Driven: Fiat 500 Abarth

[MexicoCityM3]

I love the Abarth, but you should go test a MINI Cooper S as well before pulling the trigger. You should be able to get an excellent deal on an outgoing Cooper S or may love the new one.

[Raza]

That car in solid red is gorgeous.  I hope you get it.  I was seriously considering getting my beetle in red instead of black.  I think red cars attract more attention from LE so I passed but it does look cool.

What school are you going to?

Temple Law.

EDIT: I do want the red. And it's just coincidence that it's Temple's color.

[Raza]

I love the Abarth, but you should go test a MINI Cooper S as well before pulling the trigger. You should be able to get an excellent deal on an outgoing Cooper S or may love the new one.

I was looking at them, since Mini is pimping 13s hard with lease deals. But, they're impossible to find. And still noticeably more expensive. On price, the Abarth competes more closely to the base Cooper. As much as I want a Mini, I don't see it happening this time around.

[MexicoCityM3]

I was looking at them, since Mini is pimping 13s hard with lease deals. But, they're impossible to find. And still noticeably more expensive. On price, the Abarth competes more closely to the base Cooper. As much as I want a Mini, I don't see it happening this time around.

Here the Abarth costs as much as a mid-level Cooper S for some reason. At the price you're getting, yes, the Abarth is a total steal.

[Raza]

Here the Abarth costs as much as a mid-level Cooper S for some reason. At the price you're getting, yes, the Abarth is a total steal.

I'm willing to admit that the Cooper S may very well be slightly sharper, but I have one hell of a hard time believing it. I've driven some great FWD cars, and I think this is the best one.

[Raza]

Dealership came back with 17K. Looks like this is going to happen. Red!

[ifcar]

Have you driven it on the streets yet?

[Raza]

Have you driven it on the streets yet?

Nope.  Not sure it'd change my opinion; pretty much every car sold today is more comfortable than my Z4.  Only issue would be the light throttle in first, but I could get used to that, I'm sure. 

Might be worth a go though, I do see your point. 

[Rupert]

I am seriously considering test driving one. Seems like my kind of car. How are accommodations for tall people?

[2o6]

I am seriously considering test driving one. Seems like my kind of car. How are accommodations for tall people?

It's really airy, and seating position is very upright.

[TBR]

Dealership came back with 17K. Looks like this is going to happen. Red!

Well that's absurd. Wow.

I personally found the driving position really awkward.

[Laconian]

The airiness of the cabin made it feel a bit like a phone booth, but I thought the seating position was OK.

[Laconian]

So with this and the Z4, I'm awaiting Raza's coming out thread.

[Payman]

So with this and the Z4, I'm awaiting Raza's coming out thread.

[Raza]

So with this and the Z4, I'm awaiting Raza's coming out thread.

Unfortunately, no. I love tha pussy, as gay rapper Alpa Chino would say.

Since when is the Z4 a gay car? I mean, my gay neighbor loves it, but so does everyone else.

[Raza]

Well that's absurd. Wow.

I personally found the driving position really awkward.

It's SUV like compared to the Z4, but the controls are spaced properly for the chair. It's not like old Mustangs where you could never get a good driving position if you were a normally shaped human.

[Raza]

I am seriously considering test driving one. Seems like my kind of car. How are accommodations for tall people?

How tall are you? I had tons of room--the Abarth doesn't have a sunroof available, I don't think (the only thing I don't like about the car)--but I'm only 5'8".

[MrH]

"Hmmmm, my Z4 isn't practical.  I need a practical car...Fiat Abarth.  Nailed it."

Also, there are 18, 2013 Abarth Coupes within 20 miles of me, over half of which are all at one dealer.  How many are near you?  If this place has 13 on their lot, I gotta imagine they're pretty desperate.

[Raza]

"Hmmmm, my Z4 isn't practical.  I need a practical car...Fiat Abarth.  Nailed it."

Also, there are 18, 2013 Abarth Coupes within 20 miles of me, over half of which are all at one dealer.  How many are near you?  If this place has 13 on their lot, I gotta imagine they're pretty desperate.

There are about two dozen within the immediate area, I think.

[Raza]

"Hmmmm, my Z4 isn't practical.  I need a practical car...Fiat Abarth.  Nailed it."

Also, there are 18, 2013 Abarth Coupes within 20 miles of me, over half of which are all at one dealer.  How many are near you?  If this place has 13 on their lot, I gotta imagine they're pretty desperate.

Also, the Abarth is plenty practical for what I need. City maneuverability, parking, gas mileage, relative trunk space, and FWD; plus, it doesn't stick out as an expensive car when I need to park it in neighborhoods where the Z4 would make me a target. And, it doesn't feel like a penalty box, like most cars in it's price range. Remember, I don't live in the suburbs, so I don't need to haul things.

[MrH]

I think I'm going to go test drive one of these 2013 just to see what all the hoopla is about.  Maybe when the 2015's are on the lot, I'll float a $13,000 offer at them

[2o6]

With an attitude like that, you probably won't like it

[ifcar]

Nope.  Not sure it'd change my opinion; pretty much every car sold today is more comfortable than my Z4.  Only issue would be the light throttle in first, but I could get used to that, I'm sure. 

Might be worth a go though, I do see your point.

In addition to comfort levels, the other thing is how enjoyable the car is to drive in ordinary traffic. Some cars are downright dull when you don't have a chance to push them hard.

Not saying this is the case, of course -- just something to be aware of and test out.

[MrH]

In addition to comfort levels, the other thing is how enjoyable the car is to drive in ordinary traffic. Some cars are downright dull when you don't have a chance to push them hard.

Not saying this is the case, of course -- just something to be aware of and test out.

Just curious:  Have you driven one?  Thoughts?  You probably consider these things a lot more than Raza

[ifcar]

Just curious:  Have you driven one?  Thoughts?  You probably consider these things a lot more than Raza

I haven't -- haven't even driven a regular 500, actually. I probably should.

[Raza]

Just curious:  Have you driven one?  Thoughts?  You probably consider these things a lot more than Raza

Yeah, your basic, normal person concerns aren't really the first things on my mind.  My roommate and I were talking about it this morning and I just said "Yeah, comfort and safety don't really matter to me much", as I drove to work with the top down in the rain.   

[2o6]

It's fine in traffic; the steering is still light enough to be manouverable, and the clutch/shifter combo are workable in traffic.

[Raza]

Hmm, the Abarth does have a sunroof available.  Might not be able to be picky, but I'll look around.

EDIT:  The one nearest my house has one.  But it's black, not red.  However, I'd gladly give up the color for the sunroof.  Found a gray one with a sunroof in Manhattan.

[68_427]

I wanna drive one so bad.  I love these things.

[CJ]

The sunroof has a mesh shade. Be warned.