Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth?
| [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311040] |
Mon, 28 November 2016 18:51  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Hi all,
We are just back from a 1000+ jaunt to the SF Bay area and back to have Thanksgiving with all three of our sons and their families. Great time was had by all and somehow we managed to navigate past the political stuff with no noses getting bent out of joint. All of our sons live in the tiny sliver of Ecotopia along the west coast that has a specific political slant. While we also live in this region, our political slant is …. different from that so without careful navigation the sparks can fly, especially now. Thankfully, they didn’t.
The Clasco ran like a champ without a whimper as it roared up and over the many hills along the US101 (the route along the Pacific coast). As with most of our trips, we never needed to shift into second with our 3.67 effective gearing and never strained the engine either. As we were nearing home I decided to lean out the FiTech EFI a bit - adding 0.2 to the target air/fuel ratios across the board everywhere but under WOT which I left as it has tuned itself as we have driven in all kinds of terrain. Randy Van Winkle made this suggestion on the Facebook GMC FiTech page. I think the 455 likes it a bit leaner, but time will tell. I will report more when we get back from the winter jaunt into the SW and Mexico. Those are usually around 3,000 to 4,000 mile trips so I can compare operating temps and fuel consumption to see if it makes much difference. maybe Randy can chime in here and add his experience to explain the whys behind leaning out the FiTech a bit for our application.
Next week I will have the time to add the FiTech EFI the Royale along with converting its Onan to run on either propane or gasoline at the flip of one toggle switch. If any of you have not yet seen my presentation on that conversion, I urge you to download it off of GMCWS and several other GMC club web sites. It works like a charm and costs less than $300. Running on propane your existing Onan will likely out live you and the next several owners combined. Plus your Onan will start more easily and run much better to boot. The ~14 gallons of propane you have on board is plenty to run the Onan for nearly all your needs except, maybe, long stents running the roof air(s). When you need to do that, flip the toggle switch and run on gasoline.
As the subject notes, I am considering buying a Fiat 500 Abarth to use as a tow car. It is among the lightest and smallest modern cars at 2500 pounds and just under 12’ long. I would like to hear from any of you who have owned or towed this vehicle with a GMC - the good, the bad and the ugly. While the auto mags generally pan the car, our needs in terms of a tow car to pull behind a GMC are far more important to me that what some mag writer thinks about it when compared to other performance cars in this segment. The older Mini Cooper S is similarly light, but longer. The newer ones are considerably heavier and longer. I will appreciate your comments. Thanks.
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311041 is a reply to message #311040] |
Mon, 28 November 2016 20:57  |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Jerry,
The French philosopher Voltaire is credited with the following:
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
However, it was actually written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall in her book "Friends of Voltaire." She felt that was his philosophy
regarding democracy.
Clearly you and your family members agree! :-)
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Work
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 11:51 AM
To: GMC Motor Home Post
Subject: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth?
Hi all,
We are just back from a 1000+ jaunt to the SF Bay area and back to have Thanksgiving with all three of our sons and their families.
Great time was had by all and somehow we managed to navigate past the political stuff with no noses getting bent out of joint. All
of our sons live in the tiny sliver of Ecotopia along the west coast that has a specific political slant. While we also live in
this region, our political slant is .. different from that so without careful navigation the sparks can fly, especially now.
Thankfully, they didn't.
The Clasco ran like a champ without a whimper as it roared up and over the many hills along the US101 (the route along the Pacific
coast). As with most of our trips, we never needed to shift into second with our 3.67 effective gearing and never strained the
engine either. As we were nearing home I decided to lean out the FiTech EFI a bit - adding 0.2 to the target air/fuel ratios across
the board everywhere but under WOT which I left as it has tuned itself as we have driven in all kinds of terrain. Randy Van Winkle
made this suggestion on the Facebook GMC FiTech page. I think the 455 likes it a bit leaner, but time will tell. I will report
more when we get back from the winter jaunt into the SW and Mexico. Those are usually around 3,000 to 4,000 mile trips so I can
compare operating temps and fuel consumption to see if it makes much difference. maybe Randy can chime in here and add his
experience to explain the whys behind leaning out the FiTech a bit for our application.
