My wife bought a 4 year old 595 3 years ago, never had to do anything more than insure it, put fuel in it and service it once a year. Reliable as any other car.
Im seeing some reassuring comments here. Ive had two but both were new as I was worried about how it had been driven if second hand, but they do seem very tough cars mechanically.
I have had my Abarth for 7 years and I absolutely love it. Fun to drive and reliable. It’s like a go cart. The gear box is smooth. Totally recommend these little rockets.
Would be cool to see a review of the Fiesta XR4. Commonly under 10k and would be interesting to see how they fare now that they are around that 15 year old stage.
I have had an Abarth 500 for over 5 years and it has been fantastic. Great fun to drive anywhere and everywhere as my daily driver. Now with almost 120,000km, it has been extremely reliable and I love it to bits.
@@toobasaurus23 I have a manual and have heard that about the auto but the thing to remember is that it is not an auto, rather a robotic manual. Most of the people I have spoken to in the Abarth Club that have them think they are fantastic but you have to drive it as a manual. Great if you live in the city.
do you have a knock from the rear suspension or underneath when curving on rough roads?? i have it since the day i bought it. nobody can figure it out where it comes from. car always pass the inspection without any issue.
We've had our abarth turismo 6 years it's got 76,000 on now, I put a stainless steel custom exhaust on it with 4" outlets on back boxes, had the cambelt and water pump changed at 68,000 for our piece of mind, 1 drivers door handle snapped and replaced, but appart from that its been a great car
I was once ballast in one of these in strong winds. I am of hefty proportions and when the driver launched back into the weather and road, I was stunned by how well this performed, even with me helping to keep it stuck to the road.
The 500 is still hugely popular in Italy. Those and Smarts are literally the most common car seen in the major cities. They are absolutely everywhere. The Abarth is hugely popular in Monaco of all places. The T-Jet 1.4 in the Abarth is bomb proof and can make 250hp to 275hp with a change of turbo.
We sold our 595 earlier this year (we just had too many cars!!) but sort of regret it. It will be the car we go back to in a year or so. It was a 2018 model, basic 595, not even the Tourismo. And that was the beauty of it, no trick shit gizmos, just a great little car. Complaints about a car not having all the tech, get a life or stay at home and play with your X Box or something. Same goes for cup holders FFS! If you want a coffee, stop at a cafe and take a break. We did 28K miles in ours, 45k Km, just servicing, no faults or problems what so ever. The car was rattle and creak free, it was very well screwed together. It was a hoot to drive and reminded me of the Mini Cooper S of the 60's and 70's, no not that BMW abortion. And compared to the Honda or Suzuki mentioned, the Abarth has pedigree and charisma.
How many ? It does seem like a car that can do extremely high mileages. Perhaps because its all a bit heavy duty mechanically that enables this. Im tempted with another, had two and miss the one I had 8 years ago.
Ford Ka and Fiat 500 were a collaboration. Ford's weird oval everything styling aged very quickly, the 500 still looks great. Apparently the Twinair is a lot fun. But yeah the Abarth versions are cool. 👍
Accidental FIAT tragic here. I bought a Fiat as a cheap runabout and it turned into a bit of a love affair. The 595 is not my abarth of choice due to High seating, crap ergonomics, no practicality and some have the multi air motor. They look awesome though. Get the Punto grande tjet or abarth (not in oz). Better engine (all are tjet as opposed to multi air), adjustable seat and steering wheel, very practical, lots of mod options and built in Italy! The 5 speed is strong vs the 6 speed box.
In Australia none of the Abarths are Multiair. We also got the Mito which had both and was similar to the Punto, but the Punto ONLY got the 88kw T-Jet in Australia. Mito and Abarth got more powerful versions.
