"MUSASHI66" (musashi66)
12/14/2018 at 22:28 • Filed to: None
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"MUSASHI66" (musashi66)
12/14/2018 at 22:28 • Filed to: None | 0
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I know a few people here have or have had a Fiesta ST. Also, a few people have or have had an Abarth 500.
Both are small. Both are a bit impractical because of the size, but being hatchbacks, they can be fairly usable when needed, and are super easy to park. Both don’t have a lot of HP, but the small size and low weight make it work pretty well. I drove the Abarth 500 convertible and it was a blast. I never had a chance to drive a Fiesta ST.
Which one is a better car and why?
Abarth is surprisingly reliable - don’t buy a 2012, and check oil levels. If you leave engine stock, you can get many trouble free miles. Aftermarket is robust if you’re into that. Charm is undeniable. Fiesta owners, what are your experiences?
I guess Abarth wins on longevity as well - it’s still available, and ST is dead in USA. Fiesta is more practical with 4 doors, so that’s a point for Ford.
Sound - Abarth, hands down.
Speed - more or less the same.
Price - more or less the same. I know both sold for like $16-17k when new after all the discounts. Slightly used models sell for $12-16k.
Infotainment - Abarth sucks for 2012-2014. 2015 and after is a bit better. Fiesta should be better with Sync, right?
Body - Abarth can be had as a convertible, so that’s a plus, right?
So, which one would you pick, and why?
CB
> MUSASHI66
12/14/2018 at 22:45 |
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As a FiST driver? You already know my answer. As a single-car owner, it has more room for bigger trips. On the downside, it occasionally bricks itself and build quality isn’t stellar.
JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
> CB
12/14/2018 at 22:49 |
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This is an accurate description. I would mention that in a real, serious, flat-out, balls-to-the-wall race, the FieSTa *WILL* win. Both in a straight line AND around the corners, but the Abarth is a ball, no denying that. (and yes, from all I hear, the Abarth *IS* sur prisingly reliable, whereas the FieSTa is a Ford)
marshknute
> MUSASHI66
12/14/2018 at 23:09 |
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The Fiesta is the better car, but the Abarth is the more fun car. Having driven both, I’d take the Abarth in a heartbeat.
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MUSASHI66
> CB
12/14/2018 at 23:11 |
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That whole “occasionally bricks itself” and “single-car owner” scare me. This would be my daily car, and I have the 2000 Tundra for dogs and winter and any time the car is down for repairs. But as the only car, I think I’d still pick an abarth for reliability (picking a FIAT for reliability- strange concept).
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MUSASHI66
> JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/14/2018 at 23:14 |
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Abarth make me smile coming towards it, makes me look back leaving, and makes my grin like a maniac while I’m driving it and it’s popping like a car with a much larger engine and better pedigree. Would a Fiesta do anything like that? I have my doubts. Outright speed is almost not important because honestly, when would I use it? And there is reliability - Abarths run well, and occasionally drink some oil, and you have to add a quart now and then. I can live with that.
Nick Has an Exocet
> MUSASHI66
12/14/2018 at 23:27 |
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I may just be grumpy, but I had a 595 Competizione for a few days in the UK (took it around the Scottish Highlands) and I was thrilled to give back the keys. The brakes faded fast (and squealed like mofos) when I drove it hard and while fun, it didn’t actually handle that great (Fiesta ST will apparently lift-off oversteer, Abarth didn’t for me). It was also hilariously uncomfortable. I imagine the US versions get different seats? The navigation/infotainment was worse than anything I’ve ever used.
The Abarth didn’t strike me as a real performance car. It was an economy car WEARING a performance car. You can dress me up to LOOK like James Bond and I can put on a phony accent - hell, might even fool someone who’s never seen the movie - but it’s not the same.
Never driven a FiST but I’ve driven a FoST. I’d take the FoST every time over the Abarth.
Disclaimer: The US Abarth gets more noise but less HP than the 595 Comp.
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MUSASHI66
> Nick Has an Exocet
12/14/2018 at 23:33 |
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I had the GQ version with all Abarth bits and seats were fine. Abarth seats are different and less comfortable for a 6ft tall, 210lb guy (15 stone, 183cm for you weird measurement people). I’m not sure how they feel long term - I only drove it for a few short stints. I also never tracked mine, but I loved it in town. It just has an attitude- it’s like a little bulldog in a world of golden retrievers.
Abarth is really not a real performance car. It is a cheap, basic, small economy car with new suspension, new engine, transmission, aero bits etc. it doesn’t even try to hide it’s common car roots and it doesn’t try to pretend it is a race car. But it goes like stink and make you grin the whole time - how many other cars can say that? That was my experience at least.
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MUSASHI66
> marshknute
12/14/2018 at 23:37 |
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I need to drive an ST - I only drove a regular Fiesta, but I suspect my opinion will be the same. I’m due for a new car in 16 months and I’m already thinking of what I’ll buy. I might have to do some test drives.