Next week I will have the time to add the FiTech EFI the Royale along with converting its Onan to run on either propane or gasoline
at the flip of one toggle switch. If any of you have not yet seen my presentation on that conversion, I urge you to download it off
of GMCWS and several other GMC club web sites. It works like a charm and costs less than $300. Running on propane your existing
Onan will likely out live you and the next several owners combined. Plus your Onan will start more easily and run much better to
boot. The ~14 gallons of propane you have on board is plenty to run the Onan for nearly all your needs except, maybe, long stents
running the roof air(s). When you need to do that, flip the toggle switch and run on gasoline.
As the subject notes, I am considering buying a Fiat 500 Abarth to use as a tow car. It is among the lightest and smallest modern
cars at 2500 pounds and just under 12' long. I would like to hear from any of you who have owned or towed this vehicle with a GMC -
the good, the bad and the ugly. While the auto mags generally pan the car, our needs in terms of a tow car to pull behind a GMC are
far more important to me that what some mag writer thinks about it when compared to other performance cars in this segment. The
older Mini Cooper S is similarly light, but longer. The newer ones are considerably heavier and longer. I will appreciate your
comments. Thanks.
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311042 is a reply to message #311041] |
Mon, 28 November 2016 21:48 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
No idea about towing, someone on another list I was on had one, the fancy
shocks are great. Could not find a shop manual, I think even online, if you
want to do your own work, you might want to see if that has changed. Nice
little cars.
On Nov 28, 2016 18:59, "Rob Mueller" wrote:
> Jerry,
>
> The French philosopher Voltaire is credited with the following:
>
> "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right
> to say it."
>
> However, it was actually written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall in her book
> "Friends of Voltaire." She felt that was his philosophy
> regarding democracy.
>
> Clearly you and your family members agree! :-)
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> USAussie - Downunder
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Gerald Work
> Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 11:51 AM
> To: GMC Motor Home Post
> Subject: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth?
>
> Hi all,
>
> We are just back from a 1000+ jaunt to the SF Bay area and back to have
> Thanksgiving with all three of our sons and their families.
> Great time was had by all and somehow we managed to navigate past the
> political stuff with no noses getting bent out of joint. All
> of our sons live in the tiny sliver of Ecotopia along the west coast that
> has a specific political slant. While we also live in
> this region, our political slant is .. different from that so without
> careful navigation the sparks can fly, especially now.
> Thankfully, they didn't.
>
> The Clasco ran like a champ without a whimper as it roared up and over the
> many hills along the US101 (the route along the Pacific
> coast). As with most of our trips, we never needed to shift into second
> with our 3.67 effective gearing and never strained the
> engine either. As we were nearing home I decided to lean out the FiTech
> EFI a bit - adding 0.2 to the target air/fuel ratios across
> the board everywhere but under WOT which I left as it has tuned itself as
> we have driven in all kinds of terrain. Randy Van Winkle
> made this suggestion on the Facebook GMC FiTech page. I think the 455
> likes it a bit leaner, but time will tell. I will report
> more when we get back from the winter jaunt into the SW and Mexico. Those
> are usually around 3,000 to 4,000 mile trips so I can
> compare operating temps and fuel consumption to see if it makes much
> difference. maybe Randy can chime in here and add his
> experience to explain the whys behind leaning out the FiTech a bit for our
> application.
