Considering used Abarth 500

Hi Guys- I finally got around to test driving a 13 Abarth yesterday. I liked how it drove and could not believe the exhaust note. The flat bottom steering wheel and seats were both a treat. It was a 13 base model with 24,000 mile on it. They were asking 12.8 for it. I would definitely need to get the rear seat delete kit in order to fit my work samples in the hatch- even then it would be extremely tight. I like the price point and the fact it would have some warranty left on it.

It seems used Focus or Fiesta ST's are more like 17-18k. I would not have the potential space issue with either of them that I do in the 500 and would rather not spend that much on a car. Is the difference in how they drive that different from the Abarth?

I 100% need a hatch/wagon for my work travel. Thanks for your two cents worth.

How many miles do you put on per year?
I ask because Flats seem to depreciate quickly and I'll bet high mileage examples really drop quick.
Will this have high miles when you're done with it?

I've been watching these too - some owned by enthusiasts are going just a tad over $10-12,000 on ebay. It makes me wonder why such a drop?

this guy gave his up for just a tad over $10,000

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Fiat-500-abarth-/201493042514?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2ee9ebd552%3Ag%3AHAYAAOSw3KFWexmQ&item=201493042514&nma=true&si=3NW0I0MNd3Fq0ArahBj0Rzx2u2E%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

this one has higher miles
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fiat-500-ABARTH-/191778788746?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2ca6e8158a:g:x5YAAOSwGotWkUgt&item=191778788746

I think would be putting about 20k a year in miles. I get to expense a lot of the miles. The new rate this year is .54 a mile.

I missed out on a similar 2013 over Christmas. It was at a Subaru dealer and sold for 11.5k.

Focus SE Hatches are closer to $11k- $12k. However, for reliability, you will want the manual which can be difficult to find. Most adds say manual, but are actually automatics (dual clutch automated manual). FoST's will be $17+.

Focus on Car Guru's

I love our 14 Focus, I would buy one with a manual in a heartbeat as Our Auto is dying a slow death due to the DCT issues. It's one of the most comfortable cars in it's class, I drove it to Florida from Austin and back with no problem, never felt tired of driving it. I also averaged 35 MPG on that whole trip (80-85 MPH) I liked the Fiat 500 when I drove it but I found my knee hitting the center console and felt very cramped.

The short wheelbase of the Abarth killed it for me. What's tolerable on a test drive becomes really, really irritating on the highway. If you're overweight, the "jiggliness" is...unflattering, to say the least

I have a Turbo (same motor/transmission). I'll second the choppiness on the freeway or any rough road in general, but I've grown up with lots of small cars, so not as big a deal for me. What kills me is the gearing. Cruising the freeway at 80 I can almost watch the gas gauge drop. It's turning close to 4000 rpm's at that point. It really needs a sixth gear.

Other than that, I love the car (and would have preferred the Abarth), but I also have a four door and a truck to use when the 500 just doesn't work.

-Rob

Almost 30k miles into my '13 I bought with 144 miles...I still smile every time I start it up. My second Fiat's on the Dragon trip is coming in April and already reserved the hotel room.

I've seen them used around $11-12k lately depending on options. Don't spend big $ for the rear seat delete. I followed a forum thread to make my own for about $60 total and it totally looks factory. My dealership had a road rally late last summer & everyone kept checking out my delete.

I've had no problems with gas mileage and have a 26 mile commute every day each way. ...and always with a smile.

The Focus ST and Abarth are in completely different classes, you really can't compare them. The Focus is more expensive, but it's bigger, faster, is a 5 door hatch/wagon and is based on a car a few steps "up" from the 500. The Fiesta ST is somewhat comparable, but even that's a 5 door. To me, the Fiesta ST would easily be worth the extra money. It's more useful (back seat access, etc...), handles better, is just as quick if not quicker, and the Fiat isn't known to be reliable.

I appreciate the comments here. I am having doubt that the Abarth is really the best car for my needs. I wish it was a hair bigger. The lack of fun hatches on the market is a little disheartening. I have checked out the IS300 Sportcross wagon, but they are really hard to come by and all have a lot of miles. The prices of Volvo C30s are higher than you would think. The Volvo V50 sell for quite a bit less than the C30s. It is difficult to find the fwd T5 manuals in the V50 though.

