My SECOND new Grigio Abarth!!!

[chops-tube]

Originally Posted by -E-

After your comments about how much you loved this car I had to go and take one out the other day.

They are a tremendous amount of fun. And your comments about the shifter are absolutely spot on - the upgrade there is almost a necessity. Do you have an upgrade to shorten the clutch?

Those things aside, the little Abarth loves to be thrown around corners - the steering is very well articulated and understeer is virtually nonexistent (rare). I also quite enjoyed the seats.

So when are you buying one? LOL

These little Abarths are tons of fun. I just wish there were some decent roads around here to actually want to go driving on.

The shifter adapter is a must. I mean, the stock shifter isn't bad, but it's not great either. The adapter definitely takes it up a couple notches. As far as a clutch pedal mod to shorten it, I haven't heard of one. I don't see anything wrong with it myself and haven't read any complaints about it on the forums. Are you referring to the length of the pedal or the throw?

Yes, the Abarth loves being tossed around, just like my ex-Miatas, hence why I love small light cars, except this car has a lot more power (mostly a lot more torque) to throw down on the pavement, and at low rpm's. I haven't pushed mine hard enough yet in the few corners around here to reach the point of understeer, so can't comment on that. And due to the equal length half-shafts, there's virtually no torque steer either.


And if you want a little bit of fun on the computer, check out this video and pay special attention to the exhaust note, then compare that to the tiny 1.4L Abarth exhaust note.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGSUpUPwgeU


And don't pay attention to the 0-60 time at the end of this video. They're somewhere in Colorado and don't know where he's shifting. I've timed myself several times and get a consistent 6.4 - 6.6 sec. That's bone stock with traction control completely off!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B28PRwph6jo

[-E-]

Originally Posted by chops-tube

So when are you buying one? LOL

If I were to ever move to the city, I could certainly see me owning one as the commuter car that could park anywhere...

Originally Posted by chops-tube

I don't see anything wrong with it myself and haven't read any complaints about it on the forums. Are you referring to the length of the pedal or the throw?

Both.

[antipop]

That "TLC" licence plate is well deserved in this case

[chops-tube]

Originally Posted by -E-

If I were to ever move to the city, I could certainly see me owning one as the commuter car that could park anywhere...

That's the one thing I hate about this car, it's title of a "city car". It's stupid.

This car is perfectly suited on the highway for long trips as it is for easy parking in the city, as it is for doing some very spirited canyon carving out in the country.

Sorry, but that "city car" title just pisses me off.

[chops-tube]

Originally Posted by antipop

That "TLC" licence plate is well deserved in this case

Yes it is! I think you're the first to notice that since I've had that plate for the past 4 years. Back then, I said it was perfect for the '91 Miata that I got and was planning on giving some well deserved TLC.

[piolaxo]

Originally Posted by chops-tube

That's the one thing I hate about this car, it's title of a "city car". It's stupid.

This car is perfectly suited on the highway for long trips as it is for easy parking in the city, as it is for doing some very spirited canyon carving out in the country.

Sorry, but that "city car" title just pisses me off.

I think the term was referring to being able to find a parking spot where
no one else could. San Francisco is notorious for bad parking, so anytime
you have a chance to score a tiny place where all the SUVs failed
miserably, then that's a big score.

[piolaxo]

By the way Charles, congrats on your second Abarth. Must be a nice feeling to replace
the other one, but yes, the best is that you escaped without any serious injury.

[chops-tube]

Originally Posted by piolaxo

I think the term was referring to being able to find a parking spot where
no one else could. San Francisco is notorious for bad parking, so anytime
you have a chance to score a tiny place where all the SUVs failed
miserably, then that's a big score.

I know, but the label just makes it so "econo-box" that people think that's all it is.

Originally Posted by piolaxo

By the way Charles, congrats on your second Abarth. Must be a nice feeling to replace
the other one, but yes, the best is that you escaped without any serious injury.

Thank you, on both accounts!

[-E-]

Originally Posted by piolaxo

I think the term was referring to being able to find a parking spot where no one else could. San Francisco is notorious for bad parking, so anytime you have a chance to score a tiny place where all the SUVs failed miserably, then that's a big score.

^^^ This. Not because it's a smart car ().

Plus, only 30mpg hwy on a 1.4L motor is *not* what I woulc classify as an econo-box!

[chops-tube]

Originally Posted by -E-

Plus, only 30mpg hwy on a 1.4L motor is *not* what I woulc classify as an econo-box!

Ha! I'm barely breaking 22 mpg at the moment. Then again, that's strictly in town driving and standard oil.