The New Fiat 500 Abarth (only) Thread | Page 18 | FerrariChat

The New Fiat 500 Abarth (only) Thread

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

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. sjmst

    sjmst F1 Veteran Lifetime Rossa

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2003
    Messages:
    9,854
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    Sam
    17" winter tires worked fine for me.
     
  2. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2005
    Messages:
    23,767
    Location:
    Sin City
    Full Name:
    Deplorie McDeplorableface
    I bought a light set of 17s shod with Pirelli snow tires for winter driving in Milwaukee. They worked great. Lots of people were very surprised at how the little car handled the snow.



    Mark
     
  3. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2000
    Messages:
    63,963
    Location:
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    Jennie is going to sell hers, but think we're just going to basically give to friend at wholesale.
     
  4. PaulK

    PaulK F1 Rookie Silver Subscribed

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2004
    Messages:
    4,781
    Location:
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Paul
    I need to get a winter beater. I love the car too much to drive it in the snow.

    Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
     
  5. Rags747

    Rags747 Formula Junior

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2005
    Messages:
    277
    Location:
    New York
    Full Name:
    Matt
    Yes, standard 17's are summer only so went to 16's for the winter with obviously 4 new wheels. Just figured I would like a little more sidewall for winter driving + I think they are a little bit narrower but I would have to check that. Tirerack had the Pirelli's I wanted along with an assortment of wheels, pkg price was pretty cheap.

    I can change all four in about 45min, two wheels off the ground at the same time. I'm about to do this again mid to late Oct.
     
  6. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2001
    Messages:
    33,107
    Location:
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Snike Fingersmith
    I might be looking at a used one for a commuter car. Any big known issues with the Abarths in particular? Comments on the C vs the hardtop?
     
  7. umsneeze

    umsneeze Formula Junior

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2004
    Messages:
    449
    Location:
    Knoxville, TN
    I have a 500 hardtop and a Abarth convertible. I really like the folding top. It slides back just over the front seats or further back over the rear seats. Or you can fold it all the way down. All the way down and you can drive with the windows up. If it's partway back you have to crack a window open so you don't get sunroof thrumming.

    Makes for a nice convertible experience. The downside is that when fully rolled back rear visibility is nil. And the rear hatch on the hard top becomes a small opening on the converible which really cuts into storage.

    I think if it were a daily car the hardtop would be better. But a fun weekend toy I'd go convertible.

    I took my wife, 10 year old daughter, and dog over the tail of the dragon in out Abarth. Top down around sunset and it was great fun for everyone. Had barely enough for our 3 duffel bags though.
     
  8. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2000
    Messages:
    63,963
    Location:
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    Greg and Stephanie have first opportunity for ours at wholesale, but I can add you third. Won't be more than $10k. If wholesale on them less than that we'll come down. Retail appears to be $12-14k. You and Ashley can drive tonight, but you won't come back because they are so much fun. :) I was showing Jennie's ex-roomates husband the cars and said Jennie's was the best sounding and most fun driving of all!
     
  9. Ira Schwartz

    Ira Schwartz Formula 3 Silver Subscribed

    Joined:
    May 20, 2003
    Messages:
    2,000
    Location:
    Brooklandville, MD
    Full Name:
    Ira Schwartz
    Coupe with a sunroof was my choice, since at $1K extra it was much less expensive than the convertible and a good compromise. I use it almost year-round (with the back tipped open), which wouldn't be the case with the convertible.
     
  10. 360Tom

    360Tom Formula 3

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    Messages:
    1,396
    Location:
    Burbank, CA
    Full Name:
    Tom
    So our 2012 Abarth recently went in for the 6+ time for an oil pressure light.
    The dealer had the car for about an month before they told us what was actually wrong with it. Turns out the crankshaft bearings are toast. It's been almost 2 months now with a loaner cabrio and the part is still on backorder.
    Fiat did offer us employee pricing if we wanted to purchase another but, that would mean trading ours back in at the dealer, whom wouldn't give us crap on a car with a history now.
    If you happen to see your oil light on, take it in immediately.
     
  11. Streetsurfer

    Streetsurfer Formula Junior

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2015
    Messages:
    934
    Location:
    near Chicago
    Full Name:
    Ron
    Did your car have the starter bolt replacement attended to? There was a bulletin or recall related to poor grounding of the starter due to wrong bolt choice, which could lead to damaged crank bearings. If the car still has the original wrong bolt(s) and it was never addressed in all the times you were in for oil lights, perhaps you can fight for warranty coverage.
     
  12. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2002
    Messages:
    19,255
    doesnt look like any of the nokian tires fit the oem wheels in 16 or 17 - that blows!
     
