Thinking about trading in the CR-Z for a Fiat 500 Abarth, thoughts?

Klasse Act said:
With so many car guys/gals on this site I thought I'd throw this out to the group, its always good to get an outside perspective sometimes, see things that only others can see, so here's the deal.

When I moved here to Chicagoland in Dec of 09' I had an 07' Mini Cooper S and I was leasing it and couldn't keep it as far as buying it but I was able to get a Honda Fit, but I had to "settle" for an automatic or "autotragic" as I like to say, the dealership couldn't find me one, so I took the color I wanted atleast but settled for the auto. It had paddle shifters and it was fun, to a point, but not like having 3 pedals. Fast forward a year and half and 33k miles later, NO issues with the Fit, great car but I decided it was time to get a stick and I test drove the CR-Z and took it, much more fun to drive with the awesome Honda 6 speed, love how it goes into gear and the car itself handles much, much better, plus the mileage is better but not by as much as you'd think. I should also say that I had to roll over neg equity into the CR-Z but it worked out for me. So now flash forward 2.5 yrs later and in that time I've enjoyed the CR-Z, NO issues with the car, mpg as high as 44 mpg but averaging a hair under 40 mpg right now but that's from when I joined Fuely back in July of 2012, mileage during the winter has been around 32 mpg's. In that time the Fiat 500 Abarth came out and I love that car, its all attitude and sounds great and is a hot hatch for the ages! So right now I can get a 12' that's basically loaded w/just under 5k on the clock for $18.5. Now being 2.5 yrs into a 6 year deal w/ the CR-Z, along with the neg equity makes it tough....BUT, with this price, including the neg equity of my car I'd be getting the car for what it costs basically, makes it an easier pill to swallow so to speak. Being an enthusist I made my CR-Z a bit more fun but the Abarth is a TRUE enthusists car, something I haven't had since the Mini Cooper S I had, a car I made more special ontop of that. After a bad day at work walking out to the Abarth would put a HUGE smile on my face and then slip into its red leather seats, take in the smell of that and then fire up that engine...OMG that engine note!

I should also say I've had NO issues with the Honda's I've had, something very important for me, especially coming out of the Mini Cooper S which was the biggest POS, sorry Monica, that I ever had, 3 aux fuel pumps, bad fuel injector, bad MAF, bad timing chain and the throttle would freeze up during cold weather, even after the revision they offered for it. All issues were covered under warranty except for the MAF, that was $660! When it was time to turn the car in I still wanted the car, even after all that because I loved the car and made it my own as many Mini owners do to the car, loved the whole Mini experience, the waves and the smile it too put on my face walking out to the car, I was always excited to drive it, even going home, great drivers car (except for all the issues)

So, based on what I've said here, what's you thoughts guys, reliability or go with your passion?
Click to expand...

Do not touch a Fiat. You will be sorry. They are made of juck
 
Sorry Slim, I've done a little more than "touch" a Fiat, LOL!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
I've been following this thread and I'm glad to hear you're enjoying Abarth. :dblthumb2:
 
Nick@Autogeek said:
I've been following this thread and I'm glad to hear you're enjoying Abarth. :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Thanks Nick, didn't you ask me about the CR-Z because you were interested in one? If so, did you end up getting one?

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
Klasse Act said:
Thanks Nick, didn't you ask me about the CR-Z because you were interested in one? If so, did you end up getting one?

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I was interested in a CR-Z once Honda announced they had a factory supercharger kit for it. :)

I ended up getting a 4-door Civic Si, and I couldn't be happier with it. There's no better way to end a long day than to jump in the car, pop it in first gear, and listen to the engine purr.

I promised myself I wouldn't do any mods for a couple years...but that didn't last long. Last month I installed a K & N Cold Air Intake and a Magnaflow Cat Back Exhaust. The car sounds amazing...to say the least. :hotrod2:
 
Nick@Autogeek said:
I was interested in a CR-Z once Honda announced they had a factory supercharger kit for it. :)

I ended up getting a 4-door Civic Si, and I couldn't be happier with it. There's no better way to end a long day than to jump in the car, pop it in first gear, and listen to the engine purr.

I promised myself I wouldn't do any mods for a couple years...but that didn't last long. Last month I installed a K & N Cold Air Intake and a Magnaflow Cat Back Exhaust. The car sounds amazing...to say the least. :hotrod2:
Click to expand...

Good job Nick, what color did you get?

K&N makes a great intake, I had one on my last 2 Hondas and it sounded great, "VTEC kicked in YO!" Then your choice of Magnaflow for the exhaust, one of the best systems on the market, a bit more money but when you look at the system, you can clearly see you get what you pay for!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
Klasse Act said:
Sorry Slim, I've done a little more than "touch" a Fiat, LOL!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
Click to expand...

But I really wish you the best of luck and hope the current Models are better than
the last time these cars where imported in the US


I am sure that you know Fiat, meant Fix it again Tony.
 
slimnib said:
But I really wish you the best of luck and hope the current Models are better than
the last time these cars where imported in the US


I am sure that you know Fiat, meant Fix it again Tony.
Click to expand...

I believe ALL cars are better than what they were like in the 80's when Fiat was here last but I appreciate the well wishes, it surely doesn't hurt. With the intake on the car and the windows down I love hearing the BOV sound from the front, then there's the exhaust note...never get tired of that!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
Not a Fiat issue but rather a Pirelli issue, junk tires! I know it looks like an alignment issue for sure but its the tire. That said, I'm having the alignment re-done under warranty right now. I had the rotation done @2500 miles and its got about 6200 miles on it now.



Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
So the alignment was off a little bit, front toe was out and rear was very slightly out but its all good now. I'll probably take advantage of another "free" alignment before next February, doesn't hurt being here in Pothole City!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
I did see the one w/ Godzilla and I wonder if they'll ever do a commerical with NO celebrity in it? I wish they'd show a commercial showing how fun the car is to drive, the great mpg's that CAN be had with the Abarth (even better with the standard model) and just how cool the car is!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
Not the Godzilla ones... these are new.

NO celebrities and so weird... like creepy weird.

Dudes in horse masks, people in spandex bent in half jumping around the car....

Weird.

They are entertaining... I was like, ### was that? So they are effective in getting your attention :laughing:
 
DetailKitty said:
Not the Godzilla ones... these are new.

NO celebrities and so weird... like creepy weird.

Dudes in horse masks, people in spandex bent in half jumping around the car....

Weird.

They are entertaining... I was like, ### was that? So they are effective in getting your attention :laughing:
Click to expand...

I need to keep my eye open for that one! They need to film a commercial for the cars on the Dragon, that would help sell a couple!! I can't see that commercial being too hard to make either, heck, make it a "bucket list" type thing and the reason I say this is because you see older people driving the cars too, just thinkinng outloud here.

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
Klasse Act said:
I need to keep my eye open for that one! They need to film a commercial for the cars on the Dragon, that would help sell a couple!! I can't see that commercial being too hard to make either, heck, make it a "bucket list" type thing and the reason I say this is because you see older people driving the cars too, just thinkinng outloud here.

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I'll keep looking on youtube for it.

A commercial with the Dragon or a track would be fun... Though the "zipping around" town speaks more to the masses. But I hear you.

Still looking forward to hearing how it goes for you in October :xyxthumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top