Input requested from 500 Abarth owners...

"Variance" (Variance) 10/09/2017 at 19:59 • Filed to: Abarth, Winter, Michigan

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I know we have (or have had) a few 500 Abarth owners here on Oppo, so I was hoping to get some feedback on reliability, hopefully from any of you that have owned yours for a while and possibly out of warranty.

I’ve been looking for a winter beater now that I’m up in MI, and it seems like used Abarths are sitting at $10k and below, putting them on the list of possibilities. However, I’d most likely be looking at a 2013 model with a few miles, likely putting it out of warranty; I’m decently handy with a wrench, but since I’ll be relying on it during the winter, I don’t really want something that keeps breaking on me...

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Variance 10/09/2017 at 20:25

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Paging TYSmagic

TYSmagic to the oppopage.

Bytemite > Variance 10/09/2017 at 20:54

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This is also on my mind. Looking for my next DD, I saw an Abarth in the 4 digits. And that got me in the spiral of checking other used hot hatch prices. FiST can bemghad for 14k, but if I can get Abarth for less than 10k, I’d rather spend 4k less for the funner car. But the Fiat reliability is scaring me.

E90M3 > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 10/09/2017 at 21:10

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He doesn’t seem to be on oppo proper as much anymore. I think he’s over on the oppo facebook group.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > E90M3 10/09/2017 at 21:25

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I can always text him directly too

E90M3 > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 10/09/2017 at 21:27

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I thought about doing the same.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > E90M3 10/09/2017 at 21:28

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Boom. Got the +1. I always win haha

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > E90M3 10/09/2017 at 21:30

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I don’t know if he saw the post or my text first though hha

TysMagic > Variance 10/09/2017 at 21:42

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Input!!! Been lurking more since I started my MBA, just too exhausted to write anything even half assed. On to your question:

I’ve had mine for a year and change, which is long for me. My abarth is 2013 cabrio, purchased with a year of warranty left at 10k miles on the clock. I’m currently at just under 27k. I had a one off occurrence with the top breaking and the warranty covered it. I also had the whole instrument cluster replaced because it was fading in the heat some. If I was out of warranty, I would have just dealt with it. It was only on incredibly hot days and it would come back within a minute of driving, but the dash was fading. Again, only had it done because I had warranty to use. Outside of that, it’s been great for overal reliability. Few little small bs things; window bolts needed tightening, rearview mirror fell off, chrome caps on the lug bolts are rounding off making swapping tires a pain, etc.

Shares a motor with the Dodge Dart, so parts are available if needed - from what I’ve seen at least. Modding options are there if you’re interested too.

If miles per gallon is an issue, I would consider a 500 turbo for the sixth gear, better turning radius, and better gas sipping. I get about 25/26 with my driving habits commuting to work on surface streets. The turbo loaner I had was more like a real car versus the abarth is more toy like.

I’ve written some about the details of it if you go back through some of my old posts, but any specific questions you want answered?

TysMagic > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 10/09/2017 at 21:42

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THANKSSS

TysMagic > Bytemite 10/09/2017 at 21:54

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Do it!!!!!! Been very happy with mine

smobgirl > Variance 10/09/2017 at 22:46

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I have a 2012 that I’ve had since 2014. Currently has ~59k miles on it. Up until recently I’ve had zero issues with it. Currently the hatch doesn’t stay open on its own...but I wasn’t able to use it for the 9 weeks it took me to get a rear window replaced after a hail storm (not a parts availability issue, a stupid dealer talking to a stupid insurance agent issue). Some rattling is starting to pick up inside since it’s obviously not the highest quality interior combined with a relatively stiff suspension.

Still love driving the car, despite the golfballed appearance that it’s apparently going to keep. I’m debating the next step - I’d possibly like to turn it into more of a track toy since it looks like crap now but I need to get the garage built first.

Variance > TysMagic 10/09/2017 at 23:37

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This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks. I’ll go review some of your old posts.

You mentioned the turning radius; is it comically bad, like some hot hatches used to be, or is it still generally manageable? How much space would you say is needed for a u-turn?

I know you mentioned that your commute is mostly city streets, but how is it on the highway with no 6th gear?

With regards to “real car vs. toy”, can you elaborate? Are you just referring to the “character”, or something more tangible?

Do you do routine maintenance (oil changes, etc.) yourself, or take it to a dealer? If the former, how is it to work on?