  13. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2002
    Messages:
    19,255
    nokian WRs fit the 16 inch wheels. score
     
  14. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2002
    Messages:
    19,255
    which tuner has stuff for abarth? looking for exhaust and ecu upgrades to start...
     
  15. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    Messages:
    12,607
    Location:
    29 Electoral Votes
    Full Name:
    Bill B.
    Most of my modification came from 500 Madness. They have pretty much everything you'd need.
    If you want a Magneti boost controller let me know I have a used one with remote for sale.
     
  16. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2002
    Messages:
    19,255
    thanks will check them out!
     
  17. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2002
    Messages:
    19,255
    looks like stage 3 is a good place to start!

    how does the upgrades exhaust sound? is it very loud?
     
  18. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2002
    Messages:
    19,255
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  19. Ira Schwartz

    Ira Schwartz Formula 3 Silver Subscribed

    Joined:
    May 20, 2003
    Messages:
    2,000
    Location:
    Brooklandville, MD
    Full Name:
    Ira Schwartz
    Agreed- mine just passed 50K miles the other day, and other than 2 light bulbs it has been bullet-proof. All I've replaced are consumables like oil/filters, a set of front brake pads, and 2 sets of tires. White with tri-colore striping looks very cool!
     
  20. dave_fonz_164

    dave_fonz_164 Formula 3

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2004
    Messages:
    1,658
    Location:
    Montreal, Canada
    Full Name:
    Davide Giuseppe F.
    Also passed 50k on my 12 Sport:

    Intermediate steering shaft: 300$
    Front wheel bearing: 250$
    Lower ball joint: 150$
    Rear shock: 100$
    Starter connector piece: Part 5$, diagnosis 2hrs
    Clutch pressure plate recall and pedal assembly fixed under warranty
    2 light bulbs

    Mind you most of the items are due to our horrendous climate and road conditions. Not bad but not great either. I believe the later models have most of these issues resolved as bulletins.

    Our other Fiat, a 14' 500L Man6spd is doing better so far.
     
  21. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2001
    Messages:
    33,107
    Location:
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Snike Fingersmith
    I forgot to mention, we recently purchased this 2013. It has impeccable bloodlines, previously owned by a champion racecar driver.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2000
    Messages:
    63,963
    Location:
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    I heard he just hit a tow truck under yellow flag, usually an also ran, and once tried to connect coke cans on Challenge muffler to make quieter.
     
  23. myronx19

    myronx19 Formula Junior

    Joined:
    May 27, 2012
    Messages:
    653
    Location:
    Toronto, ON Canada
    Full Name:
    Myron Samila
    I just bought a 2013 Abarth - black with 17" & otherwise loaded with all/most options. I'm looking forward to picking it up on Jan 21st!

    It'll keep my '82 X1/9 company during the summer :)
     
  24. KennyH

    KennyH F1 Veteran Owner

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2001
    Messages:
    5,238
    Location:
    NYC
    Full Name:
    Kenny


    Congrats! I'd love to hear how it holds up in winter / daily driving. Considering picking one up for a fun station / around town car.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  25. myronx19

    myronx19 Formula Junior

    Joined:
    May 27, 2012
    Messages:
    653
    Location:
    Toronto, ON Canada
    Full Name:
    Myron Samila
    Thanks!

    I won't be really driving this thing during the winter. The car I bought was winter driven, for three seasons - and it's already showing a few surprising signs of "this is not a good winter car!"

    - door latch & fasteners are rusting quite badly (poor quality plating on the latch and screws)
    - Sunroof frame (under the glass) is E-coated, and it's already showing brown all around it (easy fix, but still!!!)
    - Driver's door handle broke when I got home - hahahah.. The exterior door handle hinge is of terrible design, I mean "COME ON!".. It's an easy fix, but still.. I didn't even own it for an hour and something broke!! LOL
    - I am going to rust proof the car, to stop whatever rust may have already started behind hem flanges and stuff.

    Otherwise the car is a lot of fun. Sure, there are flaws but I don't really care.


    In contrast, I bought a manual shift Pontiac Vibe new in 2006 which now has 287K kms. It's been so freakin' reliable (because it's a Toyota Matrix!) - and zero rust, fasteners everywhere still look good, everything works, biggest repair was a clutch at 250K kms. The Vibe is my daily driver - as boring as it is, it's been the best car I've ever owned and a very capable winter car. I'm keeping it!


    The Abarth is just pure evil - in a good way :) Pick one up, you won't regret it. Just stay on top of it, lube the hinges (they rust too!), rust proof it (assuming you live in the rust belt), and prepare for the inevitable minor issues that will creep up. Otherwise, have fun!
     

Share This Page