fiat abarth or supercharge the yaris ?!?!?!?

[SAV912]

See. I must be in the minority. I love my Yaris, but it isn't anywhere near the end-all of subcompacts. Not even a supercharged one. Why? Because it is still a design going on seven years old now.

Great fun, I'm sure, but the minute my funds open up enough to afford a 500 Abarth Esseesse, my Yaris is out the door. I've driven one, and they are polar opposites. Italian cars may not be as reliable, but that 500 will be giggles and giggles of fun as it fizzes and pops around with the turbo whistling. It has character. And its special. A Yaris is just another subcompact until you start turning your own wrenches.

To each their own, though. I just wanted to address some of those that seem to be throwing stones in their glass houses.

-C

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

But if you dig the Imported from Detroit via Mexico Fiat's, go for it.

You may want to give this a read (I highlighted the relevant parts): http://diigo.com/0n7cs

Every major car manufacturer (including American, Japanese, German, and Italian brands) build their cars (at least partially) in Mexico for a reason: Quality workmanship at competitive prices.

Do you think they are all stupid enough to risk their image going to the toilet (along with losing billions of dollars) on a country that doesn't have the highest quality standards? Yeah... didn't think so.

@OP: Sorry for the but I'm honestly tired of ignorant comments like these.

[SAV912]

Originally Posted by tk-421

@OP: Sorry for the but I'm honestly tired of ignorant comments like these.

Same here. Dull witted, misinformed comments like the one below from toolbags who seem to register just to start shit...it's really getting old.

Originally Posted by 5h4wyhstrsdf

vten, as long as you're itching to blow a lot of money on a sub-car with shitty performance, why not get a Smart ForTwo and call it a day?

Shitty performance...aside from fuel economy and expected reliability (which is a stretch), the 500 SS wipes the floor with the Yaris. Now at 22K, there are cars that will outperform the 500, but if the only reason was raw performance, $22K will buy a lot of Fox Mustang and go-faster parts to get you well into the 10s at the strip.

Unfortunately, my life isn't lived a quarter mile or autocross at a time.

-C

[thebarber]

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

You could finish the Yaris SC for less than the tax and licensing on the fiat

This.

I certainly realize that yaris isn't the be all and end all of the b segment...but as someone who has traded a more or less finished car in for something new....its not worth it.

New cars just depreciate so fast are so expensive I don't think I could stomach the purchase of another new car

[malibuguy]

Btw have you sat in a fiat...the interior quality is crap and the shifter has so much play it reminds me of my friends 5 series bimmer with 300k on it

I reallu wanted to get one until i went to the dealer...i was very unimpressed

[vten]

great discussion !! moneywise, it's better to keep the yaris. so far so good owning that car without a major problems...I may keep it and will install the supercharger that sitting in my dining room for almost 6 months ??

but build wise... unless you know that the fiat is made in mexico, the build is actually feel more sturdy and the interior is actualy not as crappy as ppl say... I played with the 500 for 3 months and it's surely missed

[Shroomster]

Originally Posted by SAV912

See. I must be in the minority. I love my Yaris, but it isn't anywhere near the end-all of subcompacts. Not even a supercharged one. Why? Because it is still a design going on seven years old now.

Great fun, I'm sure, but the minute my funds open up enough to afford a 500 Abarth Esseesse, my Yaris is out the door. I've driven one, and they are polar opposites. Italian cars may not be as reliable, but that 500 will be giggles and giggles of fun as it fizzes and pops around with the turbo whistling. It has character. And its special. A Yaris is just another subcompact until you start turning your own wrenches.

To each their own, though. I just wanted to address some of those that seem to be throwing stones in their glass houses.

-C

Unless I am mis informed, the U.S.A is not getting the ss, just the abarth.

Also, yes the OP has driven a fiat (previously owned it) and for the love of whatever, he asked ONLY for input on 2 cars, not opinion of what car you like and how much money he should blow.....come on people.

[SAV912]

Originally Posted by Shroomster

Unless I am mis informed, the U.S.A is not getting the ss, just the abarth.

The Abarth coming to the US will be the 160 bhp version, the equivalent of the Esseesse in Europe. What the standard Abarth is over there will be the revised 500 Sport here. Many mid model changes are coming down the line for 2013.

