Clio 197 or Abarth 500

[Daniel]

Greetings all!

I’m wanting a cheap bit of fun for a bit (daily is a boring diesel barge) I’m properly torn between an Abarth 500 and a 197. I will do the odd track day in it but mainly just a bit of fun to use when I haven’t got to take lots of stuff to work and don’t need the estate car.
I’m genuinely concerned about the lack of useable power on a 197 and the terrifying repair bills that come with them for what is essentially a really good handling car that offers Luke warm performance at best. But on track they are SUPERB!!

The Abarths; I’ve been in a few recently and with circa 200bhp that are an absolute riot to drive. Apart from driveshafts (400 quid per side!) they don’t really go wrong either. Handling is average at best. Steering feel is nil.

Any thoughts?!

 

[botfch]

If it’s for fun go for the Abarth.

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Megane

 

[welshname]

197 is only fun if you're absolutely spanking it. Something with a turbo can be just as much fun at lower speeds imo if it's mapped right. Bit of lag and wheel spin is fun.

Driving it normally is absolutely horrible. Daily driving my one bored me to tears.

 

[welshname]

Megane

Probably a good shout

 

[Djw John]

So you want a 182 then

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Corsa VXR with a Remus exhaust or something similar. Ignore the badge and they’re decent cars for what they are and sound decent.

 

[Crayola]

Megane

Meg 175 would be perfect imo...

 

[Matt W]

Corsa VXR with a Remus exhaust or something similar. Ignore the badge and they’re decent cars for what they are and sound decent.

This suggestion will go down well ?

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Meg 175 would be perfect imo...

I was going to suggest a mapped 175....shame he sold it...to me haha

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

This suggestion will go down well [emoji23]

I know [emoji23]

Probably slightly biased as i own the Nurburgring one but hey ho.

 

[Stefan.]

Abarth

 

[Crayola]

I was going to suggest a mapped 175....shame he sold it...to me haha

Aye I know that's why I said it??

 

[welshname]

Corsa VXR with a Remus exhaust or something similar. Ignore the badge and they’re decent cars for what they are and sound decent.

I'd agree with that one tbh. Bargains

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Cooper S Clubby

 

[gez 172]

As above - Corsa VXR ticks a lot of boxes for a fun daily.

 

[Short Norman]

We had an abarth (non ss) from new in 2011 was a great little fun car. The ride was a little choppy and the hazard lights liked to come on with even the slightest hint of heavy braking.

In the three years we had put the red letter did wear too much for my liking. Nothing really went wrong with it while we had it (only windscreen wash nozzle).

We stuck a tuning box on ours and it really did make it shift.

 

[Daniel]

Corsa VXR with a Remus exhaust or something similar. Ignore the badge and they’re decent cars for what they are and sound decent.

I will never own another Vauxhall. I absolutely detest them! ?

 

[imprezaworks]

I drove an abarth years ago and wanted to hate it, I didn't. Was impressed.

Clio 197 is a car I'd want to try but think I would get bored. So let's go with a Corsa vxr. Or maybe the abarth lol.


Mégane 225/26?

 

[197.]

Abarth or something else 100%. Running costs for a 197 are absolutely ridiculous for what it is, both in terms of repairs/parts and fuel economy. There's a reason why they're so cheap to buy.

 

[Stay Puft]

Get an Abarth from Ellani, I follow them on FB.. someone on here linked them, it may even have been you..

 

[imprezaworks]

Who are they?

 

[Stay Puft]

Who are they?

Just a car sales on Facebook who shift a fair few modified Abarth’s

 

[imprezaworks]

Nice. They go well on track with some nice upgrades.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

I would like to try an Abarth. Owners seem to rave about them. The reported lack of steering feel would be a bit of a concern.

I've been driving a 197 for the last couple of weeks again and really don't get why people moan about them to be honest. I got 35mpg out of the last tank, which I think is more than acceptable for a 1200kg car with getting on for 200bhp and silly short gearing. Anyone who says they don't feel quick enough just can't drive

197s are a bit cheaper than Abarths so you can spend the money you save on track days.

 

[Daniel]

Get an Abarth from Ellani, I follow them on FB.. someone on here linked them, it may even have been you..

I do work for them, I bought a black 180 SS for them on Thursday which spurred my thoughts in to getting one.

 

[Daniel]

we

I drove an abarth years ago and wanted to hate it, I didn't. Was impressed.

Clio 197 is a car I'd want to try but think I would get bored. So let's go with a Corsa vxr. Or maybe the abarth lol.


Mégane 225/26?

Thinking about this all day, and im done with Renault’s I think mate. To maintain them properly is M3 costs. The hubs, the belts, the rot on the older ones, it’s just mental.

 

[imprezaworks]

Which model is the one to go for?

 

[cat171]

Abarth's with after market exhausts sound bloody great!!
But as much as they look funky, I can't take them seriously ?

 

[imprezaworks]

Me neither. I like the idea but not sure I could buy one.

Sound ace though

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Abarth's with after market exhausts sound bloody great!!
But as much as they look funky, I can't take them seriously ?

That seems to be what many owners love so much about them. They are ultimately flawed, but that's part of the charm.

 

[imprezaworks]

Me neither. I like the idea but not sure I could buy one.

Sound ace though

 

[Inequality Street]

How big are your feet?

 

[Chris15]

I have a 13 plate 135bhp standard Abarth that I drive daily - use to drive my 172 but got a bit much when i changed the suspension - made it hard to drive etc.

The Abarth is cracking! i love it, good mpg, fun when you put your foot down and a great B road blaster. I'm quite a big guy 5' 11" and 16 stone (size 11 feet) and i find the abarth comfortable enough to drive.

If you have questions just ask. I love mine and also generates confessions with fellow petrol heads!

 

[imprezaworks]

Would need to be the 160 and mapped because fast.

Although they seem a lot more

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[frayz]

My motherinlaw has an Abarth and its absolute toilet. Crap ride, poor steering, awful handling, poor seats, gutless engine and crap build quality.
Id go as far as saying its one of the worst newer cars ive driven.
Style over substance, as without doubt its a great looker in the pearl white with red decals. However, i wouldn't want one if you paid me.

 

[imprezaworks]

Pics of mother in law to appreciate that post?

 

[frayz]

Pics of mother in law to appreciate that post?

LMAO, sorry mate, not going down that route. Shes great, however the car is crap.
Built on the same line as the last generation Ford KA (yes it was built on the Fiat line) its deffo up there with one of the worst ive driven.

 

[Rojer]

If you like the way the Abarth drives then go for that, it depends what you mean by fun. If it's out and out handling then 197, if you want something that makes a bit of noise, has some torque around town and don't care about absolute handling then maybe the Abarth would be a better choice.

 

[Chris15]

If you like the way the Abarth drives then go for that, it depends what you mean by fun. If it's out and out handling then 197, if you want something that makes a bit of noise, has some torque around town and don't care about absolute handling then maybe the Abarth would be a better choice.

Basically this, it's no where near as good as a 197 in terms of performance, but they look nice (imo) and handle good for the b roads!