Variance > smobgirl 10/09/2017 at 23:40

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How many miles have you put on it under your ownership? Do you do the routine maintenance (oil changes, etc.) yourself, or take it to a dealer/shop? If the former, how is it to work on?

smobgirl > Variance 10/10/2017 at 09:03

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I’ve put 42k or so on it. I take it to the dealer for oil changes (I honestly thought something was going to go wrong during the warranty period and wanted proof of maintenance). I’d considered doing it myself now that it’s out of warranty but I feel like I read that it’s a pain.

TysMagic > Variance 10/10/2017 at 09:16

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Regular driving on the road, parallel parking, what not is fine. It squeezes in to the smallest of parking spaces, however if you missed that spot you’re going to have to back up and swing it like a truck to get in.

So in this picture, full lock I would end up in the fourth spot over, possibly in the grass.

I am lucky to get just under 30 mpgs on the highway. I never took the loaner 500t on a road trip, I did take a loaner 500 sport - no turbo fun times - from Nashville to Tulsa and back. I was pushing upper 30s the whole time running about 80 mph. The 500 no matter the model, does have a small tank, only 10.5 gallons.

To give the toy car comment some substance: The abarth is a blast to daily drive. The noise puts a smile on my face every day. It has so much soul and character. The 500t has a lot of character, however it’s more cute good times less I want to tackle the corners and be a “race car.” I truly don’t like the base 500, it feels oddly dead inside.
The hatchback 500t is also substantially more practical (because I have the cabrio) and comfortable from my car. I would not suggest the cabrio if you ever want to haul anything, My trunk is small. It is also cluttered with the beats audio OEM sub (I am happy with the sound system, but wouldn’t have picked that option if I was doing one new). My trunk comfortably holds one carry on sized piece of luggage. The standard hatch could haul multiple international size suitcases.
The ride is rough, but livable. You need a little extra slow down for bumps in the road. You do not feel it going up your back, it does rattle you and the car. The harshness is what knocked my rear view mirror off. On a side note of build quality, I could never get the mirror to remount correctly. I ended up purchasing a standard 500 rear view mirror which mounts to the same thing, but with a different method. It has worked great! The regular 500 could take speed bumps and what not just like any other car.
The 500t has the same motor as the abarth, just detuned, with the more comfortable ride of the regular 500 and the better turning radius. You also have the option for the automatic with the 6th gear. My abarth is a 2013 which is more modifiable according the internet versus 2014+ has some DRM stuff apparently. Benefits to the 2014+ is a second arm rest on the passenger seat (I am incredibly jealous of this), the upgraded instrument cluster (give it a google, it’s old school digital clock looking versus a digital screen), better/more effective cup holders, and a few other improved creature comforts. I assume these changes are reflected in their used values, haven’t priced them in a minute. The only thing that I would LOVE to have is the second arm rest.

I take it in for service/maintenance. I had one oil change at the dealer since I was having work done anyway. I do not have a stand alone Fiat studio close by, the best reviewed one is Knoxville about 2.5 hours away or poorly reviewed Huntsville 2 hours away.
Otherwise I have done the turn-in-your-oppo-card-worst by going to Jiffy Lube which has been fine so far. I do run it on premium, however I think it can take what equates to our midgrade.

Almost every regular style mod: cai, blow off value, changing headlights, or whatever - has a suggestion to remove the front bumper for ease of access.

Does that help some? Let me know what needs extra clarity

86notchback > Variance 10/10/2017 at 10:20

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I dont have the abarth but a regular 2013 500pop 5spd...owned since new i just turned 87K on the miles. I have used this car since day 1 as a work car im a courier in Atlanta so i drive around 800miles a week with a manual in a city. I get 30mpg in the city 45-50 highway and considering this car gets cab duty type driving its been prettt reliable. I replaced the axles due to cv noise it was easy and cheap, on my 3rd set of brake pads on the front again easy, oil changes are very easy and i get a 3 pack of mopar filters on amazon way cheaper then in store. Ive replaced the clutch by myself due to the recall and the dealers by me didnt have parts (im going to be dropping the trans again soon because I believe the main seal is leaking oil onto my disk causing some slippage so another new disk is in my future. Im in the car 60+ hours a week and short of my saabs the seats are great and it feels huge on the inside. My drivers side window motor broke causing the window to fall (replaced under warranty) the dealer told me to lubricate the window guides every few months so I do. Oh and the headlights failed on me due to a bad BCM and they wouldnt turn on so I bought a extra light kit with relay autozone and tapped it into my side light and they work again and with my headlight switch. Finally i dont know why people are complaining about the turning radius but mines crazy tight and small..