Abarth 500

[paddyhasneeds]

After watching Top Gear last night, I have to say I think my opinion on these has changed a little from an admittedly rather sneering "small gay toy car" (I used to have a Boxster so no need for the lectures on stereotyping) to something pretty fking cool looking.

Anyone got one and if so what are they like?

[paddyhasneeds]

Hmm no replies oh well. Had the day off today and had a couple of hours to kill between dropping someone off and collecting them so I had a mooch in the Fiat dealership.

They didn't have an Abarth but I have to admit to being quite surprised by the little 500. Seems rather a lot of car for the money and surprisingly well put together in as much as you can tell from a stationary car (give it six months on UK roads etc.).

[Flintstone]

Had my eyes on these since they were (re)introduced. I'll give it a couple of years for the used prices to drop then go shopping.

[M5 Russ]

The Abarth 500 is a great little car. Not seen TG yet but I love mine !

[ambuletz]

the TwinAir appealed to me. such a shame it gets nowhere near the claimed 70mpg.
35mpg for a 3cyl sub 1litre engine is pathetic

[Ilikebeaver]

Flintstone said:

Had my eyes on these since they were (re)introduced. I'll give it a couple of years for the used prices to drop then go shopping.

I was doing this. Expected prices to drop quicker.
Was very surprised when i saw how they are still upwards of £16k. I will have to wait a few more years

[Carfiend]

Well my mother has a turbo diesel one and she is not a car person and hates driving usually but likes it so much she bothered to wash it... I needed a sit down after my brother told me so it must be good.

[paddyhasneeds]

Flintstone said:

Had my eyes on these since they were (re)introduced. I'll give it a couple of years for the used prices to drop then go shopping.

My current car is a Freelander 2 which I've only had a few months so any change is a long way off, something just seemed to click though when I saw the one on Top Gear (admittedly not a fan of that "C" model) that has never clicked for other supermini's such as the Mini, Renault etc.

[mcflurry]

When all the ex driving skool cars come onto the market I wonder what'll happen to the used prices??

[Killer2005]

There's a few rediculously modded ones in the readers cars section, one with around 300bhp IIRC

I keep getting very tempted myself by one, and a have to had words with myself before I put a deposit down. Maybe if I can get myself a promotion though.

[jason s4]

The wife has one and its fantastic fun.

Not that i drive it of course.

[SteveS Cup]

Ex BSM cars are already on the market. Jefferies Farm has loads of them!

The Abarth's are stupid money IMO. If you're wanting a hot hatch there are loads of others that are better value IMO.

Cool looking car though and I do get the appeal... But I'd be waiting a bit longer just to see how they hold together!

[jason s4]

SteveS Cup said:

Ex BSM cars are already on the market. Jefferies Farm has loads of them!

The Abarth's are stupid money IMO. If you're wanting a hot hatch there are loads of others that are better value IMO.

Cool looking car though and I do get the appeal... But I'd be waiting a bit longer just to see how they hold together!

Have you driven one?

[Exoticaholic]

I missed this thread from this morning - but I will reply now....

I have an Abarth 500c bi-colour which is identical to the car they used on Top Gear save the red leather and white spokes. I am really pleased with it despite the slow witted MITA gearbox only when it is left in Auto mode. The 695 Tributo (180hp) shifts faster due to recalibrated electronics.

I drove that car (RO11 FWD) at the Moving Motor Show last Thursday and I can tell you it moves fast! Mind you, it has the SS package which gives it 160hp rather than 135hp/140hp.

I hope to change my A500c for another A500c in the near future as I miss manual gearboxes.

Edited by Exoticaholic on Monday 4th July 19:24

[valiant1]

Had one a while ago as a courtesy car and it was good fun - perfect in its natural environment - city.

Bit of a girlie car though in basic trim. However the arbarth / essesse version is suitably butched up.

[jason s4]

I think a lot of people are missing the point.

The arent that fast, well equipped, cheap or even comfortable for that matter.

Its all about the smile that is instant as soon as you get in and nail it.

As for the attention it attracts, well, TBH its insane.

Nearly EVERYONE that walks past looks round and does a double take.

I have even had someone taking pictures of it recently when it was parked up near the beach.

I mean... WTF??


Love it.

[paddyhasneeds]

What's the real world fuel economy and is it "buzzy" on a dc/motorway?

[Exoticaholic]

paddyhasneeds said:

What's the real world fuel economy and is it "buzzy" on a dc/motorway?

Providing you drive like a grandad, it could go into the low 60's. That's in the Abarth.

I did a best of 67mpg in the previous Fiat 500.

[don logan]

My Brother inlaw has one (of course it`s actually my Sister`s)

It wasn`t that quick,it was a bit "busy" under hard braking, but it`s a really nice "thing", my girlfriend has a Clio 182, the Fiat wouldn`t see which way it went BUT the Fiat is a nice "thing"!

If it`s a 2nd / 3rd / town car it could be a LOT worse, I like them in flat grey or black best!

OR if you have COMPLETELY lost your mind you could self harm yourself with one of these - www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2321131.htm

[LuS1fer]

A female colleague has a basic 500 and I was surprised just how nice it was inside. Looks pretty solid to me. Still not a small car externally though. I look up to them in my old Golf III.