Social => Introduce Yourselves! => Topic started by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 03:11:35 pm
Title: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 03:11:35 pm
Hi
My name is Andy, im from the Manchester region.
I currently have a MK7 Fiesta ZS with a few mods and previous to this i owned a Fiesta St for over 3 years and spent thousands on it, it was running 190bhp and 165ftlbs so it was pritty quick but was costing me too much in all respects. i doo miss it though.
Even though the ZS has treated me well for near to 1 year now i am just board of it and its lack of grunt which is why i though i want a turbo hatchback.
So i have test driven a Abarth500 in a Abarth delership in Manchester. This review is posted from other forums as its quicker :
well i went for my test drice today.
First thing was i have never been to a nicer delership than this, so many nice cars, both in and outside were spotless and the cars outside were the cleanest iv seen too. Carnt believe how many cars are dirty from standing at some places. Just shows they care about the cars.
I picked one i liked as it was just around budget, little more to be honest but the next one down had too many miles for my likeing, more than double but it was 2 grand cheeper so guess it makes sense.
i had to go for the white as looks really nice in this. if they had a grey i might have been tempted.
I took my bro inlaw as he is a mechanic so knows his stuff and he couldnt see out wrong with it, looked spotless. Engine looked a little dirty but nothing a quick clean coulndt sort.
This one is a 60 plate with 10K on the clock, full leather with red stitching, on the seats, gearstick, steering wheel and dash so looked smart and had the all important red decals and mirror caps which i like.
So we went for a test drive and after it was warmed up the guy booted it and gotta say this didnt feel all that different from the VXR and Cooper S i tested in the summer. So as standard this engine felt great, plenty of torque and the exhaust note has a nice sound too when stood behind. You carnt really hear much once on the move but if your stood behind it or just sat you can hear a sutble sound which is cool.
The seating wasnt too bad but i do now know what people mean by you feel high. The only thing which i didnt like was the steering wheel possition as you carnt adjust it back or forward, just up and down like the ST's. This might just be because i aint used to it and might be fine but couldnt tell unless i drove it for ages. Plus the ride quality was fine over the bumps and then in the corners it barely moved, was very firm with very little body role what so ever. I have never had so many people look at the car, both when walking past the garage or when driving, even a guy in a Clio 200 stopped to talk
So overall i really liked it, handling was good, performance was great, interiour was nice but would have to get used to the steering wheel possition plus i have placed a picture of the wheels i told them if i were to take it i would like those ones as think they look smarter - 10 Spoke ones.
Anyway sorry for the long review, here are some pics.
CARNT POST PHOTOBUCKET PICS?????
I heard back on Friday that they would offer me 8750 for my ZS when i am sure its worth more (i asked at a Ford garage today and they said book price is about 9500, and the Abarth500 is up for 12450. They said it will have a service and they will change over the wheels. I have sent an email (he said to as they are closed) stating where i am, i am interested but in order to go ahead i would need more for mine/less off the car or some extras etc as we are about £1000 adrift. So i am waiting to hear back. What do people think?
Also i have a few questions as well if i wee to go ahead. I hate the yellow bulbs so can i get brighter white/blue tint for the DLR's side lights(are these 2 or 1 bulb?) and nicer Dipped beams, i dont want HIDS. Also i know that the BMC panel filter is a good choice and TMC chip but the TMC will costs me a lot on insurance so prob not. So i would like to get some exhaust parts to add a bit more power and maybe noise. The Scorpion Sports Cat?
Cheers and sorry for such a big post
Andy
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: web_monkey on January 02, 2012, 03:26:17 pm
Welcome Andy
You're in a very similar situation to me, I was looking at a used esseesse last week but another dealer would only give me £8,300 for my zetec s (10 reg, 16,000 miles, white), the problem I had was actually the finance which ended up being cheaper for a new one. Personally I'd want more than you've been quoted for it. I'll be getting a new one in due course possibly from bauers.
As far as modifications are concerned there's a lot of abarth accessories available, you may find them pricy but the trade off against warranty and insurance makes them a good option. Have a good read through the modifications boards, the monza may interest you.
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 03:30:38 pm
ah cool, do you think i should get more for my ZS? what Abarth accessories are there that dont go against the warrenty? as i guess a Scorpion Exhaust will not go down well with warrenty?
if you dont mind me asking how much was a new one, what was the spec as well?
do you mean Bauers in Manchester which is the one i have test driven one?
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 03:39:32 pm
oh and do these cars not come with a Jack to get the car up for the wheels?
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: GTMartin on January 02, 2012, 04:54:46 pm
Hi Andy, Welcome. The cars don't come with a spare wheel just some gu to put in the tyre, hence no jack.
