The New Fiat 500 Abarth (only) Thread | Page 15 | FerrariChat

The New Fiat 500 Abarth (only) Thread

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

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  1. classic308

    classic308 F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
    6,820
    Westchester, NY
    Full Name:
    Paul
    Maybe they figured out a way to squeeze in a 6 spd manual....
     
  2. Patek

    Patek Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2006
    1,907
    USA
    Full Name:
    John Milton
    #352 Patek, Jul 7, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Julie on the Tail of the Dragon, she whipped most of the Abarths in her 1957 edition. I have the Abarth, Ferrari 550, and 308GT4, her blue '57 is the most fun on the dragon, I know I did not expect that, you don't have to brake too much and just stay in the pedal, you don't want to drop RPM'S.... light steering against the Abarth,. Plus she is use to the Mountains roads up here. But, I had a blast in her car. SHOCKING............
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  3. Mr. Francesco

    Mr. Francesco F1 Rookie

    Oct 10, 2010
    4,934
    Full Name:
    Mr. Francesco
    Ugh, that would be amazing.
     
  4. KennyH

    KennyH F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Aug 13, 2001
    5,238
    NYC
    Full Name:
    Kenny
    Hey guys, looking for your guidance / expertise. Two questions, with the preface that this would potentially be a fair weather weekend car at a vacation / mountain house:

    1) how are the back seats? Comfortable enough to fit two children that are under 10?

    2) the community that the house is in has dirt roads. Bad news, or no big deal?

    Note that I'd likely go the convertible route. Feels like a steal, though I'm yet to drive one.

    Thank you-
     
  5. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2006
    10,476
    DC Metro
    Full Name:
    L.C.

    No problem with the back seats. Mine had plenty of room for the kids.

    Dirt roads shouldn't be an issue with front wheel drive.
     
  6. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 20, 2007
    12,613
    29 Electoral Votes
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    Bill B.
    I had planned on doing just that. I was on the "list" to get an early delivery car. When dealer received their demo they called me down to take a drive. I sat behind the wheel and found at 6' I an to tall to see the gauge cluster due to the position of the steering wheel. I love the way it looks, drives and sounds but not being able to see the display is a bit of an issue.
    That being said I don't think it's a practical replacement for the Abarth, but I still would have done it had I fit the car! :D
     
  7. 05011994

    05011994 Formula 3
    Owner

    May 1, 2004
    1,865
    Golden, Colorado
    My wife and I are on week 2 of renting one in northern Italy and it a ton of fun on the roads here. The Abarth is just the right size for these roads and puts a huge grin on my face every time i drive it here. Rented a 458 for a morning in Maranello and it was spectacular, but it really is too big for many of the back roads here. I am seriously thinking about buying one after our experience in Italy!
     
  8. Streetsurfer

    Streetsurfer Formula Junior

    Dec 16, 2015
    934
    near Chicago
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #358 Streetsurfer, Dec 19, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just enrolled here as a result of searching for supercar saturday show photos. I've run into some very nice Ferrari owners enroute and thought I'd check out there world a little.

    Got this in September '13. Nothing but pleasure.

    RRM Ultimate Tuner
    RRM pulley
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    RRM Big Red rear bar
    Corsa Forza tunnel brace
    RRM chassis braces (at frame horns)
    MPx throttle body
    MPx axle back
    Cravenspeed Short Shifter
    Prometeo high capacity oil pan
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    Bilstein (tbi)
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    HPSI Boost Retention kit (tbi)
    OZ Allegerrita / General G-Max
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  9. Streetsurfer

    Streetsurfer Formula Junior

    Dec 16, 2015
    934
    near Chicago
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #359 Streetsurfer, Dec 21, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    18,065
    Savannah
    bump so I can find. I may get one of these as a backup / 2nd car. :)
     
  11. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    63,970
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    heard so many reliability problems with these cars, but Jennie's has been near perfect even with 45k miles commuter stop and go. only issues little body fit and finish panel gaps etc, nothing fell off, just had to get glued. Great looking car, one of the best sounding cars stock period, and fun as heck like a go kart.
     
