Seeing as we are talking "real world".

How much horsepower does the Abarth actually have?

All the car mags berate the base model as being grossly underpowered.

I like them but wife gave the styling a thumbs down when we were shopping (I was surprised bcause it seems so "cute").

That's why I kept a stock muffler on all my VW's. I drove with the pedal floored everywhere. I don't know why I'm alive.

This is perhaps the most promising information on the future of the car, if women find them ugly there is a chance the 500 Abarth won't become a "Chicks Car."

My wife hates them, that gives me great hope for future ownership.

I like this one.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1375812024.jpg

160 hp, 170lbft. It'll definitely get out its own way...

You got the same package I did but dealers weren't dealin' when I bought.
I paid $3k more OTD than you did for the same rig (White).
I like mine...I don't run it hard like I used to run the Renault R5-T2.
Women love the car...but not one has accepted a ride, yet. ;)
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Oh, hp is about 165 advertised.

Edit: 160...whatever...

Yeah, I think I'll go for the quick shifter, too. But like I said, I don't bang around much anymore.
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Here's the shifter...nothing special to see...but anyway.
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1375812637.jpg

I just ordered the neu-f short throw adapter based on the positive reviews. I'll report back once I have it installed.

http://www.eurocompulsion.net/interior.htm

"I'll report back once I have it installed."
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Yeah, do...and tell about the installation, too.

That really isn't cheap. For that you can get a Mazdaspeed3. It will smoke that Abarth all day long, plus have a lot more space inside and tin around it, in case you get in an accident. Of course you wouldn't look cute in it, that's the down side. ;)

But seriously, it is all a matter of taste - if this is what you love, GO FOR IT! DRIVE THE DOORS OFF IT! :D

G

It ain't all about the numbers with cars like this.... Its about the smiles per mile, and I can say that the abarth wins that hands down....

Considering most of us spend 3-5x that on our real cars it's relatively cheap. Not that there is anything wrong with it but Mazdaspeed3 is about as ugly a car I've ever seen and the extra space isn't a plus.

I totally agree with your point that it's all a matter of taste and drive it like you stole it! For the money I think the Abarth is a fun option if you're looking for something small that has a huge fun factor when running through the gears. I'd challenge anyone to drive one and not smile.

I haven't spent $100k on any car. Not even in aggregate on the 993. ;) - I THINK! :D

G

ok how about, the original sticker price on the cars a lot of us drive are 3-5x the cost of an Abarth.

Anyone see what used ones are selling for?

Talk about cheap- their value drops fast and hard at 1.5 years old.

Even better is that you can snag a blemished one from the insurance auctions for 6-10k

Im thinking stripped out rally inspired beater, salvaged title= who cares? Hey hold my coffee and watch this!......


But I need another car like I need a hole in my head.

Love the Abarth but but its a no go if it wont fit the wife, daughter, and miniature horse dog.
The 911s don't fit everyone but my wife loves the 911s so i don't get hassled.
For the record my wife doesn't like the way the 500 looks. She used to not like the 69 BMW 2002 but digs it now.

The Fiat 500 Abarth is on the short list of new cars that I'd like to own. Most of the others are 4x the price. A Mazda 3 isn't on the list, nor is any other Mazda. That little BRZ car is on the list. A new 991 is on the list.

I watch cars zip by from my garage on Mulholland all day long sometimes. Every performance car imaginable passes. Nothing, and I mean nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than some guy in a dark grey Abarth who goes ripping up the hill every day. The sound, the looks, the small size...that car is a little bomb. I love it.

I haven't driven the Abarth, but....

I needed a rental car about 1.5 years ago so I thought why not pick up a Fiat 500 for the week? POS car. Underpowered to the point I felt unsafe. I also could not find a comfortable seating position. Now, I don't get to drive entry level economy cars so maybe this is how they all are, but I had high hopes for this as a potential commuter car but would not touch it with a ten foot pole after I returned it.

It did have a few features aimed at the 18-25 year old crowd that mean nothing to me, but I guess if that is their target market it makes sense. It also seemed to be great on gas....

Maybe I should check out the Abarth, it has 35ish more HP?

The Mazdaspeed3 may have lots of power, but have you looked at one? Sat in one and checked out the dash layout? I looked at them before getting my 2012GTi and after sitting in one I knew I did not need to take it for a test drive....

Need more room in the Abarth? Pull out those silly rear seats. ;)
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1375880347.jpg

How do you pronounce "Abarth?" For years I heard it pronounced "AY-barth" but lately I keep hearing "uh-BARTH."

It's a German name, but either Uh-Barth, or Ah-Barth would be about right.

AY-barth is like saying EYE-talion. As in, do you like EYE-talion pizza?

Jay Leno does not pronounce it correctly.