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: web_monkey on January 02, 2012, 06:10:07 pm
Without knowing the mileage or age I couldn't say but I do for mine. I haven't dealt with bauer millett yet but they are well spoken of here and one of their guys is a regular.
Your best bet is to speak to them about your options and the range of accessories available, a quick search for essessee kit, konis and monza is a good start if the car you are thinking of is over 12 months old you can't add the essessee kit.
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 06:20:12 pm
I don't want the esseesse full kit but the lowering springs would be nice but fought they would fit them?
Ah cool who is the guy on here? Unfortunately when I went for my test drive the enthusiast was busy so I was dealt with by someone else :(
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Andrew on January 02, 2012, 06:23:28 pm
Welcome!
Yes, the dealer would supply and fit the SS springs for you :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 06:24:59 pm
My ZS is a 10 plate with only 7,900 on the clock plus it is loaded with extras.
What are konis?
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Andrew on January 02, 2012, 06:26:51 pm
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 06:29:14 pm
Ah cool I may have to mention this as an option for me to sign. What effect do the springs have, how much lower, does the back site with the same gap as the front as standard the rear gap is more so looks odd. Plus the standard ride seemed good, I nautical want it to.sit lower but not make it ride worse.
Oh and when I tested it it had no mats, maybe they could stick some nice abarth ones in or do you think it is standard for mats to come?
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 06:34:00 pm
Ah so these make it softer on the straight but still firm in the corners?
Is this something the dealer could fit along with the springs so its all ready for when I pick it up?
How much would this usually cost so I have an idea of incorporating it into the deal.
Cheers
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Andrew on January 02, 2012, 06:39:49 pm
FSD dampers & SS springs would be around £820 + fitting
Yes, the dealer could do this before collection.
The upgraded dampers & springs will make a huge difference over the standard setup :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: web_monkey on January 02, 2012, 06:41:00 pm
My ZS is a 10 plate with only 7,900 on the clock plus it is loaded with extras.
What are konis?
I think the ford guy was more on the money at 9500 if in showroom condition the valuation I have says privately I could look for 10,000+ for mine
Mats are extra I believe, the essessee springs should even out the height difference but the more seasoned members would be able to confirm
Have a look in the shop on here you can get the konis but that excludes fitting
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 07:01:41 pm
Wow that's a lot, would just the springs be ok? I just want a nicer even stance without comfort too compromised.
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: SJH on January 02, 2012, 07:10:49 pm
Just the springs would make the standard SS set up. Better than the non-SS but 'interesting' at the back end because of a lack of damping. If you want to achieve a good result, springs alone are not enough. You need konis or one of the other aftermarket solutions. :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 07:23:07 pm
Ah so just the springs lower it but don't help with the uneven look front to back. The konis sound interesting but its the costs. Il suggest the full thing to the dealer and see what they say
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: K77NAN on January 02, 2012, 08:31:05 pm
Andy, were you on Fiestastoc.com???
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: SJH on January 02, 2012, 08:31:49 pm
Ah so just the springs lower it but don't help with the uneven look front to back. The konis sound interesting but its the costs. Il suggest the full thing to the dealer and see what they say
They will sort the unevenness. :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 08:33:10 pm
just to check just the springs will osrt out the uneveness or the konis?
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: SJH on January 02, 2012, 08:34:04 pm
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 08:38:20 pm
i carnt see where to edit my first post so pics are now here :
(http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h330/ADMR1985/IMAG0229.jpg) (http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h330/ADMR1985/IMAG0230.jpg) (http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h330/ADMR1985/IMAG0233.jpg) (http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h330/ADMR1985/IMAG0232.jpg) (http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h330/ADMR1985/IMAG0234.jpg) these are the wheels they said they can change onto the one i test drove/interested in. (http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h330/ADMR1985/IMAG0231.jpg)
i have heard back via email and he said he will look at the figures in the mornig and sure we can work something out. Lets hope what he has to say is enough for me to go ahead :)
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: K77NAN on January 02, 2012, 08:39:36 pm
ah cool, well there are 2 Andy's from the Manchester area as far as i know, i know the other one who now has a Corsa VXR Nurburgring orange one.
Pics of the car are now on, what do you think?
Same as mine, but I don't have stripes :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 08:44:25 pm
now i know more about the lowering and Konis, cheers for this now i need to know about spacers. i think the rear needs about 15mm on each side, no so much at the front as they fir the arch quite nicely.
oh and bulbs, i would like whiter/bluish tin DLR's and sidelights, Are these double filament or just one bulb? and brighter white dipped beams
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: tez-abarth on January 02, 2012, 08:47:23 pm
how come the car has different alloys on in the last picture ???
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: SJH on January 02, 2012, 08:48:24 pm
In the same light unit is a H1 bulb for the high beam.
