I sold mine because it doesn't make me smile.....only the sound make me smile. But nothing more...Now I have a new Gt86 and a panda 100hp as a day car, a little tuned and it's ugly compared to abarth....it's slow compared to turbo abarth, but when i'm in the corner my face smile every day....(better gearshift, better wheel sensation, better handling and the aspirated is so good to push...)
i have a fiat 500 diesel tuned to 110/120cv (by the previous owner, i'm not sure) and just the look makes me smile (black with white side stripes just under the windows and white roof) and i can't wait to have a chance to buy an Abarth, my next car for sure no matter how much time it will take
These guys were bang on with the review. I rented an abarth for 48 hours, and put 303 miles on it in that time. I've never had so much fun. I don't care that it's not got the best handling, or the nicest interior or the best ride, but I've never smiled so much in 48 hours. It's got so much personality, and just for that, I'd own one.
Bought an Abarth because of the sound, looks and driving feel. - Didn’t buy a mini because way too expensive and a bit dull - Didn’t buy a Fiesta ST because they’re far far too common and boring because of that - Volkswagen didn’t get back to me about buying an UP GTI - Volkswagen sold a Polo GTi I had my deposit on 🤷♂️
Yes, abarth sound it's amazing, the looks it's amazing but the driving fell not so good. After having sold mine I have bought a Panda 100HP so much smile driving this little cracked machine. Next year I think to change for a new 3cilinder ford Fiesta ST. I live in turin and 500 500 abarth is so common. I see one every 5 minutes....fiesta ST is so rare. The opposite of you...:)
Abarths do sound good. Think there’s a lot of Abarth owners on here as some seems to think their leagues above lol. Personally would have the Polo GTI & JCW over an Abarth
As someone who listens to podcasts on 1.8x I coped quite well but I feel sorry for any non-UK viewers who struggle with accents. One at a time please, chaps.
I have owned both of them. The Mini cooper was more expensive to own and you see so many of them. The Fiat is not as nice inside but I didn't care because it was more fun and cheaper to run too. The Fiat I think is the one to buy because it is more fun to drive and you see less of them driving around.
Mr.Spencer totally agree, it’s not th sheep car and if your into cars it shows more passion. It’s a small Sport Italian car with character compared to a bloated German so called mini
Hi may I ask? Regarding both cars you mentioned the fiat being more fun to drive despite the power difference, what we're the better aspects in terms of driving for the fiat?
Abarth is owned by fca (sadly) and is the "cheap" (no so cheap) sport car maker..mini is owned by BMW and BMW is premium brand so the price is higher. BTW I hope FCA in future will sell Abarth brand because I'm tired to see only the 595 (I own one). BTW I like the copper s cabrio.
I currently own a TTS and had an abarth prior to this and I have to honestly say it was some of the most fun I've had in a car. Every time I see one I want to jump back into one. Yes it's not the fastest or best setup but in terms of smiles per miles the little thing really does put one!
The Abarth is a car that you just can’t take too seriously. As if you go in with that mindset, it’s a brilliant little car, and is more refined than you think as a daily
I bought a MINI JCW the last year of the Supercharger (2006). It's now 2019 and it's still a screaming blast. In the words of my wife, "We're NEVER getting rid of this car!"
@@bign3ck Lol, the Abarth is way more reliable then the Mini. The 1.4 t-jet is just bullet proof. The Mini, with modern BMW hardware is dramatic at the moment.
What exactly is the point of comparing an A segment car like the 595 to a B segment car like the Mini? What's next? Gonna compare a Focus to a 3 Series and arrive to the conclusion the 3 series is a better car? Brilliant "journalism." Wanna do a fair comparison? Compare the 595 to the Up GTI or the Adam S.
Well, to be honest: there is more back seat space in the Abarth then in the Mini I know from my own experience of owning them. The Abarth is way more fun tho. The Mini is more serious, the Abarth is just so much fun. It's also way more distinctive.
The 595 would crush the Up GTI and the Adam S purely on performance. That said, the Adam S ist a nicely built car, shame that Opel stopped making them. I almost bought one, but the 595 was more fun, so I chose that.
By Judging the comments the Abarth seems to be the best all rounder, despite what these guys are saying. I own an Abarth 595 they are like many others say, smiles per miles. Would highly recommend.👍🏻
I have a 595 comp with mechanical LSD, great fun to drive, the high seating position really it's just not what you expect but it doesn't make it bad you get used to it and it gives you a great view of the road when pressing on. The sabelt seats are brilliant, the interior finish is a mix of sublime and cheap standard 500 bits however it doesn't look like a car crash of disjointed bits like almost all moderns, simple wins in my book. Old school car feel, total fun to drive. Incidentally it does have an electronic LSD in standard form like the mini just press the TTC button.
