R56 If you haven't, go test drive a FIAT Abarth
#1
If you haven't, go test drive a FIAT Abarth
Please don't stone me. I have had over 7 yrs owning MINIs and wasn't thrilled with the direction MINI was going. When I got my first MINI in 2004, I would go weeks and not see another. Now they seem to be everywhere. I bought my Abarth 6 weeks ago and haven't seen another one here in the Tallahassee area.
The car reminds so much of my 1st gen MINI, but with a way better exhaust note.
Go take a test drive, it may surprise you. Nothing ventured, something lost. Nick
The car reminds so much of my 1st gen MINI, but with a way better exhaust note.
Go take a test drive, it may surprise you. Nothing ventured, something lost. Nick
#2
Will look forward to you coming back here every year, or so, and giving us some updates, including info on the reliability of the Abarth.
Aesthetically, it's just not my cup of tea. But hope you are happy with your decision in the long run.
And btw, I already see nearly as many Abarths as I do MINIs around here. So in a few years, you might have the same issues you currently have with the MINI... if Fiat is lucky.
Aesthetically, it's just not my cup of tea. But hope you are happy with your decision in the long run.
And btw, I already see nearly as many Abarths as I do MINIs around here. So in a few years, you might have the same issues you currently have with the MINI... if Fiat is lucky.
#6
The seats in the 500 Sport are the most comfortable I have experienced in a car. If fiat had built in navigation, push button start, auto headlights, snap in adapter for my phone, a mini connected type system and home link rear view mirror, I would have purchased a 500 turbo.
I thought the 500 turbo was very comfortable and handled well.
I thought the 500 turbo was very comfortable and handled well.
#7
I've seen some MINIs that were not tastefully done. But only a few. And I've seen plenty that are just downright hot and/or stunning.
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#8
Very surprised by this. I've only met a couple people in my 7 years of owning MINIs who genuinely disliked MINIs. Some are indifferent but very few do not like it. Coming from a MINI owner, that's very odd.
I've seen some MINIs that were not tastefully done. But only a few. And I've seen plenty that are just downright hot and/or stunning.
#9
Agree. Even my 8 year old R50... when I part it, I turn around while walking away to check it out a few times.
And my new JCW that I take delivery of in about 38 hours... I bet I stare at it for 3 hours or more the first day I have it. And ten years later, I'll still be staring at it several times a day.
And as I said, I've seen many photos of gorgeous MINIs here on the board.
Oh well, to each their own.
And my new JCW that I take delivery of in about 38 hours... I bet I stare at it for 3 hours or more the first day I have it. And ten years later, I'll still be staring at it several times a day.
And as I said, I've seen many photos of gorgeous MINIs here on the board.
Oh well, to each their own.
#10
ha ha i do the same! i'll be getting out of my car to walk into my house and the light will hit my car just right or my car is parked just right to give it a hot look and i'll catch myself stopping and staring at it. or wanting to take a picture haha. I think some of us mini owners are just weird.
#11
We rented an Abarth in England, we didn't find anything which would persuade us away from MINIs. It might have been fun if the suspension wasn't the most uncomfortable I've ever experienced. It was difficult to drive down country roads above 45mph because of its crashing over bumps. Supposedly they've fixed the suspension on later models (we had a '10).
#12
ha ha i do the same! i'll be getting out of my car to walk into my house and the light will hit my car just right or my car is parked just right to give it a hot look and i'll catch myself stopping and staring at it. or wanting to take a picture haha. I think some of us mini owners are just weird.
#14
I spent a good few weeks with a standard Fiat 500 as a rental. Lovely little car, but the weird up-high seating position kind of ruins the feel for me. And IIRC the Mini is 10 inches longer... that extra bit of length and wheelbase makes a huge difference when you're on the highway. The Mini feels like a well-weighted small car on the highway, very confident. The Fiat 500 feels dodgy and scared. Can't speak for the Abarth though...
#15
#18
Very surprised by this. I've only met a couple people in my 7 years of owning MINIs who genuinely disliked MINIs. Some are indifferent but very few do not like it. Coming from a MINI owner, that's very odd.
I've seen some MINIs that were not tastefully done. But only a few. And I've seen plenty that are just downright hot and/or stunning.
I've seen some MINIs that were not tastefully done. But only a few. And I've seen plenty that are just downright hot and/or stunning.
But for me, the performance came first, the looks were secondary.
#19
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Lmao
Never seen a mini do anything like the second half of this video... Trofeo Abarth 500, 2 rollovers at Magione 2010 - YouTube
Long story short, Loving my 2013 MCS, and after seeing this VID, LOL...
No Regrets.
Note: Awesome Exhaust note can be developed from an upgraded EXH system and Tune. That would not sell me on picking a Fiat over a MINI.
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Never drove the Abarth, considered it though. Drove a regular 500 when they came out. The Abarth is pretty cool in its own way. From the reviews, and extensive research on these cars, seems the Mini pretty much is a step ahead in every way compared to the Fiat. But what matters most, is that you Love what you drive Congrats on the new ride. I'd like to see pics!
#21
I spent a good few weeks with a standard Fiat 500 as a rental. Lovely little car, but the weird up-high seating position kind of ruins the feel for me. And IIRC the Mini is 10 inches longer... that extra bit of length and wheelbase makes a huge difference when you're on the highway. The Mini feels like a well-weighted small car on the highway, very confident. The Fiat 500 feels dodgy and scared. Can't speak for the Abarth though...
#23
Please don't stone me. I have had over 7 yrs owning MINIs and wasn't thrilled with the direction MINI was going. When I got my first MINI in 2004, I would go weeks and not see another. Now they seem to be everywhere. I bought my Abarth 6 weeks ago and haven't seen another one here in the Tallahassee area.
The car reminds so much of my 1st gen MINI, but with a way better exhaust note.
Go take a test drive, it may surprise you. Nothing ventured, something lost. Nick
The car reminds so much of my 1st gen MINI, but with a way better exhaust note.
Go take a test drive, it may surprise you. Nothing ventured, something lost. Nick
Guida felice!
#24
Driven one and they are a hoot.
#25
Never seen a mini do anything like the second half of this video... Trofeo Abarth 500, 2 rollovers at Magione 2010 - YouTube