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

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?

Hi Andy,
Welcome.
The cars don't come with a spare wheel just some gu to put in the tyre, hence no jack.

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

My ZS is a 10 plate with only 7,900 on the clock plus it is loaded with extras.

What are konis?

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?

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 

Wow that's a lot, would just the springs be ok? I just want a nicer even stance without comfort too compromised.