10 Years with My Fiat 500 Abarth: The Ultimate Review

Join me as I celebrate a decade of unforgettable adventures with my Fiat 500 Abarth! In this episode I will show you what it is like to live with this lovely car for 10 years!

0:00 Brief History
1:11 Intro
3:50 My Binder of service records
4:13 Price and Facts
5:16 Engine
10:39 Transmission
12:14 Steering & Suspension
14:06 Brakes & Tires
16:52 Interior
21:14 Exterior
24:08 Miscellaneous
24:39 Is this a good looking car?
24:50 Total $ spent on maintaining the car for 10 years
25:14 Is this a reliable car?
26:04 Is this a good car?
26:45 My final words

[howardishere]

The weight of this car is actually around 1142kg / 2512lbs (curb weight). The gross weight of the car is 1497kg / 3300lbs.

[ApxuBbI]

Youtube recommended this, and I liked it.

[Milnoc]

A few observations from an owner of a 2015 Abarth purchased used in 2020:

- Identical configuration as yours except it's a manual. I paid $11, 950 plus HST with no extra fees.
- Yes, the Beats Audio is crap.
- You can soften the suspension by installing KYB Excel-G shocks and struts. I can now drive over railroad crossings without losing the fillings in my teeth.
- Nitrogen is a scam. Use an air pump and a cheap pen style pressure gauge.
- Your tire pressures are wrong. Check the label on the driver's side door frame for the correct pressure. It should be 38 lbs in the front and 32 lbs in the rear.
- For your next summer tires, try Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. Very affordable and sticky!
- Aftermarket rotors and pads are available. Look for Powerstop Euro-Stop. Much cheaper and just as effective.
- Many OEM parts can be purchased aftermarket for a lot less such as Bosch coil packs, NGK spark plugs, and SKF bearings and hubs.
- Leaky coolant connections and broken door handles are a fact of life with this car. You just have to be one step ahead of them.
- I've modded my car with a short shifter, upgraded rear torsion bar, beefier side and tunnel braces, and much better strut hats.
- When you eventually blow an exhaust valve, it'll be one of the two valves in cylinder #3 (diagnostic code P0303). Expect to pay some $4, 500 for the repair plus HST. This will include replacing the timing belt, water pump, and tensioner which should have been replaced by now.

It's a truly insane little car! I still love mine!

[marcopiancatelli]

Every 500 Abarth owner says the same: this car puts a smile on your face everytime you drive it. No matter how long you own it.
That means every single cent you paid was worth it.
Love from Italy.

[aaliyahlunan]

As a young person that doesn't have a car yet, it's so nice to see a full, long term cost breakdown of the ownership and maintenance of a car. Seeing 'everybody' buy brand new luxury vehicles makes it seem like that's the 'right thing' to do. But I can't imagine the maintenance costs over time. Buying a car is more than just the upfront payments.

[southcoaster]

I'm in awe at how well organised you keep the car paperwork.

[desadesa]

This is one of the best car videos I've ever seen. When it puts a smile on your face... That's something every driver must experience.

[kerc]

Three years ago I got a 2015 500C with less than 10K miles and I love it. It has 30K miles now and it's my daily driver. This car makes everyone smile.

[DJTXD]

It's really nice when people care about their cars, my dad bought a 2008 Ford focus in 2010 with 15, 000 miles, he has now passed this down to me and it is sitting at 105, 000 miles, 14 years in the family, going to keep it as long as I can

[MurphysndLaw]

The side skirts separating isn’t from the tape failing. It’s from incorrectly lifting the car. Probably the dealers doing. If the lift pads aren’t in the correct location it causes the tops to pop out. The tape isn’t designed to hold that force.

[Joseph_yy]

I wish every car had at least one owner like you to document and review it long term, imagine how many myths and hearsay can be debunked or confirmed in this way

[kaeyakow]

My 14 year old fiat 500 sport died recently... He brought me everywhere. Bought a 2024 impreza, its autonatic and ugh, i miss the fiat. Im considering an abarth as a fun second vehical so i can have a manual again. Plus, fiats are fun :)

[momindeen]

I have owned the car for 11 years. It’s lovely, never boring, reliable too considering its reputation

[jstray]

As a person who has spent a ton of time in Asia and as an Abarth owner of a 2014 model, I am going to say this but I mean it in the most loving way possible, this is the most Asian car owner video ever! Aaaand it's awesome. The binder with the records and the sticky pad classic. The commitment to the dealer to keep bringing your car back to them even after warranty just to be taken for boat loads of money by them. I hope you monetize this video and it makes up for your ~400$ pads they charged you. That would be karma setting things right. I really enjoyed this. I basically smiled through the entire thing as you described your journey and I could relate to elements of it with mine. Well done.

[blub.lubber]

The way he described it as encouraging you to just enjoy life. That is exactly right. I overpaid for my 2013, but I love it despite all the heartache

[leroykrieger]

As a fellow esseesse owner in the NA market. I've had mine for 9 years, and actually drive it.
Mines a 5speed manual.
Everything is gonna be okay as long as you remove the plastic cover on the rear wiper, and the antenna when you go thru the car wash. Mine is spec with EVERYTHING. As a mechanic. The pinch welds will roll like an old civic if you lift improperly. The front struts and suspension all around need to be stiffened and reinforced. Other than that it's an AMAZING CAR. and always raises hair and makes me smile.

[charredskeleton]

Liked the video for quality. You were very professional and focused entirely on the car. Video was high quality and the audio was good.

[wadekoll]

I have a 2012 Abarth, drive it winter and summer on MOMO tires. Koni yellow shocks and struts. 78mm torsion rod. Cross drilled and slotted rotors. Have had a few normal repairs. Great car. Winnipeg MB

[noahman]

Brother, this was such a fun review. Reminds me of my relationship with my 1987 VW Vanagon Syncro! The Vanagon has no power, no AC, get blown around by the wind on the highway over 60 mph, and it was always in the shop (but that was mostly because It was over 20 years old). BUT, I this van and have had 4 of them! And everyone who saw it loved it and would wave and flash me peace signs. It brought smiles to everrybody's faces.

[jakeh.]

Right now I'm going through an Abarth phase and YouTube recommended this video to me, you absolutely have a future in car reviews on YouTube. This video was super entertaining and I'm heavily considering getting an abarth 500 as a daily driver and retiring my wrx