2014 Fiat GQ? Decisions, decisions

[Kamakiriad]

NGenfiat, thanks for the advice re: how to retain my mods.
I'll definitely propose this to the studio.
Thanks, Andree re: advice about badging.

I hope the studio, "gets their mind right". Otherwise, I may give Fiat of Austin a shot; they did me right last time.

This understated AbCab, with the upgraded interior I think, is a good fit for me.
Other downside, though...not eligible for the Abarth Experience.
Had a really good time doing this in Daytona.


I'll keep y'all posted!

[Kamakiriad]

Well. The deal's done. I took home the GQ this afternoon.
I'll contact my mechanic shop tomorrow for getting my mods swapped from the 2012 to the GQ.

I understand, now, the opinion of folks who've owned the 2012 Abarth and then got into a 2013, or '14, when they say the feel is somewhat (or a lot) less "wild and woolly".
For me, the ride is still a riot, but I'd say it's "matured" from the 2012 to the 2014 Abarth.

Trying to decide whether I prefer the "stealthy-ness" of the Abarth with muffler or whether I'll do "something" to get back the growl.
That was truly my 2nd favorite feature of the Abarth.
Everyone knows what the #1 feature is. ;-)

[Andree]

Oooh! Congratulations!

Getting the mods switched over is cool too.

Live with your stealth GQ Abarth for awhile to see how it feels, sounds, handles. It is a new car so it needs it's break in period.

And I still don't know what color you chose!

[NGEN]

Awesome! Glad to hear you got what you wanted and you didn't have to drive far. Show is some pics!

[Kamakiriad]

Well, Friends, looks like I'll be starting over with the mods.
The price to do the swap was about twice what the parts and labor would be to replicate those mods; studio was not offering ANY love/help for that effort.

No worries, though. I got a LOT of joy from the mods I put into the 2012 Abarth, and I look forward to having a second opportunity to do it again, with the knowledge I've gained from chatting with you all on the forum, and going through the mods once already.

Andree, to answer your question, the GQ is Granito Lucente in color, similar (only a bit darker and more luminescent) to the 2012 Grigio color.
Here are pictures:

GQ_1 (1024x768).jpg
GQ_2 (1024x768).jpg
GQ_3 (1024x768).jpg
GQ_4 (1024x768).jpg
GQ_5 (1024x768).jpg

I stealthily parked in the driveway when I brought GQ (I need a name for GQ, btw, suggestions?) home.
My wife was leaving to catch a flight, and didn't notice the difference 'til she backed out of the driveway and saw the dealer plates.
She had an IDEA what I was up to, but wasn't certain I'd go through with it. She's cool with it; teasing me mercilessly about being so impulsive.
I've not "announced" my new arrival to folks at my office; waiting to see who notices first.

So far, only two guys - extreme gearheads - have picked up on the change.
They thought I was crazy to trade in the 2012 until I explained, "...YES, it's still an Abarth..."
Cheap thrills! :-)
One of the two guys who knocked off my switch-out, a young cat who drives a Z4, is some one who's never spoken to me before.
So, GQ (need a Name) is breaking down barriers and creating new in-roads in my local car community, already.

Fun!

[msjulie33]

Very nice but can you remove that big dealer sticker/nameplate?

[Kamakiriad]

Wow! Spot on, Ms. Julie.
The dealer badge most DEFINITELY needs to go.
I was so happy to be taking GQ (name help, please) home, that I forgot to ask them to NOT tag GQ w/the dealer badge.

I welcome suggetions how best to remove this "blemish".

Peace!

[Bill_E]

I'm quoted $600 including labor to swap out the Sport's steering wheel for an Abarth steering wheel...the steering wheel only was just under $500.

[Andree]

Nice pics!

I vote "Smokey" for the name.

[Tweak]

Congrats on the new ride. You should be able to use floss or fishing line to "saw" the emblem off the back then being so recently placed a really quick clean up/ hand polish and it'll be fine. Sucks they wouldn't swap the mods, when I ditched the Sport for the Abarth they took the cut off muffler and removed all mods and returned them to me. I want to swap my '13 for a '15 Abarth to get the armrest and digital cluster but it isn't likely and would require the mods be moved over to the new ride.