Abarth 500 (2009 - 2015) 1.4 16V T-Jet (09) 3d (2013/62) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Probably yet another mid life crisis!? don't care anyway - I love it!

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Two sons (both petrol heads like Dad) love it! Even people who clearly are not into cars (any one who is knows the name 'Abarth') will talk to you about it. Parked outside a hairdressers in Tienen, Belgium last week, four very attractive young women swarmed across the road to peer through the windows etc! Bit disconcerting since swmbo and me were sitting in it at the time! They wanted to know all about it. swmbo was quick to point out that the attention from so many attractive women had nothing to do with my personal charisma and was all to do with the car! I thought I might have been allowed my personal fantasy just a little longer!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Like a shot - I would love the 595 version but won't be able to afford it! For us (swmbo and petrol head me only) it's absolutely the ideal car - quick (ish!), economical, cheap to run, rare (I've yet to see another whilst driving mine!), holds it's value (must be first for Fiat!) and turns heads everywhere! And don't think it's only good for short runs - we have just covered hundreds of miles across France, Belgium to Germany-at 80mph plus in 5th you are only pulling just over 3,000 revs and, trust me, there is plenty still available under your right foot!

What are you likely to buy next?

This one may well see me out but if not and I can afford it, I would love an Abarth 595.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£11,200

When did you buy the car?

April 2014

Did you get a good deal and why?

Joe Desira at Attelborough, Norfolk has a very nice selection of Italian cars. Abarth's are rare and much sought after so I didn't expect huge reduction - and wasn't dissappointed!

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Swmbo likes 500,s! I agreed on condition I had the Abarth version - I told her it was just a different trim level - I think she's seen through that now!

What was the dealer like?

I felt that Joe Desira gave me a very reasonable deal (I had already talked to two others so had a feel for part ex values etc) He was straightforward and honest and nice to deal with.

What's it like to drive?

An absolute hoot! Select 'sport' mode (mine is rarely off!), select appropriate gear to put you 'in the groove' (revs circa 3k to 3.5k), clear road ahead then fully depress right pedal - if you aren't grinning like a cheshire cat at this stage you are officially brain dead!

What's it like to park?

Being small with parking sensors, it's really not bad at all. With relatively low profile tyres you need to take care to avoid kerbing the alloys. Embarrassingly so at times, the turning circle is abysmal, even by the standards of front wheel drive cars.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing at all, although some Abarth 500's (mine included) are subject to a minor recall to rectify a wiring issue. My local Abarth dealer says it takes less than an hour to do although I haven't had mine done yet!

What's most practical about your car?

I doubt anyone buys an Abarth 500 with an eye on practicality! Having said that, it is, of course, economical (nothing like as much as Fiat would have you believe-never believe manufacturers anyway!) and it does have a bigger boot than a BMW Mini (common as muck and vastly overpriced IMHO).

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Sport mode button!