Opinions on a New York City Daily Driver

Econ · 01-31-2013, 11:29 AM

Living in the city, parking and driving a full sized vehicle is rather inconvinient. As a result, I am considering purchasing a compact DD that is easy to zip around the city, and park. But also has the flexibility of longer trips out to long island and such.

I prefer to have a car, as many of my friends live out on the island, and we go back and forth quite a bit. So no car, which is probably the smarter move, isn't an option at this point

I think I have narrowed it down to either the new Fiat Abarth, or the Mini Cooper Coupe.

What do you guys think? Which would you prefer? I realize they really aren't to everyone's liking (not 100% mine either). The fiat is about $3k cheaper at dealers around me, but also not as quick.

or

JDMFairlady21 · 01-31-2013, 11:41 AM

whats up buddy! hope all is well man.

i'd go for the abarth... fits more ppl than the mini coupe

dastaco · 01-31-2013, 11:51 AM

Abarth. To quote top gear, the mini looks like it had its hat on backwards.

DEpointfive0 · 01-31-2013, 12:11 PM

If you buy the Mini with that roofline, Jistin Bieber will win and 1000 puppies will die

m4a1mustang · 01-31-2013, 12:13 PM

Abarth all the way. One of our club members has one and I love it.

1st · 01-31-2013, 12:20 PM

Honda Fit with a K20a2 swap and boost!!!!

Econ · 01-31-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDMFairlady21

whats up buddy! hope all is well man.

i'd go for the abarth... fits more ppl than the mini coupe

hey man, everything is going well. How's the new shop going? I need to make it over there again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Abarth all the way. One of our club members has one and I love it.

Seems like a no contest. I am glad, because I was leaning towards the Abarth.

Stopped in the dealer a few blocks from my office today and played around with the Abarth in the showroom (mouth noises while shifting through the gears). That was fun in itself, so Imagine with the car moving, it will be even more fun-filled.

Red__Zed · 01-31-2013, 12:23 PM

Between the two, abarth.

m4a1mustang · 01-31-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Econ

hey man, everything is going well. How's the new shop going? I need to make it over there again.

Seems like a no contest. I am glad, because I was leaning towards the Abarth.

Stopped in the dealer a few blocks from my office today and played around with the Abarth in the showroom (mouth noises while shifting through the gears). That was fun in itself, so Imagine with the car moving, it will be even more fun-filled.

Have you driven one yet? The sound is hilariously good.

Econ · 01-31-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Have you driven one yet? The sound is hilariously good.

I have not driven it yet, though I have seen a couple driving around. The sound is uncanny, definitley unexpected.

Going to head out to a Long Island dealership this weekend to drive it. Will be able to enjoy a test drive there much more than in Midtown Manhattan.

DEpointfive0 · 01-31-2013, 12:29 PM

Why not Ford Focus ST? Or just a Ford Focus???

m4a1mustang · 01-31-2013, 12:31 PM

Focus is still considerably bigger than the Abarth. We have an ST... its a sweet car. But I'd rather have the Abarth in the city.

Econ · 01-31-2013, 12:34 PM

Yea, the Focus is a bit larger, same goes with the veloster or wrx. All nice cars, but I really want something I can park on the street. I see Fiat's parked here with their rear bumper facing the curb, perpendicular to the street, taking up all of 4 feet.

Smart Car isnt an option, really don't like it, and the GTI, is still a bit larger, and Im really not a fan of VW.

that left me with a mini, or a fiat.

RoshDawg · 01-31-2013, 12:45 PM

Isn't Ford coming out with a Fiesta ST? Or just get a regular Fiesta?

It seems like I'm in the minority but I like that new mini! I'm sure the Abarth is a blast to drive though (I really don't know much about these cars), I just feel like its really bubbly. Either choice is great for living in the city though!

UNKNOWN_370 · 01-31-2013, 05:02 PM

When i lived back home in Bklyn. I commuted on the "Iron Horse." My car was garaged and came out on weekends to collect tang... My advice is, If you planning on commuting in NYC daily? Dont drive, buy a metro card.

Reasons.
1. alternate side of the street parking
2. alternate side of the street parking
3. alternate side of the street parking
4. people will chill on your car and put their drinks on the hood
5. Many parking spots in business areas have meters.
6. Parking in manhattan iff u go to work there is $800 a month in a garage..
7. Alernate side parking at night raises your insurance premium by a lot.
8. you have a 1 in 5 chance of oyur car being stolen. need i go on?

