Firstly, hello all - I've just test driven and subsequently put a deposit down on an '08 Fiat 500 Lounge 1.2 Auto (in yellow with Italy bonnet/roof stripe and electric sunroof) - collect on Saturday, and frankly, I can't frickin' wait - it's been so long since I've driven a "new" car that's actually made me laugh in a good way!
Whilst I was very impressed with the test drive, and pleasantly surprised by the clever little 'Dualogic' auto box, I did find the ride to be a little... skittish, for lack of a better word. I have a long history of driving fairly worked classic minis (still have a stage 4 spec'd '78 GT as a weekend toy) and so (if you know anything about Mini's, you'll know what I mean by this) I like my little nippy town cars to go round corners like their on rails - as all good little cars should! The handling was surprisingly very good, and more than acceptable in terms of comfort.
My only criticism really is that as standard, and running on 15"s which I can only assume were inflated correctly, is that I felt a little high up in terms of seated position centre of gravity, which felt as though itself could compromise cornering with enthusiasm. The ride didn't feel overly harsh - although from driving old Mini's, anything over rigid mounted hubs could be considered sophisticated
Ok questions: I've done a little homework and read that the travel of the rear suspension is fairly limited in terms of travel before hitting the bump stops. I've seen for sale a full Abarth suspension kit, as retained parts from the Essesse upgrade. Firstly, would this be standard fitment to an '08 1.2 model without need for modification? Secondly, could anybody give an indication as to what drop in ride height this would give? Whilst I'd like to see a couple of centimetres lower ride height, I don't exactly want to be riding round on the spine shattering bump stops.
Lastly, any thought on the Abarth suspension? would I see a noticable difference in ride height and handling quality?
Sorry for the long post - thanks in advance for reading
Dan
Whilst I was very impressed with the test drive, and pleasantly surprised by the clever little 'Dualogic' auto box, I did find the ride to be a little... skittish, for lack of a better word. I have a long history of driving fairly worked classic minis (still have a stage 4 spec'd '78 GT as a weekend toy) and so (if you know anything about Mini's, you'll know what I mean by this) I like my little nippy town cars to go round corners like their on rails - as all good little cars should! The handling was surprisingly very good, and more than acceptable in terms of comfort.
My only criticism really is that as standard, and running on 15"s which I can only assume were inflated correctly, is that I felt a little high up in terms of seated position centre of gravity, which felt as though itself could compromise cornering with enthusiasm. The ride didn't feel overly harsh - although from driving old Mini's, anything over rigid mounted hubs could be considered sophisticated
Ok questions: I've done a little homework and read that the travel of the rear suspension is fairly limited in terms of travel before hitting the bump stops. I've seen for sale a full Abarth suspension kit, as retained parts from the Essesse upgrade. Firstly, would this be standard fitment to an '08 1.2 model without need for modification? Secondly, could anybody give an indication as to what drop in ride height this would give? Whilst I'd like to see a couple of centimetres lower ride height, I don't exactly want to be riding round on the spine shattering bump stops.
Lastly, any thought on the Abarth suspension? would I see a noticable difference in ride height and handling quality?
Sorry for the long post - thanks in advance for reading
Dan