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Nick Has an Exocet
> MUSASHI66
12/14/2018 at 23:44 |
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Yeah, I wouldn’t say it’s bad. Other people will love it. Apparently the 595 Competizione (UK model) has Sabelt seats (US Abarth doesn’t). They were the hardest seats I’ve ever sat on in a car.
US Seats:
595 Seats:
I imagine it’s much better with the US seats. There’s actually some excitement to not having the huge bolsters.
You are correct that it’s stupid fast for what it is. It just didn’t feel very confident at the limit - probably because of the short wheelbase. It felt a smidge less confident than my Lancer Ralliart at the limit but that’s fine. It’s not a Miata. Also worth pointing out that the US Abarth and the 595 Comp are apparently quite different.
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MUSASHI66
> Nick Has an Exocet
12/14/2018 at 23:49 |
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Very different - transmission, engine, seats, body... I love the British Abarths and the fact you can buy a Biposto. I’d do some bad stuff for a BiPosto
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Nick Has an Exocet
> MUSASHI66
12/15/2018 at 00:05 |
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Yeah, I have to say - my favorite bit was the transmission. It was amazing.
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MUSASHI66
> Nick Has an Exocet
12/15/2018 at 00:09 |
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I had a 2003 Civic Si and the shifter placement sort of reminded me of that. I installed a short shifter too and that made a huge difference on US 5sp transmissions. Didn’t want to spend the cash on the full replacement shifter but they are available as well.
smobgirl
> MUSASHI66
12/15/2018 at 00:47 |
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Own a 2012 Abarth. So far so good. Still get a kick out of every drive in it.
Tomorrow I get to see if the gas stove I bought (heat not cooking) fits in the cargo space...I’ll report back.
aquila121
> MUSASHI66
12/15/2018 at 10:48 |
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Not having driven either of these , I don’t have much to contribute, but a fair number of Oppos have gone with the new VW GTI and love it—slightly bigger (so more practicality), more power to move the higher curb weight, and a downright luxurious interior for the price category. I realize it’s probably a few grand more on the used market and VW doesn’t have a perfect reliability record, but if you can find a good deal on a GTI, I think it’s worth comparing to these two.
duurtlang
> aquila121
12/15/2018 at 11:10 |
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The Golf is two size segments larger than the Fiat. It's a completely different car. Far larger, heavier and relatively sterile. It's competent, where the Fiat is playful.
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MUSASHI66
> aquila121
12/15/2018 at 12:22 |
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I wouldn’t buy a used VW for anything. I owned a 2004 Touareg that was 2 years old, and I got rid of it the day it turned 48 months old.
I have a WRX now and I feel GTI is similar - great on paper, but a bit cold and soulless.
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MUSASHI66
> smobgirl
12/15/2018 at 12:27 |
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I had a convertible so not much would fit through the trunk opening, but they are downright cavernous with that huge hatch and seats folded. Many people opt for back seat erase kit to have a flat loading surface. I did manage to squeeze in a 6’3” 230lbs dude and his 6’4” brother, together with my 6” 210lbs fat ass into it.
I hope you can fit whatever you need. I’m in Denver and have a pickup - let me know if you need a hand. Today is buy some ramps and work on rust removal kind of day, while my wife is baking Serbian cookies for my reward :)
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aquila121
> MUSASHI66
12/15/2018 at 13:07 |
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I am trying to give VW a bit of the benefit of the doubt—their reliability from the 90's and 2000's was not encouraging, I’ll agree. I'm not seeing as much in the way of headaches from their more recent offerings, but that could well be due to less age/mileage at present. Time will tell, right?
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aquila121
> MUSASHI66
12/15/2018 at 13:11 |
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And yeah, a GTI doesn't sound like it would be a big difference from what the WRX does well (when comparing the smaller offerings with the larger Subaru or Volkswagen).
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MUSASHI66
> aquila121
12/15/2018 at 14:12 |
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Fool me once... once bitten.. pick your folksy saying. I might consider a new one, as a 2-4 year lease. Just might.
Vento
> MUSASHI66
12/15/2018 at 14:50 |
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I have a 2013 Abarth and a 2015 Fist....both good cars...Ford is a bit less robust than the Abarth...had to replace a cat and a drooping exhaust under warranty...much stiffer vs Abarth...the Fiat..well it's Italian...6 months in the cruise went out...had to replace the fuel tank...but to me the grin factor makes it up...Everytime I start it up it thinks it's a Ferrari...the personality of the Abarth wins for me.
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smobgirl
> MUSASHI66
12/15/2018 at 18:33 |
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It was too heavy to move fully into the car so the hatch was a little open, but we got the stove, 16 feet of venting, and all of the venting accessories in and moved. The guys at the shop were surprised but I never had any doubts!
I keep meaning to do a full rear seat delete but don’t have any way to cut a piece of plywood for a flat surface.
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MUSASHI66
> Vento
12/15/2018 at 20:14 |
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I think Abarth wins this for the grins.
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MUSASHI66
> smobgirl
12/15/2018 at 20:16 |
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Buy a cheap jigsaw! Trace it on cardboard , copy to plywood and cut. You can also get it carpeted after that.