General So close...

[Koa]

I went to the dealer this morning and got offered a great price for a part exchange for my Punto. However, here comes the bad news.

Apparently Italy shuts down over the summer holidays and no cars are produced to order over August. So therefore they cannot find me the Abarth Selespeed at all. They could offer me a 5 door, or a manual. The thing is I want Maruno Blue and that is not a popular colour.

Not sure what to do guys, I'm so close to placing my order. My friends (who works at the dealership) recommends I just ring around and see if they can find me the car I want in stock.

Also, most of the features on the Abarth are now options (Sat Nav+ etc) which puts the final price up, but I am confident I can haggle the dealer down a few grand. We shall see.

Disappointed start to the weekend, but I hope to find some good news next week.

Teg

Apparently the Abarth Selespeed is no longer available to order

 

[mat-nos]

could you not get a realy good price on the punto from the dealer
i was gonna sell my jtd for £5k and the dealers offerd me 6k if i got the abarth!!

 

[teg]

I think it is more of a case that they cannot place an order on the Abarth Selespeed at the moment for me.

Just got to wait to see what they can source from other dealers in the UK

Regards,

Teg

 

[teg]

could you not get a realy good price on the punto from the dealer
i was gonna sell my jtd for £5k and the dealers offerd me 6k if i got the abarth!!

Yes I did, the part exchange offer has been made and I've accepted. They just cannot find the Abarth that I want. I want Maruno Blue with GP Kit, upgrade stereo system, 5 disc CD changer and Sat Nav+. :bang:

 

[Koa]

I think it is more of a case that they cannot place an order on the Abarth Selespeed at the moment for me.

Just got to wait to see what they can source from other dealers in the UK

Regards,

Teg

Well according to this thread https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=34284 and others that I have read, the selespeed is no longer made to order and the only way you can get one is if it's already made...

Wanna buy a nice Blue one for 30k

 

[GhostWKD]

Apparently Italy shuts down over the summer holidays and no cars are produced to order over August.

I had that problem when i was trying to get hold of a exhaust for my cinq quite a while ago.

Good luck with the hunting for a stilo, sounds like you know what you want, dont make a sacrifice to get it that bit sooner, you'll regret it when the time comes round that you could've had the one you wanted, and your left sitting there thinking "could've had exactly what i wanted now " or similar

Just my 2 cents,
Alex

 

[teg]

Just my luck! I wait two years to by the car of my dreams and they sweep it away from me

What do I do? My other option was the Civic Type-R but that is not really "me". The Stilo Abarth is "me"?

Excuse me while I go and cry in the garden...

 

[Koa]

Just my luck! I wait two years to by the car of my dreams and they sweep it away from me

What do I do? My other option was the Civic Type-R but that is not really "me". The Stilo Abarth is "me"?

Excuse me while I go and cry in the garden...

I know how you must feel mate... I would have been totally gutted if it was me.
You could try to get a top condition second hand one Teg and spend the money you saved on getting it in A1 shape.
I think, knowing what I do now, I would be tempted to do just that. As even though I bought new I still want to do a lot of my own stuff to my car, so second hand would have been a slightly better option for me.

 

[teg]

I know how you must feel mate... I would have been totally gutted if it was me.
You could try to get a top condition second hand one Teg and spend the money you saved on getting it in A1 shape.
I think, knowing what I do now, I would be tempted to do just that. As even though I bought new I still want to do a lot of my own stuff to my car, so second hand would have been a slightly better option for me.

Koarang, thanks for your comments. But I'm not much of a DIY person, particularly when it comes to car. Like I mentioned before, I put fuel in and change the oil. For the rest I call in an expert to do it right. Believe me, your talking to someone who has screwed up several things in his life, "thinking he knew what he was doing!"

Having said that, if I have find a quality used Abarth I will go for it. Otherwise, I will just have to look at other non Fiat options. I think Golf's are highly overated, so I would not go that way. The Civic Type R is nice, but see too many of them around. The Abarth was perfect because I see around 2 in my neck of the woods.

I suppose there is always the Stilo S LE, which I could have with the GP Kit and perhaps have my own Sat Nav fitted later.

 

[Koa]

Koarang, thanks for your comments. But I'm not much of a DIY person, particularly when it comes to car. Like I mentioned before, I put fuel in and change the oil. For the rest I call in an expert to do it right. Believe me, your talking to someone who has screwed up several things in his life, "thinking he knew what he was doing!"

Having said that, if I have find a quality used Abarth I will go for it. Otherwise, I will just have to look at other non Fiat options. I think Golf's are highly overated, so I would not go that way. The Civic Type R is nice, but see too many of them around. The Abarth was perfect because I see around 2 in my neck of the woods.

I suppose there is always the Stilo S LE, which I could have with the GP Kit and perhaps have my own Sat Nav fitted later.

