The New Fiat 500 Abarth (only) Thread | FerrariChat

The New Fiat 500 Abarth (only) Thread

Discussion in 'Other Italian' started by dave80gtsi, Apr 29, 2013.

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  1. dave80gtsi

    dave80gtsi Formula 3
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    #1 dave80gtsi, Apr 29, 2013
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    The Abarth is a niche car within the current Fiat 500 line, and after 128 (!!) pages of general Fiat 500 discussion in the other generic 500 thread, I think that it's time to break the Abarth out for a separate dedicated thread of its own.

    Over the weekend I picked up my new 2013 Abarth Cabrio, and I absolutely love it.

    For the record, I paid $3000 below MSRP at my dealer. I'd like to hear from others as to whether this was a smokin' deal, or if this is pretty much standard.

    Pictures (taken by the dealer) are enclosed.

    Cheers - DM
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  2. Ira Schwartz

    Ira Schwartz Formula 3
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    Looks great- use it well!
    Speaking of Abarths, I was notified today that Fiat wants to come to my house and shoot a video of me and my car for their FIAT Snapshots series. Sounds like it could be fun. Apparently my story of ordering a grigio Abarth daily driver to match my grigio Ferrari resonated with their PR people.
     
  3. trumpet77

    trumpet77 Formula 3

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    #3 trumpet77, Apr 30, 2013
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  4. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #4 joker57676, Apr 30, 2013
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  5. dave80gtsi

    dave80gtsi Formula 3
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    Anyone done this track program yet?
     
  6. trumpet77

    trumpet77 Formula 3

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    I'm planning on doing the Abarth Experience in Joliet in August, should be a blast to drive someone else's Abarth! From what I've read on the Fiat forums, it's a fun time, but not strictly an all out track day, so depending on your previous driving experience, be realistic.

    Have now done one SCCA autocrss with the Abarth and that was really fun, never having done it before. In the Novice class I finished 5th out of 11 drivers, various makes, can't wait to do it again.
     
  7. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #7 WILLIAM H, May 2, 2013
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  8. dave80gtsi

    dave80gtsi Formula 3
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    For those of you who already have a number of miles on their Abarths, are there any things that we new owners should keep an eye on?

    Cheers - DM
     
  9. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    I'm a little over 9k on my Abarth. I haven't had even a hiccup. The first oil change will come a whole lot quicker than the 8k miles listed in the manual, but subsequent oil changes should be about 8k miles apart unless you're really beating on it. Per my dealer, this is expected. Have fun with it. I get tons of looks, smiles, thumbs up, waves, and compliments anywhere I go. I even had a crowd of bikers surround the car at a gas station all stating how much they liked it. It seems like all other Fiat owners honk and/or wave when you see each other on the road too. It's neat.


    Mark
     
  10. trumpet77

    trumpet77 Formula 3

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    Just over 11,000 on mine, have done one oil change/tire rotation. For the 2013 Abarths, the manual recommends just changing oil when the dash light tells you too, since it's partly based on how you drive. Regardless, no more than 10,000 miles is what they say.

    I thought the hill-assist feature was kind of corny, but use it! After being stuck at a stop light on a very steep hill up in Asheville NC, that convinced me to turn it on!

    You might want to experiment with different gas, since they recommend premium but state that regular is fine. I've had no difference in mileage on mine, so usually go with the cheaper gas.

    Just adjust those mirrors to deal with the blind spots and use the extra side mirrors and be safe!
     
  11. rob lay

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    #11 rob lay, May 3, 2013
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  12. Ira Schwartz

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    Only 5,000 miles so far, but completely bullet-proof at this early juncture. Certainly seems better-built than any of the other Italian cars I've owned, including 4 Ferraris.
     
  13. ScuderiaWithStickPlease

    ScuderiaWithStickPlease F1 World Champ

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    Qs for the Abarthers:

    -- I've repeatedly read that the car has almost no torque steer, at least not on smooth roads. Is this true? Even under max acceleration?

    -- How's the lag?

    -- Has anyone upgraded the engine? If so, how, and what was the effect on, you guessed it, torque steer and lag?

    My thanks in advance.
     
  14. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
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    12,000 miles and no issues at all, well I am on my 3rd set of tires! :D

    Did I mention I have fun in this car. :D
     
  15. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
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    Very little torque steer and just a small bit of lag.

    I have the Marelli boost controller and the car dynoed at 183 at the wheels (dynojet)
    I just got my hands on a used turbo and I'm going to send it to my turbo guy to see if he can improve on it.
     
  16. ScuderiaWithStickPlease

    ScuderiaWithStickPlease F1 World Champ

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    Cool.

    I'm seeing salvage Abarths with no miles on them going for very little. And they seem tough given their dimensions. A little elbow grease and we might have a cheap daily that's a blast.
     
  17. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
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    It's a cheap daily right off the showroom floor!
     
  18. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    I had a compliment on the Abarth today that was hilarious. I was down in Chicago for the night and stayed at the Sheraton just off of Navy Pier. I get my car from valet this morning and a really large African-American man gets out. He was probably 6'4" or maybe a little taller and probably 270-280lbs, very muscular (I don't know how he even fit in the damn thing, it looked like a clown car next to him). He says to me as he I start walking over to the car, "Come over here I want to tell you something about this car. It's small....but it's sexxxxayyyy as hell!!!" The way he said it with the biggest smile on his face was just a scream. Probably 8-10 other people around couldn't stop laughing.


    Mark
     
  19. schumacherf2006

    schumacherf2006 F1 Veteran
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    Mark do you drive yours daily?
     
  20. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Yes. It's my one and only car (unless you count my wife's car).


    Mark
     
  21. schumacherf2006

    schumacherf2006 F1 Veteran
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    Very good. I have been wanting to test drive one soon
     
  22. desmomini

    desmomini F1 Rookie
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    #22 desmomini, May 7, 2013
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    I just clocked over 16,000 in my first year. Several trips from SC to NJ, and quite a few back and forth from Charlotte to Charleston. Just did my third oil change, other than that, I've had to add some air to the tires. What a great car!
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  23. ScuderiaWithStickPlease

    ScuderiaWithStickPlease F1 World Champ

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    It sure is. But given what I put dailies through, from the roads I drive to where I need to park, how often and when, I shoot for cars that I don't mind seeing a good deal of urban patina on. (I've always wanted to paint a car just to get a feel for the process. A rolled Abarth may be the ideal candidate.)
     
  24. dave80gtsi

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    #24 dave80gtsi, May 17, 2013
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  25. trumpet77

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    That trio is just great! Would love to find a little X and Ferrari too!
     

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