>
> Next week I will have the time to add the FiTech EFI the Royale along with
> converting its Onan to run on either propane or gasoline
> at the flip of one toggle switch. If any of you have not yet seen my
> presentation on that conversion, I urge you to download it off
> of GMCWS and several other GMC club web sites. It works like a charm and
> costs less than $300. Running on propane your existing
> Onan will likely out live you and the next several owners combined. Plus
> your Onan will start more easily and run much better to
> boot. The ~14 gallons of propane you have on board is plenty to run the
> Onan for nearly all your needs except, maybe, long stents
> running the roof air(s). When you need to do that, flip the toggle switch
> and run on gasoline.
>
> As the subject notes, I am considering buying a Fiat 500 Abarth to use as
> a tow car. It is among the lightest and smallest modern
> cars at 2500 pounds and just under 12' long. I would like to hear from
> any of you who have owned or towed this vehicle with a GMC -
> the good, the bad and the ugly. While the auto mags generally pan the
> car, our needs in terms of a tow car to pull behind a GMC are
> far more important to me that what some mag writer thinks about it when
> compared to other performance cars in this segment. The
> older Mini Cooper S is similarly light, but longer. The newer ones are
> considerably heavier and longer. I will appreciate your
> comments. Thanks.
>
> Jerry
> Jerry Work
> The Dovetail Joint
> Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple
> building in historic Kerby, OR
>
> glwork@mac.com
> http://jerrywork.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
1973 26' GM outfitted
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311044 is a reply to message #311040] |
Mon, 28 November 2016 23:18 |
JohnS
Messages: 126
Registered: December 2014
Location: Vacaville, CA
Karma: -2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
No experience with the Fiat, except long ago when it was a "Fix It Again Tony" car. I am sure they have gotten better since then. You might consider a Honda Fit, also at slightly over 2500 pounds (I think they are listed at 2559). If you were to get a pre 2014 model without the CVT transmission, the auto transmission model (as well as the standard) can be towed 4 wheels down up to 60 mph for 8 hours without running the engine again to re-lube the transmission. We have towed a 2013 auto transmission Fit for about 5000 miles and are very happy with it. You might finally have to use 2nd gear on highway 101 though!
John Shutzbaugh, Vacaville, CA, ncserv@aol.com;
78 Buskirk stretch, "What were we thinking?"
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311045 is a reply to message #311040] |
Mon, 28 November 2016 23:40 |
Olly Schmidt
Messages: 1265
Registered: February 2014
Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
Karma: 8
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Gerald,
> As the subject notes, I am considering buying a Fiat 500 Abarth to use as a tow car. It is among the lightest and smallest modern cars at 2500 pounds and just under 12’ long. I would like to hear from any of you who have owned or towed this vehicle with a GMC - the good, the bad and the ugly. While the auto mags generally pan the car, our needs in terms of a tow car to pull behind a GMC are far more important to me that what some mag writer thinks about it when compared to other performance cars in this segment. The older Mini Cooper S is similarly light, but longer. The newer ones are considerably heavier and longer. I will appreciate your comments. Thanks.
No personal experience, but something funny to read:
http://www.theladbible.com/funny/cars-womans-ebay-ad-for-fiat-500-that-needs-a-little-tlc-is-comedy-gold-20160524
--
Best regards
Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Best regards
Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311052 is a reply to message #311040] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 07:50 |
Handyman
Messages: 229
Registered: April 2016
Location: The Netherlands
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Hello Jerry,
As for the Fiat 500, my wife had for some time a Fiat 500S, 4 cylinder 100 HP, and since towing a car on its own wheels is not allowed in several countries, here in Europe, we did not tow it behind our RV.
She used the car mostly for home-work, shopping and short drives.
The times I drove it, I always was excited about its go-cart handling and speed.
But be aware what was already a very stiff ride with the 500 Sport, the Abarth is still much more stiffer in its suspention and shocks, it is almost to the level of "bouncing" on the road. I driven one at the Fiat dealership were we always come.
Pffffff ... My back and neck hurted afterwards. For me it was far to much.
And even in our 500S, long drives was not so much comfort as with my car.
But for the shorter drives we loved it.
Not trying to say you what to do, but take that into consideration.
