Well good FF people, time has come to say goodbye to my lovely red 500 TA, its has been a fantastic runner. The advert has been placed on FF and soon on Autotrader, hopefully the car will go to some one on FF who knows me.

I am looking to get the new Abarth 500 with the MTA box, I would have kept the TA but using the manual has been fun.

Have you had a good drive with an MTA?

Why do you ask any issues with the MTA ?
I have a test drive booked in for the MTA this weekend.

arorat said:

Why do you ask any issues with the MTA ?

I have a test drive booked in for the MTA this weekend.

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No I've never driven one either but I know they draw mixed opinions, have a good long test drive and not just a spin around the block!

Wasn't too sure about the MTA box at first but once you get used to the way it works you can use the throttle to facilitate when you want to change gear. That, and using the paddles to force an up-change whenever you think it is in the zone has made it a lot more user friendly to me. Also, once the engine got past the 6000 mile mark, as well as loosening up and feeling more flexible the gearbox also seemed to improve becoming a lot smoother.

Mercky said:

No I've never driven one either but I know they draw mixed opinions, have a good long test drive and not just a spin around the block!

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Thanks Mercky, we have the test drive on Sat, will let you know. We will see if we can borrow the car for an hour or so.

The test drive will dictate, but I am not concerned too much if I end up liking or disliking the MTA, we need to replace the 4x4 and the TA and could get a crossover auto or A500 auto to begin with. Or worst case (maybe best case if Maxi is reading) do nothing for another 6 months, save the money and do Chamonix again.

Cheers bud

Why not wait for the 500x?

grimwau said:

Wasn't too sure about the MTA box at first but once you get used to the way it works you can use the throttle to facilitate when you want to change gear. That, and using the paddles to force an up-change whenever you think it is in the zone has made it a lot more user friendly to me. Also, once the engine got past the 6000 mile mark, as well as loosening up and feeling more flexible the gearbox also seemed to improve becoming a lot smoother.

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Thanks Tony, nice to hear you have mastered the gearing.

I am a bit confused, how can you change up a gear (or drop a gear) by throttle i.e. can that be done by releasing or feathering the throttle - does that apply to dualogic mechanism too ?

On motorbikes you can change / down by cleaver use of throttle, I tried it couple of time but stick to clutch.

306maxi said:

Why not wait for the 500x?

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What is a 500x ? sorry if its a dumb question

mmmmm Chamonix! Nice drive in an Abarth!

arorat said:

What is a 500x ? sorry if its a dumb question

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I was wondering about this as well. Apparently it's the small cross-over SUV version of the 500:
http://www.caradvice.com.au/285460/...ody-revealed-confirmed-for-australia-by-2016/

grimwau said:

Wasn't too sure about the MTA box at first but once you get used to the way it works you can use the throttle to facilitate when you want to change gear. That, and using the paddles to force an up-change whenever you think it is in the zone has made it a lot more user friendly to me. Also, once the engine got past the 6000 mile mark, as well as loosening up and feeling more flexible the gearbox also seemed to improve becoming a lot smoother.

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Take notice of the Guru's comments.

arorat said:

Thanks Tony, nice to hear you have mastered the gearing.

I am a bit confused, how can you change up a gear (or drop a gear) by throttle i.e. can that be done by releasing or feathering the throttle - does that apply to dualogic mechanism too ?

On motorbikes you can change / down by cleaver use of throttle, I tried it couple of time but stick to clutch.

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What I was referring to is that depending on how you use the throttle can influence the up changes.

If I start off fairly briskly (½ throttle) the gearchanges will happen at higher speed. If I decide I want to change up before the software decides it is ready then just easing off the throttle will make it change up there and then. So in real terms by using the throttle you can make the gearchanges happen when you want, as long as the car's speed is within the parameters to allow using the gear you want.

I also find that on a level road at 30mph the auto box wants to stay in 4th but using the paddles I can select 5th but if I then have to gently touch the throttle it will change back down to 4th even though in a manual car staying in 5th would feel fine.

Basically, you can influence gear changes but in the end the MTA software is still always in charge.

Thanks for this, very useful. It seems like there is no manual mode where the car is purely operated by paddles and stays in gear until you change it.

arorat said:

Thanks for this, very useful. It seems like there is no manual mode where the car is purely operated by paddles and stays in gear until you change it.

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You can select manual and just use the paddles and it is clever enough not to let you exceed the rev limits. It also changes down gears as you slow down even if you know very well that if you were in a proper manual you could easily use a taller gear with a light throttle.

grimwau said:

You can select manual and just use the paddles and it is clever enough not to let you exceed the rev limits. It also changes down gears as you slow down even if you know very well that if you were in a proper manual you could easily use a taller gear with a light throttle.

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That is nice to know...

I am kicking myself for not getting the dualogic when we got the TA,
I wouldn't have to change now. I guess if new buyers are dithering its probably worth getting.

arorat said:

That is nice to know...

I am kicking myself for not getting the dualogic when we got the TA,
I wouldn't have to change now. I guess if new buyers are dithering its probably worth getting.

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and I am the one who wishes I got a Manual instead of the Dualogic!

Had the test drive in the Abarth 500 with the MTA on 17",

Lovely engine and gearbox and takes the 500 to another level, the TA felt dull and underpowered afterwards, a bit like riding a scooter after getting off a sports bike, lacking in power however the MPG reading and knowing there was zero road tax made up for it.

The MTA was easy to use and as Grimwua mentioned, you can facilitate the gear change by letting go of accelerator momentarily, the gearbox was tight and flappy paddles very useful.

It was weird not having a gearknob even the same as dualogic and left hand wanted to rest on something.

Rides on 17" was fantastic and not jittery.

The leather seats were phenomenal, but cloth ones are nice too, I can't justify the cost for leather if I replace in a few years.

Logically it makes sense to stay with TA, emotionally you are buying into the Abarth brand, if the deal is right that just makes the transaction sweet.

Slight issue now... our other car is causing some issues and we are having to place an order for a crossover on Monday. The A500 is very tempting and I will make a decision soon.

Some questions if you have got this far;

1) Is the diameter of the 16 inc rubber the same as 17 inc rubber ? I have asked this Q a few years back but I forget.
2) We weren't keen on Campovolo grey, what do you think of Metallic record Grey.
3) which colour works with the 16" standard wheels below - I know its subjective ? I guess we could stick with red.

Normal Mode



Sports Mode



Sports mode - gas applied


Record Grey


Standard wheels


If the dealer asks to remove the pictures, I will request this from a moderator.

Dunno about the wheel sizes but personally I like Record grey, it's identical to Electroclash in Fiat land and it's what my TA is, I think it suits the car well and is subtle. I was torn re getting the dualogic when I ordered my TA as I have driven big autos for many years, I broke my leg quite badly back in 2000 so it really helped as it still gives me discomfort particularly in traffic. I dident really want to spend the extra cash and was also worried re long term reliability. The manual box is so nice too and has really snicky changes. If I was upgrading I would probably go DL though or MTA if an Abarth. Seems to be a common natural progression to go from TA to Abarth which I can understand, think I'd have to go the whole hog though and get a 595!! Good luck with your decision!

Whilst we consider the deal for an Abarth can anyone comment if Campovolo grey looks good with the standard Abarth wheels as in this pic ?

Campovolo does look a bit flat but we don't want to go with Red again, so I am now thinking red mirrors, red stripes and red brake callipers.