The primary function of the Abarth Sports Button is to add Boost and increase Torque by 12%, say at 3000 rpm, which in turn increases Power by 12% at 3000 rpm. The mass of the Abarth is also only an approximate 1050 kg. Matt Prior should read up in order to understand these figures better before any review is done. I have a Turismo and LOVE IT!
Having owned both these cars, the JCW is a natural step up.Both are great fun to drive.The JCW has so much low down torque and sounds terrific when you boot it. It is expensive though, given the competition.
Both cool cars but if you’re a hot hatch fan, you really need to own an Abarth at some point!!! Truly special little cars...the Monza exhaust the icing on a quirky Italian cake!!!
I’ve had my 05 MINI Cooper S JCW for a little over 2 years now and I’ve loved every bit of it. I’ve driven the new one at a MINI sponsored auto cross event and it’s great fun, but I still prefer the analog feel (and the supercharged whine) of my old one. Awesome video!
I've had my 03 Cooper S for 14 years and every time I think about selling it I just know I'm going to regret the decision. I would miss the electro-hydraulic power assisted steering, the supercharger whine, the diminutive size of it compared to more recent models, the far prettier design...It's not a perfect car, but changing the heavy OEM wheels, tyres and track width made mine far more enjoyable and easier to live with. Let's hope BMW go back to the first generation drawing board for the electric MINI.
Same here... I put on a Miltek exhaust, big brakes and stiffer roll bars front & rear. Re-mapped the ECU and it's so much better than the current model which has gone fat & soft.
For the love of god, I’m really tired of every single person complaining that the car is called a Mini. Mini is literally the name of the brand, not the model. IT CANT BE CHANGED.
These cars are quite different prices, surely. Whilst the Mini JCW is clearly the better car, it’s price puts it in the mix with seriously good competition
Mini is definitely not the better car I’ve had both and still have Abarth with mechanical limit slip differential and it embarrasses many far more expensive cars including BMW and a like, it’s not all about a badge
You are comparing 2 very different cars from 2 very different segments and price ranges. Naturally the mini is a superior car in everything, from its power to its chassis and built quality, its much more a drivers car than the abarth. But where the Abarth (competizione) scores Points I think it is on the small things that make him great: the sound of the record monza exhaust is mental, the interior besides the cheap plastics is complemented with the sabelt racing seats made of leather, alcantara and Carbon fiber. There is actually Carbon fiber on the stearing wheel, seats, door sills, dashboard.... the pedals are made of aluminium, the gear knob is made of titanium which involves you even further. There are scorpions everywhere remembering you the character of the car. And 180 bhp on a 1045kg car that looks, sounds and drives like hell, i think that character its What makes it awesome, dispite of its evident flaws.
You're absolutely right. I've got my Abarth 595 Competizione with all the options included, premium pack, sports pack, body kit etc. And it is still cheaper than a Mini JCW. These two are two very different cars. I don't think these two can be compared. Nah.
For trying both I disagree. They are the 2 only car that feels like a go-kart. Both are the "top of the line" product of the brand, im currently hesitating which to buy and similar marketing/branding, the only difference is price, no cars are more similar to them. To me Mini cooper JCW have way more of the "details" as you talk about, the start toggle, racing "song" when putting it in sport mode, JCW brandings everywhere ect... Also both very fun but the mini is EXTREMLY less cheap, fiat is fun but its a litteral plastic junkbox, full of rattle every sharp turn feels like everything is gonna break (its funny and kinda part of the charm). Id say fun wise both are as good, mini is terribly better quality and fun features wise, both are too expensive. Abarth is worth if you get it extremly cheap. Also nowaday's mini are known to be very reliable but fiat are known to be unreliable. To me its a, if you have a tigher budget try to find a cheap abarth, if you got budget, like more refined cars and little details that makes you smile, get the Mini.
Why did they not mention the price of the JCW (base, and 'as driven')? It's at whole different (and much higher) price point than the Abarth. No doubt a JCW is fun, fast, and well made, but the Abarth is much more than the sum of its parts, and huge fun. Also great for surprising drivers of other fast cars out there - underestimate a Competizione at your peril...
Currently driving an Abarth 595 and just about to get a Mini Copper S Sport. Interesting chat about the two cars here. The Abarth has been an absolute joy to drive. It is the most fun car I have had so based on this I really can't wait to get the Mini this week.
I have owned three sports cars in my life and driven 11 cars in competition. The two i still own is a 1981 Fiat X19 and a Fiat Abarth 500. Both are remarkable and unique, fun to drive and have been reliable for me. I have won SCCA regional and divisional championship events in both. They still put a smile on my face when i drive them and some people seem to think my X19 cost $40k which is a bit hilarious to be honest.
