great cars, just a hard justification in NZ compared to the ZC33S Swift Sport. Seems like they are almost double the cost but you don't really get double the experience from the same style of car
@user-qv5us5nz4v smaller yet heavier, likely less reliable, definitely harder to work on (just compare the engine bays), and harder to find parts for since they're way less common. Handling and performance are comparable. The Fiat has more character at least, i suppose.
brother, come to Italy, when you don't have that engine but Abarth comes with a 1.4 double cams, 185hp garret turbo akrapovic exhaust stock, then yes, its twice the experience of a swift sport, but, as an Italian, I'm buyin the swift everyday, this cars an infinite list of problems
Bit of a surprise to see you reviewing one of these! They are fun little cars, I got to drive the more powerful Esseesse model on the Kaimais! Only reason I never bought one is because I wasn't ready to cut people in half to stuff them in the back haha.
I had a punto with that engine. Tuned it with bigger turbo, FMI, 200 cell cat, exhaust and ECU flash. That thing ripped! It was on coilovers and that 5 speed manual is pretty bulletproof. Underated indeed.
My old boss had a 595 Abarth. Was a absolute weapon. I do remember the fuel economy wasn't that great for it's size. Since you had a smg, using reverse in that gearbox takes a little getting use too. I'm bang on 6ft and I felt big in that thing thou 😂
the fiat 500 is criminally underrated as a drivers car. i managed to pick up a 500 sport off a mate for $500 when he moved overseas has the 1.4 MultiAir & 6spd manual only 100hp but easily the funniest and most engaging car i’ve driven super (mechanically) reliable too, been clutch dumping, racing people at the lights and revving it right out to 7k for over 2 years now and it hasn’t had a single fault it’s also managed to survive 4 of my mates learning manual on it & i intend to use it for autocross this year
Yours isn’t a Multiair. It’s the non-turbo FIRE engine. Actually almost prefer these to the Abarth versions. You get a revvy NA engine with 6 short ratios. They’re an absolute blast. The 1.2 which is what’s in many 500s with 5 speed is pretty pedestrian.
The problem with this car is there is no telescoping steering wheel and the seating position is quite weird. I found either I'm too far away from the pedals or too close to the steering wheel. Very uncomfortable car if you're not Italian proportions (short)
I am 2003 CL9 owner and would be very happy with a Fiat 500 for my around town car... My k24a3 only makes 140 kW and is twice the size... You have some good cars you are reviewing...
I was driving the Abarth 500 and the Abarth 595 for 8,5 years long overall. The quality issues were exhausting and with series 3 Fiat/FCA invented a total power failure on power request because of the strict noise emission regulations. I would not buy an Abarth again. My favourite alternative is the Suzuki Swift Sport which is way more reliable.
The later version started at 145 BHP I had four of them, loved them all, great fun, only changed because we needed a bigger car. Never drove the Auto, the manual is much better (Not sure if that's available over there, I'm in the UK) Its the most fun you can have for the money. As I said, I had 4, never missed a beat Beats anything on smiles per mile. The "I can't be seen in a small Fiat" is just idiotic
Colt RA owner here. Haven't driven the Fiat but you should try both. Redriven say go for Gen2 for the Fiat but read above comments about series 3. Colt is a bit more dated but similar driving experience, I'd say, more easily tuned but spares harder to get now. Japanese reliability can't be beaten, I wouldn't want a 2006 Fiat..
All the 3 fiat 500's I've driven are fun, I've driven the 1.2 5 speed manual, 1.4 sport 6 speed manual and the 0.9 litre twin air 5 speed manual. For me the 0.9 litre one sounded the best and the 1.4 with the 6 speed the most comfortable cruiser and daily.
mates gotta 6 spd manual l, full Alcantara seats euro edition has 179 bhp at the front wheels lose as a shit hes gotta full titanium exhuast lmao actually sounds hella good and does 6, 7rpm flat out valve bouncing lmao! those gear shifts at the end, lmao nooooo!
