2013 Fiat 500 Abarth Review - A Hunk Of Junk!
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
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DISCLAIMER!
The thoughts, feelings, and opinions expressed in this video are the sole thoughts of Zack and no one else. The thoughts expressed in this video do not reflect the owner, dealership, or organization that owns the vehicle featured. The purpose of this video is to provide entertainment with the hope that you will take what you see and formulate your own opinions. DO NOT make a financial decision based off of this video.
#Fiat #Fiat500 #Fiat500Abarth
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
1:07 - Drivetrain
2:51 - Interior
5:09 - BFB Test
5:15 - Interior
6:14 - Trunk / Cargo Space
6:40 - Exterior
7:09 - Final Thoughts
10:30 - Outro - Auta a dopravní prostředky
The owner should be embarrassed like bro fix your damn car before you let someone review it
That’s not a good example of a taken care of abarth. Been in a accident. Fenders don’t line up plus modded . Probably bad engine mount causing the shaking .Those 1.4 don’t take kindly to many upgrades. Also..the Arm rest and door handles are prone to failure before 50k
I guess this guy is not smart enough to figure it would need some engine mounts if it's shaking. He looks like a true expert 😂 so this shocks me.
My dad owns a 2012 500 Abarth with around 45k miles, his runs fantastic and he loves it. The biggest issue is you absolutely need to upgrade the spark plugs and wires as the stock ones cannot keep up and give out very quickly, (even my dads gave out at 42k miles). All his interior features work just fine and he takes good care of it. As long as you treat it like a Fiat and understand it's a Fiat, it's an absolutely fantastic car.
One of the most fun cars I’ve ever owned.
I like how the air intake isn’t even attached to the air box coming in. The heat shield isn’t even on either. That abarth was abused 😂
For real of curse is going to vibrate
Holy crap never seen Salty Zack before! 😂
That poor little Fiat…. It’s needs an owner that actually takes care of it.
That tiny air filter looks hilarious.
Not stock. One of the issues with the car probably. Take a look at any picture of a Factory Stock Abarth engine bay.
@@jgower12345yup people do dumb mods that make cars worse
Probably why it has boost issues
I have an 89k Fiat 500 Pop Auto it's 10 years old and has been fantastic! These need regular maintenance to stay healthy, and they'll easily go 200k for most people even when giving it a beatdown!
I didn’t know Zack hating on a car was so entertaining!
I’ve had my Abarth 500 for 7 years and love it. My favourite car in years and at 35K km’s, I have had no issues, it’s deadly reliable and so much fun.
This is why we can’t have nice things it’s gotta be 100 + hp in a Corolla minimum get around car or nothing. This is a great alternative to the blandness out there.
I had a low, mileage, clean one for a couple years and they were fun and trouble free
I have a 2012 with 175k. None of these issues
It’s 10 years old and how many miles there’s already an aftermarket air intake on it kind of rough on a car that’s been modded like that
It's a shame that these have a reputation for being so badly built because they're quite fun to drive when they're working right. Unfortunately, there's not much of a market in the US for two-door city cars and even less for sporty two-door city cars.
I love your content! Keep up the good work. On your 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth review. I own a gray version of this car and am coming up on 100,000 hard miles (I deliver in it and besides the daily triple, work my Abarth through a grueling 8-10 hours of stop and go four days a week). This is a riot to drive and it has turned out to be a fantastic car for me. I have had to repair things earlier than I am used to doing and it has cost me more than my non-enthusiast economy cars of the past, but I believe it is the most fun you can have for the price-upkeep and repairs included. The closest competitor to this car is the JCW Mini and that car, being a souped up, entry-level luxury car from BMW, needs repairs and upkeep every bit as soon and often as the Abarth but costs far more per trip to the shop than the Abarth. There are exceptions, to be sure, but over-all, I believe this to be true. Now, for some specific responses to your comments: The window switches. It’s very common to have window switches in the center, not far from the shifter. It may seem like they are in a weird spot because the shifter itself is a little further up. You’ll notice, however, that when shifting the car, all the central stack controls are nearly within finger-reach. The shift indicator is not supposed to light up when the car is driven in Sport Mode (the only way it should be driven), it is for maximizing economy only. The Sport Mode Button puts weight into the steering and increases the throttle response. If you’ve driven an Abarth that is in good shape, you’d notice the difference easily. If I forget to hit the sport button when driving off, I immediately notice something…that it feels “dead” or “sluggish.” You MUST drive in Sport Mode! Thanks again for your review…I look forward to seeing what you do next!
