Maybe 5 speed vs 6 Speed Gertag account for some of diference ????

 

+1

C-mon Renault, bring the Clio

 

Now that's when things get really interesting. Clio V6

 

I'd settle for the RS (F1 edition pictured) that would give the JCW a run.

 

.

 

I am sure I came of as a bit of a ****, for that I apologize. I still never called the Abarth a vacuum cleaner. I did that to the Fit. I will be happy to go back and follow your build. Now I gotta since you called me out on it. I still don't like the look, maybe because it doesn't represent a usefulness maybe its because of the intentional camber. As I have repeatedly stated, I do like your mod work and the photographs are great. So let me at this point apologize for poking humor where it was not wanted, opining to loudly and bashing where I should have been building.
You do great work. I would ask, if you would forgive my ranting. I plan on making the dragon this year and if you would let me I would love seeing your car and meeting you. If nothing more I would I would like to apologize in person.

 

Now that is classy and refreshing! Cheers mate.

Charlie

 

Something to lighten the mood:

 

Guess what I saw.







The driving position and pedal placement is still somewhat awkward, although better than the regular 500. That said, it is a really nice car and has a sense of "specialness" about it. I'd love to have one in addition to my Clubman.

The show stand was packed. Good for Fiat; you can't have too many interesting and affordable cars.

 

But its even better when you watch it with subtitles!!!

 

The PDX Auto Show will be here in late February I think...wonder if they will be there this year, last year FIAT was not...my Husband would die to see one of these...that's all he talked about when we knew FIAT was coming to the US!!

 

I'd love a Renaultsport Clio but would take almost anything over a base Clio. Total dog to drive and highly under optioned (no rear power windows, a/c, aux input, etc). 65 mph on the base car rev's at 4k, it's really loud. Great mpg if you can handle driving 55 mph though.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siWVgAzhFC8

 

I gotta say, I hate the car but I absolutely love the commercial!

 

OMG - here we go again.

 

I've seen the JLo commercials, which are ridiculous (especially the Gucci edition 500.) but that Italian Abarth ad you linked is brilliant.

 

I can't speak for the Abarth models but I test drove a "sport" or whatever they call it and was kind of embarrassed to be seen in it. The seats sat so high up I felt like I was driving a Jeep wrangler and when I went to shift, I nearly put a hole through the floor board. The clutch was super light. If the Abarth wants to compete against a MCS, they better do a lot of changing and upgrading.....

 

Personally though i like the super light clutch
The seats are actually high but I find them very comfy do u?

 

I wonder why people are slamming it so much without even driving it. I understand its design is objective, but regardless, people are harsh here! Maybe some are threatened by it? I, for one, am excited to check it out. I'll try to bring my very amateur review to this thread.

 

Not compared to my Redwood lounge leather......

 

Yes, a high driving position and a light clutch are big problems. A slammed-down seating position and a clutch that only real men can drive are very necessary changes they should go after immediately.

- Mark

 

No need to be a smart @ss. I was stating my opinion about the high position of the seat and the light clutch. MINI's seats aren't "slammed-down" to begin with and I wasn't trying to be "a real man" pointing out the light clutch on the FIAT.

 

I'm with you. I went and test drove a Sport. The seating position does seem pretty high, even more so in the back. My biggest complaint (aside from the little moustache on the front) is that the clutch was uncomfortable. The travel in pedal seemed a mile long and light. I personally like a short clutch with some resistance. I don't want to have have to fight it but I do like to know it's there. I like the interior and exterior styling of the Abarth better. It doesn't feel so J-Pop. I have illustrated the point here: (all fun and games guys)

 

^^^Thanks, now if I ever get into another one, I will have this visual and wont be able to control my laughter.......

 

you should be safe in an Abarth.