And thinking of the more bad roads I can imagin that, the Abarth as a towd, will be bouncing down the road, behind your GMC.
It is a very nice little car, but for more comfort I would advice you the more "normal ones"
Don't even take the bigger rims, stick to the standard, so you have the most "rubber". Under it, that smoothens out much more and makes driving this nice car even more enjoyable.
And it is always possible pimping it by switching some emblems from Fiat to Abarth ... 
PS we now switched back from two cars to one, traded them in for a 500X automatic and I must say it is a nice drive.
Succes and many nice drives, Daniel
Daniel Jacobs, NL-USA 1977 GMC Eleganza II, Rebuild 455 (2019) 3.55 FD. FiTech and (Modified) FCC, Electric Pump, insulated GasTanks, 100A Alternator, APC, McDash, Schräder Valves + extern Fills, Ceramic Film, TPMS, FlexSteel Seats
[Updated on: Tue, 29 November 2016 07:51] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311057 is a reply to message #311052] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 09:55 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
|
Senior Member |
|
|
A friend bought the convertable model a year and a half ago to pull behind his Sprinter chassis MH. His wife thinks it's "cute" he likes the low weight for towing. We went to the Fiat dealership and drove one of the basic models and weren't too impressed. They are a little easier to enter and exit than our VW wagon but the road holding and feel fall far short of the VW's IMO. We put a lot of miles on the towd so road manners are important and weight isn't the only consideration. Not much out there new in the Fiat's weight class for sure and they do appeal to a lot of folks. It's always a compromise.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311063 is a reply to message #311040] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 10:11 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The Abarth is a nice little 'hotrod in a paper sack.' I drove it and the 1600cc manual shift Kia Soul, and bought the Soul both for price and utility. I haven't put them head to head off a light, but I expect they'd run about the same. The Soul will eat a stock 500 in that circumstance. Curb weight (my 2012) is 2615. Demco has a baseplate for towing it. The base 1600 with the manual 6 speed steams along nicely when you keep the revs up. Base equipment is nice, it has everything but a cruise control. The cruise control is ~~300 bux from Rostra, and installs without opening the hood. You need only remove the fascia around the steering wheel and punch a hole in it to mount the control stalk.
Kia hung the tech out on this engine, direct injection and dual overhead cams, both phased and a dual length intake. You can feel all of it open up, the little car jumps at about 3K on the tach and pulls happily out to the redline. I have yet to see under 30MPG, it's usually north of 35 on the freeway with the cruise set at 3K RPM. 5th and 6th are both overdrives, hills of any length or steepness want to see downshifts. I just rolled over 95K, it runs the same as when I got it. One set of tires, original pads, hoses and belt. It gets 5W20 synthetic and a new filter and tire rotation every 5K miles. At 100K, I propose to do all the hoses, and the belt and antifreeze, and keep going.
I found out by skinning both doors against a gas pump bollard, body work can run to money. Replacing the doors with new requires a LOT of labor to move all the components. Consequently, I'm looking for a set of white doors on a salvage yard and driving the dents in the meantime.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311064 is a reply to message #311040] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 10:17 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
|
Senior Member |
|
|
OH, and the women in my life are politically not aligned with me. Consequently, the rule its, Politics and religion not spoken here. Samesame for rallies. It works well.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311067 is a reply to message #311057] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 10:24 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I have a 1990 Ford Bronco II 2 wheel drive 5 speed manual Trans equipped
for towing behind my GMC with Blue Ox tow equipment. I have towed it short
distances to verify that all is well, but never have done an extended
distance with it. It weighs less than 3000 pounds. I think it reminds me of
tin cans tied to the bumper. A constant annoyance that detracts from the
pleasure of driving the GMC without the toad.