Drove one of these, but a base spec 500 with the 1.2l engine and the automated-manual gearbox. 140,000km in around 2,5 years. The gearbox is dreadful, doesn't know what to do at any point unless you strictly keep it in manual mode and change the gears yourself. Thankfully mine didn't develop any faults during that time, but the automated-manual gearboxes are known to have issues. So if you're gonna buy one of these, get one with a proper manual instead. There were a ton of other minor things I disliked about the car, the seats were very uncomfortable for longer trips (and by "long trips" I mean, anything above 20 minutes), the indicator stalk is very funny in it's behaviour and if you rotate the steering wheel into a specific angle and try to put the indicator on, the mechanism that returns it automatically after the turn will grind against it and won't let it engage until you rotate the steering wheel away from that spot.. The handbrake also tends to freeze during cold winters, I'm guessing the seal that keeps water out of the cable degrades very quickly on these. But the car is really fun around twisty roads, even on that base spec model.
These are known for being very fun, but also very unreliable. They rarely make it to 100,000 miles or 160,000 km. The Swift Sport is just as much fun, and more practical, only without any of the drawbacks.
One should not let your ego confuse reality. Fiat is to europe what toyota is the Japan. One cannot either compare Abarth to fiat directly. Abarth is very easily considered a status symbol in the world, from Dubai to Monaco!!
Yes, silly new prices but a 3-5 yr old example can be a bargain. Do your homework though, there have been many variants over the years - Esseesse, 595, 695, various specials like the Tributo models and the mighty 695 Biposto.
Im surprised they managed to make such a underpowered shit engine lol, modern 1.4 turbo making less than 140hp and its single cam??? Wtf are manufacturers doing these days, my 35 year old na 4age makes better hp then that and it has dohc 😂
I was going to say the same, a naturally aspirated 1.6L D16Y8 from a 90s Civic Si makes 127hp on regular 87 octane and is DOHC, what is Fiat doing in the 2010s making a 1.4L turbo high compression engine making a measly 13hp more..
great cars, just a hard justification in NZ compared to the ZC33S Swift Sport. Seems like they are almost double the cost but you don't really get double the experience from the same style of car
I was just wondering how it compared to the new swift 1.4 turbo
@user-qv5us5nz4v smaller yet heavier, likely less reliable, definitely harder to work on (just compare the engine bays), and harder to find parts for since they're way less common. Handling and performance are comparable. The Fiat has more character at least, i suppose.
brother, come to Italy, when you don't have that engine but Abarth comes with a 1.4 double cams, 185hp garret turbo akrapovic exhaust stock, then yes, its twice the experience of a swift sport, but, as an Italian, I'm buyin the swift everyday, this cars an infinite list of problems
If you check his drive of the Swift Sport auto he actually found it similarly exuberant at the time.
This channel is way better than expected!
Because of you I've just purchased a BMW 130i M Sport!! Cheers for your reviews, they're informative and awesome 😎👍
Bit of a surprise to see you reviewing one of these! They are fun little cars, I got to drive the more powerful Esseesse model on the Kaimais! Only reason I never bought one is because I wasn't ready to cut people in half to stuff them in the back haha.
I imported an 2014 Abarth Punto Supersport a few years ago , really really fun car . Shame they never bought them into NZ .
Abarth is a fitting moniker given it being about the size of a tub 😂 cool and quirky hatch though !
Actually it is not single cam for intake and exhaust, it has an exhaust cam, but the intake valves are electronically actuated individually.
I have a 2015 Abarth, it's a SOHC.
@@chriswilson9331 I know it only has one cam, but the intakes dont run off of it.
Had mine for nearly 6 months never missed a beat and fit it perfectly
Hey mate, since you've driven plenty of these hot hatches, what was the best one in your opinion?
I really want your channel to be bigger man
😂😂😂 0:42 … _love that comparison … looks like a ball to drive though 👍🏼_
I had a punto with that engine. Tuned it with bigger turbo, FMI, 200 cell cat, exhaust and ECU flash. That thing ripped! It was on coilovers and that 5 speed manual is pretty bulletproof. Underated indeed.
