FIAT 500 Abarth (2008 - - HJ Review

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Fri 13 Feb 2009 11:19
HJ Review - Dodge
Have just read the review of new Abarth. I was owner of a 500 Pop last year. I have to say that the car was a big disappointment. The looks were superb ofcourse but if ever the phrase only skin deep was appropriate this was it. I had to sell in the end, journeys were just too painful. The ride is terrible and it is such a poor drive. If you enjoy driving at all I would not touch the basic 500. (Infact the Panda is a much better choice)

This Abarth sounds like all these issues are sorted and I cant wait for a test drive. I have always loved small Fiats and it seems theyve scored a winner with this one.
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Fri 13 Feb 2009 13:16
HJ Review - Lud
Eager to hear the excellent noise and see the grey finish (my favourite) promised by HJ, I tried to see the video test of the Abarth. I can't get it.

What I get is the frame, with a graphic of a radio mast sending out waves, and the allegation that the movie is loading. Either it isn't, or it's a feature-length effort in Todd-AO with Sensurround... anyway after waiting a couple of minutes I gave up.
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Fri 13 Feb 2009 13:34
HJ Review - John Sheridan
Yeah looks broken - I tried both IE7 and Firefox and neither would start playing it.
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Fri 13 Feb 2009 20:07
HJ Review - gmac
Needs a microphone condom. Can see HJ mouthing away to a soundtrack of windblast.
esseesse looks a handy little car.
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Fri 13 Feb 2009 21:15
HJ Review - gordonbennet
I'm quite taken with the little, well in the flesh not so little 500, refreshingly different inside so good to get away from gloomy cloned interiors.

Anyway i was interested in HJ's suggestion not to go for the 17" tyres, but i wonder if there's a misprint in the specs.
I've run the tyre sizes through a tyre size calculator 195/40 x 16 standard and the alternative essesse 205/40 x 17, and there is a difference of 5.94% in rolling radius.

I find that a little strange, alternatives sizes are usually almost identical in overall circumference, and i would have thought a 40 aspect tyre would have very similar ride quality between the 16 and 17 inch wheels.

I too can't quite make out what HJ is saying toward the end, would someone be able to confirm those tyre sizes, purely out of nosiness.
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Fri 13 Feb 2009 23:23
HJ Review - PoloGirl
Oooh - looks fun!

But, it also looks like a silly toy car, and I vowed never to have another Fiat after sufferring with an uno as my first car.
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