2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Review

[LPMurcielago]

just drove one today. Awesome fun to drive, my mum now wants one now. Perfect for zippy round town driving, and couldn't agree more that the sport button should always be on. and its a 5 speed, not a 6.

[PaulHawkins]

had mine 4 years, it gets better every day!!!

[svtwrc]

Anyone over 6 foot tall needs to get the cloth seats with no sunroof . The cloth seats are lower sitting .

[RC_KAI]

I like the delivery in your review. Makes me wanna watch more. Keeps the listener engaged. Great job!

[andybroer]

I do my grocery shopping for my family of 5 with it. 8 paper grocery bags will fit without folding the rear seats down! I chipped mine and with a new turbo and cold air intake I can usually keep up with most Minis, although the Works Cooper likely beats me, but who cares? It is a blast to drive. I have the same red with white, but red leather seats and no sunroof so my 6'1" frame fits with room to spare! On long trips at 75-80 mph I've gotten 33+ mpg, although much lower when I'm on it around town. Indy500 Firestones and it feels glued to the road and stops very well. Sounds awesome and makes me smile while commuting. Great little car!

[FolkListener]

I test drove it a little while back. I had two other people in the car and it still took off. I was really surprised. I've got a 71 124 Spider and my dad just got a 500 S for commuting, My dad had a 71 spider when he graduated college so needless to say, I have grown up with a bad case of Fiat fever. I was ecstatic when Fiat came back to the States. I just hope they bring some more models over--a spider with the Abarth engine/incredible exhaust would complete my life.

[dbdeluxe]

Great review. You speak from the heart of all of us car guys.

[seguino]

liked the review.
how tall are you for reference regarding the cabin and isnt it a 5 speed?

[jasontman]

I just bought the Scorpion! I got stung and I love it!

[GotWoodChuck]

Not really a death trap if you're an automotive safety designer. In the world of engineering, there are other factors other than size that determine safety.

Also, how much is safety rating really a factor when picking out a sports car? Even this Fiat is loads safer than anything of its size 10 years ago.

[Fierrosporcelular]

For all the ones talking about the Ferrari versions, it's called Abarth 500 695 Tributo Ferrari, very special bit of car. Same body, carbon, paddle shifter, 180 horses. Missile in disguise. Oh, and even more logos.

[LysergikFuneral]

Excellent review Jeff. And I dig the background riff also! More like this please.

[DaveCM]

I'm 6, 3" and am fine in mine without a sunroof. Test drove one with a sunroof and I was like the reviewer. It takes up a lot of room.

[FoodyTunes]

Turn off the music in your reviews so we can hear the car :) great review though

[harlemkiid]

lol one friend and two deformed friends in the back

[MegaCrazyone]

im 6-1 and i had plenty of room with sunroof but im getting one with out sunroof so i can race it at track for sure and it dose not matter how tall you are its how tall the top part of your body is you would have to sit in it on your own like i said im 6-1 and had no problem

[joeestrada]

Here in the us it's a 5 speed and I'm sure everywhere els idk how he said 6 speed then it showed the five speed shifter snitched on top

[Stereguy]

How tall are you? I'm thinking maybe I won't fit either. I'm 6'4.

[Beolex]

Fun fact, there are Fiat 500's "Edition Ferraris" in Europe for Ferrari customers that are having their cars serviced.

[JeffGlucker]

Thanks, yeah I messed up with regards to the gearbox. Too many cars these days /journoproblems.

I'm 6'3" for reference.