The high and low beam bulbs have been replaced by some with PIAA or other whiter bulbs to get a brighter light.
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 09:03:24 pm
ah hiya, eh i got the ok email today so got posting ;D
just waiting to hear back tomorrow from Bauer Millett as sounds like he will do somthing
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 09:06:14 pm
nice one i recon il have to get those to sort out the DLR's & sidelight, does this just switch dipending on no headlights to when you turn on the headlight?
Any pics of these?
Also a link to the dipped beam/headlights woud be great ;D
again any pics know?
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: GTMartin on January 02, 2012, 09:11:32 pm
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 02, 2012, 09:42:53 pm
just to check i need H7 for dipped and H1 for main beam
so these: http://www.priracing.com/section.php/32/1/h1/b0984b7ebebe2c0386bb3453a83d1394
and these: http://www.priracing.com/section.php/14/1/h7/986ae554f8bb43afe846651da8818994
Oh and i have read somewhere that the DLR bulbs are a pain to fit, something about taking the wheel off or turning it one way to get to some cap in the arch, is it really as pain to do. Would getting it up a ramp and get the wheels off be easiest way
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: GTMartin on January 02, 2012, 09:50:56 pm
The type of bulb for the application is correct. You might also consider the following
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 03, 2012, 01:04:02 pm
deal done, they took £500 off the car so ive accepted. They will change the wheels from the petal to the 10 spokes and give it a full service & sort out my tax.
Please tell me i have made the right decision with the A500 lol
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: GTMartin on January 03, 2012, 01:05:59 pm
You have made the right decision :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: SJH on January 03, 2012, 01:08:49 pm
Yes. Definitely. :)
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 03, 2012, 01:10:50 pm
cheers :)
the only thing which i didnt like was the ride height thing but i recon i will get used to it after a while and the seat may not have been fully down anyways
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: web_monkey on January 03, 2012, 02:00:21 pm
Glad you got it sorted, enjoy! ;D
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Binnypuss on January 03, 2012, 03:55:47 pm
Well done, welcome to the funhouse :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Joe on January 03, 2012, 06:45:47 pm
Congrats! ;D
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: gavos999 on January 06, 2012, 02:16:04 pm
Welcome Andy ;D ;D
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 06, 2012, 10:14:27 pm
just thought i forgot to check the car will come with mats in as the one i test drove just had the paper with no mats. Surely it will come with some?
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: SJH on January 06, 2012, 10:15:18 pm
Probably not.
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: lloyd on January 06, 2012, 10:16:16 pm
better budget for mats, nice ones with scorpions :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Binnypuss on January 06, 2012, 11:00:36 pm
And make sure you've got cash for a full tank of Vpower, the ONLY juice you need, although it will be full when you pick it up..... :whistle: :whistle:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Krakn on January 07, 2012, 09:31:20 am
Welcome :wave: You will love the 500 - the rest of us do. :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 07, 2012, 03:34:24 pm
cheers for replies peops. What are nice floor mats to get, had a look on here on the shop and there £55 and the dealer just said somthing along those lines although the guy i dealt with wasnt in.
Id like to good quality ones and there even better when they have the extra pieve for the drivers feet, the area which gets most used/worn
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Ninjauk on January 07, 2012, 08:53:24 pm
The abarthisti mats in the shop are great quality and only £39 :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Dan on January 07, 2012, 08:55:57 pm
cheers for replies peops. What are nice floor mats to get, had a look on here on the shop and there £55 and the dealer just said somthing along those lines although the guy i dealt with wasnt in.
Id like to good quality ones and there even better when they have the extra pieve for the drivers feet, the area which gets most used/worn
Hi mate I do not know how much they are but I got the dealer to put some Abarth mats in they have the Abarth logo on both front mats black with red stitching worth a look! Looks nice when you open the doors :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: K77NAN on January 07, 2012, 09:09:33 pm
cheers for replies peops. What are nice floor mats to get, had a look on here on the shop and there £55 and the dealer just said somthing along those lines although the guy i dealt with wasnt in.
Id like to good quality ones and there even better when they have the extra pieve for the drivers feet, the area which gets most used/worn
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Abarth85 on January 08, 2012, 10:18:18 am
there is a day left on those mats above so il check again in the morning and see if there has been any bids.
what do peops think of these ones. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-500-ABARTH-RED-LEATHER-TRIM-LUXURY-CAR-MATS-/370573994860?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5647ee6b6c
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: Andrew on January 08, 2012, 10:59:28 am
Why spoil a nice car with cheap mats? You require the genuine Abarth mats or some Abarthisti (http://www.abarthisti.co.uk/shop/) mats :thumb:
Title: Re: may soon to be a Abarth500 owner
Post by: K77NAN on January 08, 2012, 11:11:48 am