Abarth 500, why does nobody buy them?

[caelite]

Hey folks

As per title have been looking at them since seeing a local lad with one that makes a really fruity noise (for a 4cyl). They seem really rare compared to say a Mini Cooper S, or Fiesta.

However the sum of its parts on paper look to be a very good car, tips the scale at under 1ton, something people seem to hail the likes of the Swift Sport & Up GTI for, however unlike those two with their warm hatch 100-140hp, the 500 is available with a full jnr hot hatch 180hp. It seems looking at the small hot hatches everything else seems to fall either 40hp short or be 200kg heavier.

Do they drive like crap? Is the gearbox sloppy? (I know Fiat boxes have a rep for this), are the financing deals crap? Genuinely curious why they are seldom seen compared to their competitors.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Wrong brad name. FIAT has no cache when dropping it at the pub.

[lyonspride]

caelite said:

Hey folks

As per title have been looking at them since seeing a local lad with one that makes a really fruity noise (for a 4cyl). They seem really rare compared to say a Mini Cooper S, or Fiesta.

However the sum of its parts on paper look to be a very good car, tips the scale at under 1ton, something people seem to hail the likes of the Swift Sport & Up GTI for, however unlike those two with their warm hatch 100-140hp, the 500 is available with a full jnr hot hatch 180hp. It seems looking at the small hot hatches everything else seems to fall either 40hp short or be 200kg heavier.

Do they drive like crap? Is the gearbox sloppy? (I know Fiat boxes have a rep for this), are the financing deals crap? Genuinely curious why they are seldom seen compared to their competitors.

The Abarth 500 could be the best car on the planet and I wouldn't buy one, Fiat 500 are trendy small hatchbacks typically driven by young pretty faced and low IQ office girls, who never wear the same clothes twice, treat work as a fashion show, and whose only employment purpose is a bit of totty for some sad middle aged manager to try to bed.

[Jim the Sunderer]

I suspect the lads it's aimed towards are buying cars designed in this decade.

[mike9009]

lyonspride said:

The Abarth 500 could be the best car on the planet and I wouldn't buy one, Fiat 500 are trendy small hatchbacks typically driven by young pretty faced and low IQ office girls, who never wear the same clothes twice, treat work as a fashion show, and whose only employment purpose is a bit of totty for some sad middle aged manager to try to bed.

[Grrbang]

https://youtu.be/q2zRmgjry5w

Haven’t driven it but have seen this review. Fun, but engineered by fiat chrysler!

I’ve had a modern fiat and had a similar experience. It was stuff like leaking sunroof, seat folding levers, brake master cylinder.... Engine started to feel ropey after 40k miles despite proper servicing since new. Felt older than its years by the time I sold it at 50k miles.

If that’s ok, they are a good drivers car

[Boosted LS1]

lyonspride said:

caelite said:

Hey folks

As per title have been looking at them since seeing a local lad with one that makes a really fruity noise (for a 4cyl). They seem really rare compared to say a Mini Cooper S, or Fiesta.

However the sum of its parts on paper look to be a very good car, tips the scale at under 1ton, something people seem to hail the likes of the Swift Sport & Up GTI for, however unlike those two with their warm hatch 100-140hp, the 500 is available with a full jnr hot hatch 180hp. It seems looking at the small hot hatches everything else seems to fall either 40hp short or be 200kg heavier.

Do they drive like crap? Is the gearbox sloppy? (I know Fiat boxes have a rep for this), are the financing deals crap? Genuinely curious why they are seldom seen compared to their competitors.

The Abarth 500 could be the best car on the planet and I wouldn't buy one, Fiat 500 are trendy small hatchbacks typically driven by young pretty faced and low IQ office girls, who never wear the same clothes twice, treat work as a fashion show, and whose only employment purpose is a bit of totty for some sad middle aged manager to try to bed.

You may have a point. I've noticed slim chicks drive Fiats whilst the larger types drive chubby mini's.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Grrbang said:

https://youtu.be/q2zRmgjry5w

Haven’t driven it but have seen this review. Fun, but engineered by fiat chrysler!

I’ve had a modern fiat and had a similar experience. It was stuff like leaking sunroof, seat folding levers, brake master cylinder.... Engine started to feel ropey after 40k miles despite proper servicing since new. Felt older than its years by the time I sold it at 50k miles.

