My turismo is 4 years old in November on a 4 year pcp and I always planned to chop in for a new one at that point and with the facelift one being unveiled any day soon am very excited. However I love my car to bit's and it's virtually as clean as the day I got it (not a single ding or scratch on the bodywork ) and I can't help thinking that all my hard work in cleaning it (which I enjoy ) and being very careful is going to benefit the new owner whilst I take probably a 10k hit and get a nice shiny new one and take another 10 k hit over the next 4 years. Would I not be better to keep mine until it's 6 years old get it mapped  (which I've looked into) lowered and prehaps some carbon to keep me happy and enthusiastic about the car. If I do keep it though it will need a major service and cambelt and new tyres plus the final payment.
It's not  causing me sleepless night's but when I'm led in bed at night I do think of all the mods I can sensibly do verses a facelift comp in colorado red with red sabelts and yellow calipers

I mean get it mapped now if I keep it until it's 6 years old. No point getting it mapped if changing it in 8 months though

The associated costs of running an older car would surely need to be factored in. As far as I know these are pretty reliable (I hope they are now!!) but obviously certain things will need to be changed, wheel bearings and suspension will wear etc..

You already mentioned the major service and tyres which I assume is roughly £400 on tyres + (I'm not still not 100% on service costs but it looks pricey) but in my head, the two equate to roughly £1000 together.

Obviously worn suspension and brakes could prompt an upgrade which might have been done anyway if you are considering modding. But it's all money down the pan in the end.

The benefit is obviously the slower depreciation you will suffer over those 2 extra years but then modding will invariable effect this as well where you narrow your already seemingly small market into a tiny niche who will want a car that has been fettled with (an instant turn off for me).

I think the obvious first step is to drive the facelift when you get a chance (assuming it is released in time) and see what it offers you in terms of a step up. However, the bargains seem to be for low mileage nearly new cars at the moment so keep an eye out for exceptional offers as that is what I considered my recent purchase to be, I can only imagine after the facelift is released the deals will improve yet further ... unless they have ruined them!!

Wise words mate I have factored in £1000 for major service cambelt mot and tyres possibly  £1100 and may need new front pads aswell so probably another  £100. As regards to modifying would only be remap, eibach or novitec lowering springs and prehaps wheel spacers so nothing to severe so wouldn't really put many people off. I then also think what about the 208 gti by peugeot sport or fiesta st or clio 220 trophy if I'm paying for something new have. But I do love my little Abarth

Makes sense. Worst case is undoing the map and sticking the standard parts back in..

Absolutely you have to try the alternatives, no fun in missing out on some test drives. I might include the Mini in there as well for extra variety and something that shares more qualities with the Abarth.

Of what you mentioned it was only the Fiesta I ended up driving before buying the Abarth. I can't stand the looks of the Pug and I wanted a manual so that rules the Clio out.

While I would never look to put anyone off the Fiesta as it is clearly the superior car in most ways, the Abarth really got under my skin and I couldn't resist 

What I will say about the ST is make sure you get a reasonably long test drive. The seats were crippling my back a short way into the drive and I am not the only one who says this. For reference, no car has ever made me feel like that before, there is something very strange about those seats. Also it is the most unsettled car at low speed I think I have ever been in which probably would have been forgivable if it was otherwise comfortable but as I mentioned.. that seat.

My other concern was just how very good the car actually is. I disagree with the journo's that you can have fun at low speed. I ended up having some fun but the speed was so far from low it was dangerous.