General Ex Demo Abarth Selespeed.................

[david palmer]

Hi folks,

just traded in the wife's 1.8 Stilo for an 04 Stilo Abarth Selespeed and despite a few stone chips which the dealer is sorting, We are well impressed. I do have a few questions though, which I hope you all may be able to help me with.
1. When I press the SOS button I get a "not subscribed" message!! Is this something the dealer should have sorted?
2. I sent the car a text message and although it has recieved it, i cannot open it because the system is not set up for this? Any idea's?
3. The old Stilo was registered on a security register and this paperwork came with the car, have Fiat stopped this or is this again something the dealer should have sorted?
4. Any driving tips for smooth 1st to 2nd changes would be greatly appreciated?
5. Should I be expected to send off the 2nd owner paperwork including the change of warranty forms myself? The car is from a Fiat dealer and i feel a little dissapointed with the service so far. Please let me know if anyone else has had a similar experience of buying a nearly new ex demo and i will hit the garage with my findings.

Any info/advice is much appreciated and I must say that no matter what the motoring press thinks, our Abarth is a beast and I wouldn't swap it for a Focus, Type R or anything else for that matter.

Regards Dave & Jane Palmer

 

[Stanley_Cooper]

Hi David,

I can't help you with questions 1 and 2, but I have just got my new Stilo today and am really happy with it. As for the security register it states you can either fill in a sale transfer form. If you don't have one of them call ISR on 07000 111333 or visit there website at www.theisr.org to register your sale.

The gear changes I know you have a selespeed so maybe KoArAnG can help you out there. I am still getting used to the gears myself!

Not sure about warranty I have a registry form, not sure if I fill this in myself now.

Stan..

 

[Koa]

Hi,

1. When I press the SOS button I get a "not subscribed" message!! Is this something the dealer should have sorted?

Thers some paperwork that you should have been given when you got the car, its then sent off for the subscription. I still haven't done mine yet.

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2. I sent the car a text message and although it has recieved it, i cannot open it because the system is not set up for this? Any idea's?

I had that once and for me it was an unsupported text format that caused it.
other than that im not too sure about this one.

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3. The old Stilo was registered on a security register and this paperwork came with the car, have Fiat stopped this or is this again something the dealer should have sorted?

Its something they should have done for you as the scheme is still going.
Is there a sticker in the car window with a phone number for the security centre ?

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4. Any driving tips for smooth 1st to 2nd changes would be greatly appreciated?

Yes mate, you will never get that one absolutely perfect but changing very early and not takin your foot all the way off the gas is my tip for that one.
The rest of the gears are very smooth all the time though.

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5. Should I be expected to send off the 2nd owner paperwork including the change of warranty forms myself? The car is from a Fiat dealer and i feel a little dissapointed with the service so far. Please let me know if anyone else has had a similar experience of buying a nearly new ex demo and i will hit the garage with my findings.

My mum had an ex demo Fiat Idea and all that stuff was done for her so give em a swift kick up the ass and tell em to sort it.

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Any info/advice is much appreciated and I must say that no matter what the motoring press thinks, our Abarth is a beast and I wouldn't swap it for a Focus, Type R or anything else for that matter.

DITO !

 

[pjp]

Hi,

4. Any driving tips for smooth 1st to 2nd changes would be greatly appreciated?

Yes mate, you will never get that one absolutely perfect but changing very early and not takin your foot all the way off the gas is my tip for that one.
The rest of the gears are very smooth all the time though.

I find it's smoothest when the gearbox changes up automatically at the redline

Paul

 

[Koa]

LOL.. yeah i would go along with that but seeing as i've only done 700 miles im not gonna push it that much just yet maybe after 1k

 

[Stu DemonD]

I find it's smoothest when the gearbox changes up automatically at the redline

Paul

Indeed, a good point well made!

David, congratulations on your purchase

What mode are are running the selespeed in? When I first got mine, it was in 'Auto' just to get used to the car, BUT now it is in 'Manual' 100% of the time - I feel it is the only way to drive the car properly.

 

[david palmer]

thanks chaps,

i think the gear change gig is simply practice and driving styles. I've driven to Nottingham today and really experimented with auto and manual and both have their advantages. By the way I averaged 33mpg, is that normal or did the busy roads flatter it? Thanks again for your replies..................

 

[Koa]

33mpg is about right in the Abarth on longer journeys. City Driving averages about 20 mpg for me at the moment cuz im startin to really enjoy drivin it, if you know what I mean

 

[Citizen Smith]

When changing 1st to 2nd try releasing the throttle, then change, as though you was pressing the clutch, before accelerating again.

 

[Koa]

When changing 1st to 2nd try releasing the throttle, then change, as though you was pressing the clutch, before accelerating again.

Thats whats recomended by Fiat anyway..BUT it don't work..
I was told to use that technique by the dealers as the car is apparently the same as a car with a clutch but without the clutch pedal?
BUT if you use that method for 1st to 2nd gear it pulls back the car..
When You take your foot off to do the change, the gear starts to brake the car and causes a major braking feeling as your waiting for the 2nd gear to engage.
The only way I have found to counteract this is to not take your foot off 100%..
If you want to drive it smoothly and not see your passengers head thrown forward then You need to keep your foot about an inch on the gas in my experience. Takes some getting used to but it does work..