Hi, I have had my 1.2 lounge for 2 years and am very happy with it, but my dealership have started tempting me with a new car......

I fancy moving to an Abarth, but the trouble is, once i spec up a 500 with all the options I currently have I seem to be only a few pounds a month less than a 595 tourismo.

My question is, as they are both the same tax bracket and insurance comes out similar for me on either, what are the disadvantages of the 595 that I have not considered? are MPG and servicing that much different in costs?

Any opinions and help would be great as I'm on a deadline before the extra deposit contributions finish at the end of the month!

Steve

Seagull said:

Hi, I have had my 1.2 lounge for 2 years and am very happy with it, but my dealership have started tempting me with a new car......

I fancy moving to an Abarth, but the trouble is, once i spec up a 500 with all the options I currently have I seem to be only a few pounds a month less than a 595 tourismo.

My question is, as they are both the same tax bracket and insurance comes out similar for me on either, what are the disadvantages of the 595 that I have not considered? are MPG and servicing that much different in costs?

Any opinions and help would be great as I'm on a deadline before the extra deposit contributions finish at the end of the month!

Steve

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if you are doing 50 mpg on the 1.2 think 35 mpg at best for the 595. Servicing shouldn't be too much different, but of course more than a 1.2. Factor in about 200 GBP a year extra car maintenance.

Servicing is every 6000 miles or 1 year on the 595 and every 10 or is it 12000 miles on the standard Abarth.
No idea on MPG. There is a 180bhp 595 comp coming out soon so it may be worth looking into that

RUI said:

Servicing is every 6000 miles or 1 year on the 595 and every 10 or is it 12000 miles on the standard Abarth.
No idea on MPG.

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Thanks, thought there might be shorter service intervals... not overly worried about MPG within reason, although I certainly don't get 50MPG from mine!

Don't really need another 20BHP, I just prefer the look of the 595 and the standard equipment.

Seagull said:

not overly worried about MPG within reason, although I certainly don't get 50MPG from mine!.

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A quick look on Fuelly suggests 35MPG is what to expect.

UFI said:

A quick look on Fuelly suggests 35MPG is what to expect.

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Cheers, the long term figure from my trip computer is 44MPG, my previous car could only manage 20MPG so still a win!

I went out to the garage to check, I probably could get more but I only use the car every now and then and for short trips. I also drive it like I stole it.

RUI said:

I went out to the garage to check, I probably could get more but I only use the car every now and then and for short trips. I also drive it like I stole it.

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that seems about on the mark.

RUI said:

I went out to the garage to check, I probably could get more but I only use the car every now and then and for short trips. I also drive it like I stole it.

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Thanks for the help guys, decision made its a 595 tourism in cordolo red with electric sunroof, MTA box and competzionne wheels. Going back on Monday to sign up by which time I will have decided between standard grey leather seats or the red sabelts!

The deciding factor in the end was higher dealer contribution on the 595 and a higher end value which lowers the relative monthly payments

.....so Rui, I sm now in the market for a pair of your subtle tricolour decals and maybe a console plaque!

RUI said:

I went out to the garage to check, I probably could get more but I only use the car every now and then and for short trips. I also drive it like I stole it.

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Brrrrrrr... so bloody cold there, isn't it...! 7 degrees C... it's 22 in my garage tonight.

When we're talking about 595s, I wonder if we are talking about the same 595 that I have seen in NZ - available as Tributo Ferrari or Tributo Maserati editions, tremendously expensive? I imagine that fuel economy is hardly a concern if the car costs four times the price of a standard 500 (and therefore twice the price of an Abarth EsseEsse).

Glad to see you have upgraded from that not-so-Diesel-anymore special edition that you had before, RUI!

-Alex

alexGS said:

When we're talking about 595s, I wonder if we are talking about the same 595 that I have seen in NZ - available as Tributo Ferrari or Tributo Maserati editions, tremendously expensive? I imagine that fuel economy is hardly a concern if the car costs four times the price of a standard 500 (and therefore twice the price of an Abarth EsseEsse).

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They don't get shafted quite as badly in the UK as those of us in the AU/NZ market.

Interestingly, I couldn't find a single Abarth 500 on Spritmonitor, but plenty of US cars on Fuelly. So the A500 mightn't be an economy car in Europe, but it is in America

UFI said:

Interestingly, I couldn't find a single Abarth 500 on Spritmonitor

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There are more than 40, but for some strange reason ABARTH 500 drivers fill in the make FIAT instead of ABARTH. Maybe the brain can't keep up with the speed of the car.

Well, not counting some kick-plates and badges, engine cover and electronic info on the dash - it says FIAT everywhere on my Abarth! (especially in places that are harder to see ) Just branding, I'd say! I'm happy to tell people when they ask what I drive: a (mildly) souped up Fiat - no shame there

Seagull said:

Hi, I have had my 1.2 lounge for 2 years and am very happy with it, but my dealership have started tempting me with a new car......

I fancy moving to an Abarth, but the trouble is, once i spec up a 500 with all the options I currently have I seem to be only a few pounds a month less than a 595 tourismo.

My question is, as they are both the same tax bracket and insurance comes out similar for me on either, what are the disadvantages of the 595 that I have not considered? are MPG and servicing that much different in costs?

Any opinions and help would be great as I'm on a deadline before the extra deposit contributions finish at the end of the month!

Steve

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Well after 3 months wait I'm finally driving around in my new 595 ? and for the benefit of anyone else who may ask the same questions here are my findings so far, 1.2 lounge vs 595 turismo :

BETTER:
No more scary entries on to roundabouts hoping the revs will pick up...
The MTA gearbox is more intelligent and changes up you lift off after heavy acceleration..
The tft dash is soooo cool, especially when you select sport!
The black sunblind is much more effective than the cream one
The seats are much more supportive (standard leathers)
It is so much quieter it feels like a completely different vehicle
....apart from the lovely exhaust note!
I keep noticing other blokes 'checking her out'!

WORSE
I have to go slower over speed bumps
10mpg less.....

...and as for 500 vs 595, if you want leather, dark windows, climate then it's a no-brainer, you will end up paying much the same and get an extra 25-30hp, and I only had to pay £80 extra for the insurance.