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General I Still want one.

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General I Still want one.

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Vance said:
He's not criticizing or underestimating the A500, just stating that the cooper is superior at certain things.
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Yes, i know that. My point was, that the Mini is a better performance car, but not by the margin suggested by some people. There are a number of people who have driven both, and have raced Mini's etc, there are a number of owners on the Abarth forum who swapped their Mini's for A500's for various reasons. In my opinion, you can learn a lot about a car from those who have owned and compared both cars over long distances than you can from reading a few reviews. Again just my opinion.
 
Blimey! Will you guys get over yourselves and stop arguing especially when you are tying to agree on something.

To keep things simple, the Mini and the A500 were not born equal and appeal to different people. Traditionally there is an ages old competition between the two original cars but it ends there. What the new A500 does, and we all agree, is it is more fun in typical italian style, vivacious and extrovert.

If what you want is a seriously good handling, fast hatchback then forget both the mini and the A500 and buy yourself a decent Integra Type-R DC2 and have done with it (and save yourself a lot of money in the process). If you want something with style, panache and an extremely cheeky nature that is fun to drive get yourself an A500, if you want to look like the rest of the crowd then get a Mini Cooper S.
 
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jimbro1000 said:
Blimey! Will you guys get over yourselves and stop arguing especially when you are tying to agree on something.

To keep things simple, the Mini and the A500 were not born equal and appeal to different people. Traditionally there is an ages old competition between the two original cars but it ends there. What the new A500 does, and we all agree, is it is more fun in typical italian style, vivacious and extrovert.

If what you want is a seriously good handling, fast hatchback then forget both the mini and the A500 and buy yourself a decent Integra Type-R DC2 and have done with it (and save yourself a lot of money in the process). If you want something with style, panache and an extremely cheeky nature that is fun to drive get yourself an A500, if you want to look like the rest of the crowd then get a Mini Cooper S.
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I think thats the best post I've read in a while. Thanks for that. I just can't get out my head that the A500 is over priced. I don't know why as I'm probably wrong, just thats how it makes me feel.
 
jimbro1000 said:
Blimey! Will you guys get over yourselves and stop arguing especially when you are tying to agree on something.

To keep things simple, the Mini and the A500 were not born equal and appeal to different people. Traditionally there is an ages old competition between the two original cars but it ends there. What the new A500 does, and we all agree, is it is more fun in typical italian style, vivacious and extrovert.

If what you want is a seriously good handling, fast hatchback then forget both the mini and the A500 and buy yourself a decent Integra Type-R DC2 and have done with it (and save yourself a lot of money in the process). If you want something with style, panache and an extremely cheeky nature that is fun to drive get yourself an A500, if you want to look like the rest of the crowd then get a Mini Cooper S.
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Someone asked what the Mini was like and they got an answer, I don't see what the problem is?

As I keep saying, I don't like the Mini myself but what's the point in buying a performance car that's always going to be outgunned?
 
jimbro1000 said:
Blimey! Will you guys get over yourselves and stop arguing especially when you are tying to agree on something.
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One of the main reasons I rarely post on here.

In fact I'll happily make this my last post on here and stick to Abarthisti, it's much more civil.

If any mods or admin see this can you please delete my account, thanks!
 
thefamoushoops said:
One of the main reasons I rarely post on here.

In fact I'll happily make this my last post on here and stick to Abarthisti, it's much more civil.

If any mods or admin see this can you please delete my account, thanks!
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And we've had people on here complaining that Abarthisti is snooty and that there's no freedom of speach. We're all being civilised here as far as I can see? Are people not allowed to differ in their opinions of the Abarth 500?
 
Haven't found Abarthisti to be snooty at all but anyway.