I saw the Stilo S LE on the road yesterday with an old Guy driving it. It looked quite nice, but as you know it's a manual and if your unhappy about that in any way then it may be worth getting the SH Selespeed.
Another car I would consider is the Alfa GT which iirc it comes with a selespeed option BUT the car is a far more expensive option to the Stilo, but looks absolutely stunning IMO

 

[teg]

I saw the Stilo S LE on the road yesterday with an old Guy driving it. It looked quite nice, but as you know it's a manual and if your unhappy about that in any way then it may be worth getting the SH Selespeed.
Another car I would consider is the Alfa GT which iirc it comes with a selespeed option BUT the car is a far more expensive option to the Stilo, but looks absolutely stunning IMO

Alfa is beautiful, but slightly out of my price range (particularly as I would go for the top of the range Selespeed model!)

I suppose I have to wait on the dealer and then at the end of the week make a decision. If I have to, I will go for something non - Fiat

 

[teg]

My dealer, up to this point has been quiet helpful but now doesn't appear to give a toss! Just got off the phone to him now.

He did some searching for an Abarth but could not get it. Is now overing me a GT (Manual) with GP Kit and everything I want (including colour) which can be ordered.

He insisted on a test drive but won't give it to me for a full day (9am - 3pm / 4pm) and can only lend it out for 9am - 12pm, which in my opinion is not enough time to get to know whether you like the car or not.

I really don't know what to do. I just think the quality of service I am receiving from the dealer is pants. Possibly because they thought they had a clear sale a few months ago, when I test drove the Abarth.

Seriously considering going for a non Fiat, even though it breaks my heart to do so.

Will wait and see what happens.

Regards,

Teg

 

[Koa]

My dealer, up to this point has been quiet helpful but now doesn't appear to give a toss! Just got off the phone to him now.

He did some searching for an Abarth but could not get it. Is now overing me a GT (Manual) with GP Kit and everything I want (including colour) which can be ordered.

He insisted on a test drive but won't give it to me for a full day (9am - 3pm / 4pm) and can only lend it out for 9am - 12pm, which in my opinion is not enough time to get to know whether you like the car or not.

I really don't know what to do. I just think the quality of service I am receiving from the dealer is pants. Possibly because they thought they had a clear sale a few months ago, when I tested drove the Abarth.

Seriously considering going for a non Fiat, even though it breaks my heart to do so.

Will wait and see what happens.

Regards,

Teg

I drove the manual on a 10 minute test drive, and although I was buying a selespeed it was enough time for me to be convinced. You'll love it, so go for it

 

[Johny]

lol, 3 hours is not enough and 6 is ok...
3h is enough if youre serious. you try city driving , punch it on the motorway and some twisty roads, see if you can get comfortable in the seat etc.. for a more real life and overall evaluation youd need a couple of weeks but for that you have car magazines, internet forums and car surveys , friends and family.

 

[wozza]

Id just get the manual and then you can sit there and be happy in the fact its quicker than the selespeed (only ever so slightly) but also is far less prone to going wrong.

And cheaper.

Its the car is you as ya said then your gonna have to compromise it seems. Even fiats website shows theres no more selespeed option. And the lineup has changed also no 1.6 option no more etc.

Just get it anyways and install the satnav+ later on. Or you could get yourself a better aftermarket satnav system for around the same price. you can get the 7" touch screen types for less than fiat charge for theres it wont look quite the same and look standard but will look pretty cool when you turn the ignition on and it pops out of the dash.

 

[teg]

Been thinking about it and I'm not going to mess around with after market products even if it means I spend more money.

If I like the drive of the GT, it will be spec'ed up as close to the Abarth as humanly possible.

Leather seats, SatNav+Connect, upgraded stereo etc

Is it my understanding that it is not badged with Abarth, but just GT? So no Abarth mats then, never mind!

 

[wozza]

Its still badged as an abarth in this country i think.

Was when i was looking at getting one as i wanted the manual over the selespeed anyways.

Its also still on fiats website as being an abarth.

There is one thing new though by looks of it they all come with 17's now rather than the 16" rims and the manual now gets cruise control too. Didnt have them before. And leather is also standard on them now.

 

[Koa]

Been thinking about it and I'm not going to mess around with after market products even if it means I spend more money.

If I like the drive of the GT, it will be spec'ed up as close to the Abarth as humanly possible.

Leather seats, SatNav+Connect, upgraded stereo etc

Is it my understanding that it is not badged with Abarth, but just GT? So no Abarth mats then, never mind!

You don't get the 7 inch screen on the manual which is a real shame
But you do get to use your left foot a lot more and make your legs ache when your driving through town.... ooh hang on thats not a plus point is it

 

[Ben R]

I'm sure a normal manual abarth with all the kit still works out less than a selespeed anyway? Go for it mate. Highly tunable & capable & IMO one of the best engine sounds ever!

 

[teg]

You don't get the 7 inch screen on the manual which is a real shame
But you do get to use your left foot a lot more and make your legs ache when your driving through town.... ooh hang on thats not a plus point is it

I am going to get the Sat Nav fitted (same as Abarth) the dealer said on the phone this was possible.

Oh yeah, the main point of getting the selespeed was to remove the clutch. My clutch control has always been a bit suspect! I wouldn't mind if I did loads of motorway driving but unfortunately my daily drive means I get stuck in more stop start situations.

Feel a bit better than I did on Saturday afternoon, but just need a test drive to confirm things.

Teg