General Fancy an Abarth, but...

[dyzio]

Afternoon everyone,

My current car is a 2002 Fiat Stilo Active and I’m toying with the idea of an upgrade. The Stilo was fantastic for what I needed it for, mainly for a daily 20 mile commute and the occasional trip over the weekend.

I’ve bumped into a picture of an Abarth Evo and it does look sweet. I do, however have a few issues with my current fiat, are the new ones (Abarth) any better?

- every year I have to replace at least one swing arm,
- gearbox is like the one in a truck, you have to properly extend your arm to shift into 1st,
- suspension is pretty poor and there is lots of body roll,
- tracking gets upset easily and requires readjusting (annoying at £50 a pop)

What I do like about the Stilo is that the spare parts are relatively affordable, fuel consumption is reasonable (33/40ish UK mpg) and the car is pretty light on consumables. Can the Evo achieve similar?

One last thing, I’ve narrowed my list down to two cars… anyone here driven a Honda CR-Z?

Cheers

 

[Mkala]

Hello !

Which engine do you have in the Stilo ?

Stilo and Evo Abarth are.. quite opposite. First is heavy and not really a sport car, the second is a lot lighter, powerfull and a really sport car.

- every year I have to replace at least one swing arm, dont know this on the Punto. Perhaps anti roll bar linkage can be a bit weak on punto, dont know on Abarth ?
- gearbox is like the one in a truck, you have to properly extend your arm to shift into 1st, gearbox is not the cup of tea of Fiat, but on Abarth it is good
- suspension is pretty poor and there is lots of body roll, Abarth is far away of this...
- tracking gets upset easily and requires readjusting (annoying at £50 a pop) strange... my father owned two Stilo, never had this

Fuel consumption can be great with really efficient 1.4 Turbo Multiair, but not if you have an heavy foot.

Abarth spares will cost more than Fiat, but a lot of spares are shared with Fiat Punto, only specifics for Abarth. A sport car is always a bit more expensive to maintain.
And I think this will not be more expensive as Honda spares...

Don't know for CRZ, only see one about once a year

Test drive an Abarth !

 

[dyzio]

Engine is the mighty 1.2 :slayer: hehehe, it's surprisingly revvy and not too slow.

Swing arm... sorry, meant wishbone,

Tracking... I understand where you're coming from, I knew someone with a Stilo (1.4) and he never experienced these problems (tracking and wishbone). I try to drive with a bit of mechanical sympathy (avoid potholes etc.), but the annual tests pick these up as a fail.

I've got 2 test drives to book, the Abarth is growing on me at an alarming pace.

By coincidence, a Punto Evo parked next to my Stilo yesterday... there is very little difference (size wise) between them two! I thought I'll be downsizing but the Punto is not a small car at all!

Thanks again

EDIT:

Hello !
the second is a lot lighter, powerfull and a really sport car.

Any reason the Abarth shouldn't be considered as an everyday car?

 

[Mkala]

Engine is the mighty 1.2 :slayer: hehehe, it's surprisingly revvy and not too slow.

Swing arm... sorry, meant wishbone,

Tracking... I understand where you're coming from, I knew someone with a Stilo (1.4) and he never experienced these problems (tracking and wishbone). I try to drive with a bit of mechanical sympathy (avoid potholes etc.), but the annual tests pick these up as a fail.

I've got 2 test drives to book, the Abarth is growing on me at an alarming pace.

By coincidence, a Punto Evo parked next to my Stilo yesterday... there is very little difference (size wise) between them two! I thought I'll be downsizing but the Punto is not a small car at all!

Thanks again

EDIT:


Any reason the Abarth shouldn't be considered as an everyday car?

From the 1.2 on the heavy Stilo to the Abarth Punto you will change of world

For everyday if you feel good with (and you should) I dont see any reasons. If you have an EsseEsse check the maintenance interval, it is shorter.
And yes, this is a 3 door, for everyday use... but you already know this.

Abarth :slayer:

 

[dyzio]

3 door doesn't bother me, the Stilo is a 3dr and it's fine.
The rear seats look like they are more useable than the ones on the Honda (once or twice a year).

I'm looking at standard Abarths, I haven't seen an SS for sale, but the normal one will be adequate for me. I've downloaded an Abarth manual, I'll have a look through.

 

[Mkala]

Ok. If 3 doors is fine

I think you will be in love with a standard Abarth, a EsseEsse is a bit more "extreme" and require a bit more of care/maintenance.

Keep us informed