It seems fairly obvious that the mini cooper S is a better performance car for a similar price of the A500ss. Of course it is also a Mini. The standard A500 will spank the standard Cooper though. I think the point here is that they didn't really take the ss far enough in my mind especially for the price they want

I don't think that performance is necessarily top of the list when it comes to people purchasing the A500. At least it shouldn't be as you could get something monstrous 2nd hand for that kind of money. I guy I know is about to buy a used Mitsubishi (can't remember the exact model, GSR of some sort I think) for £15000 that is 0-60 in less than 4 seconds. Would I want one....different matter entirely.

I just like something a bit different. I can put my A500 purchase in terms of when I got the Barchetta. As soon as I saw a Barchetta I was obsessed with them. Are they quick? Well no, 0-60 about 8.7 seconds as I remember with 130HP but the attention the car got was unreal. I don't crave attention in my car but I just seem to be attracted to these kind of small, unusual cars.

I would put this as my biggest no for the mini. It was just too everyday. I also love FIATs and they are all I have owned since I got my licence 10-11 years ago. When the 500 was released I really liked what they had done with it. Retaining the charm of the original with a sympathetic bit of modernisation. Something I don't feel was achieved with the mini.

Is the A500 too expensive? Only when people aren't prepared to pay for it. They are though and FIAT are in business to make money. That simple. Yes, The A500 could be termed expensive especially after the basic went upto £14,100 but it's not wildly more expensive than the 1.4 sport 500 which is a consideration.

All in all, I just the love the character of the car. The attention it got when my wife and I were down at her parents in Lancaster was unreal. I didn't notice much of it but my wife pointed out she was getting a little worried by all the people staring at us (probably the car as we aint that interesting).

I've just fitted the TMC box to my standard A500 which has been a great addition. Perhaps what the standard should have been out of the box but there you go. It's the smaller roads where this car comes alive. Motorway is motorway and pretty dull whatever your in. I also don't really fancy the idea of steaming around everywhere at 100mph+ so top speed isn't really a concern to me.

It's got character, it's lively, handles really well for someone like me who has no interest in pushing 'the limits' but wants a car that feels like it's having fun when you are.
 
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doolahrock said:
Ah, OK Stuart. See what you mean. I understand to an extent why they do that (not the banning part) but you're right. Seems rather OTT. There's loads of links to various aftermarket bits on that site though which is the confusing part of this.
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Seemed it to me as well, Im a pretty laid back guy & never been banned from anything. Its also so anoying that they wont discuss it either by phone or e-mail but thats life I guess. They have their angle & its their forum after all, just wish it was a bit more "british" & open :D
 
Seems I've started a war here with asking Opinions for the Mini. And thanks Maxi and DF for both your Opinons, which were both valid. At the end of the day if everyone had the same opinion on everything then the world would be such a boring place.

The forum is used for discussion on certain topics, no-one is arguing, they are stating how they feel about said topic.
 
Oakley28 said:
Seems I've started a war here with asking Opinions for the Mini. And thanks Maxi and DF for both your Opinons, which were both valid. At the end of the day if everyone had the same opinion on everything then the world would be such a boring place.

The forum is used for discussion on certain topics, no-one is arguing, they are stating how they feel about said topic.
Click to expand...

Dont apologise, Wars sometimes make for a fun read :D

Re Mini V 500 its a personal thing, for me I just couldnt face driving the BMW 0 series as I call it, its all to trendy Londoner to me BUT ITS PERSONAL

I bought the Abarth for my Wife but have to admit I just love driving it, both from the performance & also the way other road users never seem to carve you up etc, many stop to let you out, everyone likes it, I cant see a Mini ticking that box.

When you compare the 2 also factor in depreciation, I think the Mini may suffer more but I would guess you can get some discount off the Mini which you will struggle to get on the Abarth

As for Overpriced, take a look at the new Fabia VRS, £16500 :eek: Im a Skoda fan, had several & have just bought a new Octavia Scout as the daily hack & we got that with a load of extras for sub 20K, but 16.5 for the fabia, never worth it, agreed a great car to drive but To me more than a tadge lacking in looks & kerb appeal.

My only niggle with the Abarth was parts supply, in the early days things took weeks but hopefully thats now resolved.
 
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