Stilo Abarth 5M, any opinions?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
The GF needed a new car, and fancied a stilo, so ive spent the last week looking into them. We ended up picking up a 1.6 3 door for her, but the abarth has piqued my interest, specifically the 5M manual version, as i dont fancy a selespeed-gamble. They can be had for a little over shed money, and the 2.4 lump should be a lot of fun, not exactly a 3.2 busso, but at a quarter of the price of a 147 GTA, who's complaining?
The one thing that worries me a bit is that after driving both the stilo, and my own boggo spec 147, the alfa clearly handles much better/sharper, and is a much more involved drive (as in, i doubt ill ever enjoy hustling the 1.6 stilo up a backroad). Is the Abarth any better? If it handles less then a boggo spec 147 im affraid the engine wont be enough to make me forget the alfa, point and squirt driving only gets you so far.
The GF needed a new car, and fancied a stilo, so ive spent the last week looking into them. We ended up picking up a 1.6 3 door for her, but the abarth has piqued my interest, specifically the 5M manual version, as i dont fancy a selespeed-gamble. They can be had for a little over shed money, and the 2.4 lump should be a lot of fun, not exactly a 3.2 busso, but at a quarter of the price of a 147 GTA, who's complaining?
The one thing that worries me a bit is that after driving both the stilo, and my own boggo spec 147, the alfa clearly handles much better/sharper, and is a much more involved drive (as in, i doubt ill ever enjoy hustling the 1.6 stilo up a backroad). Is the Abarth any better? If it handles less then a boggo spec 147 im affraid the engine wont be enough to make me forget the alfa, point and squirt driving only gets you so far.
I had a Stilo Abarth for a while when I needed a cheapish car, but wanted something vaguely interesting. I liked how well kitted out it was and it felt solidly built. It had dual zone climate control and even an air conditioned section in the glovebox to keep drinks cool (easily pleased!).
I did about 30k miles in it and the only problem I had with it was the fuel gauge went a bit mad. It didn't used to go back to empty when the ignition was switched off, so tried to keep going further to the right each time it was restarted until it was off the scale and hitting the edge of the pod. I got quite swift at whipping the dial pod out and putting gauge back to the left.
All in it served me well, had decent torque, would cruise easily and looked smart in black with 17" wheels and a leather interior.
I did about 30k miles in it and the only problem I had with it was the fuel gauge went a bit mad. It didn't used to go back to empty when the ignition was switched off, so tried to keep going further to the right each time it was restarted until it was off the scale and hitting the edge of the pod. I got quite swift at whipping the dial pod out and putting gauge back to the left.
All in it served me well, had decent torque, would cruise easily and looked smart in black with 17" wheels and a leather interior.
Thanks! (i found the airconned cubby on my GFs car a few days ago, she was surprised and probably thought it was quite pointless)
Any comments on handling? That is my main concern as that is probably the make or break factor. The Stilo seems like a decent car to live with, just not up to par with my current 147 imho, if the abarth doesnt handle as well, the engine alone probably wont be enough to make me consider switching up
Any comments on handling? That is my main concern as that is probably the make or break factor. The Stilo seems like a decent car to live with, just not up to par with my current 147 imho, if the abarth doesnt handle as well, the engine alone probably wont be enough to make me consider switching up
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