Looking for an Abarth - worth it to wait for a later model year?

[java]

Hello, hopefully joining the ownership rank soon.

As the title says, I'm trying to figure out what MY to target. Would like to avoid previously modded and cars with many owners. Mechanically it seems like theres not a huge difference between years?

I think I'd like at least a 2015, so I'm thinking 15-17 and 18-19 are the MY groups to look for. Of course 18-19 are likely to be in better condition but also they seem few and far between (declining production volume towards the end?). They'll also likely carry a small price premium. I'll use the car as a daily driver and would like to do some light mods after some time.

All that said, what opinions do people here as to whether its worth it to wait for a 18-19 to come available vs getting a 15-17 sooner and for less money? Thanks

[MemoryFoam]

If you want a car to keep for a few years and then sell, I’m not your source of information.

But if you want a fun car that you can keep for a long time, consider that there are very few changes between model years. So unless you are particularly enamored with one of those changes, the model year is irrelevant. Verifiable service history, mileage, and condition are much more important factors than model year. A 2013 with 25k miles, solid service history (especially oil changes), and good condition would be much more valuable to me than a 2019 with 60k miles and unknown service history.

[Haring]

Waiting for this used/new car crazy price thing going on would be the best bet. For years people complained how these cars didn't hold their value and now the values are crazy. So if you buy now and things go back to how they were, you're $10-12k car might be worth $5-6.

[java]

Waiting for this used/new car crazy price thing going on would be the best bet. For years people complained how these cars didn't hold their value and now the values are crazy. So if you buy now and things go back to how they were, you're $10-12k car might be worth $5-6.

yes its quite something, I remember looking for an Abarth a few years ago and it wasn't difficult to find early MY cars in the $6-8k range. Short of finding the perfect combination of options at a price I like, I'd be willing to wait til the fall but that's also less time for enjoyment

If you want a car to keep for a few years and then sell, I’m not your source of information.

But if you want a fun car that you can keep for a long time, consider that there are very few changes between model years. So unless you are particularly enamored with one of those changes, the model year is irrelevant. Verifiable service history, mileage, and condition are much more important factors than model year. A 2013 with 25k miles, solid service history (especially oil changes), and good condition would be much more valuable to me than a 2019 with 60k miles and unknown service history.

You bring up a good point - as a fan of manual transmissions, it's inevitable that there will be fewer and fewer options available as time goes on. Finding a car that checks all the boxes for me would certainly be a candidate to keep for a longer time. Finding reliable service history isn't always easy though.

I think I'm still leaning towards a 2015+ since it'll be a primary car and some of the creature comforts in those years seem to be worthwhile. Is there a thread showing all model year changes to easily compare?

[Sub]

yes its quite something, I remember looking for an Abarth a few years ago and it wasn't difficult to find early MY cars in the $6-8k range. Short of finding the perfect combination of options at a price I like, I'd be willing to wait til the fall but that's also less time for enjoyment



You bring up a good point - as a fan of manual transmissions, it's inevitable that there will be fewer and fewer options available as time goes on. Finding a car that checks all the boxes for me would certainly be a candidate to keep for a longer time. Finding reliable service history isn't always easy though.

I think I'm still leaning towards a 2015+ since it'll be a primary car and some of the creature comforts in those years seem to be worthwhile. Is there a thread showing all model year changes to easily compare?

[AbarthUSA]

I sold my 2012 Abarth and always regretted the decision. Last year I was able to find a 2018 with less than 9,000 miles and bought it. The market literally started to climb immediately after, so I definitely lucked out. Looking at the current situation it does seem like the used car market is softening in the larger metro areas, and in my opinion that will trickle down around the country. As far as differences from my 2012 to 2018 other than the dash cluster, and infotainment the cars are nearly identical. Not sure I like one better than the other, just different.

[BayshoreBuddy]

I shopped, test drove, and landed a 2017 with 12,000 miles. IMHO getting the most recent year Abarth is your first objective, second is condition, and third is mileage (under warranty?). The later generations benefit from annual running improvements to the power train interior, and equipment availability. Granted the chassis has not changed, but; later models have better audio systems 2019’s have reverse cameras, 2015+ have driver seats that can be lowered, 2014+ have a generation two dashboard, and powertrain fixes over the production run improve engine longevity. Still older = lower cost newer = higher cost = better value.

Test drive before you buy - know the options - FIATs are not Chevrolets - remember oil changes are less expensive than engines !

[Fiat500USA]

yes its quite something, I remember looking for an Abarth a few years ago and it wasn't difficult to find early MY cars in the $6-8k range. Short of finding the perfect combination of options at a price I like, I'd be willing to wait til the fall but that's also less time for enjoyment



You bring up a good point - as a fan of manual transmissions, it's inevitable that there will be fewer and fewer options available as time goes on. Finding a car that checks all the boxes for me would certainly be a candidate to keep for a longer time. Finding reliable service history isn't always easy though.

I think I'm still leaning towards a 2015+ since it'll be a primary car and some of the creature comforts in those years seem to be worthwhile. Is there a thread showing all model year changes to easily compare?

This has all the model year changes articles through the years:

Fiat 500 Abarth Model Year Changes

Don't forget to check out the rest of Fiat500usa.com. Start at the beginning, work your way forward and you'll become an expert on the cars in no time. Enjoy!

[Thomas]

[QUOTE=BayshoreBuddy;883790]I shopped, test drove, and landed a 2017 with 12,000 miles. IMHO getting the most recent year Abarth is your first objective, second is condition, and third is mileage (under warranty?). The later generations benefit from annual running improvements to the power train interior, and equipment availability. Granted the chassis has not changed, but; later models have better audio systems 2019’s have reverse cameras, 2015+ have driver seats that can be lowered, 2014+ have a generation two dashboard, and powertrain fixes over the production run improve engine longevity. Still older = lower cost newer = higher cost = better value.


Mileage and condition are far more important than the model year. There are no significant changes between model years. Take my 2012 as an example. It has 65k miles and is in excellent condition. Consumes next to no oil. Regular servicing done. No mods other than an upgraded rear sway bar and a CAI. I'd buy this one over many others in a heart beat. Just my 2 cents.

[tvmaster]

I wish I had waited one year later (2018 versus 2017) for one stupid reason: rear view camera. Considering the horrible blind spots caused by the B pillars, it really would make parking/exiting crowded parking lots/spaces much easier. And FCA would absolutely not under any reason swap my radio out (even when I offered to pay full retail) so I could have that feature. Dumbest company in the world, or at least the most unfriendly towards it's customers.
Problem was, I got such a steal of a deal on the 2017 I couldn't refuse it ($10k of MSRP, three years left of factory warranty and 1600 miles on the odometer).
But still, I'd LOVE a rear-view camera....