To Add to the Abarth vs. Fiesta ST Fight

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
08/13/2014 at 21:43 • Filed to: None

Used Abarth models have depreciated just as badly as all other Italian cars. This example with 9,281 miles is now $15,500.

I haven't been able to find any Fiesta ST's for under $20k.

I haven't driven the Abarth or the FiST, so I really have no opinions on which is best. Based on the reviews and hype I've seen around the two, I would choose the Fiesta ST. However, cash rules everything around me, so I can't ignore that $5000 or more I might save buying an Abarth. The real question is whether or not it'll keep depreciating.

So Oppo, let's put our practical pants on and talk about money. Is the FiST $5,000 better than the Abarth? Which will depreciate worse? Will Ben Affleck as Batman be terrible?

That and more will be answered sometime, but not today.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (35)

Devilishprune > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 21:50

You can't deny that price. I'm anxious to see what the used prices for both of these cars will be in a few years, but I'm really leaning towards the Abarth being my next ride.

Nugmast3r > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 21:58

I test drove an Abarth last night for shits and giggles. The salesman was so happy to see anyone walk through the door. I thought the car was okay. The exhaust note, steering, and looks are all positive qualities of the car. The clutch on the other hand was too light and vague, the dash and most of the interior was (not the worst quality) hard touch plastic, and I wish the throttle was a bit more responsive. If the price is right, I would still pick one up as a dd. It would be a fun and relatively more economical counterpart to my e34 m5.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 21:58

Honestly? I find them really hard to compare. The Fiesta is obviously a more practical choice. It has two more doors, a usable rear seat, and a decent hatch still.

The Abarth is a lot less practical. But also seems a lot more fun. Also, I can get one with a giant hole in the roof!

If I'm single and don't need to be practical, Abarth all day (especially the Cabrio). Otherwise, the ST wins.

Frank Grimes > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 22:04

http://www.daidegasforum.com/images/578/fia…

ENDO!

I heard the 500 the scca wont let it autocross for fear of rollover!

Jayhawk Jake > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/13/2014 at 22:06

They are similar on the fun to drive scale having driven both. The FiST is much better overall, it handles just as well but feels sportier. I think the Abarths seating position ruins it, which is a shame.

The abarth is a really fun car overall though. If practicality doesn't matter, I say take the saved money and get an abarth. You could get an abarth and go nuts with modifications for less than a FiST

Newsboy > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 22:07

I love my Pop, and paid $15k brand new for it.

I wish the Abarths had depreciated this much a year ago, I would have bought this instead in a heartbeat.

Jayhawk Jake > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 22:08

I don't know what to say about depreciation, but I don't think the FiST is worth $5000 more unless you need more space than the Abarth provides

mcseanerson > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 22:12

Yeah Abarth values have been depreciating pretty quickly. I feel they are two very different cars though and don't compete that much directly. The Fiesta is pretty solid as a car. The Abarth is pretty fun and crazy as a toy.

Jay Lauer > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2014 at 22:13

The four doors is what gets me. You can put people in the back of a Fiesta at least. The Abarth I would treat like a two-seater. But I guess that's the same with a Mini, and I still want one of those too.

mcseanerson > Frank Grimes
08/13/2014 at 22:15

I don't know what region that is but I've seen plenty in Solo

Jay Lauer > Frank Grimes
08/13/2014 at 22:17

Seriously?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2014 at 22:17

I briefly sat in both at a car show and the seating position in the Abarth was odd.. because I kind of liked how it made me feel higher off the ground, but at the same time it didn't feel natural and when adjusted for me, the pedals and gear knob were not perfect like I would've liked. But still, I'm a convertible guy... and that fact alone makes the Abarth win!

Textured Soy Protein > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 22:20

If I'm going to drive something that's effectively a 2-seater, it wouldn't be a fwd hatchback. Therefore, between these two cars, I'd take the Fiesta.

GhostZ > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 22:20

FoST > BRZ > Abarth > FiST

48 Spoons > Frank Grimes
08/13/2014 at 22:25

Only the regular 500, that Abarth is in G Street

Frank Grimes > Jay Lauer
08/13/2014 at 22:40

yeah thats the word on the street. I guess something about it being taller than it is wide or something.