-C

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by tk-421

You may want to give this a read (I highlighted the relevant parts): http://diigo.com/0n7cs

Every major car manufacturer (including American, Japanese, German, and Italian brands) build their cars (at least partially) in Mexico for a reason: Quality workmanship at competitive prices.

Do you think they are all stupid enough to risk their image going to the toilet (along with losing billions of dollars) on a country that doesn't have the highest quality standards? Yeah... didn't think so.

@OP: Sorry for the but I'm honestly tired of ignorant comments like these.

What is your point? You simply are reaffirming that the 500 is no more of an Italian car than the Tundra made in San Antonio is a Japanese truck.

The idea that a modern car having a foreign heritage (in name only) gives it better handling, or makes it a less reliable car is ridiculous. Beyond the names the current crop of cars has little resemblance of the past offerings by those manufacturers, and the country of origin is rarely the final point of assembly in this price range for any car.

If the OP thinks the 500 is the best thing since sliced bread he should buy one. But he asked a question and people have offered their opinion. No one made you read it.

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by vten

great discussion !! moneywise, it's better to keep the yaris. so far so good owning that car without a major problems...I may keep it and will install the supercharger that sitting in my dining room for almost 6 months ??

but build wise... unless you know that the fiat is made in mexico, the build is actually feel more sturdy and the interior is actualy not as crappy as ppl say... I played with the 500 for 3 months and it's surely missed

But it sounds like your wife didn't. Is she going to feel any different about the Abarth? Or is it a non issue because she wont be allowed to drive it?

[SAV912]

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

The idea that a modern car having a foreign heritage (in name only) gives it better handling, or makes it a less reliable car is ridiculous. Beyond the names the current crop of cars has little resemblance of the past offerings by those manufacturers, and the country of origin is rarely the final point of assembly in this price range for any car.

Where did TK state that the 500 handles better because it's built in Mexico? I didn't see that. I saw him say that many makers of all backgrounds have at least some form of manufacturing in Mexico because they screw things together well enough for cheaper than the Americans or the Canadians.

What was the point of YOUR post other than to bag on somebody that doesn't share your opinion?

-C

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by SAV912

Where did TK state that the 500 handles better because it's built in Mexico? I didn't see that. I saw him say that many makers of all backgrounds have at least some form of manufacturing in Mexico because they screw things together well enough for cheaper than the Americans or the Canadians.

What was the point of YOUR post other than to bag on somebody that doesn't share your opinion?

-C

I did not state that he expressed that, it was a general statement. I don't see anywhere in my reply where I bagged on anyone? You don't like what I posted, don't read it.

[SAV912]

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

I did not state that he expressed that, it was a general statement. I don't see anywhere in my reply where I bagged on anyone? You don't like what I posted, don't read it.

How would I know I don't like it if I don't read it? Guess that's the standard reply from you though.

-C

[TickleTimeTim]

SC the yaris for now, wait two years, and buy the fiat used (and much cheaper). done deal

[vten]

seems like the decision had been made ....supercharged the yaris for now and get a Front BBK kits so I can go with a smaller rims.

I have the 320mm upgraded disc and that faux brembo caliper, it won't clear 17" ...that's the reason why I still keep the 18" ...and even I also have another set of 18" for the summer

anyone in the columbus area can help me with the supercharger install ??

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

If the OP thinks the 500 is the best thing since sliced bread he should buy one. But he asked a question and people have offered their opinion. No one made you read it.

I actually agree with the first part of your comment. But the second part was a clear jab at the quality of the car because it "comes from Mexico". Apparently my attempt at trying to clear that misconception was not well understood.

In closing... Why write this:

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

But if you dig the Imported from Detroit via Mexico Fiat's, go for it.

... if you agree with this?

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

The idea that a modern car having a foreign heritage (in name only) gives it better handling, or makes it a less reliable car is ridiculous.

[TickleTimeTim]

who owns the fiat is in the picture above?

[vten]

Originally Posted by TickleTimeTim

who owns the fiat is in the picture above?

it's mine for a good 3 months. we had a mazda3 sedan, my wife hit a deer one night, and the fiat was the replacement for the mazda, then one of the nights, she almost hit another deer again and she was so freaking out ... so I decided to get her a bigger car for her safety ... the deer is bigger than the fiat you know ..