Hmm. I've never seen Zack so disgusted with a car! It's no wonder I already hardly see ANY of these on the road anymore. When they first came out in the early 20-teens, they were all over the place, but now I see one maybe once or twice a week at most.
Iam sorry for ur bad example,the interior is cheap,but mechanically are very strong when they have proper maintenance in my group they are very realible,but with a owner that's doesn't do preventive work or isn't mechanically inclined should not buy one or think there gonna be super cheap because thier not,thier ok prices 😊
jfc that car has been to hell and back, I've driven '09 500 Abarth in way nicer shape. for the boost problem, take it to a real mechanic that understands italians, they are a different breed.
I love how genuine Zack's digust is, he's still trying his best to find positives, but you can tell he's SEETHING. 😂
You know it is a Bad car when as an owner of one my last car was a shopping trolley Hyundai i10 and in years of ownership that tiny 1.2 litre car never skipped a beat ! Why oh Why does Fiat make Shiat cars ? LOL
I've had my 2018 for two years now and I love it very much. The 2011-14 were the most troubled ones if you don't know how to fix them but after that they seem well sorted out. The vibration is usually a cv issue.
Engine mounts
This car is a testament to Fiat Chrysler's reliability and quality issues. It's no surprise they pulled out of the American market once again.
I bought mine brand new in 2013, immediately put eibach sportline and 25mm or 1” wheel spacers and proceeded to drive 125,000 miles. Now that I got another daily it’s big turbo lightweight “race car” time lol. I only got another car because the thought of not having my abarth gave me a crisis lol
I rebuilt one cv, replaced the rear wheel bearings once on pass and twice on driver and a window clip. Then just normal maintenance
Sorry you had such a disappointing Abarth experience. If you ever end up in Salt Lake City you are welcome to try ours out. The cheap interior is still accurate, but at least it's mechanically sound .
I recall the Top Gear guys back in the day had a blast with a new Abarth, but of course they didn't have to live with the thing. It's too bad, because I think there's a niche for cars like this - a small two-door car with a little bit of zip to it which is fun to drive.
I thought about getting one of these back in the day but so many nightmare stories, so I declined.. I’m sure it’s just a bad as my N14 engine jcw mini clubman 😅
So…what does the owner think of your review? 😅
My neighbor has this car…it has some unique sounds. My favorite is the door that never closes properly and they slam it over and over.
Ive never heard so many swear beeps lmao! Its honestly brutal and I'm here for it
I have a 2012 non-Abarth automatic with 170k and, yeah, you've got to know what you're getting into with these. I've had it since 2015, and I love tiny cars but I wouldn't do a Smart because it's a Mercedes and I have enough problems in my life. The 500 might be the most reliable Dodge (actually I think the Challenger is fairly reliable) but things will break and no one, and I mean no one, will want to work on the car except the dealership which will try to rob you blind. I've had the window thing go, on my passenger side, and while the part is only $60, I couldn't for the life of me get the thing aligned so I bought another one (since I snapped the cheap plastic of the new part) and paid $225 to have a shop put it in. But, hey "I got a great deal on it."
Realistically, it's a great city car because of the turn radius. Mine has the glass roof and having that back and the windows down is one of my favorite things. Bose stereo is good, as is 36 mpg.
Would I have been happier if I picked up a Civic? Oh, yes, oh hell yes. heh. But it's paid for and has an amazing turn radius. Until my kid is out of college I'm sticking with it, probably.
