Abarth 595

We are considering swapping my wife s 500X for a Abarth 595, mostly likely in Turismo (165 bhp) or possibly Competitzione spec (180 bhp).

She test drove a T-jet and we agreed it just didn't feel quite special enough whereas the Comp felt very special. Turismo is being drive this weekend.

Does anyone have any experience of these cars?

I had a Turismo for a year on a £199 a month lease.

Fun little car and pretty quick. No problems.

Comments: suspension is pretty firm and the ride quite harsh with those low profile tyres. The seats are pretty high so the seating position is quite chair-like. The pedals are quite close together with the “sports” pedals - I struggled if wearing wide-soled shoes. Don’t have that problem with the standard 500.

Which brings me to the final issue: people see it as a 500 and therefore think it is slow. You can get stuck behind slower cars on motorways who won’t pull over because they think it’s a 500 in their mirror.

I’d have another one in the right circumstances. The Affinity/Preference scheme is a great way to get a good price.

Chris, I've had 165 Turismo tuned up to around 180 for the past 18 months. When I get the opportunity to drive it I love it, unfortunately I don't get much chance as my wife loves it far more. Few weeks ago had the opportunity to do round trip of 200 miles in all road and traffic conditions and it was great fun.

As MeanRedSpider mentioned on motorways other drivers do not move over. Eventually they do and all they see is a cloud of dusk as you leave them far behind.

Exhaust note is wonderful.

My 94 year old mother also loves it, not sure how to take that one!

Cheers for the input chaps, we drove the Comp which is about a firm as my Focus RS i.e. very! So are thinking the Turismo maybe a good middle ground for performance / comfort between the T-Jet & Comp.

Will bear in mind the moving over, good info thanks.

We have the clubs access to the affinity scheme which gives a good 15% discount on new cash and similar on PCP deals. We aren't sure whether to get new or nearly new. Just have to pick the right model and go from there!

We had a 500 abarth for about 4 years? We run it from 18k though to about 74k I think with no real issues other than basic service.
It was good on fuel, quick for what it was and had a really nice feel. It felt special.

As a daily it was a bit of a pain in the ass, literally. The seats were uncomfi, I bashed my led all the time in to the gear stick tunnel, the ride was overly harsh (standard abarth)

It was a good car, but it had a lot of annoying little "features" I think the only real reason we sold it was that I wanted something quicker and larger

Chris have you looked at any other small fords with the same spec etc?

Cheers Sam, good to have the input

I have considered a few other such as the new Fiesta ST, but really once the wife thought about it she's really not interested in anything else.

I've had my 2012 T Jet for a couple of years - bought with 43k on the clock now on 55k. Pearly white - looks really good.

No problems apart from a new battery.

A couple of weeks ago I test drove a 2015 Comp and thought it was superb compared to mine - much better ride and more torque - everything felt much 'better'. The seats are fantastic.

I'm seriously considering it - I like the new green colour so may consider a new one on one of those finance schemes.

If in doubt go for it!!

Well after much thought and a number of test drives she settled on a Turismo 165 bhp.

The comp was excellent and thrilling to drive, but it was *so* firm in the suspension she thought it would be too much to commute in.

The Turismo model offered a few creature comforts like parking sensors and leather, with 165 bhp but without the comps rock hard suspension.

It has a very old skool feel to it, the turbo kick is much like the Coupes, where it sort of swells as the torque builds then really come on song around 3krpm, which I prefer vs the modern turbo approach of linear power delivery. The exhaust sounds really great, even for a 1.4T, and it in red it really draws attention.

She is over the moon with the purchase and thoroughly enjoys driving it day to day.

It is certainly a car I'm happy to 'borrow' to nip to the shops in

Tim as you are a member you can get access to the affinity scheme - which helps with the finance

I love driving my Turismo, doesn't happen that often due to the wife wanting to drive it all the time.

If you're bored one day count how many ABarth or Abarth 595 or Turismo logos it has. You will be surprised.

You can now join one of the ABarth clubs and enter into discussions about cleaning products!

I’m in several of the Facebook groups as a starter!

Congratulations on your purchase. Now, just to get it from "She who must be obeyed" to have a drive and also enjoy it.

Cheers Possum, next time we need a pint of milk....

Does that apply to used cars too? Thought it was only brand new?

Lee

Hi Lee, It's new cars only, I sent you a PM.

Thanks very much Chris - I didn't realise this was still going!

You're welcome, Theresa can give more information