Jay Lauer > Frank Grimes
08/13/2014 at 22:42

Well autocross wouldn't sway me if I was determined to buy one. But that's crazy if it's true.

Frank Grimes > mcseanerson
08/13/2014 at 22:44

mmm maybe i been lied to or something changed, or more likely I suck at research.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jayhawk Jake
08/13/2014 at 22:59

Pretty much this is why they aren't direct competition.

The Abarth is better to be seen in, better looking/sounding, and is a better "experience". It costs less too while definitely being all-weather friendly with a set of snow tires. The Fiesta is as fun to drive while being more practical, faster, and a better "car". You can't deny that the FiST is remarkably well engineered outside of some cut corners in the interior. So what do you want to buy - a weekend/date night special on a budget or the jack of all trades, master of most?

Reyeshe > Jay Lauer
08/14/2014 at 01:30

Oh my god, 15k for one with 9k on it!? WHY WAS I NOT WARNED!?

Jay Lauer > Reyeshe
08/14/2014 at 01:33

warned?

Reyeshe > Jay Lauer
08/14/2014 at 01:49

I would've liked a warning that in a few years time it would be worth 5k less than what I paid, still, no regrets!

Jay Lauer > Reyeshe
08/14/2014 at 01:53

Be glad you only paid $20k new.

Shiftright > Jay Lauer
08/14/2014 at 02:32

Despite its diminuitive footprint, the Fiat has a real, usable back seat. You can carry two normal sized adults in the back more comfortably than a Mini Cooper, and it's perfectly tolerable for short trips or kids.

Shiftright > Frank Grimes
08/14/2014 at 02:36

Bullshit. I've seen plenty of 500s on the track and Leo Parente is racing one, as chronicled in another article:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/head-and-hands…

Shiftright > Frank Grimes
08/14/2014 at 02:37

Bullshit. I've seen plenty of 500s on the track and Leo Parente is racing one, as chronicled in another article:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/head-and-hands…

There is also an Abarth Cup in Europe

Shiftright > Jay Lauer
08/14/2014 at 02:40

Just because you found a good deal doesn't mean they depreciate any quicker than any other car in its class. I looked for a few months for a lightly used one and couldn't find one for under $2ok unless it had zero options or considerable mileage, so I ended up buying a new one.

Shiftright > Jay Lauer
08/14/2014 at 02:41

Why does there have to be an Abarth vs Fiesta ST fight? We should all be happy that we have two great immensely fun and affordable choices.

Shiftright > Jay Lauer
08/14/2014 at 02:43

Remember, now that's now a 3 year old car. A car's age diminishes its value more drastically than its mileage. Also, who the hell has an Abarth for three years and only puts 5k miles a year on it?

Eric Taub > Nugmast3r
08/14/2014 at 10:37

Throttle not responsive? Did you try the Sport button? Totally changes the car.

Aaron Houston Clinton > Jay Lauer
08/14/2014 at 14:10

There is an Abarth 500 that is in SCCA in the WDCR region in the STC class that races often.

Aaron Houston Clinton > GhostZ
08/14/2014 at 15:46

The first two you mentioned are all over Autocross lately.

Haig > Jay Lauer
08/14/2014 at 16:35

It's interesting, the Fiat 500 uses the Ford Ka platform so either way Ford wins.

If you don't know, the Ka is the smallest, cheapest car Ford makes and a good step down from the Fiesta.

For me, the Fiesta ST is much more practical and attracts much less police attention because cops think it's a slow econo-box. The Fiat is so unusual that it draws stares like a really wicked mullet.

The Fiesta is also faster, cheaper and handles better: Fiesta ST wins.

I would probably choose a Fiesta 1.0 Red or Black edition over a Fiat too (if they were sold in the US).

And another thing, my 6' 8" cousin in law fits in my Fiesta ST and is considering buying one.

Keith Moon > Jay Lauer
08/15/2014 at 13:16

When buying such cars, depreciation does play an important part. I spend money only after deciding that I will run that car to the ground, so resale values won't matter all that much.

chromaticrabbit > Jay Lauer
08/16/2014 at 11:34

(From the sidelines) "LOL"

Kinja'd!!!