Abarth....holy shiet!!!!
 

So last weekend I was hanging out with my buddy that owns a 600hp track built Porsche 944T and we were putputting around Long Island. We came across a Fiat dealer, and I said "you know, I really want to check this car out." I was thinking of picking up a toy for the wife, so we said what the hell, and went in.

After playing with the showroom cars for a while (built superbly) I asked the dealer if it was possible to test drive one. He threw me the keys to a 500 cabrio manual and off we went. Tooled around a few B roads, and had a good time. We came back, and I told the dealer my wife will definitely love it. The dealer is a young guy, so he says "you know, you might want to try the Abarth." I said, well, twist my arm why don't you...keys in hand, off I went.

My word is that thing fun. I mean, TONS of fun. I haven't had this much fun in a car since I got my s2000 back in the day. Even my friend with the Porsche was grinning ear to ear. The sound was incredible. I really fell in love with it. I really think come spring time, I will add this thing to the stable. Jay Leno is right....it is FAR more fun to drive a "slow" car fast than a fast car fast.

Anyone else love the little thing?

Couldn't agree more. For me the Abarth is like a Cooper S plus bonus points. Really a great little car...

Fiat hack your account? lol

IDK if you have been in a Mini Cooper, but is it true that the Fiat interior feels larger? Because it is def. a smaller car.

too bad it looks like ass death

I think its even better. It's much cheaper and the build and performance is almost on part. The cooper handles a bit better, but throw some coilovers on the Abarth and it's game over. The Cooper is FAR more expensive.

Thats what they say. I didn't have any issues in the front (although if you get the sunroof, you lose headroom. For anyone over 6'1" that might be an issue. I sat in the back seat with the front seat in my driving position, and it was tight, but usable. I wouldn't want to do a cross country trip in it, but to ride with your friends to grab a bite is completely doable.

To each their own I guess. I think it looks fantastic.

http://media.il.edmunds-media.com/fi..._60512_717.jpg

Trading in my ZHP around next September... probably going to get an Abarth or Cooper S Coupe... either that or a Jeep Wrangler. Depends if I'll be staying in Jersey for the foreseeable future or not.

Loving the Wrangler but I've always been a fan of smaller coupes.

Wait for the esseesse package.

LOVE the 500 line and definitely the Abarth.

Watch the reviews online. It already has a ton of power for a FWD lightweight package. IMHO, more power will make it worse, and this is also the consensus on the forums as well. 200hp would be the max you can stick in it before it becomes undrivable. The essesse kit will be 200hp when it arrives. In Europe they will have the Venom which is a 200hp kit. IMHO, this car feels perfect with the 160hp and 170tq. You can easily smoke the tires.

Every time I see one make a turn, they're chirping the tires. Either those cars come with some shi-ty azzed tires, or they have enough torque to be a blast to drive. After your review, I may have to wander into the dealer and find out.

Oddly I have a Wrangler. However, there are times where I wish I can attack the back roads in my daily. My s2000 is far too hardcore now to daily drive, and as a result, most of the year it sits in the garage. This thing put a smile on my face ear to ear. I don't think there is another car for 22k that can plaster that kind of smile on your face, not even the Miata.

For the price the gas mileage and fun in a small package seems absolutely worth it. I personally love the styling, it has that Euro feel that I really like.

The only problem I have are potholes in NJ/NYC... I drive frequently in both areas and my 18's on the ZHP suffered badly over the years, worried this car would get wrecked if I accidently hit one.

true, but it just looks like a beetle, cooper, and smart car had a three some.

Dude I'm from NY too. I know about the potholes and door dings. That is why I have a wrangler on big tires, 15" wheels and steel bumpers and rock rails. I got tired of having my cars dented and my tires popped. The wrangler allowed me to keep my sports cars for fun only, and not subject them to the abuse of the tristate area.

True, but the results are fantastic! It is the bastard child turned supermodel. IMHO, it looks better than them all. It took the best genes from them all and came out a nice package.:lmao:

Its a fun little car.

It got popular very fast, I see so dozens on campus nowdays...seems like the girls are trading in their 328's and getting into this! I do like the look of them, they have potential.

yes, the fun factor is very good!

yuck. i hate stubby-front-end cars

looks like it'd be fun to test-drive though