapped on ours (cursed NE weather is brutal on these things).

If it is springs, any go-to suppliers for these things?

2018 Comp

ETA, springs are red, so may be lowering springs that are on it...

[Portofino]

You don t really want to sell do you Pidsy!

Good stuff Squadrone, hope the shoulder is sorted.

That s a bugger Rod, my specialist uses Abarth Tuning for parts.

[Tabs]

Mine's not a daily, but do get out in it once or twice a week for a loud (Bombardone) blast.
Just been serviced, and recently put a 595*** plate on it.

[Portofino]

Tabs said:

Mine's not a daily, but do get out in it once or twice a week for a loud (Bombardone) blast.
Just been serviced, and recently put a 595*** plate on it.

They sound so good with a decent exhaust that’s for sure.

[Rod200SX]

So no broken spring but something funky going on.

Drivers front wheel is skipping on full lock when reversing & getting a knock. Thinking ballpoint or track rods ends. Hoping arms dont need done as it looks to be a 4-6 hour job.

[Portofino]

Had a knock on mine but just on the crappy roads, no skipping on full lock or anything, new wishbones were needed.

Knock was on the right but if doing wishbones you need to do both together obviously.

[Rod200SX]

Got it hacked up, droplink has sheered off the shock. Thats a new one to me! Will need to get replacement front shocks.

Looks to be Koni non adjustable, black.

8745 1275r 51889029 is what we could read of the part number. Looks to be a few options on the go, what'd be the current replacement shocks?

2018 595 comp

[ClareD]

I'm in such a quandary. Over the years I have had 2 Competizione's. So much character in those little cars and i've regretted selling the second one ever since. Both were bought new so were to my own spec as well. I've been driving my current Golf R for 4 years now. It does everything i've ever wanted in a car, the first i've not modified (bar wheels), and have no real reason to let it go. However, i've been hankering for another Abarth for most of the time with the Golf. I think i'd want an EsseEsse with an Akrapovic and diff. I know this is the Abarth thread, but would I be mad to sell the Golf for another Fiat? I seem to see them everywhere at the moment and just think how much character they have, but realistic brain says get over yourself!

[SE2]

How are the roads around your way? And how well does the Golf cope with putting the power down? I'm able to put down all of my Model 3's performance on roads where the Abarth is left bobbing about with little composure at the rear. Our road surfaces just aren't right for the Abarth set-up in their current state.

Worst thing I ever did was get one after 12 months of coveting one, and pressing it into daily commuter duty.

[Tabs]

I read a while ago that the rear bump stops within the springs can be modified by fitting shorter ones from another Fiat model, allowing more travel, and thus a better ride.
Must investigate and do it to mine.

[Portofino]

ClareD said:

I'm in such a quandary. Over the years I have had 2 Competizione's. So much character in those little cars and i've regretted selling the second one ever since. Both were bought new so were to my own spec as well. I've been driving my current Golf R for 4 years now. It does everything i've ever wanted in a car, the first i've not modified (bar wheels), and have no real reason to let it go. However, i've been hankering for another Abarth for most of the time with the Golf. I think i'd want an EsseEsse with an Akrapovic and diff. I know this is the Abarth thread, but would I be mad to sell the Golf for another Fiat? I seem to see them everywhere at the moment and just think how much character they have, but realistic brain says get over yourself!

Heart vs Head! That’s where these little cars get to you.

Sounds like you’ve dallied an Abarth before & if I’m being honest, reads like you’ve already answered your own question!