First car my mate (with me in it) crashed was also a Mini. Straight through a farmer's hedge down a bank into his field. Needless to say my fingernails were embedded into the dash and extracting me from the passenger seat was almost as hard as dragging the lime green 'M' from the green stuff. Great days in Yorkshire 30 years ago.
As a MINI owner (F56 Cooper), Abarth definitely has much more character when driving but the rear space is honestly so much bigger in the MINI. More leg room and head room due to the box-like shape. My head actually touches the rear window in the Abarth. Gearbox in MINI has rev-matching and more precise feel for me. Just my thoughts! Hardest decision ever choosing between these.
exacly, fiat is just as fun if you have a lower budget. but I feel like the abarth will make you smile out of "its hilarious to drive this lil garbage car and it still sounds really great" and laught at how everything want to break when you do a sharp turn. The mini is just as fun but it as lots more fun details and quality into it. Simply put, fiat is a motorised soapbox build by a child and Mini JCW is a Go-Kart tweaked by a car enthusiast with gadgets
I love my 595, few simple mods and a remap and you’re golden. I was going for a mini JCW originally but I found them bland and way less special. I’m very pleased with the little fiat 18 months on it’s been 100% reliable with no issues. It’s a 2015 too so not new
I have also owned both and still have Abarth Comp and can tell you mini is overrated and not a patch on driving enjoyment or handling compared to Abarth although mini has better finish internally (dashboard only,), you drove both cars like a fairy and you cannot Judge either of them the way your driving them push them both and the smiles begin. I’m just glad both cars are no where as dull as you two are they are both good to drive and it’s all about personal preference.
Just a little shout for anyone looking at getting a mini, a common problem with them is the driver footwell floods if there is heavy rain and water can get trapped under the floor over time and slowly fill up and soak the carpets as you drive... Mine is currently in being drained and the electronics sorted out. 👌🏼 they seem to be built real nice but it's a problem that I've hear happening from 2002 to current models
Both cars are full of character, and offer more than just 'transport' which is so welcome in a sea of shoulder sagging blandness. If buy either of these and expect practical, efficient, comfy, economical motoring then you have bought the wrong car. Enjoy them while you can, we probably won't see their like again.
I've owned both of these cars (all be it a standard spec 500 Abarth) which I traded in against a new JCW. The mini made the Abarth feel very cheap and cheerful by comparison. Everything about it was better except for the price. Don't get me wrong, the wee 500 was a laugh and I enjoyed owning it. But as you said, the steering is too light and vague and the seating position too high, and the plastics too scratchy. The Mini felt rock solid and was a nice place to be in for hours at a time. After a year I had it professionally remapped taking it up to 300bhp and the car only got better. I only wish that I'd ticked the box for adaptive damping, because as you again mentioned, it did feel nose heavy pitched into a tight corner under braking and I think it was probably more pronounced in the standard setup.
Owned a F56 S LCI and a 595c and they're completely different cars. Mini is far more grown up, composed, great low down torque but expensive for what it is. The 595 feels like an old school turbo charged hatch; great fun and puts a smile on my face every time I get to drive it. Just a shame the interior has an old school feel too. As a daily the Mini all day long - but as a second car the 595 would be the best choice.
I love my Abarth 595 Competizione it's been modded and is currently 225bhp which is plenty for everyday use. I also have a classic '95 Mini Cooper which is very similar to drive...The both make me smile when I'm behind the wheel 😊 I did look at a 2020 JCW Mini before I bought the Abarth but it didn't make me smile in the same way...
Click on settings, click on playback speed, select 0.75 and you'll be able to understand most of the otherwise incomprehensible babble these guys are saying. FFS.
New generation Mini is something like VW Golf...There is nothing “Mini”,only the name! Yeah,Mini’s engine is good but when you are after small city car with sport feel...Mini is not your choice! Other side is ABARTH! Really small car,sport feel,great sound,smooth engine with Italian character and cheaper than Mini! So...my personal choice...Definitely ABARTH! And yeah,I love my red 595 Turismo
Love these more affordable car comparisons. Keep them up. I'd personally take the Abarth for the engine note and fun to drive. Not hating on Mini but the Abarth is just something special
I owned a 595 Competizione for three years, and it was a very entertaining car, but maintenance costs, once the car was out of warranty was always on my mind. The Turbo Boost gauge developed a recurring fault, resulting in three visits to the main dealership. The repair was thankfully undertaken whilst still in warranty, otherwise i would have been £315 out of pocket, as the plastic housing had a hairline crack at its base. I sold the car, and p/x it for a brand new Vw Up Gti, which i know is nowhere near as fast, but more reliable and just as much fun to drive
Interesting that you say the Sport button makes little difference on the Competitione. On my wife's lower powered 140 BHP 595 Abarth, the Sport button makes a very noticeable difference to engine response, to the extent that you always push it before overtaking. The lower powered Abarth is also much better value for money but the rest of the comments were spot on. The earlier painted metal interior finish is nicer than the later version's cheap hard plastic.
