Car guys spending a day driving fun roads, part 1

"Asphalt" (Asphalt) 03/14/2014 at 09:00 • Filed to: fiat 500 abarth, asphalt, fun driving roads, italian cars, mini-ferraris, loud exhaust, rosso red

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Today we spent a day with fellow Abarth owner Chris, up in the fantastic roads in western Connecticut/Upstate NY, with his fantastically Rosso Abarth. It was, well, a fantastic day.

The day started off with us driving up from Long Island to Connecticut. Driving early in the morning in New York is the greatest joy of a New York motorist, as roads normally jam packed with Camrys are now empty and full of throttle blipping opportunities. Of course, this being New York, you do have to keep an eye out for pot holes, but I suppose it's better to do that than keeping an eye out for the Hummer H2 driver who can't see Fiat-sized cars.

What do you do with two Abarths though? Obviously you take over a (small) part of the parking lot, roll up for a photo shoot and then spend the next few minutes jamming on the throttle. Because that's why you buy an Abarth. The parking lots are alive... with the sound of turbo 4-cylinder growl!

And yes, the black Fiat has a matte paint job which transforms into a glossy paint job by the end of the day. The magic of Italian cars...

During brunch, we do what car guys do, comparing who's car had more power and mods obviously. Then, we discussed everything from how to avoid being crushed by semis to which piggy-back ECUs provide the best power. After brunch, we roll out for our first road: Joes Hill Road.

Glancing over from the passenger seat, I must admit I was disappointed when I didn't see a family of sexy Italian ladies. Chris'll have to do.

A fairly short hill climb, this road is extremely narrow and you must be careful of your car's width. Being a post-winter-post-apocalyptic-post-salted-post-SUV'ed road in New York, it was starting to resemble a rally stage in certain parts, but that only adds to the entertaining value of the road, even if you do have to wipe your Go Pros over and over again.

The elevation changes don't quite register as well on camera, but just let me warn you, make sure you have lots of rear grip! Or you may find yourself doing more j-turns than you expected.

Next time, we head to a road with a Laguna Seca Corkscrew-style corner...

505Turbeaux > Asphalt 03/14/2014 at 09:04

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I grew up in CT and know that area well. Great stuff up in the northwestern hills. I have been all over it in anything from 16v Sciroccos to turbo Audi 5000s, to 911's. Cant wait to see more!

Because-Racecar > Asphalt 03/16/2014 at 22:40

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Great writeup! Just found it... friggin' Kinja...

Can't wait for more. :D

Been plotting even more smoother yet still twisty roads on the map...

Saracen > Asphalt 03/18/2014 at 16:10

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Abarths make such delicious noises.

If I were looking for a car right now, I would not be able to pass up the $5-6k off MSRP dealers are offering on them.

Because-Racecar > Asphalt 03/18/2014 at 16:12

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Aannndd for those (like me) for who Kinja only shows Part 1, here's Part 2: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/car-guys-spend…

Zzzzzzzzzz > Asphalt 03/19/2014 at 14:06

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Map please!

RSanthony > Asphalt 03/19/2014 at 14:15

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Does it really sound this way with stock exhausts? Jesus! I have seen more than a few fly by me, but they weren't really being revved.

Shiftright > Asphalt 03/19/2014 at 14:33

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ABARTHS FTW!

nb2abarth > Asphalt 03/19/2014 at 16:03

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good one. i like that handbrake turn/stop at the end. I seldom see red abarth here. mostly are black and white.

ddavidn > Asphalt 03/19/2014 at 18:09

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I kinda want a 500 Abarth...

Asphalt > Zzzzzzzzzz 03/19/2014 at 18:54

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All of our videos have the map in the video description

Asphalt > RSanthony 03/19/2014 at 18:54

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American Abarths are straight piped from the factory :)

BadMotorScooter > Asphalt 03/19/2014 at 19:29

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Does the 500 have a usable backseat? I love these cars but I need a backseat that can actually seat a person in a pinch, with an adult in the front passenger seat.

Asphalt > BadMotorScooter 03/19/2014 at 19:36

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Yes it does! Despite how small the 500 is on the outside, you'd be surprised how much room you can squeeze out of the backseat in a pinch. I'd say you could get a 5' 10" passenger in front and one in rear without complaints. You could probably squeeze in a taller front passenger and keep the rear passenger but then you'd want to keep it a short trip.

RSanthony > Asphalt 03/20/2014 at 02:48

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Hmm, really? They do sound great here in Europe too, but not this much from inside the car... Would love one. No matter it's FWD.

Alex Feinman > Asphalt 03/20/2014 at 08:23

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My 5'4" passengers complain about headroom issues in the back. I've had 6'3" people in the front without significant complaints, however. (No sunroof; with sunroof, even at 6' I don't fit.)

Ted Ladue > Asphalt 03/20/2014 at 10:03

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Great write up!

Last Saturday me and my SO spent the day winding around the roads of middle Georgia in my Miata. Normally I have the same fear of being crushed by semis, but Saturday I was almost crushed by....an Abarth! He/She was obviously having too much fun blipping the throttle and nearly rear ended me as I was turning. Luckily the Abarth brakes work really well.

I just grinned as I heard that sweet growl as I went on my merry way.

Asphalt > Alex Feinman 03/20/2014 at 10:49

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Really? I've taken long road trips with 3 or 4 people in the car, all over 5' 7" without problems

BadMotorScooter > Asphalt 03/22/2014 at 15:23

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How is the Abarth on the highway at 75 or 80MPH? Buzzy? What kind of highway MPG can you get at 75MPH? Basically, does it make a decent highway commuter?

Asphalt > BadMotorScooter 03/22/2014 at 21:25

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It actually has a fairly quiet interior once you put it into 5th and just let it cruise. There's always enough passing power and it doesn't drone that much. Obviously it's no Lexus but it's pretty quiet compared to say a BRZ/FRS. It certainly will do the commute easily and in fact will probably make your commute much more enjoyable!