That's what we all had. It's a bit nasty but we learned to get the best from it. Small lifts works wonders.
GR Yaris Abarth 595 Comp. Suitable cheaper option than the GR?
- Thread starter JBeach
- Start date
That's what we all had. It's a bit nasty but we learned to get the best from it. Small lifts works wonders.
bencollins4
Obsessed member
- Feb 1, 2022
- 246
- 315
The i20N is a little cracker. I test drove one a couple of days after they cancelled the deposit contribution (dealer assured me that wouldn’t happen) and didn’t go ahead, partly because of that.
It was a lot of fun with much lower limits than the GRY but still very impressive. Engine has plenty of go to have some fun, and they are surprisingly spacious with a good boot which may sway it for some. Some nice noises from the exhaust with it in sport as well.
Serious supply issues though so no bargains used if you can find one or a very long wait,
I did before buying the GRY....a poor second in my opinion. You get what you pay for.
I've had three 595's before the GR ( Turismo, Comp MTA and Comp manual). They are awesome, but you have to like a car with 'character'. Biggest issues: turning circle, pretty stiff suspension, crappy headlights unless'roof/xenon pack and no cruise control. MTA is VERY GOOD if you drive it like a manual. It is woeful in auto mode. I'd have kept mine ( white carbon Sabelts, xenons ,Beats etc) if it wasn't for me working 160 km from home. The GR is much easier to live with and feels a lot safer. The GR is almost too competent, and I miss the rough around the edges feeling of the Abarth. A new on in Oz is more than 40K, and at that price, is just not worth it.
Steel Lynx
New member
- Jan 12, 2022
- 23
- 17
My dad has a 595 Tourismo. Personally, I think getting rid of the GR for an Abarth would be madness. The ride is basically like a go cart so if you drive over a stone you’ll probably lose a couple of teeth, hit a pot hole and you’ll likely shatter your spine 
slight exaggeration but I don’t feel it’s particularly comfortable, mum is constantly tutting at him like it’s his fault lol. The GR Yaris is better in every way in my opinion so you might as well just keep that.
slight exaggeration but I don’t feel it’s particularly comfortable, mum is constantly tutting at him like it’s his fault lol. The GR Yaris is better in every way in my opinion so you might as well just keep that.The only reason would be to free up some cash. My wife says they're only driven ( here in Oz) by middle aged men ( like me!). The ride quality is passable- I had a Series 1 Mazda 3 MPS - that was by far the worse riding car I've had ( out of >30)- they made it over sprung and under damped. The GR might be the best stock suspension I've encountered
Sorry for reviving the thread, but as a happy two-car garage owner for the first time in my life, I would like to share my thoughts on the Abarth 500/595/695, as I own a '17 595C Pista, so with the foldable roof, and manual transmission.
For me, the Abarth is the perfect addition to the GR Yaris. Why? Because the Abarth has not much "cornering competence", but brings all the emotions at low and sane speeds.
That is why I will continue to use the Abarth as a daily, and the Yaris for the special trips and weekend workouts. The Yaris is soooo capable in corners, it has more than enough performance on public B-roads, it is so much more planted and confidence-inspiring when pushing the car. At the same time it does daily stuff like commuting very professionally, but it is also quite boring when doing this.
Compared to the Abarth, that is. There are two words which put a big grin on my face, even now, five years into ownership: "Record Monza".
This aural experience is something else, and never fails to amuse me. Additionally, the accelerator pedal is nicely calibrated to avoid turbo lag, the gearshift is very slick and quite short, the car is acceptably fuel efficient on the Autobahn although lacking a sixth gear, steering is direct and feelsome, and personally I like the design of the interior (although there is a lot of hard plastics), and I really appreciate the option to open the roof (although it is not a full cabriolet/roadster experience).
So far with 65,000 kilometres driven, I consider it a reliable car with no big issues. I hope it stays like that.
Negatives are the harsh ride - the Yaris is much more comfortable rounding off the roads' imperfections - the bar stool seating position, and the fatigue of the turbocharged engine beyond 5,500 rpms. The exhaust sound also loses some of its presence beyond 4k as well, unfortunately. Due to the fabric roof, it becomes a bit wobbly when pushed to the limits. Also, some spare parts are heavily overpriced, beginning with the engine oil for which you shall pay above 30 Euros per litre here in Germany. Oh, and did I mention the turning circle? I have seen lorries having a smaller one.
The advantage of the bar stool experience is that getting into the Yaris feels to me like sitting quite low in the car.
Where could the Yaris benefit from the Abarth?
- The exhaust sound
- electric window switches in the centre console and not in the door
- Rear view mirror not blocking the view
Where could the Abarth benefit from the Yaris?
- More compliant ride
- Lower seating position (although this counts for both cars)
- a bit more stability in rainy conditions
I had one eye on other, newer Abarth 595s potentially replacing my current one. My conclusion was that the Abarth is currently overpriced. Even with the possibility to open the roof, a 165 or 180 hp Abarth should not cost (almost) the same as a GR Yaris. I don't know whether the asked purchase prices are paid or not at the moment. For mine, I paid 21,600 Euros (in Germany) for a pre-registered car with delivery mileage. That was fair, and with all the inflation I would consider 25k reasonable today.