The whole point if this vehicle is to modify the hell out of it and drive it. It’s not a luxury vehicle. It’s a true pocket rocket. A low weight scary fast 2 seater. Reminds me of the Fiat uno turbo. After mods that thing was scary fast. It was also a 1.4 turbo with lots of rattles and build issues. But once it was modified and sorted there was very few cars that could touch it.
its a fashion car, it was never designed for practicality. if it was practical, you would not fall in love with its looks. Italians really know how to make spacious tiny cars. if you need that, then you get a Fiat Panda. much more sensible spacious and practical, but you will never fall in love with its looks. as for the seating position, thats kind of a theme for Fiat in general. its as if they design the drivers position for people with really short legs and long hands. you will never find a proper driving position.
Have a 2017 Abarth 500 which I bought new with 35 miles on the odometer. Daily driver. I love it and would not sell it. This is a car that YOU DRIVE, versus a car YOU RIDE in. Mine is a manual 5 speed. Highly recommended.
We love our '12 500. It's the family mule, we drive it like we stole it, took it to Costco, does everything, just gotta know how to care for the Multi air motor.
Found Jim's perspective interesting - I worked at a Fiat dealership for a while and I liked the 500 (especially the Abarth) but found that they were a bloody terrible product. That was with the early ones though, perhaps as he said they've improved. I still wouldn't touch one with a barge pole personally.
its a stylish economy car not a small luxury car (like a bmw made mini) as people expect from the stylish package and then get mad at them for...they are actually quite good value for money imo...built to a price but a good city beater/daily driver car
@@AlbertManiscalco they would be if they were fundamentally reliable, which was absolutely not my experience. Had nothing but dramas with all 500s including Abarth ones
@@mattdebyl8806 both really - they pointed out a lot of the niggling stuff, but we also had a number of engines just get incredibly noisy and burn oil at low mileage and then grenade themselves and heaps of problems with the automated manual versions. It seemed like the cars were stuffed at 100000k although I'm sure some people get further. Anyway, that was my experience at a dealership and was relatively early in the 500 run. Jim said later ones are better and maybe they are - I can't comment on that.
Designed to go from office to lifestyle block and arrive with a stupid smile. But there is a better alternative - Swift sport. It's a bit embarrassing for Fiat. And the Suzy won't break down.
This video has so many great surprises for me. Firstly i'm polish but would never expect that voiceover on an australian video. Secondly MCM sticker on the side window, my favourite youtube channel :) Hard thumbs up!
The alternative to seriously consider is the Alfa Mito Sport. It’s the seriously underrated cousin of these. Same engine in a still very small, but a bit more coupe-like body. Still very Italian, but a bit more subtle and dare I say sophisticated. However, it has way, WAY better ergonomics and comfort. It’s also a plusher with a better interior quality, better ride, frameless windows, much bigger boot, you can lower the seat way lower than anyone would actually want it, steering wheel actually telescopes etc. It has a 6 speed manual box rather than 5 speed and shorter ratios that take advantage of the engine better IMO. The kicker though is because they are hugely underrated and forgotten, partly because of the branding and not being a ‘special’ one, they are like 1/2 to 1/3 the price of an Abarth. Better in almost every way and way cheaper. They don’t feel quite as raw, they also don’t have the same sounding exhaust. But are a seriously great bargain buy fun car.
The flashing of the temperature is a sign that the set temperature isn’t achievable without turning on the AC, so turn on the AC and it stops flashing.
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An Abarth is quite reliable if not the most reliable car you can get in hot hatch class nowadays. It has only one common issue with door handles, that's it. Made in Poland is a big plus. Made in Germany is not equal to good quality anymore.
More reliable than what i expected but that doesn't say much. I'm pretty much done with the Euro brands but watched out of curiosity, not to mention that I wouldn't pay the premium for a tiny car. Less is more has a limit when you're paying for it yourself. Thanks for the content. Cheers
I mean, these are more reliable than the Koreans and the Japanese have little to compete in this class. A Swift Sport is likely to be more reliable, but there isn’t a massive gulf between them.
Belt changes 60k kms or 4 years, water pumps must also be done. If you love your Abarth do the aux belt and tensioner as well. Expansion tanks every 40k kms.
I would not accept sponsorship from wipertech, horrible wiper blades, if you complain to them they block you, they have almost not rubber on them, last 3 months, get Bosch or Valeo.
