Say what? You would actually trade a 2yr. Old FJCW with just 10k miles for a '13 Abarth? With 50 yrs of fighting the new car itch, I succumbed.Most of you MINI folks are probably shaking your heads.
I truly loved my 05 MCS and foolishly bought an '09 BMW 135. Missed the fun of the MINI. Opted for the JCW. No complaints, a great car. I should note I don't track my cars. I do all my tracking/road racing as a 37 year long distance runner. Have run over 75,500 miles and competed in over 475 races from 1 mile to 100 K.
My rationale:after 7 yrs in a MINI--and looking what appears to be a bloated 3rd gen car with way more tech than I want or need in a car I just want to have fun driving. I was looking for something that gave me the same buzz that my '05 MINI(bought in July, '04. Enter the Abarth. Closing in on turning 70, I remember FIATs and the "fix it again Tony". I liked there style, but with a young family had to settle for station wagons and some used VW bugs. Those days are long gone.
Test drove an Abarth a couple weeks ago and was quite impressed. Truly not as fast as a MINI S or JCW-but I am not looking for speed. I have owned modded 5.0mustangs,z28 Camaro, Corvette, Used 911 Porche,VW GTI. I smile when folks talk about how fast MINIs are on twisty roads. I have found 90-95%pf my driving doesn't include too many twisties.
Sorry I have rambled.Sometimes comes with age. Suffice it to say I love my Abarth. For 10k+less money it is a lot of car, more importantly, to me, just a lot of fun. I get looks that I use to get with my MCS 9 yrs ago. Back then I hardly saw a MINI. Now, I am amazed how many I see in all sorts of models. Not a bad thing, but I have yet to see another Abarth. Thanks for letting me share. I will continue to wave at MINIS, though that seems to be a lost art. Nick

 

It's all cool ! Get what you want, not what we want.

Just for the record, Abarths aren't very rare around here... I passed two of them on my commute today.

 

congrats Nick, the Abarth is a different car, but not bad. And really fun to drive.

 

Show us some pictures!

 

 

Congrats, I hope it works out for you. My only question is "why" which I don't think was explained well. You say your main rationale is having fun driving. As if your fJCW doesn't fill that niche?! You also mention the "bloated 3rd generation" which couldn't be less relevant to your situation. Not only that, you describe the Abarth as 10k cheaper, which is curious since you just threw that amount of money away trading in your relatively new fJCW.

To clarify, your main goal was to have fun driving? So in order to achieve that, you traded a more powerful, better handling, incredibly-fun-to-drive car while burning money in order to drive a Fiat?

I'm not saying the Fiat isn't the car for you, but I can't see how you've improved your situation from either a driving or monetary standpoint. Seems like a loss in every category...

 

Well if you have to make a change, the Abarth is a great choice its a little "sparkplug" as well as the chick they have in their TV commercials I want her to have my babies.

 

Whew... yeah, she is beyond smoking hot.

Ever been to Italy ? Not saying they all look like HER... but man, they have more than their fair share of stunning women.

 

I think most of Europe has many more beautiful women than America does. I'm from Romania, so I can vouch for it lol.

 

You are in luck Rob. She lives in Italy but she's Romanian and her name is Catrinel Menghia. Here's a link:

http://whoisthathotadgirl.tumblr.com...n-the-fiat-500

 

Ruh-Roh... somebody should warn that woman!!

 

God bless them Romanian women models..

 

And all of the ones that went into ****!

 

The comments section on that page is a real horror show.

 

Someone's been enjoying his free time too much...

 

Buy what you love.

I left mini(r53)...and came right back a few months later(r56). Couldn't shake the mini! Love it.

 

Life is short. Buy what makes you happy!!!

(Any pix? Love to see 'em)

 

all the way dude

Life is too short to have other people tell you what you you should / shouldn't be driving.

ENJOY!!

 

You raise some valid points. I didn't really portray my thoughts on the change. The point I was attempting to make is that I was looking for something different, the 3rd gen MINI(what I have read and seen) didn't ignite in me the idea that I can't wait for it to get here next Spring. I wish I hadn't mentioned money as a factor, it wasn't. The Abarth gave me the same feelings I had when I purchased my first MINI. I have been fortunate enough over the years to experience a wide variety of cars. I can't say the same for women. I married my high school sweetheart 49 years ago tomorrow.
Thanks for your insights. I hope we both continue to enjoy our journeys. Yes, there are times I miss my Vette, my modded 5.0 Mustang, Z28, GTI, and even my '67 and 70 used VW's. I will miss my JCW-but at the moment I plan on enjoying my Abarth. Nick

 

Maybe he is downgrading on the Power ladder :

135 > JCW > Abarth

Power getting too much for you?

 

OMG what a babe,

 

Congratulations. Hope u have a fun time with the Scorpion
Do post some pictures.

 

Hi Nick,

1st congrats. on your new machine.

I also read your comments on some of the other cars you have had over the years.

I have went through many of those same cars myself and many-many more.
A soon to be 67 year Ole fellow on this end.

I say jump in and get as many things as you can and enjoy the heck out of them.

That is what I have chosen to do over the years.

Married and No-Children so trust me I have had my fair share of machines for sure.
And many-many of them Highly Modified Power Houses.

I have a 2008 Limited Edition Bullitt Mustang right now with 703 Crank HP.
562 RWHP and the only Automatic in existence that we know of.
All Bullitt Mustangs come with a 5-speed manual transmission.
In 2011 I had mine completely converted to the automatic.
It has a TCI Super Street Fighter 5R55 transmission with a Custom Circle-D Billet Converter.
So Buddy I still mess around with the bad boys even at this age.

Enjoy LIFE as sometimes it can be Shorter than we Expected.
Not many times that we older fellows run into one another so it is a pleasure when we do.
Nice meeting you here on NAM.

Since you have had the Bad-Boy domestics here are a few Pics. of my 08 Bullitt Mustang.
Oh I should have mentioned it is a totally streetable machine.
We are leaving in the morning to attend The (All Ford Event) in Carlisle, PA. this coming Saturday.
I live in Franklin, TN.

Oh and it is FAST this was at the NMRA World Finals in Bowling Green, KY. in 2011.
1st time out with the new Automatic.

















Here it is as it looks today:









Nick here it is at the NMRA World Finals {Video}.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPs42...ature=youtu.be


Take Care Big-Guy,
Terry Honaker aka "tigerhonaker" on the World-Wide-Web

 

nice. make it look like this

 

Not a bad choice if you are going to change. I love the sound that little 1.4 makes. I just don't fit in that car so personally it does nothing for me. I don't lust after something I can't use...but hopefully you get full use and enjoy.