Fiat Abarth usedbuyers guide
Discussion
Have my eye on getting an Abarth as a spare car to run around in and for guests when they are in town. Test drove one back in 2015 briefly when buying the 4C and remember the seating position feeling like I was sitting on top of the car. This will be the first mod I’d look into.
There are a few high milers on the market with 40,000-80,000 on the clock going for £4k-£5.5k. They seem mechanically simple but are high milers worth a punt or is it asking for trouble? I’d say 8,000-10,000 a year would be going on it over in L.A. Mercifully no bad weather to contend with either. They weren’t sold in the U.S until 2012 so that’s the starting year there.
Had a look through the PH Abarth buying guide but it had very little info in the article. Any insights, running costs, essential mod advice from owners would be much appreciated.
There are a few high milers on the market with 40,000-80,000 on the clock going for £4k-£5.5k. They seem mechanically simple but are high milers worth a punt or is it asking for trouble? I’d say 8,000-10,000 a year would be going on it over in L.A. Mercifully no bad weather to contend with either. They weren’t sold in the U.S until 2012 so that’s the starting year there.
Had a look through the PH Abarth buying guide but it had very little info in the article. Any insights, running costs, essential mod advice from owners would be much appreciated.
Finally got around to testing a few today. Found a 2014 with sensible miles, good condition apart from a cracked rear light cover, driver’s side skirt coming away a little just behind the door and the rubber trim just behind the A-pillar crumbling away. Bar that it looks good and the test drive didn’t throw up any major warnings etc.
Any essential mods/upgrades eequired for one of these? ECU for a little extra kick? The gear knob size/shape felt very awkward so that’s going in the bin immediately.
Any essential mods/upgrades eequired for one of these? ECU for a little extra kick? The gear knob size/shape felt very awkward so that’s going in the bin immediately.
Thanks for that.
Zipped down to the LA HQ of 500Madness. Had a few ideas of what I wanted but wanted to talk to them to see what might work best to turn up the wick for city use.
They fitted a GoPedal to the car and had me to go for a spin. The throttle response was transformed and I bought it on the spot. A few more upgrades in mind including short shifter, head unit upgrade -!: steering wheel spacer as my long legs are getting jammed against the console and turning right has my hand stuck between my leg and the wheel if I move the seat forward a little. Will think about an ECU upgrade after a week or so with the GoPedal as so far in the city it feels a lot better.
Zipped down to the LA HQ of 500Madness. Had a few ideas of what I wanted but wanted to talk to them to see what might work best to turn up the wick for city use.
They fitted a GoPedal to the car and had me to go for a spin. The throttle response was transformed and I bought it on the spot. A few more upgrades in mind including short shifter, head unit upgrade -!: steering wheel spacer as my long legs are getting jammed against the console and turning right has my hand stuck between my leg and the wheel if I move the seat forward a little. Will think about an ECU upgrade after a week or so with the GoPedal as so far in the city it feels a lot better.
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