I had one for around 3 years. I loved it to bits but I had a couple of problems, not major but very fiddly. The first of which was the door handles! Apparently this is a 500 problem not a specific Abarth issue. One day you will go out to your car, grab the handle and it will be loose and won't spring back. It will open the door but the handle will move in an out of its own accord and will not stay in place. As I said it's a common Fiat 500 issue. There is a bolt behind the handle which snaps after a while due to day to day use. First the Drivers door went (fixed at Fiat dealer), a year later the passenger door went. After being charged around £300 for the first repair I bought a kit from E Bay for the passenger door and fixed it myself. Had to strip everything off the door and invent a weird ratchet to get in the smallest gap to tighten the handle up, but managed it after a while and saved £280 or there abouts! Second thing that broke was the seat handle which tips the seat forward. This was also a couple of hundred pounds to fix. Next the exhaust back box shroud partly fell off as it had rotted through. I cut it off and ran the car without it as the exhaust underneath was ok. I doubt though it would have lasted a long time with the salt on the roads, but sold the car before it needed a new one (I know these are all quite expensive). Lastly I had a slight water pump leak but nothing to write home about. Apart from this it was all good. Had it religiously serviced by the Fiat dealer with the correct oil and parts. Def would have another.
There are sites on the Internet which can help you realise your goal. Top tip: Don't plug in your credit card number. And, by the way, can you lend me $50?
Had a 595 a while back. Sold when we moved back to France. It was a fabulous little machine, and nothing that size has any right to sound so angry. Now they have depreciated, I will be looking for another one to keep. I will, however, work out how to drop the front seats as much as possible: the driving position could be better.
This is absolutely one of those cars that doesn't quite make sense until you've driven it. There's nothing that comes close to an Abarth when we're talking about pure fun on the road.
I think all cars are the same ! If you look after your car your car will look after you! Except for a highly modified Ford lol Now that has bitten me a few times !
Dunno how many motorcars I've owned. Mini Cooper S, Bini Cooper S, a swag of GC8 WRX, V8 Commodores and HSV, Couple of Barra Turbo, Boss Fairlane, GR Yaris, Every MK of fiST offered in Australia Inc a MK6. There is one car I miss the zC31 Swift Sport. There was just something about that car extremely Low KM 09 model (that sexy AF Monster Sport Carbon Intake and Full Exhaust with CTC Headers replacing the god awful and expensive AF Maniverter, had rather pricey Coilovers, upgraded Rotors and Pads, Pilot Sport tyres or Toyo 888R Semis, JDM OEM Swift Sport Recaro front seats, Android HeadUnit, Replaced the god awful factory speakers with mid level speakers, Slimline Subs under front seats with amp in the boot, totally debadged whole car and rear wiper delete, blacked out the faux chrome Big S on the front, Changed the door cards to those from an RS Swift, Monster Sport Mats, done all the bushes and every Monster Sport or Beatrush bracing we could, Monster Sport Mats) and man whatta car. Also had the now unobtainum OEM Weather shields, head light protectors and Bonnet protectors. Sold it mad ragrets. Looking for another one. That has been loved to start all over again. Currently ready to pick up my Alto RS (went for an Auto) a MK7 ST and a 595 Scorpionio. The Abarth is truly like being with that stereotypical hot Italian Bella. Underneath that svelte, spicy body it's firey AF and riddled with Issues mainly of the Daddy Kind. But you know what? It doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's an absolute hoot everytime I look at it. I can't help but smile. I wouldn't change it for the world. Probably in the top two or one I've owned. Definately the squids favourite Motor Car.
I own the Podium Blue variant, I’ve had it for just over 4 years, Too many modifications to mention but love finding different things to do to make it more unique to me, just installed a Forge induction kit, now it sounds l cross between a space ship and vacuum cleaner when I accelerate.😂 My favourite mod is the F1 break light plus my Bespoke front splitter.
If you like cars for midgets, Noddy and Big Ears, they are great cars to drive, but in terms of gremlins, longevity and reliability, absolutely NOT. Even more so in hot climates.
