Stilo Abarth Chat...

[markie76]

Hi Guys,

Would be greatful if anyone can answer the following queries....

I have been eyeing up the Stilo Abarth as its a great looking car loaded with toys, however,

1. Why did they stop making Stilos?
2. Another website decribed the model as a 'failed' car - whats a failed car?
3. Were all the extras fitted in the abarth (sat nav/lcd dash display)available on lower models?
4. Whats the next best alternative Stilo model to the 20v Abarth? 1.9 JTD/1.8 16V?

Thanks,

Mark.

[V6Alfisti]

Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

But the Stilo was never the greatest car, and I think Abarth in these times was just a badging exercise...whilst the current range are more dedicated to the cause.

[chris.mapey]

markie76 said:

1. Why did they stop making Stilos?

As I understand it the range was "streamlined" to concentrate on the best sellers in 2006, and production stopped in 2007 when the Bravo came along...

markie76 said:

2. Another website described the model as a 'failed' car - whats a failed car?

It didn't sell well enough for Fiat - they predicted at it's launch that it would take on the Golf & Focus...nuff said

markie76 said:

3. Were all the extras fitted in the abarth (sat nav/lcd dash display)available on lower models?

The Sporting / Active Sport have a monochrome version of the dashboard display between the dials, but the full satnav / connect set up was standard on the Abarth only. As most Fiats are sold on price, no dealer I can think of would order a lower spec car with the full nav system for stock, so the sumvers sold would be very small...

markie76 said:

4. Whats the next best alternative Stilo model to the 20v Abarth? 1.9 JTD/1.8 16V?

The 1.9JTD is great, but not a patch on the punch of the 20v Abarth Stilo.

Check the seating position - I never managed to get comfortable in a Stilo (I used to sell 'em) as the seat height adjuster moves the base of the seat up and down, but leaves the backrest at the original height - this means that the lumber support os in the wrong place

Also - DO NOT BUY A SELESPEED - An exaggeration perhaps, but every Fiat dealer runs a mile from these cars, as the gearbox is a pain to set up, and as soon as it's set uip, it'll go wrong again. (One of the technicians where I worked described them as "giving owners the authentic italian supercar experience" - meaning the are a pelican (always have a big bill attached

There are good ones out there, and I love the drive of them, but the only way to reliably tell if it's a good one is to buy it & start praying

Hope that helps

Chris

[markie76]

Hi Chris,

Thank you for your comprehensive reply.

I've been looking for a couple of weeks now and not yet seen a manual Stilo abarth. Earlier today I was sitting in traffic and thinking about how cool semi auto paddle shift would be, and as I currently only drive 2-3 times a week I might be prepared to take a chance if I come across a decent priced one.

When I heard the Stilo described as a failed car I thought perhaps some major flaw was discovered and thus discontinued. If it was for streamlining the product line then I'm more comfortable with that.

Presumably spare part availability is not an issue?

Problem is I haven't prayed for years so might start going to church to get in some practise

Mark.

Edited by markie76 on Saturday 1st March 12:55