So I got to drive a 2012 Fiat 500 for a few days.

Okay, must say... very excited about the Abarth version. And it's in my time frame for buying a new car... I may actually go FWD for once.

Thanks to OP for the review and spawning a great discussion!

carguy123 wrote:

pigeon wrote: My standard 500 comment goes here - 6'2" with a 34" inseam and my head was hard against the headliner. For more average size humans the Abarth could be amazing, provided it doesn't try to rip the wheel out of your hand worse than the early Mini S I recently drove.

And I'm 6' with a 32" inseam and had room for a helmet and about 3" to spare. You must be long waisted.

I was trying to think of why he didn't fit. I'm also 6'2" with a 33" inseam and had loads of room all the way around. Plenty of head room.

well.. at 5'11 with a 32 inch inseam.. I should fit perfect. I will probably float around in the seat with my 30inch waist though

slefain wrote:

carguy123 wrote:

pigeon wrote: My standard 500 comment goes here - 6'2" with a 34" inseam and my head was hard against the headliner. For more average size humans the Abarth could be amazing, provided it doesn't try to rip the wheel out of your hand worse than the early Mini S I recently drove.

And I'm 6' with a 32" inseam and had room for a helmet and about 3" to spare. You must be long waisted.

I was trying to think of why he didn't fit. I'm also 6'2" with a 33" inseam and had loads of room all the way around. Plenty of head room.

Is there any height adjustment to the seat? When I stopped into the local Fiat dealer to check it out I was ignored for 15 minutes until I gave up and left

I have unusual pangs toward the Abarth. I am not usually drawn to any wrong wheeled drive vehicles. I'll at least go drive one of those even if it's just to find out that the crush is only skin-deep.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I have unusual pangs toward the Abarth. I am not usually drawn to any wrong wheeled drive vehicles. I'll at least go drive one of those even if it's just to find out that the crush is only skin-deep.

As dollraves said, perfect timing as well on my part, that is a car I would want and can afford if the mpg is decent!

you tempt me.... I am already a fiat freak.. do I really need a NEW one?

The one I drove had a manual seat adjustment. I don't think your 30" self will float too much, I fit just fine at 27".

It must drive a lot better than it looks on paper... or gets extremely good mileage. Specs look awful:

~100hp Strut front Twist beam rear 15x6 wheels with 185/55 all seasons ~2360lbs .35Cd

ProDarwin wrote: It must drive a lot better than it looks on paper... or gets extremely good mileage. Specs look awful: ~100hp Strut front Twist beam rear 15x6 wheels with 185/55 all seasons ~2360lbs .35Cd

So, uh, a Mazda 2? GRM sure seemed to like that, so what makes you say the Fiat would be that much worse? And I think everyone is thinking of the 170hp model :D

Brian - that first sentence reads weird. You should fix it before you upload. :)

Also - what if you are being chased through a shopping mall by baddies in a Corvette?

Per Schroeder wrote: Oddly enough, we haven't seen any here. I would think with how helpful we were with MINI that there would be more interest with Fiat. I asked a few contacts at Chrysler but they weren't really 'in the know' on the Fiat end of things here in the states.

Per, ask the Fiat club guys (I know you know them) to put you in touch with Laura Soave. She's the big marketing person with FIAT USA and was the reason we had a couple at our last few annual meets. This really is a car you guys need to delve into.

aircooled wrote: This site: http://www.fiat500usa.com/2010/01/us-fiat-500-abarthhow-much-horsepower.html Says:

Chrysler has just released their specifications on the 1.4L MultiAir engine that will equip the Fiat 500 Abarth. The 1.4L MultiAir Turbo will be rated at 170hp, that's up from the standard European spec'd version with 135hp and even up from the optional Esseesse version with 160hp. The US version 1.4-liter FIRE Turbo with Multiair 170 horsepower (128 kW) @ 6750 rpm 170 lb.-ft. (231 Nm) of torque @ 3000 rpm

and:

This is good news for us who are waiting patiently for the Abarth version, which is currently expected fourth quarter 2011/beginning 2012.

File this in "extreme want". 170hp in a totally awesome 2300lb hatch? Oh YES.

hell yes.. gotta think of what car to trade in now...

thestig99 wrote: File this in "extreme want". 170hp in a totally awesome 2300lb hatch? Oh YES.

That seems much better than the 100hp model... its like a B16 Civic hatch. But slightly heavier. With an awful suspension.

just because it does not have A arms up front does not make it an aweful suspension. BMW and Porsche did a LOT of racing on front struts to good effect

BMW and Porsche aren't FWD. Apples to Oranges.

As someone who raced a FWD car with struts for years... its a bad design. Hondas dominate for a reason.

ProDarwin wrote: As someone who raced a FWD car with struts for years... its a bad design. Hondas dominate for a reason.

I'll second that!

MCarp22 wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: As someone who raced a FWD car with struts for years... its a bad design. Hondas dominate for a reason.

I'll second that!

3rd. I love my neons, but the A's up front on my wife's old civics felt so much better.

Either way, I want an Abarth, and swap all the badges for neon R/T ones

I will admit.. the best handling FWD car I have ever driven. was my Saab.. with it's true A arm front suspension

ProDarwin wrote: BMW and Porsche aren't FWD. Apples to Oranges. As someone who raced a FWD car with struts for years... its a bad design. Hondas dominate for a reason.

Good point, I've always heard these things handle like crap:

Josh wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: BMW and Porsche aren't FWD. Apples to Oranges. As someone who raced a FWD car with struts for years... its a bad design. Hondas dominate for a reason.

Good point, I've always heard these things handle like crap:

You have probably heard they handle "like a go-kart" which... actually has no suspension.

David, thanks for the name. contacted.

Per

ddavidv wrote:

Per Schroeder wrote: Oddly enough, we haven't seen any here. I would think with how helpful we were with MINI that there would be more interest with Fiat. I asked a few contacts at Chrysler but they weren't really 'in the know' on the Fiat end of things here in the states.

Per, ask the Fiat club guys (I know you know them) to put you in touch with Laura Soave. She's the big marketing person with FIAT USA and was the reason we had a couple at our last few annual meets. This really is a car you guys need to delve into.

Am I the only one who likes the looks of the MiTo? I would love to see an Abarth MiTo.