Fiat bravo 150 vs Abarth 500

[junaid8]

Hi, I am considering buying a Abarth 500 or Fiat Bravo (150) both with the T-jet engines. What I love about the Abarth 500 is the intoxicating noise the thing produces. Just wanted to know what are the main differences between the two vehicles despite having the same engines? Does the Bravo sound similar to the Abarth, if not can the Bravo be modified to sound very similar to the Abarth?

Would also appreciate anybody with expereince with any of these cars to chime in with their opinions, thanks.

[Mr Peel]

Mrs Peel's daily is a Bravo 150T. It goes pretty well, but I certainly wouldn't describe the noise as intoxicating.
Mind you it's a lot of car for the money now. Factory 18in rims look the best but the ride is pretty bad on them.

[BristolRich]

What's the comparator for the Abarth? There are numerous standard mods and exhaust options which alter the characteristics of the car...

If you are going on sound alone then there is a distinct difference between the standard "double shot" (Deep Burble) and "Monza" (Coarse Rasp/ Bypass flap) exhaust.

The standard 135 had different panel filter to that fitted to the 160 Esseesse and 595 models and arguably may sound different.

The later 180 595 will sound different again due to the swap of the IHI turbo to a Garratt unit (more low frequency whistle).

695 and Bipostos are different beasts altogether thanks to significantly different engine set ups...Different exhausts to the others above...

[junaid8]

Am I correct in thinking that the Bravo uses the same 1.4 T-jet engine in the Abarth vehicles?

[BristolRich]

Yes but in different states of tune.

[ecsrobin]

Same engine but so many variables. I have a 180bhp 595 with Monza exhaust and it sounds completely different to the next model down which doesn't run the Monza. I'd imagine the old 500 Competizione with Monza sounds different to mine.