I have worked on coaches that tow Smart cars, Mini Coopers, Rav 4s,
and Suzuki Samurai's but no Fiat's. The universal comments from the owners
seems to be centered around fuel use and "I can't back up with it
connected." The Smart car seems to be the most Fiat-like of the bunch. I
like Fiat's advertising campaigns, but, their early (60s) cars were not
very good in the durability department. Perhaps they have improved in the
ensuing years. That's all I got.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On Nov 29, 2016 7:56 AM, "Hal StClair" wrote:
> A friend bought the convertable model a year and a half ago to pull behind
> his Sprinter chassis MH. His wife thinks it's "cute" he likes the low
> weight for towing. We went to the Fiat dealership and drove one of the
> basic models and weren't too impressed. They are a little easier to enter
> and
> exit than our VW wagon but the road holding and feel fall far short of the
> VW's IMO. We put a lot of miles on the towd so road manners are important
> and weight isn't the only consideration. Not much out there new in the
> Fiat's weight class for sure and they do appeal to a lot of folks. It's
> always
> a compromise.
> Hal
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311069 is a reply to message #311067] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 10:31 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
After doing a fair bit of work on a 1976 Ford Pinto, which seemed to have
been designed by cost accountants (well, nice 4 speed manual, but that was
it), my 1971 FIAT Spider seemed to have been designed by people who
expected to own one, and work on it themselves. I expect that has changed.
On Tue, Nov 29, 2016 at 8:24 AM, James Hupy wrote:
> I have a 1990 Ford Bronco II 2 wheel drive 5 speed manual Trans equipped
> for towing behind my GMC with Blue Ox tow equipment. I have towed it short
> distances to verify that all is well, but never have done an extended
> distance with it. It weighs less than 3000 pounds. I think it reminds me of
> tin cans tied to the bumper. A constant annoyance that detracts from the
> pleasure of driving the GMC without the toad.
> I have worked on coaches that tow Smart cars, Mini Coopers, Rav 4s,
> and Suzuki Samurai's but no Fiat's. The universal comments from the owners
> seems to be centered around fuel use and "I can't back up with it
> connected." The Smart car seems to be the most Fiat-like of the bunch. I
> like Fiat's advertising campaigns, but, their early (60s) cars were not
> very good in the durability department. Perhaps they have improved in the
> ensuing years. That's all I got.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>
> On Nov 29, 2016 7:56 AM, "Hal StClair"
> wrote:
>
>> A friend bought the convertable model a year and a half ago to pull
> behind
>> his Sprinter chassis MH. His wife thinks it's "cute" he likes the low
>> weight for towing. We went to the Fiat dealership and drove one of the
>> basic models and weren't too impressed. They are a little easier to enter
>> and
>> exit than our VW wagon but the road holding and feel fall far short of
> the
>> VW's IMO. We put a lot of miles on the towd so road manners are important
>> and weight isn't the only consideration. Not much out there new in the
>> Fiat's weight class for sure and they do appeal to a lot of folks. It's
>> always
>> a compromise.
>> Hal
>> --
>> 1977 Royale 101348,
>>
>> 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
>>
>> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Plato seems wrong to me today.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
1973 26' GM outfitted
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311072 is a reply to message #311066] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 10:51 |
JimGunther
Messages: 228
Registered: March 2007
Location: West Haven, CT
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I guess the key issue is towing (wheels down or otherwise); Like others, I can't offer.
Two experiences with the Fiat 500 (neither Abarths): one disappointing - one quite enjoyable.
Picked up rental unit at Newark Airport for 90 mile HiWay drive to Connecticut late winter - couple years ago. I had been WANTING to drive one of these but it did not handle the crappy Rt# 95 road conditions at all well;. Short wheelbase caused harsh reflexive front/back bounce over the slightest bumps (and there were many not so slight). I did TEST the handling too and found the rear had a tendency to "come-around" surprisingly easy and quick (roads were cold but....) I was soooo disappointed.
Last spring, we spent over a week driving a 500 Cabriolet on mostly back roads in Italy. Even though our car was an automatic, the experience couldn't have been any more enjoyable - We did do some highway driving too: No problems keeping up or with crosswinds. Quite a solid - enjoyable experience.