  12. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
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    Jan 20, 2007
    12,613
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    Bill B.
    I pound the crap out of mine. I have 45,xxx on the clock and I'm on my 6th set of tires and 3rd set of brakes. No major issues with it Rob is dead on about the sound.
     
  13. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
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    Jan 20, 2007
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    Bill B.
    It'll become your primary/daily driver.
     
  14. Ira Schwartz

    Ira Schwartz Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    May 20, 2003
    2,000
    Brooklandville, MD
    Full Name:
    Ira Schwartz
    41K miles on mine with no issues, major or minor. Bulletproof, so far . . .
     
  15. JDZNate

    JDZNate Formula Junior

    May 14, 2007
    607
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Nate
    You can find a slightly used on for around $15,000.
     
  16. dave_fonz_164

    dave_fonz_164 Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2004
    1,658
    Montreal, Canada
    Full Name:
    Davide Giuseppe F.
    43k miles on mine including extremely sever winter conditions and the worst roads in North America....one front wheel bearing so far, that's it.

    I believe first year had some fit and finish issues, models built in 2011, but as of 2013 and more, the cars became much better, quality control too.
     
  17. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    Sep 30, 2003
    18,065
    Savannah
    Thanks for the replies. Doing my homework on these.
     
  18. 360Tom

    360Tom Formula 3

    May 9, 2013
    1,396
    Burbank, CA
    Full Name:
    Tom
    There are a few updates to the computer over the last couple of years. They also have a problem with the clocks not being able to keep time. There was also a recall for the rear badge delaminating. Other than that, it's a great little car. It's fun, quick and agile. Just change the oil and go. I've seen a few here in California for around 12-13
     
  19. sburke

    sburke Formula 3

    Dec 21, 2010
    1,273
    Lake Norman, NC
    #369 sburke, May 20, 2016
    Last edited: May 20, 2016
    I replaced the motor in mine.

    Always complained of loss of power, dealer would always say no engine codes. Three weeks out of warranty I replaced the plugs at 3x,xxx miles. Oil all over cylinder one.

    Corporate ignored me, so I did it myself.

    Mines had endless issues, along with fiat refusing to fix things under warranty.

    Third new Fiat in my household, will be my last new FCA product. Live and learn.
     
  20. davem

    davem F1 World Champ
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    Jan 21, 2002
    10,671
    Stepford, Connecticut
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    dave m
    41k on my 12 model. Turbo replaced under warranty at 28k. Friend had his go out around same time too. Arm rest just replaced. Otherwise no issues. Fun to drive, good on gas, looks sharp.
     
  21. PaulK

    PaulK F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 24, 2004
    4,781
    Michigan
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    Paul
    I am a little concerned with these recent posts. I am about to buy one in then next month or so and hearing about these problems gives me pause.

    Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
     
  22. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
    Full Name:
    Morrie
    I no longer have mine and my cars almost never see the dealer again once I start messing with them. My Abarth is gone, but here are some tips, The hoses and the clamps are terrible loosing vacuum on the boost caused power lose until I replace every hose and clamp. I would also suggest changing the crappy divertor valve, that will help as well. My car had a decent amount of modifications (I pulled a lot of them out before I traded it to the mini dealer) still have the Road Race CAI and the ECU piggyback, and well as the throttle booster somewhere in my warehouse. I enjoyed the two years and the 6000 miles I put on it, but it just no longer fir my needs.
     
  23. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 12, 2005
    23,767
    Sin City
    Full Name:
    Deplorie McDeplorableface
    Mine was an early 2012 and riddled with issues, but my understanding is early builds of the US market cars (early 2012 models) were the troubled ones. Supposedly, after the first run of 2012's, a lot of issues were corrected.

    There's a decent forum dedicated to the Abarth; lurk there and see if you can get some more info relevant to the newer builds.



    Mark
     
  24. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    63,970
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    FYI Jennie's is a 2013 that has no issues.
     
  25. fastback33

    fastback33 Formula 3

    Mar 8, 2004
    1,851
    I'm at 6x,xxx miles, daily drive it and long road trip use. One set of padsand the normal oil change that's all its needed! I'm pretty happy with how reliable it's been.
     

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