Ok, I admit all these are simply beautiful looking cars, a timeless design imo. They just nailed that bit. Yep, these smoke my Alto anywhere but a Woolies carpark, but Suzuki Japan actually make me a good car, it all lasts, short of bad luck/my fault. We all saw that back "seat" & do go watch the 500 video. Hell, I'd love this Fiat, but I couldn't justify it & the likely 'argument$'.
I am waiting to take delivery of my Alto RS right now. Also have a MK7 fiST and looking for another r31 Swift Sport. But simply the biggest hoot, laughs and fun I've on and in 4 wheels is definately my 595 Scorpionio. I'll never part with it. I have always likened it to that stereotypical Svelte, Spicy Italian Bella you are with. Underneath that absolutely stunning Physique it's firey AF and riddled with issues. Mainly daddy ones. And I am totally OK with that.
Cheers Craig, I'm sure you'll love your RS! Much rarer & more nicely detailed than the Works, plus we pay $3k less. Is yours black/red? You will have to spend time learning the RS gearbox, it isn't really like a DCT. Which is fun, you'll learn how to anticipate the box & you can make very quick changes. I installed a Japanese made Defi ADvance, just connected to the OBD2, but I highly recommend getting one. Have fun hunting Rangers! 🤣@@craigbonner6858
@@UncleJoeLITE if you expect luxury from a stylish economy car youre gonna have a bad time. treat them with mechanical sympathy and they'll reward you with a longer more trouble free life than if you abuse it. simple as that. they are built to a price
I've taken 4 people including me with an average height of 5'6" in an Abarth 500 across the Netherlands for 3 days and everyone were comfortable. I really think the seat height is a subjective topic, I'm 5'8" and feel it is perfect, any lower and it would make it tough to see the road. Maybe only people who are taller when seated feel it is tall.
I bought a 2015 595 Competizione, stage one tuned from 160hp to 170hp. 300Nm of torque. And it has the facelift bumpers and lights installed on both ends. Sabelt seats, Akrapovič exhaust with electric valves, two sets of 17" Esseesse rims. And it has low mileage. Got it for €17.500. I plan to drive the car for at least 5 years, as I'm totally in love with little hatchbacks like the Abarth
Currently own a 2018 abarth 595. sat on lowering sprints and spacers, all ive changed about it is a blow off valve filter. I did over 15k miles in only a few months, I worked in and around the south coast all along the country roads in the UK. absolute blast, never had a major issue with it. only thing i ever had to do was service and a wheel bearing. Took everything i threw at it and i didnt drive the poor little thing with much sympathy since i got it to make my job a bit more fun. brilliant little pocket rocket, can have an absolute blast whilst going a speed that is still way under the limit.
Currently whipping the 595 around Italy from Rome through Tuscany and beyond. It became an instant love affair. I’m completely Acura/honda biased and drive a full bolt on dyno tuned 07 Acura TL-s back at home. Always been a fan of hot hatches. The 595 is a car I never thought I’d love. Here I am wide awake researching about the abarth because I’m romanticizing about owning one back in the states.
I have a 2011 abarth with only 95k miles done, i kinda love it, but theres light on the dashboard that 3 different mechanics failed to sort out, its possibly a passenger airbag problem for some reason, says 'fuel cut off unavailable" on the dashboard....also the back axle is rusted in the extreme😑 otherwise great
Swift Sport Turbo allllll day. Can't believe how much fun mine is, and I know it's going to last 10 years. More fun than the gimped hybrid about to drop here (thats been out in EURO land for a few years). Thing just hauls. Ass. And has enough features to keep one very, very happy.
Can you do a review on the Alfa Romeo Giulia and or Brera sister brand to Fiat. Beautiful looking cars, I have heard reliability and build quality have improved compared to Alfa's of old. The Giulia is a sport saloon I would consider if I had no family with little sprats. I would go for the petrol 2.0 TBI, plenty enough power with OK economy. The top line turbo V6 Giulia is too much, more of a super saloon. They always made pretty cars Alfa, its just the risk of something catastrophic happening. I think this is an unfortunate perception of Alfa's past hanging on as people who own them seem to love them these days.