So, I suppose the condition of the roads make the difference.
PS: I also wanted to let you know that, some years ago, we came VERY CLOSE to buying a former Odd Fellows Hall (much like your place)to live in - Coulda' - Woulda' - Shoulda but, I'm enjoying yours' vicariously.
Jim Gunther
www.LotusV6.com
now former owner - ;(
73 GMC-II 2600
by Explorer
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311074 is a reply to message #311066] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 11:34 |
Handyman
Messages: 229
Registered: April 2016
Location: The Netherlands
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Hello Ronald,
A better ride, sure ... Not a smoother ... The Abarth is like a go-cart.
Minimal suspention, adaptive shocks and that makes it stick to the road like a F1-racecar.
I drove both, although the Abarth runs almost 125 miles/h it is too expensive for daily use, its a nice toy.
Even de 500Sport (we had the 4 cylinder with 100 HP) is not that comfortable, I did not like drive it for more then 10-20 miles.
To stiff suspension. But for short, quick drives, on good roads it beats almost every bigger car, since its weight is low and it sticks to the road like nothing.
Someone wanting a 500, I would advice a long, long testdrive, and take those bad roads to test.
Daniel
Daniel Jacobs, NL-USA 1977 GMC Eleganza II, Rebuild 455 (2019) 3.55 FD. FiTech and (Modified) FCC, Electric Pump, insulated GasTanks, 100A Alternator, APC, McDash, Schräder Valves + extern Fills, Ceramic Film, TPMS, FlexSteel Seats
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311086 is a reply to message #311040] |
Tue, 29 November 2016 15:42 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Well, the Kia Mousemobile sticks like it's glued and handles nicely for us. It ain't the equal of your Yenko on the crookeds, but very few are. I drove a Fiat 1300CC sedan for many many miles, the only problem I had was a dying coil which made it hard to start till I found it. Since there were very few FWD cars in the hinterlands in the 70s, I managed to beat a 'Reckless Driving Minor' citation in Blytheville AR in court when the citing officer swore he saw me leave a light and spin the rear wheels. I got a directed verdict of 'Not Guilty".
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Anyone tow a Fiat Abarth? [message #311106 is a reply to message #311040] |
Wed, 30 November 2016 08:29 |
 |
Michael Leipold
Messages: 318
Registered: April 2011
Location: Greensboro NC
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
My wife and I both have Fiat 500 Convertibles, her's is the Lounge Edition with an automatic, mine is the Abarth with a manual.
We bought mine to tow, we actually flew from North Carolina and bought them in California last year over Christmas.
It was one of the most enjoyable vacations we have taken.
Both cars are very comfortable on long trips, in both the drivers seat and the passenger seat.
Yes, the Abarth has a stiffer suspension, but to be honest, it does not bother either of us.
As far as performance, the Abarth blows the Lounge out of the water.
Her next Fiat will be an Abarth.
We have not towed it yet, we still tow our Samurai since we can drive that on the beach.
The steering wheel does not lock, so no need to keep the key in it.
But BlueOx makes a baseplate for the Fiat.
This is a great article about installing the baseplate on the Abarth:
http://www.fiat500usaforum.com/showthread.php?20828-Preparing-Abarth-to-be-Flat-Towed-w-Blue-Ox-Hardware
We have 2015 models, they have the newer instrument display, I liked it better, she preferred the older design.
2015 also has armrests for the driver and passenger, pre-2015 was only on the driver side.
Other than that, there really is not much difference.
We toy with the idea of getting an older Abarth Hardtop so we can put a roof rack on it to haul our kayaks.
1973 GMC 26' Glacier - Unknown Mileage - Has a new switch pitch transmission with Powerdrive
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
Current Time: Sat Apr 27 08:10:05 CDT 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.02110 seconds
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