I have a 2015 Abarth. I love it. 👍
Also, they're stock 160 horsepower with 183fp of torque. Pretty good for 2500 pounds.
My old boss had a 595 Abarth. Was a absolute weapon.
I do remember the fuel economy wasn't that great for it's size.
Since you had a smg, using reverse in that gearbox takes a little getting use too.
I'm bang on 6ft and I felt big in that thing thou 😂
the fiat 500 is criminally underrated as a drivers car. i managed to pick up a 500 sport off a mate for $500 when he moved overseas
has the 1.4 MultiAir & 6spd manual
only 100hp but easily the funniest and most engaging car i’ve driven
super (mechanically) reliable too, been clutch dumping, racing people at the lights and revving it right out to 7k for over 2 years now and it hasn’t had a single fault
it’s also managed to survive 4 of my mates learning manual on it & i intend to use it for autocross this year
Yours isn’t a Multiair. It’s the non-turbo FIRE engine. Actually almost prefer these to the Abarth versions. You get a revvy NA engine with 6 short ratios. They’re an absolute blast. The 1.2 which is what’s in many 500s with 5 speed is pretty pedestrian.
The problem with this car is there is no telescoping steering wheel and the seating position is quite weird. I found either I'm too far away from the pedals or too close to the steering wheel. Very uncomfortable car if you're not Italian proportions (short)
Have a go at trying to get that gt4 on the channel 👌💪
What an excellent vehicle, believe it or not, it can fit 3 average sized and a slightly more than average gentleman in it 👀
I am 2003 CL9 owner and would be very happy with a Fiat 500 for my around town car...
My k24a3 only makes 140 kW and is twice the size...
You have some good cars you are reviewing...
It's a fun toy, the main concern is if it will last long. I havent seen any high mileage unit.
so if you had to pick the yellow mini cooper s or fiat 500 abarth it would be?
Abarth, all day, every day. I might be a little bias because I own one. 😊
I was driving the Abarth 500 and the Abarth 595 for 8,5 years long overall. The quality issues were exhausting and with series 3 Fiat/FCA invented a total power failure on power request because of the strict noise emission regulations. I would not buy an Abarth again. My favourite alternative is the Suzuki Swift Sport which is way more reliable.
The later version started at 145 BHP
I had four of them, loved them all, great fun, only changed because we needed a bigger car.
Never drove the Auto, the manual is much better
(Not sure if that's available over there, I'm in the UK)
Its the most fun you can have for the money.
As I said, I had 4, never missed a beat
Beats anything on smiles per mile.
The "I can't be seen in a small Fiat" is just idiotic
It's the short wheel base that makes it super fun aye? A go-kart for the road
No, it's the fact that you get 170HP and 180fp of torque in a 2500 pound car.
hey bro,is this road the paekakariki hill road?
Think it's the back road from karori to jville that goes through makara, forgot what its called
Hey Kiwicarlife, abarth or mitsubishi colt ralliart?? You've driven one way back
Colt RA owner here. Haven't driven the Fiat but you should try both. Redriven say go for Gen2 for the Fiat but read above comments about series 3. Colt is a bit more dated but similar driving experience, I'd say, more easily tuned but spares harder to get now. Japanese reliability can't be beaten, I wouldn't want a 2006 Fiat..
oh i see you have a CZT.. this is talking about Ver R JDM here in Aotearoa
3:09 the back seats are still more spacious than those in the Toyota GT86/GR86/Subaru BRZ!
All the 3 fiat 500's I've driven are fun, I've driven the 1.2 5 speed manual, 1.4 sport 6 speed manual and the 0.9 litre twin air 5 speed manual. For me the 0.9 litre one sounded the best and the 1.4 with the 6 speed the most comfortable cruiser and daily.
