Yesterday I was forced to drive a Fiat 500 Sport, and I must say it was kind of fun. I felt like I was in a powerful go-kart! It makes me interested in an Abarth for a track car, now I know this would typically make me question my sexuality but has any drove the Abarth and what did they think?
The Abarth is a long way from being a Miata. If anything makes you question your sexuality, it should be driving a Subaru.
I have been debating over a small car for something to track; S2000, Cooper S, RSX...etc. After driving the Fiat I think it adds another option.
I'm glad to hear you guys also had a positive experience from driving one of these. My first experience was with BK Fiat doing 64mph on the 694 clover leaf interchange after the Sale's rep was instructing me to do some defensive manuvers. He later brought two Fiat 500 to BIR to have me test them for their promotion. I've since test drove the Abarth and found it to be more enjoyable then the Mini as you can steer with the throttle and experiences a lot less understeer. Sitting higher in a small car is a huge plus.
I actually felt a little nervous sitting up so high. It felt like I could roll over. Thats funny you mention the 694 clover leaf because that is exactly what I did last night, the one I drove only had 2200 miles on it, but I felt like the steering was too tight for my liking. I do drive a 5th gen Legacy so I am use to loose lol.
Did you test the Auto or Manual? If you turn on the Sport mode you'll notice more steering feedback. http://www.mnsubaru.com/threads/fiat-of-brookdale-at-bir.36183/#post-613982 http://www.mnsubaru.com/threads/fiat-abarth-500-test-drive.39376/#post-655083
I have a good friend who is a Miata nut, and I have spent many hours working on them and being a co pilot but I just cannot get past their looks.
I like the look of the Mini, the Fiat, not so much. Power to weight ratio on the Fiat Abarth is insane though.
Turbo Miata. Quicker than an S2000, handle better than a 500 or Mini any day, RWD, cheaper than a BRZ. Seriously. Eliminating the Miata just because you don't care for the looks is a poor decision. It's one of the best driving cars for the money. Cheap and super easy to work on (as you probably know), parts are plentiful, and, IMO, the NB is a very good looking car. If you want to blow the doors off most things on the road, just throw an LS series V8 into it. Besides, if it's going to be primarily a track car, who cares how it looks?
Sorry if I'm being a pain advocating Miatas, but having owned two, a 94 M edition and a 2004 Mazdaspeed, I swear by their fun factor. Bang for the buck is huge.
After seeing Zero's car over the past 12 years I am with you sneefy. It's a beast and would put 95% of the cars on this forum to shame.
If you're competent in your driving either one will do just fine if you're looking for something to push around on the weekends. If you enjoy steering with your feet the Miata will offer more opportunities in that area. The Abarth has room for 4 adults and is nimble with a strong set of agility of it's own. Both fun cars to own.
I think the Abarth is out, after driving the Fiat I just felt like it was an option, $22,000 is still steep for weekend fun. Im hoping to be under $10K and thats with room for MOAR POWER!
I owned an NA Miata before getting my WRX and loved it. Even with the ****-eating grin the WRX's boost gives, I had more fun with the Miata. It was just so sharp and eager to please. I've never encountered another car that was so fun to throw around and drive hard. Plus, for under $5k for a really clean example, you really can't go wrong. It's the perfect 2nd car if you're on a budget.
Definitely a cool car in its own right and understandable if you're not a convertible lover. I don't see any reason to get one over a Miata unless you have to have a coupe, though.
I've had a coupe and a liftback. It's maybe a 15lb dif or so. I prefer the liftback myself. When u swap a decent motor into them, they become really fun.
Except for the price point. The ones I have seen for sale are always overpriced because dumbass ricer anime-tards are all "OMG AE*86 SUPER DORI DORI NUMBER 1 MEGA SENSATION FROM JAPAN ^_^" because it was on that stupid cartoon. And then they try to sell them for way more than they are worth. For example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986...8557009?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20cc6b98d1 That's the only one on eBay right now. It's got a built N/A motor...ignore the quote about 5000 into the motor, because you could easily build an N/A engine from the 80's in your kitchen with basic hand tools. Looks like it has been used at some point as a skateboard ramp. Yet he wants nearly the cost of a used 2002 WRX for it. Then search autotrader or ebay for "miata." There are going to be hundreds of these things for sale at any given time. You can get one that is a decade newer than an AE86 and pay less than what that clown wants for his. The s2000 is a good idea, but again, it suffers from idiot sellers that think they are made of solid gold. If you are looking for the ultimate bargain sports car as a summer toy, the Miata is definitely A+ #1. It handles like it means business, it's RWD and it doesn't weigh anything, plus it is a convertible. Which is awesome. And there are plenty of examples under 7k and a few really nice ones for around 10k.
What Jason said. Otherwise, if you're willing to go vintage and don't mind doing some work yourself then go find a 70-78 Datsun 240/260/280Z. Amazing cars and very simple to work on. I kick myself every day for selling my 260Z.
Yes, just don't go back to 1969 and get a Datsun Fairlady. Unless it is already restored, or is in running condition. You will never finish it and you'll end up selling the project to someone on the forum to reclaim your garage space.
If you hurry over before the end of the month, I have a garage full of "knowledge" on the subject that I can show you.
I agree, however u can find a few unmolested and cheap. I paid $800 $1000 and $2000 so the price point depends. I just choose to shop around and wait. Oh and NEVER buy one from said idiot ****tards. But you are right people are overcharging.
He showed up to my garage, and as he entered the garage I hit the door button and dropped the garage door, then locked it. I said "Are you here to be the Fairlady?" He said "don't you mean SEE the Fairlady?" I just chuckled and handed him a sombrero, then forced him to drop his pants. (I called them pantaloons, I like theme rape) Then I had him bend over the chassis of the Fairlady, and we played "Butto Dartos." I felt that adding the "o" at the end of the words and making him wear the sombrero would make it seem more 'festive.' Again, I'm big on themes. I'm not too good at Spanish, so I didn't know how to call him my "fair lady" in espanol. My dog has a rubber taco squeeky toy that I made him bite down on during all of this. Once we were done, I let him go. And every couple months I send him a text "want to see the fairlady again, amigo?"
I was wondering why he was so twitchy at your wedding when the topic of squeaky toys came up, this explains everything.
Yeah, sometimes when I'm feeling really frisky, instead of the text message, I simply call him and leave him a voicemail with the squeeky taco sound.
8 grand for that turd? This is why anything trendy or 'popular' is best avoided. You could buy a nice Miata for 3k, install an LS1, and have more fun than you can handle. This is Keith Tanner from Flyin' Miata autocrossing an LS1 powered Miata: [/quote] Tell me that's NOT fun. And yes, you can totally hella-dorift-o Tokyo-style in a Miata.
Right, but the thought crossed my mind to learn spanish for the sole purpose of adding confusion to the terror of forcibly sodomizing you over the chassis of a car.
Tell me that's NOT fun. And yes, you can totally hella-dorift-o Tokyo-style in a Miata.[/quote] I love the LS V8. When my 350z motor finally dies, that's what is going in its place.
I already have 2 project cars...but i'll take a ride on your Fair La...i mean, 'in' your 350 with the swap when you swap it.
According to flyinmiata.com, the two guys driving that little beast took the two fastest times that day. It was an event put on by the local Corvette club. The next fastest car after the Miata was (of course) a Corvette, but it was over 5 seconds slower than the Miata's time. I want to build one soooo badly.