My 2002 Alfa 156 GTA (ie very rare) has just clocked up over 260,000km and its my daily driver . As long as you stay on top of maintenance (and the prior owners did too - very important...) and use a mechanic who actually knows Alfas (no generic shops and no dealers - there are plenty of specialist independents about), Alfas of the last 20 odd years are probably more reliable than their German peers. I say that as someone who is onto his third 156 V6, and who also has a '81 Alfetta GTV for weekend shits'n'giggles.
The automatic of these car is one of the worst driving experiences I've had. It feels like a 90 year old grandfather is changing the gears. Soooooooooo slow to a point the car actually slows down haha
I terms of relationships as you put it Adam I'd go for the long term diplomatic relationship with a lot of spice so I'd go the Honda N-Box or Suzuki Spacia as they seem to have the long term performance and reliability but also seem have plenty of personality and pizzazz. I'm honestly suprised that the Abrath has such tiny back row seats and boot when my current car is just over 150mm longer yet has bigger back row seats and boot. The mechanical side of things surprised me that they aren't as bad as people make them out too be. An overall surprising video but a well made one none the less guys. Good work as always guys and look forward to Sunday's video 👍.
I am more the second personality mentioned. Itsa Me. He was talking about me. Or what the Taco Girl says Why not Both? My Garage has always been like me BiPolar AF. Waiting to pick up my Alto RS Turbo (wanted an Auto), MK7 fiST resisted the urge to go ham on what is my second MK7 unlike the first. All it has is the Upgraded Infotainment unit and bigger screen from the USDM MK7 Five doors (required bits from the USDM car, S550 Mustang and a EDM car) then got hit with FORscan and so good now. and lastly a 595 Scorpionio. Also looking for another zC31 Swift Sport to go down that same slippery slope I travelled with the last one.
I have owned one that is twelve years old,for the last three years. They are bullet proof and are a mental drive. Traded my X5 BMW for this little psycho, and no intentions of trading it yet. It's mental and puts a smile on my face.
Ive had two new in 2012 and 2015, the later one was fantastic. Very solid, no creaks or rattles, great round town and on motorways, did about 2700rpm in fifth at 70mph I think. Only downside with the models with leather seats is they aren’t heated, and there is no cruise control. I would get another for all round use though but not new, far too pricey now for what they are. Have to say, they do see, very strong, long lasting reliable engines.
The modern version is an icon on its own. In hindsight, it really was a classless car that brought car enthousiasts together. I remember being at a beach bar in Italy around 2014 and 4 people came out of an Abarth 500c, it looked so cool.
Drink a real coffe, drink a man’s coffee lol had me dead I just got back from Italy and I did see lots of fiat 500 but not to many Abarths which was a little disappointing Not sure why in North America people find the Abarth to girly I think it’s cool Much love from Canada
We know people buy whatever car they want. We've never thought so much of ourselves to think that we change people's minds. But, in the meantime why not educate people if things like quality and longevity matter to them? Many people buy with their hearts, and that's cool. But many buy with their brain, and that's where we try to help. Sorry if us trying to help some people bothers you so much.
I was given a loan car Abarth from Fiat. What an extraordinary disappointment. No power, awful transmission, stiff ride, terrible understeer... Just a joke of a car.... SPAM dressed up as prosciutto.
Had a 2014 500 and a 2019 595. Really bad turning circles, door handles come off, rear boot rubbers are cheap and prone to tailgate rattle, the gear ranges are naff and could do with a 6th gear, doesn't hold much fuel and the mpg isn't great for a tiny car. I love them to bits but wouldn't buy another, I prefer to smile at one when I see one go by nowadays.
I've had a Fiat 500 for 11 years and for an 11 year old it's doing great. Little squeaks but they tend to show up after going to the repair shop? Maintenance has been normal and the love for these cars becomes a passion in Maintenance and is the greatest teacher of all for knowledge of how cars work. The sounds, the smells, temperature are giving signals that even some repair guys haven't learned. All for our love of driving these cars.