While there is plenty of legitimate things to criticize these cars over, a lot of the things he's complaining about don't make a ton of sense like complaining about the battery having been replaced and the clock needing to be adjusted, there isn't any car on the planet that has a battery that lasts forever. It's a crashed car with horrible mods like removing the tubing for the air intake so instead it sucks hot air from above the turbo, of course it's going to drive like crap
He doesn't look too bright so not a shock he didn't figure that out.
@@TheDumpbin Exactly that..and the most irritating voice ever
you might as well rename the title of the video to “i rag on a car that’s broken and i don’t know anything about”
Do you think you can do a future video on the 2022 Nissan Sentra SR
Well for starter… this looks modified and in a terrible way.. intake is sucking straight up hot turbo air.. it’s missing the heat shields on top of the turbo. And god knows what else is done to this car “ Mickey mouse “.. You should stick to the f150 s.. this is meant for stylish modern ppl. And whoever the owner is did a terrible job and shouldn’t have bought it to begin with
I’ve had my 2013 Abarth 500 since for 10 years since brand new. Maintenance can be pricey but I love my spicy meatball.
I have a 2012 Fiat 500 pop and it's still pretty much like new. I haven't really had any major problems with it
Love the NRG.😂 How you get shelled with that vehicle?
One of the cars I used to own (not a Fiat) I loved for years, got a really great deal on it, & owned it for less than a month, then sold it because it was the worst car I ever owned!
quick look at the air intake and its obviously been modded. who buys an abarth and uses cruise control? or cares about cup holders? get a caravan and you'll fit in the backseat better.
your experience with the Abarth was certainly "a barf"
A wonderfully honest review Zack.
I owned or (got owned) by my 2012 FIAT 500 Pop I bought at 46K miles. I too wanted the Abarth, but it was out of my price range at the time.
Loved mine when it was on the road, but man it was always something: same as your model with the window, suspension issues, CV shafts worn out at 48K miles.
Random electrical gremlins, AC went out in the dead of sunshine state summer >_<
I will miss it but not miss the issues 😬
So, when you say the AC went out, is it the "mode door actuator" because that's what I have going on. Temp still works, but the car has issues with making it go to the correct vents, and since the thing has Auto AC, it will just lock it into the feet, etc. Nothing like 104 degrees outside and the only vent that cold air will come out is the feet.
@@MarkBrockmanNo unfortunately it was leaking out from the lines. -_-
This is not a typical Abarth. Mine is heavily modified 130k and is a blast. Very reliable and tons of fun.
Man I wish these were better. They sound so good and they're super cute little cars. I wish there was more options in this segment of car.
Can the back seat fit car seats?!
Yea it has those anchor things
That title is refreshingly blunt and I love it.
I feel bad for the owner though. They're stuck with this.
what u mean lol. just sell that p.o.s. and buy a nice one
The owner should be embarrassed like bro fix your damn car before you let someone review it
@@BrainFuck10 You are aware this is a Fiat. There is no black and white, fixed or unfixed. It's always a shade of gray.
Well we might never know, probably the owner might use it as a project car to see if they will cram an LS engine it.
Informative video, in South Africa most younger guys prefer a VW Golf GTI as some form of a performance car. But I'm seeing more and more of these cars in Johanessburg. I think I want one now 😊
Guess the same could be said about an old WRX
10:13 _ The wiper also goes off the glass, it wasn't repaired right.
I’m bummed out that you didn’t enjoy the Abarth. I have a 2014 500 Lounge (57 Retro Edition) w/an automatic. I have loved mine for the past 4+ years. While I absolutely adore mine, I respect each individual’s opinion. Love your videos Zack! 😃
Maybe I'm just bias but god damn 10:08 was my favorite part of this video :D
The shift light only works in sport mode
As much as I love hatchbacks and some fiats, its kinda sad that their not very reliable and the ev is a tad batter on maintain but not long term. If they could nail the reliabilty, it would be that much better. I had the 500e and I love it, just wish the miles weren't bad and I had a home charger.
Bro Zack is pissed 😂
8:21 sure was a shiny car in the video though.