Errrr, GTI maybe ???

I went for a slightly pricier 5k mile '13 back in September.....and I have finally hit 10k miles. Similar driving distances as Jerry daily, and similar feelings towards the car. Any short wheelbase car I've ever owned has tramlined, so that wasn't much of an issue for me.

I enjoyed driving the Abarth years ago, but didn't know if I could live with it. After 4 months and 5k miles, I am positive I can live with the little scamp and am convinced it is a better fit for me than the fiST. The fiesta is still the better car all around, it just lacks that special feeling.

IDK what Jerry is knocking down, but my running mileage average is around 25-26mpg and I literally bomb around in it all day every day.

rob_lewis wrote: I have a Turbo (same motor/transmission). I'll second the choppiness on the freeway or any rough road in general, but I've grown up with lots of small cars, so not as big a deal for me. What kills me is the gearing. Cruising the freeway at 80 I can almost watch the gas gauge drop. It's turning close to 4000 rpm's at that point. It really needs a sixth gear. Other than that, I love the car (and would have preferred the Abarth), but I also have a four door and a truck to use when the 500 just doesn't work. -Rob

That's weird, as the turbo is basically the basic euro Abarth(ours are equivalent to the esse esse), but whenever I'm rolling down the interstate at 80 I'm usually returning nearly 40mpg....

Once mine is out of the factory warranty, I'm probably going to look into doing a 6sp conversion using the dart transmission. Supposedly there is an extra brace that had to be added for US crash standards that made only the 5sp fit.

ccrelan wrote: I appreciate the comments here. I am having doubt that the Abarth is really the best car for my needs. I wish it was a hair bigger. The lack of fun hatches on the market is a little disheartening. I have checked out the IS300 Sportcross wagon, but they are really hard to come by and all have a lot of miles. The prices of Volvo C30s are higher than you would think. The Volvo V50 sell for quite a bit less than the C30s. It is difficult to find the fwd T5 manuals in the V50 though.

Pays to be patient looking for c30's.

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5398526253.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/5388658399.html

High mileage but pretty cheap.

We love our 500 but if fitting things in the back is a concern it may not be the right car for you. We travel with ours but pack everything in squishy bags we can pack tight.

I don't know why everyone is so down on fitting stuff in this car. With the rear seat delete (which the OP is already considering), I've fit quite a few odds and ends in mine. Small tables, many bags of stuff, boxes... Ok it's not my old xB, so no washing machines, but for a hatch it's pretty good.

The key thing that I need it to fit is a standard size rolling rack (for clothing).

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1546/Clothing-Racks-and-Hangers/Single-Rolling-Clothes-Rack?pricode=WY551&gadtype=pla&id=H-1546&gclid=CPLyxKfTpMoCFcGRHwodjY0Img&gclsrc=aw.ds

In reply to Jerry:

There is a shocking amount of room in the back, like nearly my zx3 focus sized space.

ccrelan wrote: The key thing that I need it to fit is a standard size rolling rack (for clothing). http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1546/Clothing-Racks-and-Hangers/Single-Rolling-Clothes-Rack?pricode=WY551&gadtype=pla&id=H-1546&gclid=CPLyxKfTpMoCFcGRHwodjY0Img&gclsrc=aw.ds

I can do some quick measurements when I get home tonight, it's tucked into the garage with the single digit temps, snow and inevitable salt. Does that thing break down into pieces when travelling?

Yes, you pop off the top of it and it folds down. The length would be the tricky part and what I am unsure of. Thanks for taking a measure.

In reply to ccrelan:

The 50" length would fit diagonally with a few inches to spare, comfortably. If the height is in pieces (which it sounds like), you would be able to fit this with the rear seat out.

Here's how I did my delete and it looks great: Forum thread

With the seats folded down we carried a wheelchair and our luggage but it was a tight fit.

I'm going to say it...Mazda 5. If you are doing a lot of driving for work, might as well be comfortable. I drive almost 70 miles per day to work and its a very comfortable ride. 27-30 mpg consistent and tons of room with all the back seats folded down.