I've owned a 595 Competitzione convertible with the automatic transmission since new. It's a really fun car, I do enjoy driving it and its been completely reliable. However, it's now two years old and the two most unforgiveable things on a car that's been in production for over ten years are the poor quality paintwork and the side skirts that are literally held on by double sided tape and nothing else. The paintwork marks and scratches at the slightest touch and even washing it with expensive Meguiars mitts and cleaners using the two bucket method doesn't fully prevent swirls. The side skirts also seem to expand in hot weather which is what seems to causes them to seperate at the ends, something I feel Fiat could easily have solved by now.
I had a standard 500 as a courtesy car recently. It was horrible! Noisy, uncomfortable, unstable on the motorway, impractical, and not even that economical. My Volvo estate got better fuel economy. Terrible car. I cant see the Abarth being any better.
I owned an Alfa Mito QV, almost the same car. Wonderful, miss it terribly. Just keep up the servicing and make sure to clean the MultiAir filter behind the timing cover every service. I had zero issues in the three years I owned the then thirteen year old car.
Beautiful?? This is the only abarth i hate, otherwise Abarth is apple of my eye.. If i have to buy mini hatchbacks then i will bring home a Mito GTA...sexiest yet cutest hatchback..
I had a 595 Turismo. Was bloody awesome and when i decided i had enough, i couldnt wait to get rid of the f-cking thing and go back to more powerful and refined Germans. I wont lie and much in agreement to the conclusion in the video, it does make me think of having another romance with one. But maybe as something on the side instead of a daily lover 😂
Yes they have their tiny issues and you sit on top of it rather than in it but overall they are reliable and an absolute blast to drive, sister drives one and I love it. At high speed they get quite nervous and move about at the rear over uneven surfaces but at the same time they can really attack.and go round our Irish b roads brilliantly and bully faster stuff.
I’ve always thought they were seriously awesome to look at, but too expensive and not enough performance on offer, especially when compared to a WRX or a GR Yaris
Great car! I first had a 595 Competizione, drove it (my chick in the passenger seat) from Sweden to Monaco and back. Now I own a green 695 Anniversario. I really love it!
I've driven Fiat 500 manual-box variants - in a corner, you feel like you are on a bar-stool, leaning on two legs, about to lean too far - and fall over ! Utterly unnerving to drive on the highway.
I ran a 595C Turismo from new in 2014 for 7 years. The only problem I had was the rear window heating didn't work which was because it wasn't connected in the factory and peeling of clearcoat on the front bumper (fixed under warranty). It had no other issues in those 7 years and racked up around 70,000miles. Edit: Just remembered I had one of the door handles fail. Dealer wanted £50 or so for a new one (it's a common part shared with many Alfas as well). I bought a new hinge from Ebay for £4.95 and fitted it myself copying a video from RU-vid! It's the steel pin in the aluminium hinge that fails due to galvanic corrosion. In the UK the biggest problem is the dealerships are clueless, inept and best avoided as soon as you're out of warranty. I loved that little thing. The 140mile roundtrip commute each week was always a joy and I would often take the cross country route home with the roof down if possible. Part exchanged it for a BMW M4. I still miss it, not sure I'll say the same about the M4 when it goes.
If a young driver then insurance will be very expensive, in the UK at least. Ive actually seen a driving instructor with one, teaching a learner in Grimsby !
i don't like it: it is fun but the driving position is shit and in the model i tried the shifter was shit too ( really long throw and weak). It is also 20k in parts bolted on a 10k car. In italy they are the perfect target to thieves: they're easy to steal (cheap car heritage) and the thieves just steal every expensive abarth part or any upgrade done by the owner then abandon the emptied car in the woods.
I had never seen the inside of these, but now I have, yuk. The outside looks bad but the inside is actually worse. There is no way I could sit looking at that crappy interior. It would be bad enough walking up to the ugly pile of junk and having to get in it
Basic it Italian it will have issues all those mentioned are staple one that have for decades plaqued many Italian marks. I Remember a Freind telling me about a Lancia Delta HF Inta