When your whole point is to shit on the car, I understand how the owner gave you a car hoping you would have a fatal accident.
I dislike fiat as much as the next guy, but it's kind of obvious this thing has been ridden hard and put away wet
Italian Abarth: 👹⛈️
Japanese Abarth: 😇🌄
Never tempted because of all the possible failures / I'd be lucky enough to get a poor example. The only thing I wouldn't care about breaking is the cruise control; I don't think I've ever used it except for one brief span where they opened up a new section of limited access highway near me and then patrolled the hell out of it for the first few months. Dorve a couple thousand miles across AZ, NM, ND, SD, MN and TX this year - 3-4 hour stretches at a time - and I just don't like the 'disengagment' that cruise gives me.
Not only was the video hot as you said, but you can tell the difference in the fail of the Friggin Bottle Sound 5:09 and the ending music soundtrack in a higher key than normal 10:52. 😮😮😮😮😮 Fiat, pay attention! 🗒🗒🗒🗒🗒
More Salty Zack content, please! lol
I have owned a 2013 Abarth since new. Currently has 76k miles on it. While I can’t dispute that the car has its uniquely Italian, American, Mexican issues, it’s not even close to being as bad as this video portrays.
Firstly, the example car in the video has been modified by a complete moron. Not sure what’s going on with the intake, but it’s janky. It appears to have an aftermarket intercooler installed which will definitely mess with the cooling system as it’s blocking the radiator. The shift light didn’t come on because it was obviously turned off in the menu. It’s annoying and most shut it off. The radio does have a USB port in the glove box and supports a smart phone. I magnetically mount mine to the dash and all is good.
My guess is that the high RPM vibration is basically due to a complete lack of maintenance on top of the janky part “upgrades”. Could be a busted motor mount. Could be the multi air brick acting up due to old oil or lack of oil changes. Car could be in limp mode. If you can’t feel an immediate difference after pressing the sport button, that Abarth isn’t functioning. I suspect it’s in limp mode.
My recommendation to you is to drive a working car before passing judgement. It’s gotta be the best bang for the buck in automotive fun.
To be fair, ownership requires maintenance and communing with the car. Best to be a bit of a DIYer. Drive it, don’t let it sit. Keep after it. It’s Italian and will be finicky if ignored.
It’s not a perfect car. But it’s a fun car. And this review is way way way off the reservation.
And that same quality is is now part of Chrysler stay away from all Fiat Chrysler, and almost any Italian manufacturing automobile ever
Idk man, this seems so off. First off you already reviewed this type of car 4 years ago and you loved it, then you decide to review this car again, mind you that's absolutely junked by the owner because it has no tune, incorrect mods, been abused and not maintained. I own a 2015 abarth currently at 61k miles and no issues and I abuse it on the track with again no problems. This seems to be you picked the worse example of it.
5:09 my favourite part of the review 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Goddamn, you were not joking. I really wanted to like this car but you bluntly told me to stop. Lolz
I hope this video can reach more potential admirers. 😂
Now imagine these with automatics. Trust me. It's BAD.
I don’t get it why did the 500 have some quality issues 1:46 yeah these motors especially the Abarth which is prone problems 3:02 even the interior has garbage issues
I have a 2013 500 Pop. Shit has so many issues with the BCM like the lights don’t turn on at all. It’s a $2000 repair according to Fiat/Chrysler because it’s programmed by dealer only. The fuel pump is going out and oil pan is stripped with 164k miles. Resale value is wayyyy less than what I purchased for so I’m kinda stuck with it since it’s just a work car.
I drive a Honda Fit. I have learned how little people care for small cars in mass. Seems most people don't have opinions often in cars. But the small car category is always kinda laughed at. Nobody likes the way they look or it's the butt of jokes.
Definitely hearcit a lot with Fiatnl their brand reputation here is so bad and their flagship car basically is just mocked so much.
These cars were just not meant to attract Americans in the mass.
This video makes me feel better about being a car enthusiast but owning a 2011 Toyota Camry. It’s got 183,000 miles and is holding up really well. Which is why I bought it used when I bought it in college in 2018.
