Trac-TOR!

After seeing GRM's review (http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2012-fiat-500-abarth/) I went on the hunt for more info. 28mpg city, 34 highway! From a car that produces 170tq's, how awesome is that? But above all else, it SOUNDS like my straight-piped turbo sprints/fireflies of yesteryear (tractor!), and therefore, I must own one. If we get 0% financing (and I don't ball up the rallycar this year) I'll buy one to DD for the next decade at the end of the year :D

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/2012-fiat-500-abarth-first-drive-review-video/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPYoLefQwTo&feature=youtu.be

I want to get out there and put my butt in the seat of one. The 500 is alright, but I felt it needed the Abarth treatment before I could even consider pulling the trigger.

I was so convinced that I would love the 500, but seeing it in person, the proportions are just so... odd. Way taller looking than the pictures lead me to believe.

OK its late and I am feeling punchy but its slower then a Mini cooper S, a lot slower in my book. Its got all its power up high in the RPM range. Its smaller then the few other comparable cars sold here. There is absolutely no aftermarket. The weight is up high, at least it looks like it is on the design bases.

What is the appeal of this thing?

wearymicrobe wrote: OK its late and I am feeling punchy but its slower then a Mini cooper S, a lot slower in my book. Its got all its power up high in the RPM range. Its smaller then the few other comparable cars sold here. There is absolutely no aftermarket. The weight is up high, at least it looks like it is on the design bases. What is the appeal of this thing?

Jennifer Lopez?

oh, wait- i meant to say Charlie Sheen..

In reply to Mitchell & wearymicrobe:

I'm with you.

I think it's awesome. I would probably need a sunroof though, the coupes feel a bit...cave-like.

I sat in an Abarth. Jeremy Clarkson is right, however, the Abarth needs a little injection of crazy.

I think it would be a really cool, unique offering at $19,999. There are just way too many better performance options in the 20k's.

wearymicrobe wrote: OK its late and I am feeling punchy but its slower then a Mini cooper S, a lot slower in my book. Its got all its power up high in the RPM range. Its smaller then the few other comparable cars sold here. There is absolutely no aftermarket. The weight is up high, at least it looks like it is on the design bases. What is the appeal of this thing?

It is a small funky hot hatch. It is $6k cheaper then the MINI Cooper S. There wasn't any aftermarket for the MINI when it first came out so the aftermarket thing will catch up. Also it is plenty big enough for me as a daily driver. I don't need anything as big as a Mazda 2 or MINI or etc.

93EXCivic wrote: It is $6k cheaper then the MINI Cooper S.

Yes, the last time I checked, $20k vs $26k is a big difference.

Also, it's turbocharged. CRANK DA BOOST! And it's smaller than a mini, and IMO looks WAY better. And sounds like a tractor from the factory.

It's odd, which is perfect for me. I never carry more than two people in my car (and my extended cab truck can haul 4 if needed), but I need something that gets good mpg and can keep me entertained when doing long highway commutes or going to work.

wearymicrobe wrote: OK its late and I am feeling punchy but its slower then a Mini cooper S, a lot slower in my book. Its got all its power up high in the RPM range. Its smaller then the few other comparable cars sold here. There is absolutely no aftermarket. The weight is up high, at least it looks like it is on the design bases. What is the appeal of this thing?

I want to drive an Abarth for this very reason. I wanna see how it compares to my Cooper S. I have no intention of trading it for a Fiat (I have decided I don't wish to make car payments anymore) but the curiousity has me.

HiTempguy wrote: It's odd, which is perfect for me. I never carry more than two people in my car (and my extended cab truck can haul 4 if needed), but I need something that gets good mpg and can keep me entertained when doing long highway commutes or going to work.

Same here.

It's so ugly. I can't get past the Pug looks. That and the Italian heritage. Definately a no-go for me. There's better small FWD Turbo-4 cars making more power out there.