Took a test drive in a 180 comp yesterday mainly due to the fact I was bored so took a few random cars out I thought looked fun. Well, what the hell....I'm not sure what I found funnier, the fact it was priced at nearly 20k when I asked to test drive the fastest thing they had, or the fact I climbed out of it with a grin on my face and the fact I was now considering buying one. This is off the back of driving a golf R in the morning, a natural successor to my current mk5 R32, which I was initially concerned about ditching as 2 litre engines sound so flat. I'm not sure if I'm ill, I don't have a fever, not had a beer since Thursday....why am I even considering this? Has anyone else dropped down from faster cars and regretted it? My 3 previous cars and current were/are 440bhp/220bhp/270hp, so I am concerned I would be upset I can't challenge the 2 litre crowd even. That being said, I'll still have fun, which has to be the main thing right? Still need convincing from you abarthians, specifically any comp 180 owners. That 1.4 sounds lovely. Anyway, main concerns:

I'm 6ft 1 and well built 15 stone, would I look a twonk getting in and out of the thing?
what is it like on long trips on the motorway?
Can I remap this bad boy and get 200hp without the engine falling to bits? What are abarths views on remaps?
Have you ever punched anyone in the face for taking the Michael Todd out of you driving a Lego car?

Thanks all, I'm hoping that this is just a temporary fixation on the 180 comp and I can go about my daily business in an s3 or golf r for the next few years.....then I'm also hoping you convince me this isn't a voodoo magic trick and I can run down to the abarth garage with my wallet in the air signing mmmm bop by Hanson.

Haha ..... This is basically the same as my story and the same concerns I have! I currently have an RX8 PZ which is running 245hp, I haven't had a car with less than 200bhp for years however I fell in love with the 180 comp! Everyone I know thinks I'm mad for wanting to buy one especially when they hear the price!! I to I'm wondering what people will think, not that I care!!! If I have to justify to one more bellend why I'm buying a "girls care" I will punch them right between the eyes!! Most of my friends don't understand the car game so I don't really entertain them. They drive anything from transits to polos to bikes..... only when I change my car is it an issue to them...... because im "into cars"

A lot of people forget the power to weight of these things, the new 180 is equal to most cars around 220bhp these days.

I came from a 200+ bhp Integra and not looked back since

I came from a vx220 which is much quicker and not missed the extra power. Tha Abarth can still surprise alot of cars.

I'm 6 ft 2 and and I manage fine. Not sure how I look getting out of it though but I'm always too busy smiling to care.

Well, thanks everyone, I think you have all just helped me make up my mind. The tmc box is the icing, and the fact I couldn't sleep last night as I was too busy youtubing the comp, like a little kid again!

Abarth garage at weekend to order a 65 plate, now just to decide which type of grey to go for!

Will post pictures when I join the abarth club. Reedo, hope you get one mate!

Cheers

You won't be disappointed!!! I am just about to get my 3rd after a string of much more powerful cars before I discovered my first Abarth!!!   The experience is greater than it should be on paper! You will get more smiles per mile in an Abarth or at least I do ;-)

I came from a Civic Type R EP3 with no regrets.  I had a 180 remap from A.H.M Tuning on my 500 and to be honest there is not a lot a difference in performance to 100mph.  Although the build quality of the Honda is far more superior  the fun factor and constant good attention of the Abarth is far greater.    If you like driving than you'll love the Abarth.  I have read the internals of the stock engine are good for 220bhp and haven't read of any blow up ones as yet!