General Considering my first Abarth, guidance appreciated please?

[ian grant]

Dear all,

It’s been a long time since I last posted, we’ve continued to have a Fiat in the family (my wife has owned 500’s for about 15 years now) but I was offered a very favourable company lease scheme which took me away for several years.

However, I’m now thinking of coming back and looking at an Abarth, but really not sure where to start or what to look out for.

I can’t afford new, but looking for something that’s half decent, low mileage etc. I’m too close to 60 to be a boy racer, so that’s not what I’m after, but I do enjoy driving and the sound of a proper petrol engine.

I’ve seen this on eBay and it’s not far from where I live. Does it look ok….is the price about right, any tiights or insight would be much appreciateded.

Pardon our interruption...

Thank you in advance.

Ian.

 

[ZaphodB]

I can’t afford new

That's good cos they stopped manufacture last year (2024) - Fin - Electric only going forward.

I picked up a 2022 in February this year , love it.

Take your time looking ....Do your due diligence, for me service history is king, .....check what it's had done .... it should have a timing belt/water pump at least once.

Also make sure the car is legit , you want a hard copy of a legit stolen/damage report.

 

[ZaphodB]

Somewhere around 2015-2016 was a facelift , I don't know the precise year but you can spot the differences: https://www.autoevolution.com/fiat/500-abarth/

and they changed the head unit screen size at some point (from 5 to 7 inch diagonal), not sure on the year but I know mine is the 7

Your ebay one is a facelift, I like it a lot in red (my 595 is grey with no racing stripes )
The normal 5 speed manual is the preferred car... (as in the ebay one)

 

[ian grant]

Thanks very much for your help and advice

Does the one in the link look ok for price/condition/mileage…..based on the info and photos?

 

[ZaphodB]

Does the one in the link look ok for price/condition/mileage…..based on the info and photos?

Well all cars look ok in the listing , you need to go and see it , and check out the thing in person, look over the paperwork..... push and prod, ask questions,, do a test drive.

Then come away from it without buying and have a think.....

(To be honest mine was the first one I'd seen, but I did walk away and have a little think.)

 

[ian grant]

Thank you, I’d do that any to be honest.

I was just asking in case there were any ‘glaring’ alarm bells that you (the experts) may spot that I (the not expert) may not spot!

 

[ZaphodB]

It looks tidy on the face of it imho

 

[RichardH13]

Looks OK, its on 16" wheels, I had 4 base models that all had 17s fitted and so the ride will be better on this one

Can't make out what tyres it has from the pictures, it may be worth budgeting for some decent tyres if its fitted with ditch finders!

As others have said, check the history and do a car vertical type check.

Its got 145 BHP, unmolested so will give more than adequate performance, I was happy with that with mine.

Your face will hurt from the smile on your face!

 

[ZaphodB]

unmolested

Engine bay , let's see inside there

 

[ian grant]

I may takes closer look and if so I’ll add a few photos, inc the engine bay.

Apparently it’s had 4 owners and a FSH, 29k miles with no category status.

I would run my own HPI check before buying before parting with any cash.

 

[icheatatscrabble]

Looks all right in the photos, definitely Chinese tyres fitted, aftermarket Abarth decals. You could probably pay the same money for something newer in base spec T-Jet trim or the same sort of money for something further up the trim level.
It been up for sale for a good few months, so there could be a deal to be had.

The ride is a lot more compliant in a T-Jet than say in a Competizione (which I own), later models will have car play/ android auto and that 5" screen was fitted in later cars (20 plate, T-Jet I had as a courtesy car whilst mine was in for a service a three years back had a 5" screen fitted).

If you go look at it check that the cam belt has been done, see how bad the exhaust back box is (last MOT picked up rust on it) and check how pitted scored the discs are on the car.
Also only has a couple of weeks of MOT left on it.