I'm having Abarth....Or maybe a MiTo..

Gurney · I'm having Abarth....Or maybe a MiTo..

This morning whilst Steph was in the gym humiliating more supposed uber males I wandered over to Manchesters new Abarth and Alfa dealer, Bauer Millett.

Still under construction you would normally visit BM if a) You played for City or United and b) you wanted an Escalade with 47inch chrome knobs.

The new bit has been purpose built as a shrine to all things Alfa and Abarth, nestling in spacious vaulted rooms underneath a fair chunk of Manchester's Victorian railway infrastructure it isn't quite finished thanks to some dreadful treatment handed out by BM's bank of choice. The whole franchise deal itself, hard won against fierce competition for both Alfa and Abarth all nearly went breasts skywards thanks to the antics of the bank but I digress.

Went round with a converted Alfisti, Ian or big and daft as we know him at the gym, he recently discovered he was a petrolhead when he part ex'd his Golf 1.4CL for a GT JTS. He is now firmly hooked and was intrigued to see if he would actually fit in the 500. Now we were hoping to blag goes in both the 500 and the MiTo but it wasn't to be. As yet there were no MiTo demonstrators and the very personable chap who showed us round was unfortunately on his own so we were stuffed on that score.

We did however get to sit in Mito 1.4tb, Punto GP and of course the 500 Abarth. Even got to start the 1.4tb which I can confirm sounds more than respectable - more Miele than Indesit if you get my drift.

Doc H said the fit and finish of the Mito was pretty damned good and I concur entirely, doors shut with the thunk you would hope for and the dash treatment for me is far more cohesive than the Mini and as well built to boot. Maybe the DNA switch was a bit too shiny and flimsy but other than that excellent. Driving position in the MiTo was excellent but then have always found Alfa's to be so. More of a test at 6ft 6, Ian also pronounced himself snug. Leather seats looked as good as the £800 option price would lead you to hope. We were particularly impressed with Etna black paintwork which was in fact darkest Aubergine, very classy. In the flesh the nose looks far better than pictures seem to convey, still this seems the biggest drawback for most people, won't be the first Alfa that polarises opinions on the aesthetics front and long may that continue I say.

The 500 Abarth was utterly delightful, Ian almost bought one on the spot when he discovered he fitted. Never seen Fiat fit and finish of this quality before, I was particularly impressed with the seats in the GP Abarth, absolutely superb. Again leather looked to be of excellent quality and a must have on either of these. Although not 'officialy' open BM had sold 20 500 Abarths already, mostly from people downsizing according to the salesman.

my GTA is due a service in May and it would be rude not to give them a try, courtesy cars are Mito's as well. Beats the piece of scrap which once was a Fiat Uno I was given back when I had new cars from Mangoletsis.

Weather was typical Manc miserable so apologies for the hasty shots.

Bauer Milletts usual fare.....!

Loved this white MiTo.

This was the pearlescent option, and the demo car.

Shame we didn't get a drive but we have been promised, it all seems a very high quality set up. Interesting to learn that they also want a Lancia franchise because it comes with a free Coffee emporium - and access to Maserati. Can't see that one coming off with Stratstones already selling Maseratis by the bucketload not a mile away but who knows.

Boxer6

I like that red GP Abarth VERY much - single colour and only minimal Scorpions it could be a terrific "Q"-car!

By contrast, the large Scorpion and chequered roof of the 500 doesn't appeal in the slightest.

Bob Sacramento

I'm still not feeling that strange MiTo front end.

"him"

Nice Guy Eddie

Great stuff. I've tried to get a look at a 500 Abarth but my local dealer is about 100 miles away. How typical of Fiat to come up with a great product yet no one can get to see one to buy.

As I have already said in my drive report of the Mito if I could get a decent trade in or discount off one then I would buy but getting a grand less for the MX-5 then Mini offered means the economics just don't add up. Isn't it odd how things change.

Guitar Zero

Let's off road !!!

I hope that's still got the shipping blocks on the springs

PR

The Mito isn't getting any better to my eyes.

That front shot of the red one (the white one, too, come to that) shows perfectly how, whilst the offset front plate might look fine with a diddly Italian one stuck on, it's going to look bloody dreadful with our whopping great Fisher Price slabs bolted in place.

Looks like you get a good choice of wheels for your Abarth.

Mark

The more I see the Mito, the more ridiculous (and rubbish) I think it looks.

It actually manages to make the 500 look grown up. Quite a feat.

Nice Guy Eddie

I saw both a Mito and 500 Abarth down at goodwood today and have to report that the Mito just gets better and better every time you see one. The photos do nothing for its appearance in real life. I think the car is slightly colour sensative. In dark shades it looks fab.
The abarth was actually the other way around. In photos I've seen it looks fantastic and when you see one in real life it looks a little tall. In fact the one i saw was the first 09 plate car I have seen. Its always a shame that the fisrt car you see the registration plate on is an Avensis or something equally dull.

The one thing I have learnt from todays excursion to the breakfast club was that I don't want a mini. There are far to many cars with 'your only supposed to blow the bloody doors off' or some other Italian job reference.

Martin

The MiTo does look better 'in the flesh' than it does in pictures, but black (or Etna Black) is the only colour for it as it tones down its less attractive features.

My biggest concern would be that it will be whatever the opposite of a 'grower' is and will look worse with time.

Gurney

Etna black really suits it, don't know why I didn't take a pic of the one in the showroom.

Certainly not in the market for a new car at present, the next new one will be for the smart in May of next year. I certainly wouldn't contemplate either a 500 or a MiTo right now because the new Multiair engines are due at the end of this year.

More horsepower, better economy less CO2 tax bit of a no brainer really, providing you can wait of course.

Next on my list is a Supersprint exhaust, Angel remap and a BMC air filter for the GTA.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

Gurney

To be frank the Abarth badge on the flank looks ridiculous. Over tarting, I have a feeling it's optional though.

TimR

We went to have a look at the Mito last week.
The one in the showroom was black with another colour through it (not sure of the technical term for what it was) and it looked pretty fantastic.
The nose doesn't look too bad in the flesh but, certainly on a dark colour, I'd go for body coloured surrounds.

I thought the interior was pretty nice too.

Unfortunately (for the Mito) there was also a bright metallic blue GT parked in the showroom and Mrs Tim spent most of the time hanging her nose over that.

Afterwards we visited the Fiat dealer to check out a Grande Punto Sporting but after the Alfas it felt like sitting in a greenhouse (despite nice comfy seats) and I just didn't like it anymore.

I'd like a drive in a the Mito but even if I was in the market for one there'd be no point IMO until the new engines come online and have been around for a while to prove themself.