If you still insist on DD'ing? buy a hoopty. So you dont cry every week from seeing a new scratch.

a 96 wrangler to defeat potholes.

01-31-2013, 11:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Econ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York City Posts: 2,546 Drives: Fiat? Rep Power: 19	Opinions on a New York City Daily Driver Living in the city, parking and driving a full sized vehicle is rather inconvinient. As a result, I am considering purchasing a compact DD that is easy to zip around the city, and park. But also has the flexibility of longer trips out to long island and such. I prefer to have a car, as many of my friends live out on the island, and we go back and forth quite a bit. So no car, which is probably the smarter move, isn't an option at this point I think I have narrowed it down to either the new Fiat Abarth, or the Mini Cooper Coupe. What do you guys think? Which would you prefer? I realize they really aren't to everyone's liking (not 100% mine either). The fiat is about $3k cheaper at dealers around me, but also not as quick. or __________________ 2014 Triumph Thruxton 900 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth 2009 Nissan 370z

01-31-2013, 11:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
JDMFairlady21 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LI, NY Posts: 347 Drives: 03 Z33 TT Redline Rep Power: 15	whats up buddy! hope all is well man. i'd go for the abarth... fits more ppl than the mini coupe __________________ http://i48.tinypic.com/2h6t15w.jpg Real Auto Dynamics 516.442.7155 \| alex@realautodynamics.com www.facebook.com/RealAutoDynamics

01-31-2013, 11:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
dastaco Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 348 Drives: Questionably Rep Power: 13	Abarth. To quote top gear, the mini looks like it had its hat on backwards. DEpointfive0 likes this. __________________

01-31-2013, 12:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	If you buy the Mini with that roofline, Jistin Bieber will win and 1000 puppies will die Econ, scionide and Mitco39 like this.

01-31-2013, 12:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Abarth all the way. One of our club members has one and I love it. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-31-2013, 12:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
1st A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: I 80 Biz U.S. 50 Posts: 1,708 Drives: Platinum Z Rep Power: 1615	Honda Fit with a K20a2 swap and boost!!!!

01-31-2013, 12:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 119	Between the two, abarth.

01-31-2013, 12:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	Why not Ford Focus ST? Or just a Ford Focus???

01-31-2013, 12:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Focus is still considerably bigger than the Abarth. We have an ST... its a sweet car. But I'd rather have the Abarth in the city. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-31-2013, 12:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
Econ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York City Posts: 2,546 Drives: Fiat? Rep Power: 19	Yea, the Focus is a bit larger, same goes with the veloster or wrx. All nice cars, but I really want something I can park on the street. I see Fiat's parked here with their rear bumper facing the curb, perpendicular to the street, taking up all of 4 feet. Smart Car isnt an option, really don't like it, and the GTI, is still a bit larger, and Im really not a fan of VW. that left me with a mini, or a fiat. m4a1mustang likes this. __________________ 2014 Triumph Thruxton 900 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth 2009 Nissan 370z

01-31-2013, 12:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
RoshDawg Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NM / CA Posts: 981 Drives: '13 911 C2S Rep Power: 14	Isn't Ford coming out with a Fiesta ST? Or just get a regular Fiesta? It seems like I'm in the minority but I like that new mini! I'm sure the Abarth is a blast to drive though (I really don't know much about these cars), I just feel like its really bubbly. Either choice is great for living in the city though! __________________ \| EVO X MR \| '11 WRX STI \| 370Z SPRT \| 911 (991) C2S \|

01-31-2013, 05:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14857	When i lived back home in Bklyn. I commuted on the "Iron Horse." My car was garaged and came out on weekends to collect tang... My advice is, If you planning on commuting in NYC daily? Dont drive, buy a metro card. Reasons. 1. alternate side of the street parking 2. alternate side of the street parking 3. alternate side of the street parking 4. people will chill on your car and put their drinks on the hood 5. Many parking spots in business areas have meters. 6. Parking in manhattan iff u go to work there is $800 a month in a garage.. 7. Alernate side parking at night raises your insurance premium by a lot. 8. you have a 1 in 5 chance of oyur car being stolen. need i go on? If you still insist on DD'ing? buy a hoopty. So you dont cry every week from seeing a new scratch. a 96 wrangler to defeat potholes. enkei2k and DEpointfive0 like this. Last edited by UNKNOWN_370; 01-31-2013 at 05:08 PM.

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