To sum it up in short:
Especially as a "C" model with the foldable roof, I can highly recommend it to car nuts. Drive the Abarth as a daily for the immediate joy and emotions it delivers just cruising along. It has enough power to glide through traffic. Accept its limitations in corners, especially when wet. You have to cope with the harsh ride.
And when you go out for a (very) spirited drive, take the Yaris. It is so incredibly good in corners, only a very few, much higher priced cars can compete with it. Also use the Yaris in very rainy conditions because AWD and the suspension provide you with a much higher safety net.
A totally different experience in the two cars, both highly enjoyable in their own ways.
I would have liked to compare the Abarth also with a GR86, but I did not have the chance to drive one yet. I assume that the same applies as for the Yaris, just with different benefits: Use the GR86 for spirited drives, rev it out and enjoy the higher power output coming with the revs, make the best of the RWD possibilities, enjoy the much lower seating position.
(A few pictures of my little Italian emozioni macchina)
For me, the Abarth is the perfect addition to the GR Yaris. Why? Because the Abarth has not much "cornering competence", but brings all the emotions at low and sane speeds.
That is why I will continue to use the Abarth as a daily, and the Yaris for the special trips and weekend workouts. The Yaris is soooo capable in corners, it has more than enough performance on public B-roads, it is so much more planted and confidence-inspiring when pushing the car. At the same time it does daily stuff like commuting very professionally, but it is also quite boring when doing this.
Compared to the Abarth, that is. There are two words which put a big grin on my face, even now, five years into ownership: "Record Monza".
This aural experience is something else, and never fails to amuse me. Additionally, the accelerator pedal is nicely calibrated to avoid turbo lag, the gearshift is very slick and quite short, the car is acceptably fuel efficient on the Autobahn although lacking a sixth gear, steering is direct and feelsome, and personally I like the design of the interior (although there is a lot of hard plastics), and I really appreciate the option to open the roof (although it is not a full cabriolet/roadster experience).
So far with 65,000 kilometres driven, I consider it a reliable car with no big issues. I hope it stays like that.
Negatives are the harsh ride - the Yaris is much more comfortable rounding off the roads' imperfections - the bar stool seating position, and the fatigue of the turbocharged engine beyond 5,500 rpms. The exhaust sound also loses some of its presence beyond 4k as well, unfortunately. Due to the fabric roof, it becomes a bit wobbly when pushed to the limits. Also, some spare parts are heavily overpriced, beginning with the engine oil for which you shall pay above 30 Euros per litre here in Germany. Oh, and did I mention the turning circle? I have seen lorries having a smaller one.
The advantage of the bar stool experience is that getting into the Yaris feels to me like sitting quite low in the car.
Where could the Yaris benefit from the Abarth?
- The exhaust sound
- electric window switches in the centre console and not in the door
- Rear view mirror not blocking the view
Where could the Abarth benefit from the Yaris?
- More compliant ride
- Lower seating position (although this counts for both cars)
- a bit more stability in rainy conditions
I had one eye on other, newer Abarth 595s potentially replacing my current one. My conclusion was that the Abarth is currently overpriced. Even with the possibility to open the roof, a 165 or 180 hp Abarth should not cost (almost) the same as a GR Yaris. I don't know whether the asked purchase prices are paid or not at the moment. For mine, I paid 21,600 Euros (in Germany) for a pre-registered car with delivery mileage. That was fair, and with all the inflation I would consider 25k reasonable today.
To sum it up in short:
Especially as a "C" model with the foldable roof, I can highly recommend it to car nuts. Drive the Abarth as a daily for the immediate joy and emotions it delivers just cruising along. It has enough power to glide through traffic. Accept its limitations in corners, especially when wet. You have to cope with the harsh ride.
And when you go out for a (very) spirited drive, take the Yaris. It is so incredibly good in corners, only a very few, much higher priced cars can compete with it. Also use the Yaris in very rainy conditions because AWD and the suspension provide you with a much higher safety net.
A totally different experience in the two cars, both highly enjoyable in their own ways.
I would have liked to compare the Abarth also with a GR86, but I did not have the chance to drive one yet. I assume that the same applies as for the Yaris, just with different benefits: Use the GR86 for spirited drives, rev it out and enjoy the higher power output coming with the revs, make the best of the RWD possibilities, enjoy the much lower seating position.
(A few pictures of my little Italian emozioni macchina)
Last edited:
chopper602
Totally Hooked
Only time I've driven a Fiat 500 (a courtesy car), I noticed there was no-where to put your left foot, when it wasn't on the pedal.
D
Deleted member 534
Guests
A red convertable Abarth in the sunshine is pretty hard to beat for feel good vibes imho
A mate is doing the finishing touches on a MkII Sprite. I was wearing hiking boots. I couldn't push just one pedal with either foot! If I did manage to get my left foot under and past the clutch that was where it was staying.
chopper602
Totally Hooked
- Dec 27, 2021
- 1,769
- 2,940
I've only driven one Abarth - an early one as a hire car back in about 2011 - but it was a bit of a hoot. I can only imagine later, more sorted/fruity ones are even more so. They always make me smile, popping and farting their way about. I'm glad they exist!
idrinkbeer
Dedicated member
Loved my 595 comp, I'd have another if I could afford both.
I bought mine new in 21 for just under 20k sterling.
I bought mine new in 21 for just under 20k sterling.
idrinkbeer
Dedicated member
What's not to like.
