Fiat 500 Abarth as a track day car?
Discussion
I've had all sorts of track cars. Last one was a Clio 182 Cup, although I think it might have been closer to 200 judging by the receipts. It was also my second favourite after a '96 Elise, but ahead of a 205, Boxster S, E30, E46 and a Westfield. Other than the Elise, a common issue was brakes. Finally sorted the Clio with ex-race calipers and Carbon Lorraines as well as 4" diameter vent tubing plumbed in via the foglamp holes...
... and got one track day in before the pandemic hit, and sold it during one of the lockdown lifts.
The other common factor was getting caught in the spiral of upgrades. Other than the seemingly-mapped Clio and mildly-warmed E30, no power-related mods, just brakes, then tyres, then suspension, then two sets of wheels and tyres, then adjustable this-that-and-the-other, and, to be frank, it all became a bit like racing with all the prep the weekend before, and the junk I took with me, and actually not that enjoyable in the end.
So I'm looking at simplifying it all as much as possible: brake pads, brake fluid, front tyres, minor maintenance, fire-and-forget. Question is which car? 500 Abarths look like good value, and Fiats generally unburstable. Wife has a boggo 500, but I've never driven an Abarth, so really looking for somebody's direct experience trackdaying one.
Budget? I'm determined to operate on funding it from the sale of other stuff, in this case a couple of my bikes, so probably £3,000 for purchase and minor mods.
... and got one track day in before the pandemic hit, and sold it during one of the lockdown lifts.
The other common factor was getting caught in the spiral of upgrades. Other than the seemingly-mapped Clio and mildly-warmed E30, no power-related mods, just brakes, then tyres, then suspension, then two sets of wheels and tyres, then adjustable this-that-and-the-other, and, to be frank, it all became a bit like racing with all the prep the weekend before, and the junk I took with me, and actually not that enjoyable in the end.
So I'm looking at simplifying it all as much as possible: brake pads, brake fluid, front tyres, minor maintenance, fire-and-forget. Question is which car? 500 Abarths look like good value, and Fiats generally unburstable. Wife has a boggo 500, but I've never driven an Abarth, so really looking for somebody's direct experience trackdaying one.
Budget? I'm determined to operate on funding it from the sale of other stuff, in this case a couple of my bikes, so probably £3,000 for purchase and minor mods.
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
You've had a fair few then, & seem to like changing cars. Is this another 'itch to scratch'?! Lighter cars will have best P.T.W ratio, & be lighter on consumables to help keep costs down.
That budget doesn't seem that high for a 'modern' car. Lowest Fiat 500 Abarth on this site is nearly £4k & 136k miles. Autotrader is £3500 & 100k miles.
Have you tried looking at the Abarth forums to see if they've done any track days, or been to a local meet to talk to anyone? They may also have cars already part track prepped advertised, so you can speak to owners direct.
Must be those on Youtube who have posted Trackday videos & their experiences etc. Do Fiat UK do any sponsored/open track days now? - I see StefABtv on Youtube seems to be doing one 6 years ago, but times & track availability changes.
Thanks for the observations. Useful idea and research prompts.That budget doesn't seem that high for a 'modern' car. Lowest Fiat 500 Abarth on this site is nearly £4k & 136k miles. Autotrader is £3500 & 100k miles.
Have you tried looking at the Abarth forums to see if they've done any track days, or been to a local meet to talk to anyone? They may also have cars already part track prepped advertised, so you can speak to owners direct.
Must be those on Youtube who have posted Trackday videos & their experiences etc. Do Fiat UK do any sponsored/open track days now? - I see StefABtv on Youtube seems to be doing one 6 years ago, but times & track availability changes.
I raced, then did some track days, then raced again, then karted, then instructed, then did track days again, then karted. We're talking 40+ years. Kept each track day car two or three years with some gaps between.
It's not an itch as such, I just rotate between two wheels and four, and tinkering and driving. I'm now in a track day frame of mind. An Abarth has come on to my radar which has piqued my interest, although I'm still considering a Clio. I quite like the idea of something that makes up time in the corners, though.
porterpainter said:
Not a Fiat, but I bought a 2016 Suzuki swift sport with 38k miles for £2.5k. It was from copart due to a rear 3/4 ding. Spent less than 500 fixing it up. Usually one of the slowest on track but good fun and very much just turn up and drive.
Now that sounds offbeat and interesting, with some equally interesting test reviews...Cambs_Stuart said:
There's a reason you can rent them for Nürburgring sessions...
I've got a clio 172 which has been fantastic over the years. I can drive it to the day, do 200 miles on track and drive it home again. Then the next day take my son to school in it.
It's not the fastest thing (by a long way), but it's light, mechanically simple, really fun to drive, fairly cheap on fuel and consumables, and there is lots of spares support. It can also really fly through a corner.
Yes, I think as I mentioned earlier I had a 182. Fantastic car, but ear defenders crucial (at least in mine...) at motorway speeds.I've got a clio 172 which has been fantastic over the years. I can drive it to the day, do 200 miles on track and drive it home again. Then the next day take my son to school in it.
It's not the fastest thing (by a long way), but it's light, mechanically simple, really fun to drive, fairly cheap on fuel and consumables, and there is lots of spares support. It can also really fly through a corner.
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