Next stop: Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV/Veloce
I'm with you on this one I don't really care how good it is I never want to be seen in one because it looks so laughable.
Iv seen that cayman gt4 rs around kapiti ways a fair bit
16's are tiny now? 😅
mates gotta 6 spd manual l, full Alcantara seats euro edition has 179 bhp at the front wheels lose as a shit hes gotta full titanium exhuast lmao actually sounds hella good and does 6, 7rpm flat out valve bouncing lmao!
those gear shifts at the end, lmao nooooo!
The Abarth is DOHC, the non Abarth is SOHC
No, the Abarth is a single overhead cam.
Source: I own one.
Wow the gauge cluster really looks like something from a motorcycle
Drove one of these, but a base spec 500 with the 1.2l engine and the automated-manual gearbox.
140,000km in around 2,5 years. The gearbox is dreadful, doesn't know what to do at any point unless you strictly keep it in manual mode and change the gears yourself. Thankfully mine didn't develop any faults during that time, but the automated-manual gearboxes are known to have issues.
So if you're gonna buy one of these, get one with a proper manual instead.
There were a ton of other minor things I disliked about the car, the seats were very uncomfortable for longer trips (and by "long trips" I mean, anything above 20 minutes), the indicator stalk is very funny in it's behaviour and if you rotate the steering wheel into a specific angle and try to put the indicator on, the mechanism that returns it automatically after the turn will grind against it and won't let it engage until you rotate the steering wheel away from that spot..
The handbrake also tends to freeze during cold winters, I'm guessing the seal that keeps water out of the cable degrades very quickly on these.
But the car is really fun around twisty roads, even on that base spec model.
Multiair has left the chat
More fun than the Mini Cooper S? Asking for a friend 😅
Yes, 100%
Even more fun than a JCW. You really feel the playfulness of the Abarth's lower weight and shorter wheelbase, even if it's less powerful.
@@citrusjuicebox Try a tuned fiesta st :P
@@Tantuhard Abarth still rotates better IMO, but FiSTs do have more usability
Great car i have the 595 esseesse really good fun.
Some rather large dude who shall remain nameless on you tube is not a fan doent mean he is right 😂
I dont think these are actually named Fiat... its Abarth 500
Mate has one tho, they are good cars fo drive and make a nice burble
These are known for being very fun, but also very unreliable. They rarely make it to 100,000 miles or 160,000 km. The Swift Sport is just as much fun, and more practical, only without any of the drawbacks.
The tjet versions from Europe and Australia are mechanically reliable. The multi jet version from North America is the dodgy one
One should not let your ego confuse reality. Fiat is to europe what toyota is the Japan. One cannot either compare Abarth to fiat directly. Abarth is very easily considered a status symbol in the world, from Dubai to Monaco!!
No disrespect i would never own a Skoda cos of the stigma attached
New these cars were way overpriced.
Yes, silly new prices but a 3-5 yr old example can be a bargain. Do your homework though, there have been many variants over the years - Esseesse, 595, 695, various specials like the Tributo models and the mighty 695 Biposto.
Fix it again Tony...
Who buys an auto abarth 😂😢
I would have to change sex to drive one
Don't worry, the Abarth will make a man out of you. 😊
Im surprised they managed to make such a underpowered shit engine lol, modern 1.4 turbo making less than 140hp and its single cam??? Wtf are manufacturers doing these days, my 35 year old na 4age makes better hp then that and it has dohc 😂
I was going to say the same, a naturally aspirated 1.6L D16Y8 from a 90s Civic Si makes 127hp on regular 87 octane and is DOHC, what is Fiat doing in the 2010s making a 1.4L turbo high compression engine making a measly 13hp more..
Unfortunately emission control limits performance on most modern engines, but hp is only part of the equation….torque is often overlooked
@user-qv5us5nz4v with a redline of only 6000rpm i assume it's a undersquare design with a longer stroke than bore
The competitione models have 180hp and are the ones to go for
With a few mods you're up to 220hp which in this car is lots of fun.