When you have to replace your headlights your get under your car and take the whole assembly out with a fiat turn your wheel pop a cover and replace your headlight id say easier to fix and faster than other cars owned one for a year now manual version is better
This video made my day. Thanks Zack for your sacrifice 😂
Other cars failing the BFB test: Unfortunately and sadly, it fails, as to be expected
Fiat 500 failing the BFB test: You failed, you're a disgrace and a dissappointment.
You find an example that has been modified badly and maintained badly with current mechanical issues, and you judge the entire model on it. The shaking engine issue is NOT normal. Cruise control doesn't work because there are errors codes, likely related to the 6psi shaking issue.
"Don't know what the sport button does" 3 seconds of research would have shown you that, but oh you chose a broken down abused examples to "review".
AC when working properly works fine but again you chose a broken down beater.
Next time find one that wasn't modded and abused.
This is a trash review, and you have wasted everyone's time. Seriously. This is NOT an honest review if the model. Only if a particular abused example tjat yiu mistakenly attribute to the entire lineup.
Agreed, this review is a hunk of cobbled together junk. Tedward and several others do far better, and more balanced, reviews of the 500 Abarth.
Yeah agree when aged their crap saying that they sell enough of them so must be ok new for a while at least.
I knew I was going to be in for a good time when I saw the title of the review. I’m sorry that you had to deal with that
The review from four years ago was quite positive, so I'm surprised by the 180° of opinion. I get that this car was quite the lemon but I'd expected some nice words on the driving experience nonetheless.
czcams.com/video/v69mpVpGq2s/video.html
LOL ive never seen zack so angry at a car
FIAT = Fix It Again Tony.
My father had a 2015 fiat and the driver side window just fell out of the car into the road while he was driving, and the digital cluster that came in the later models just completely stopped working. The Bluetooth it had rarely worked at all either
It also only had about 40k miles when he sold it
FIAT=FIX IT AGAIN TONY LOL they do drive well but they fall apart ive only got the standard version and my door handles have fallen off at 80 thousand miles and had to replace the clutch and repair the gearbox not good , the interior quality is very good to be fair leather seats and sunroof with the lounge version and electric windows mirrors AC etc but the body work on the outside of the car is not very good.
As someone who always kept the thought of purchasing the Abarth in the back of my mind. This video really makes me appreciate my 2017 six speed manual Honda Fit even more
I loved my manual Fit too...but the Abarth is more fun. It's down to reliability vs fun. The Fit is fun...light and agile, but it's not as punchy and doesn't sound anywhere near as good. The Abarth does handle better and is punchier.
I smoke fits in my Abarth at autocrosses, it's in the same class. Fits are junk, keep yours lol
My friend bought one of these brand new and when he traded it in 2 years later, he only got like 30% of what he paid for it. That tells you all you need to know about the reliability.
No, it doesn't.
@@doug6191 yes, it does. Maybe you should watch the video for more proof?
@@anthonykiedis1765 The video proves things. Your anecdotal comment does not.
@@doug6191 right. Because Toyota's and Honda's depreciate so quickly since they are super unreliable. /sarcasm
are all these thst bad ? maybe you got a lemon, or in this case a brown avacado
They're that bad. The 500, even regular variants, aren't known for their longevity or quality. These things depreciate like driving off a cliff.
No they aren't that bad, coming from an owner of one. Just don't skip on maintenance... 😂
No, they aren't, this one was just ran hard and put away wet. Why someone chooses to review a clearly abused example as this and paint an entire car model in the same light is beyond me.
@@woomeow6825 Exactly
I always wanted one of these, but the reliability scared me off.
Oh no!
A small cheep european car is small, and cheep.
Sorry mate. You just don't get small euro cars ;)
5:13 I understand your frustration about this particular 500 Abarth it’s already the crappiest I wouldn’t get a vehicle that doesn’t age how it’s supposed to be
I think you should do a rereview of this car; you just happened to pick one of the WORST examples to review.
