Little Toni
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A 'breaking it in' kind of approach?
Tuning My new 1.4 500
- Thread starter Little Toni
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Tuning My new 1.4 500
A 'breaking it in' kind of approach?
Tbh I think the 1.4 will be quick enough to keep most people happy 
I drove a Panda 100hp a few weeks ago and it was quick enough to have a little bit of fun and didn't feel gutless at all.
I drove a Panda 100hp a few weeks ago and it was quick enough to have a little bit of fun and didn't feel gutless at all.
I don't the insurance would be much more, it's still a 1.4 just the same!
The tuning box i have was fitted by TMC motor sport (he has an account on here) and he is a dedicated Abarth fan, he has an Abarth Punto EVO himself. But they are only available for the T-jet/Multiair engines i'm afraid.
I'm at 62000 miles now on my 1.4 and its feeling nicely run in.
You'll notice a bump at about 4000 miles, it'll suddenly feel much more free revving. They're great engines and love to be revved, don't be afraid to take it by the scruff of the neck.
I'm at 62000 miles now on my 1.4 and its feeling nicely run in.
You'll notice a bump at about 4000 miles, it'll suddenly feel much more free revving. They're great engines and love to be revved, don't be afraid to take it by the scruff of the neck.
The Panda I drove the other day felt pretty darn good
With the 1.2 there's little point in redlining it but with the 1.4 there certainly is a point Little Toni
New member
I don't the insurance would be much more, it's still a 1.4 just the same!
The tuning box i have was fitted by TMC motor sport (he has an account on here) and he is a dedicated Abarth fan, he has an Abarth Punto EVO himself. But they are only available for the T-jet/Multiair engines i'm afraid.
It was £82 a month more for the Abarth insurance wise!
Little Toni
New member
Im nearly 22 and they want £150 a month for an Abarth! Thats with my fella as the main driver who is 23 in March.
Really gutted tonight...we were told by the dealership that there was an NHS voucher we could use on brand new cars if we knew anybody who worked there (which my mum does). Got the voucher, signed the order form and was told the finance had gone through no probs, only to be told today that the only car the voucher doesnt cover is the Blackjack.
Was so looking forward to picking up the car - dont know what to do now!!
Really gutted tonight...we were told by the dealership that there was an NHS voucher we could use on brand new cars if we knew anybody who worked there (which my mum does). Got the voucher, signed the order form and was told the finance had gone through no probs, only to be told today that the only car the voucher doesnt cover is the Blackjack.
Was so looking forward to picking up the car - dont know what to do now!!
If it's a significant amount of money then why not just get a "normal" 500?Im nearly 22 and they want £150 a month for an Abarth! Thats with my fella as the main driver who is 23 in March.
Really gutted tonight...we were told by the dealership that there was an NHS voucher we could use on brand new cars if we knew anybody who worked there (which my mum does). Got the voucher, signed the order form and was told the finance had gone through no probs, only to be told today that the only car the voucher doesnt cover is the Blackjack.
Was so looking forward to picking up the car - dont know what to do now!!
You'll love it just the same, trust me 
if you get more than £1k off you could get a normal one wrapped in matt black vinyl for £1k
Little Toni
New member
I think because I had my heart set on the matt black I'm a little reluctant to go for a 'normal' one now.
They are not willing to budge on the price and without the voucher we have no deposit as we have outstanding finance on our vxr.
Bit of a mess tbh.
They are not willing to budge on the price and without the voucher we have no deposit as we have outstanding finance on our vxr.
Bit of a mess tbh.
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Did you see Top Gear this week. They reviewed a matt painted BMW. You must wipe off insects, tree sap, & bird poo immediately. Not very practical, you might be at work all day or away. Must not rub the car, no waxing and no automatic car washes ( a good thing anyway )
If this applies to the Blackjack then you've got to be better off with vinyl or nice glossy black paint.
Little Toni
New member
I didnt see it but have been told. You are right its not practical at all, maybe the deal falling through was a sign! But you know when you get that feeling when you NEED something
I didnt see it but have been told. You are right its not practical at all, maybe the deal falling through was a sign! But you know when you get that feeling when you NEED something
I know that problem so well. Still not heard from the dealership how they are dealing with my 'non delivery'.
Anything other than what i ordered will always be second best.
Cheers
D
Little Toni
New member
You're definitely on my wave length!!
My order has now been cancelled - they didnt even try to offer me anything else
. I think they knew how dis-heartened I was.My fiat fun was very short-lived but I must say everybody on here has been really nice and helpful so thank you!
You're definitely on my wave length!!
My order has now been cancelled - they didnt even try to offer me anything else
My fiat fun was very short-lived but I must say everybody on here has been really nice and helpful so thank you!
Fair enough
I still think there's enough scope for customising a 500 enough to make it to your liking but maybe that's just me 
I didn't say it gave it more power. In fact i said it makes it feel like it has more power.
I did a decent enough test drive and for the first half drove in "normal" mode and it was what i expected. Not quick but enough power to be comfortable and confidant. For the 2nd half i pressed the sport button and even though the overall power wouldn't have improved it felt a lot more responsive and a lot more satisfying to drive. I loved it in sport mode, there is a big difference in characteristics.
I did 1000 miles in a Fiat 500 1.4 once, the Sport button made no difference at all as far as i could see. In the Abarth it makes a big difference, increasing engine torque by 20% and makes the steering much heavier and the throttle response sharper too.
The sport button does not add torque or power. It sharpens throttle response and stiffens steering. It makes the car alot more fun as you put your foot 2 cm down and its like putting it 6 cm down for example. The sport button does exactly the same in the 1.4 as it does to the abarth 1.4. There may be a more noticeable difference in the abarth as you have more power in the engine