If that’s ok, they are a good drivers car

Linking to a Doug DeMuro video invalidates all arguments. The man is a moron, and knows nothing about cars or driving. "Hey, lets see what she can do" mashes throttle briefly on highway "HAHAHAHA! Whoa! Yeah, this is fast!"

"HAHAHAHA, look at these crazy cup holders!"

Edited by Funkstar De Luxe on Saturday 1st June 21:10

[stanglish]

Bad seating position and to a lesser degree the worry that it will fall to bits past 60k.

[bloomen]

Never driven one of these but every other Fiat I've ever driven was utterly risible compared the equivalent Ford.

[ezi]

I love them and we're on our 2nd one. The problem they have is the image because if someone asks what you drive all they hear is Fiat 500, they are not the best car in the segment by far but my word they are fun and put a smile on your face, excellent aftermarket options and one of the best owners club communities I've been a member of.

[lyonspride]

Boosted LS1 said:

lyonspride said:

caelite said:

Hey folks

As per title have been looking at them since seeing a local lad with one that makes a really fruity noise (for a 4cyl). They seem really rare compared to say a Mini Cooper S, or Fiesta.

However the sum of its parts on paper look to be a very good car, tips the scale at under 1ton, something people seem to hail the likes of the Swift Sport & Up GTI for, however unlike those two with their warm hatch 100-140hp, the 500 is available with a full jnr hot hatch 180hp. It seems looking at the small hot hatches everything else seems to fall either 40hp short or be 200kg heavier.

Do they drive like crap? Is the gearbox sloppy? (I know Fiat boxes have a rep for this), are the financing deals crap? Genuinely curious why they are seldom seen compared to their competitors.

The Abarth 500 could be the best car on the planet and I wouldn't buy one, Fiat 500 are trendy small hatchbacks typically driven by young pretty faced and low IQ office girls, who never wear the same clothes twice, treat work as a fashion show, and whose only employment purpose is a bit of totty for some sad middle aged manager to try to bed.

You may have a point. I've noticed slim chicks drive Fiats whilst the larger types drive chubby mini's.

Which means your going to be tailgated/bullied by every man and his dog, sure you can floor it and "show them", but then you'll quickly get to the point where your constantly driving like a tt.

[595Heaven]

Love mine, and genuinely couldn’t give a damn about what other people think. It makes me laugh. So much character.

The UK is the largest market for Abarth in Europe.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

bloomen said:

Never driven one of these but every other Fiat I've ever driven was utterly risible compared the equivalent Ford.

Risible - great word. For anyone as dim as me: arousing or provoking laughter

[Meridius]

They were popular-ish when they first came out no? But that was 2008.

Miss Lvl 2 Beauty Therapy just buys the normal Fiat 500, and thats their main customer.

And the girly stereotype puts off young lads who are all in the ST, VXR, M Sport yada yada

[Krikkit]

lyonspride said:

The Abarth 500 could be the best car on the planet and I wouldn't buy one, Fiat 500 are trendy small hatchbacks typically driven by young pretty faced and low IQ office girls, who never wear the same clothes twice, treat work as a fashion show, and whose only employment purpose is a bit of totty for some sad middle aged manager to try to bed.

PH stereotype bingo victory right there... What a load of guff

[derbyjim]

Saw my first 695 on the road today, it looked really nice and I’m finding the Abarth’s are looking more and more appealing. I’ll hand my man card in....


Just checked the 695 prices, starting from 33k.... wowsers!

[Integroo]

lyonspride said:

The Abarth 500 could be the best car on the planet and I wouldn't buy one, Fiat 500 are trendy small hatchbacks typically driven by young pretty faced and low IQ office girls, who never wear the same clothes twice, treat work as a fashion show, and whose only employment purpose is a bit of totty for some sad middle aged manager to try to bed.

Yet you are the one that gives a toss about what your car says about you and your manhood? Hmm

OP: I think the driving position is a problem- seats so high and if you're even a little tall (5'10ish or above) it is pretty cramped in there.

[Mercury00]

I wouldn't buy one solely because the ride is supposed to be horrific.

[Blib]

I bought one and I really enjoy driving it. Yes, the ride is harsh at times. But, it's a eager, lively little thing. Perfect for London traffic, it fits in the teeniest parking places.

Would I buy another? Nope. But, I'm enjoying owning it.

Oh, and I cant accurately be described as a pretty, little girly.