I drove a fiat 500 manual as a rental in Italy. I quickly learned that just because it's small, italian and manual, doesn't make it a fun drive. It only had 2-3k miles on it, so relatively new, but clutch was rubbish. Travel was long, engagement vague, didn't care for the shifter's location... it was like driving a big truck... except mine was a 1 liter hybrid with 70 horsepower!
Unfortunately, Chrysler's quality/reliability went down after they merged with FIAT
How to get a sainthood in Italy,get an Italian car to 100k miles :P so this car applies :D
I like how these look.
Too bad Fiat is a p.o.s. company.
I thought Jayemm was a fluke, but now Zack joins the abarth hate club, I’ve got reservations about these.
It's ironic, as with the Fiat 124 Abarth made by Mazda you have Alfa Romeo specialists like Neil from Italia Autos complaining of the "not properly rust-proofed" Mazda subframes showing rust on a near new car unlike on Fiat-made vehicles and other owners complaining of worn seat bolsters etc while Fiat parts like the engines (supposedly) hold up superbly. Go figure! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I do think Italian car enthusiasts tend to cut their vehicles more slack for various design & manufacturing faults and it's all too easy for an Abarth enthusiast to pick on Mazda (where it is true that Mazda vehicles, as do Hondas and other Japanese brand economy cars, have pretty thin paint by European standards because of different priorities).
Sorry for your frustrations encountered with this review. However; that being said, this may have been your best. Your honest candor blended with a determination to not be cynical of this little rolling dumpster fire was video gold. Thanks for the laughs and the Public Service Announcement.
I test drove one of these new when they first came out... It took two cars, the first one had engine knock straight from the manufacturer LOL
Try changing the alternator...I did. Its a nearly engine out job
Luv the honesty!!!! Saves other people heartache & headache
Don’t review a car if you don’t have a model without issues. You’re being very critical on a car that is 10 years old? Apparently driven hard and doesn’t even work? Like what dude, you reviewed a car that has the buttons coming off, some not even working, then pin it on the maker lol? Like you are reviewing this car for reliability or for its production? Seems you’re reviewing it for long term ownership, without being the only owner not even mentioning what service has been done and how many people have owned it. It’s not a car for luggage lol? It wasn’t designed for what you are asking it for. This video is like purchasing a 2013 Tahoe that’s been through 3-4 owners and not maintained then ripping on it because it’s too big and not the size of a smart car.
Great review, I’d call it well balanced contempt 😂
Spot on review Zack! I own a 2013 Fiat 500 Sport, and although I want to love that car, it's just got a lot of issues - and mine only has 80K on it! The back hatch no longer opens, and I had to rig up a manual release for it to work. The driver's seat armrest fell off, and the back brakes constantly grab the rotors while driving causing the rear hubs to over heat (something that apparently cannot be fixed). The Sport button works better with the automatic (which I have - a 6 speed auto!) and it improves the shifting, makes the throttle more responsive and tightens up the steering. I honestly drive with my "sport" button on all the time, as it makes the 500 drive like a normal car. Without it, I've got people all over the back of me because the thing is so slow. The seats are the biggest issue I have with the car - unlike the Abarth, the regular 500's seats are like friggin bar stools so my head is always up into the sunroof cover. As a result, I drive with it retracted all the time - my head still hits the outside portion of the roof. I would never recommend this car to anyone unless they are masochistic.
Having said that, I still do enjoy my little 500. In the summer with the sunroof open, the "sport" button on, and me shifting with the manumatic, it's honestly a lot of fun to drive. It handles like a go-kart and fortunately in my example, the cruise control still works just fine. As for storage, I have hauled around two large telescopes in the back of my 500 with no issues, and I even used to take two (!) adult mountain bikes PLUS a passenger all inside the car. It just takes a bit of origami and disassembly of the bikes. LOL!
But if I could do it all over again, I'd rather have purchased a Honda Fit, or a little Toyota Yaris or Echo instead. That sad truth is the Fiat 500 is really just a hunk of junk - just like you said!
Thank you so much for your honesty in your reviews - I really value that.