Hi all. I've been a member of the FF for a few months now, having owned a Panda MJ since Feb 2008, the Panda section has been my home for now. But now I'm excited to tell you all that I've just put down a deposit on an 09 plate 500 Abarth! Should be here in a few days time so watch this space! I'm very excited but apprehensive too, I've only ever driven a 500 1.4 in the past and the only Abarth I've seen was EVO magazines Esse Esse they were testing around my local roads! Bit of a gamble, i know, just hope it pays off! It's a first edition spec so red leather, white paint with side stripes and bonnet scorpion, climate, 17" wheels, auto dip mirror etc. Wish me luck!

You don't need good luck. Your already getting an Abarth.

You won't regret it. Fantastic car and you'll love it when you drive it

Man! Bit of impulse buy?! And you're getting it in a few days? Wow! Heheh! Will you miss the Panda's MPG and £35 tax?

I'm going to be doing the opposite to you, jumping from a 500 to a Panda 100hp! :yum:

DraigFlag87 said:

Hi all. I've been a member of the FF for a few months now, having owned a Panda MJ since Feb 2008, the Panda section has been my home for now. But now I'm excited to tell you all that I've just put down a deposit on an 09 plate 500 Abarth! Should be here in a few days time so watch this space! I'm very excited but apprehensive too, I've only ever driven a 500 1.4 in the past and the only Abarth I've seen was EVO magazines Esse Esse they were testing around my local roads! Bit of a gamble, i know, just hope it pays off! It's a first edition spec so red leather, white paint with side stripes and bonnet scorpion, climate, 17" wheels, auto dip mirror etc. Wish me luck!

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Bloody hell! You didn't even test drive it before putting your name down...you've got balls! Good job it's a fantastic car

So glad I ordered it in the Campovolo Grey, theres gonna be loads of White Abarth's on the road.

Suasexed said:

Man! Bit of impulse buy?! And you're getting it in a few days? Wow! Heheh! Will you miss the Panda's MPG and £35 tax?

I'm going to be doing the opposite to you, jumping from a 500 to a Panda 100hp! :yum:

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I will desperately miss the MPG's of the Panda, my best was 82 MPG, lucky if i get 32 in the Abarth. Still i figured average of 60 MPG in the Panda and i spend £20 a week, so in theory i will half the MPG and spend double, which means £40 a week, only an extra £20 a week which is worth it in my opinion!

sikersh said:

Bloody hell! You didn't even test drive it before putting your name down...you've got balls! Good job it's a fantastic car

So glad I ordered it in the Campovolo Grey, there's gonna be loads of White Abarth's on the road.

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My second Fiat (well, 1st Abarth) I've bought without even driving one, i did it with the Panda and it was fine, hope it pays off this time too, not getting cold feet yet though! When's your arriving? I see a grey one at the garage mines coming form.

DraigFlag87 said:

My second Fiat (well, 1st Abarth) I've bought without even driving one, i did it with the Panda and it was fine, hope it pays off this time too, not getting cold feet yet though! When's your arriving? I see a grey one at the garage mines coming form.

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Mine should be arriving soon. Last I heard its being built, so shouldn't be too long

sikersh said:

So glad I ordered it in the Campovolo Grey, theres gonna be loads of White Abarth's on the road.

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mmmm, Campovolo Grey, classiest colour in my opinion.

I'll probably be ordering my Abarth Essesse next year, and that's the colour I'll be going with.

Mark Elvin said:

mmmm, Campovolo Grey, classiest colour in my opinion.

I'll probably be ordering my Abarth Essesse next year, and that's the colour I'll be going with.

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Yes, me too!



...I wish!

Mark Elvin said:

mmmm, Campovolo Grey, classiest colour in my opinion.

I'll probably be ordering my Abarth Essesse next year, and that's the colour I'll be going with.

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Was my first choice, 4 weeks ish and counting, slowly.....

olopboy said:

Was my first choice, 4 weeks ish and counting, slowly.....

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I think I ordered mine around the same time as you, so I presume mine will arrive around the same time. Mines virtually standard, apart from the Grey, 17" alloys and Red side stripes/mirrors.

Si

Again, you wont regret it, just keep it clean, I know the welsh roads can be a challenge.

sikersh said:

I think I ordered mine around the same time as you, so I presume mine will arrive around the same time. Mines virtually standard, apart from the Grey, 17" alloys and Red side stripes/mirrors.

Si

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Mines the same but I splashed out on the red leather. Went for the 5 Petal wheels as I fell in love with the ones on the first show cars last year.

You wont regret it, We got Wendys on Sunday, its an absolute cracker.

We also had a few laps of Goodwood in a demonstrator last week with a race driver, It really showed what it can do in a skilled pair of hands. I think a few peole are going to get some suprises when they appear on track days

can you post the pic any bigger please

tomo28 said:

can you post the pic any bigger please

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click it!

Picked up my opening edition Abarth on Sunday, only done 250 miles so far but have a 450 mile long run tomorrow. Absolutely stunning, rides significantly better than my previous 500 1.4 sport, steering is much better than other electric set-ups, tried the car with Sport disengaged, won't be doing that again as it makes the steering too light and throttle mushy. It just sounds great too - starter motor and at idle sounds purposeful.
Only things I've noticed so far - gearchange doesn't like to be hurried on downchanges - 5th to 4th isn't that smooth, hope it gets better when run-in. TTC should engage automatically and stay on by default rather than off. Seeing out of the back with the highback seats not as easy. And it understeers more than I was expecting. 33.6mpg so far.

tomo28 said:

can you post the pic any bigger please

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Double click on the picture & it should enlarge

This is a bit bigger but again should enlarge

Stuart J: Your Abarth is a launch edition yes? Mine doesn't have the Checkered roof though, was it standard or did you opt for it? Might get my friend who works with vinyl to make me some checkers!

Sean_Bucks said:

Picked up my opening edition Abarth on Sunday, only done 250 miles so far but have a 450 mile long run tomorrow. Absolutely stunning, rides significantly better than my previous 500 1.4 sport, steering is much better than other electric set-ups, tried the car with Sport disengaged, won't be doing that again as it makes the steering too light and throttle mushy. It just sounds great too - starter motor and at idle sounds purposeful.
Only things I've noticed so far - gearchange doesn't like to be hurried on downchanges - 5th to 4th isn't that smooth, hope it gets better when run-in. TTC should engage automatically and stay on by default rather than off. Seeing out of the back with the highback seats not as easy. And it understeers more than I was expecting. 33.6mpg so far.

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similar views as you sean - i LOVE the exhaust, isnt it just a great sound!

agree totally re the TTC not being on as default and the lack of rear visibility (it does seriously hamper you if you're reversing, you have to be real careful!) also think the turning circle is a little larger than i was expecting for a car of its size - several times ive been surprised to have to do a 2 point turn when i was only expecting 1!!

but overall these are gnats on the hide of an elephant - the car is simply awesome. and although i was thinking about remaps etc before i owned it, now im just not interested. the car is such fun to drive, and is quick enough for me! it really does shift in the low gears once the boost comes on, and you dont have to rev the hell out of it to get the shove which is even better.

very, very, very happy