Have (and love) a fiat 500 Abarth, was originally torn between the Abarth and the ST - the ST was better on paper but the abarth made me giggle after every test drive, so I had to follow my heart (and I got an absurd deal, like 13k OTD new for a prior year model). Unfortunately, due to a dealership issue the car's being bought back by the manufacturer so I have the opportunity to shop again. I'm taking another look at all the cars I originally cross shopped, 500 Abarth, '86/BRZ, fiesta ST, focus ST, GTI.
I've always been an avid motorcyclist, and my search for a fun car stems from the fact I can no longer ride (medical reasons) so I wanted a car that scratched that same "itch". The Abarth was the only one that got it quite right, the proper personality and attitude (and sound!), and had sufficient headroom for me, and legroom for my wife (she's 6'1", all legs). I don't have issues with the power/performance aspect of any of the cars, I have more powerful options available in the garage should the need arise.
My automotive history: a few grand nationals, a few v8 fieros, 2 supercharged gen 4 maximas, several vw's and boring dailies.
My ideal ST would be non-recaro with Apple Carplay availability. I don't like the recaros, the top part hits me in the shoulder blades (I'm 6'3" and all torso, a build best described as "penguin like" or "like a refrigerator"). The abarth had the comfiest seats... but I have in the past made my own seat, so recaro or not isn't a huge swaying factor. I just about have a handle on the focus ST "packages" but the fiesta ones still elude me... I just want carplay, but don't care about leather recaros.
The only modding I'd likely do is an intake (I know it doesn't add performance, I absolutely admit I am almost childlike in my adoration of turbo car sounds), probably a GFB DV+ (has made a great day to day improvement everywhere I've used one). Maaaaybe an exhaust - somehow the abarth exhaust managed to sound great without being intrusive - I loved that exhaust, every other car I've found that sounded similar had drone issues which I am not keen on dealing with.
My comparo list
500 Abarth - Pro: character for days, amazing sound, always "fun" to drive. CHEAP tires. Cons: looks like a pregnant marshmallow. Awkwardly high seating. Have to deal with FCA dealerships.
Fiesta ST - Pro: little more oomph than the Abarth, but not hugely so, meaning one can explore the rev range daily without jail time. More nimble than most of my other options. Con: I don't find it that interesting, during my test drives I didn't get much sense of "character" when compared to the Abarth.
Focus ST - Pro: lots of power. More room Con: kinda big for what I want, it's not very motorcycle-y. Power getting into a range where you can't use it without getting a "certificate of appreciation" from the local constabulary.
Subaru WRX: Pro: great grip, awesome performance. Con: I live in Southern California, AWD isn't very necessary. WRX is "boring", like it's almost too good. I appreciate it, but it makes things kinda sterile.
VW GTI: I've owned VW's before, have been fine as long as I sell it by the time the warranty ends. Pro: crazy good deals right now (Thanks dieselgate!), available LSD. Cons: VW reliability. Very boring. Need to drive like an asshat to have fun with it.
Toyota 86/BRZ: I would already own one if it had maybe 220hp or so, or was 5-6 grand cheaper. I do not feel it is worth it's price. Pros: really fun to drive at legal speeds. Great "connected" feeling while driving. Cons: I felt like tuna in a can. I know this isn't a popular opinion, but it was uncomfortably annoyingly slow. Fine for a weekend car, but for the money I want another 20 or so hp (or torque, at least!).
I've always been an avid motorcyclist, and my search for a fun car stems from the fact I can no longer ride (medical reasons) so I wanted a car that scratched that same "itch". The Abarth was the only one that got it quite right, the proper personality and attitude (and sound!), and had sufficient headroom for me, and legroom for my wife (she's 6'1", all legs). I don't have issues with the power/performance aspect of any of the cars, I have more powerful options available in the garage should the need arise.
My automotive history: a few grand nationals, a few v8 fieros, 2 supercharged gen 4 maximas, several vw's and boring dailies.
My ideal ST would be non-recaro with Apple Carplay availability. I don't like the recaros, the top part hits me in the shoulder blades (I'm 6'3" and all torso, a build best described as "penguin like" or "like a refrigerator"). The abarth had the comfiest seats... but I have in the past made my own seat, so recaro or not isn't a huge swaying factor. I just about have a handle on the focus ST "packages" but the fiesta ones still elude me... I just want carplay, but don't care about leather recaros.
The only modding I'd likely do is an intake (I know it doesn't add performance, I absolutely admit I am almost childlike in my adoration of turbo car sounds), probably a GFB DV+ (has made a great day to day improvement everywhere I've used one). Maaaaybe an exhaust - somehow the abarth exhaust managed to sound great without being intrusive - I loved that exhaust, every other car I've found that sounded similar had drone issues which I am not keen on dealing with.
My comparo list
500 Abarth - Pro: character for days, amazing sound, always "fun" to drive. CHEAP tires. Cons: looks like a pregnant marshmallow. Awkwardly high seating. Have to deal with FCA dealerships.
Fiesta ST - Pro: little more oomph than the Abarth, but not hugely so, meaning one can explore the rev range daily without jail time. More nimble than most of my other options. Con: I don't find it that interesting, during my test drives I didn't get much sense of "character" when compared to the Abarth.
Focus ST - Pro: lots of power. More room Con: kinda big for what I want, it's not very motorcycle-y. Power getting into a range where you can't use it without getting a "certificate of appreciation" from the local constabulary.
Subaru WRX: Pro: great grip, awesome performance. Con: I live in Southern California, AWD isn't very necessary. WRX is "boring", like it's almost too good. I appreciate it, but it makes things kinda sterile.
VW GTI: I've owned VW's before, have been fine as long as I sell it by the time the warranty ends. Pro: crazy good deals right now (Thanks dieselgate!), available LSD. Cons: VW reliability. Very boring. Need to drive like an asshat to have fun with it.
Toyota 86/BRZ: I would already own one if it had maybe 220hp or so, or was 5-6 grand cheaper. I do not feel it is worth it's price. Pros: really fun to drive at legal speeds. Great "connected" feeling while driving. Cons: I felt like tuna in a can. I know this isn't a popular opinion, but it was uncomfortably annoyingly slow. Fine for a weekend car, but for the money I want another 20 or so hp (or torque, at least!).