I am sorry. How much for a JCW and no LSD!??? What a joke. A GTI gets an electronic controlled mechanical LSD for less money I am sure. BMW needs to give their head a shake.
Maybe you should test two similar cars i.e. try two 2.0 litre vehicles, doesn't make sense testing a 1.4 and a 2.0 litre car and expect them to be similar!
Had several sports cars - 250 to 300 hp - and now owner of an 695 ABARTH RIVALE Cab. "remaped" STAGE 1 and I just love it : the ABARTH is a little bull "you have to train" ! SUCH A FUN ! :-D PS : had also a MINI COOPER S All 4 184 hp but such a heavy dude... ! :-(
Though I definitely think the Mini JCW is the top of the line mini, there is always something about them that just doesn't work for me personally. I recently drove a Cooper S and an Abarth 500 (595 Turismo equivalent in the US) and I enjoyed them both but I purchased the Abarth because you just don't see them often
Yes, all you car enthusiasts do no like the high seating, but MANY women LOVE sitting high so I think the Abarth was designed to scoop up all those who don't need an SUV but still want to feel like they are on stilts.
An Abarth is like an Italian mistress - fiery, temperamental, and quite possibly dangerous. I had a brief affair with a Mini Cooper, and there's no doubt it was a better car on so many levels. Would I buy an Abarth again? Absolutely.
The problem of course, is that all the attributes that they concluded were better with the Mini would still apply for a non-JCW cooper S - which can be specced for the same price or even lesser than the Fiat.
Hmm, mini? The Leon Cupra 300 is lighter and more powerful... and the Mini next to the Fiat looks huge, and Fiat proves you can meet regulations and not go as big as Mini, so basically the Mini could be more mini...
GRRB Pays to remember that the 500 is now a 12-year old design, it is nowhere near as safe as a new generation MINI simply because there’s less between you and the car that hits you.
you would hope the mini would be better considering it roughly 3.5-4k more expensive, jsut as you woudl expect a 30k Golf R/S3 to be better than the mini, different cars in different segments, useless comparo.
I chose a Fiat 500 over the Mini countryman that i test drove as the Mini didnt feel exciting to me , it dont look as nice as the 500 and the 500 1.4 engine was more fun than a diesel engine , seen a Yellow Abarth 500 the other day and the exhaust note was amazing like a Metro 6R4 rally car you will get positive attention and people head turning , heck even my standard 500 lounge edition gets compliments , they are very lovely to stare at.
you don't buy an Italian car for their quality plastics or superior leg room, you buy an Abarth because its one of the best sounding 4cyl, most outrageous, cheeky cars you can get for under 10-15k! additionally the 595 is in competition with the Up Gti and Polo Gti - the Mini S vs 595 is a ridiculous category comparison
He he he... Yesterday I pick up my Fiat Lounge. After 17 different car in my life. Ford, Chevrole, Chrysler, Dodge, VW, Volvo... I fell like this one going to be my number one.
I'd take the Fiat any day, but I am biased as I already own a 08 Fiat 500. I used to own a 76 Mini Clubman and I drove a modern "Mini" and I didn't like it. The Fiat though.... It felt like I was driving my old Clubby again and fell in love with Sofia and bought her.
Owned both. Abarth I actually thought had better steering and better front end grip (if you have the LSD fitted), mini is more comfortable and better equipped, but not nearly as much fun. Sound in the Abarth is epic.
I hope the next Gen mini is smaller. They're just too heavy nowadays. My father owned an R55 clubman Jcw and for me that was and still is the best hot hatch you can buy. 155kw and even though the "official" weight was just over 1100kg, we had my dad's car on the scales and it was under 1100kg. That car handled so well and personally no other hot hatch has a better sound stock than the R55/56 JCW's
Poor Comparison, it’s like comparing a Fiesta ST to an a45 amg , completely different league and not really comparable, compare the 595 to an Up! GTI/Adam S or similar for a fair comparison
The guy driving the Abarth looks like he wouldn’t get excited even if Monica Bellucci was his Tinder date. Maybe driving super cars everyday makes him jaded 😹
I've had an F56 Cooper S for three years now, build quality is poor, lots of rattles and squeaks. Brakes are just awful, the ABS is actually scary in the way it responds if the car gets a bit flighty on the way into a corner. Standard stereo is piss poor. Having said all that it hasn't skipped a beat in 60K miles but there's no way I'd buy another, far too expensive for what it is.
I own an F56 Cooper S. The older Minis were more fun to drive, especially the R53. My 04 was the most fun you could have driving a car. The newer models (Gen 3) are meant to be more grown up and civilized and they definitely are. Btw, most people buying Minis switch out the runflats, so the "busy ride" comments become more of a moot point. You would never catch me in a Fiat.
