A Used Abarth 500 Will Give You Endless Hot Hatch Entertainment For Just £7k

When the quirky car/shoe/surfing mash up which is the Fiat 500L Vans Concept landed earlier, you guys weren’t exactly convinced. And while some of us in the CT office rather like it (OK, just me), we can see where you’re coming from. Not just because it’s a bizarre idea, but because it’s based on the very bloated-looking 500L, which we’re not all that keen on. The standard 500, on the other hand, is a motor we have a bit of a soft spot for, particularly when it comes in hot Abarth trim.

Under the bonnet of these boistrous little machines you’ll find a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-pot kicking out 135bhp. Doesn’t sound a lot, but with little over a tonne of car to move about, these things are decently quick: 0-62mph comes up in 7.9 seconds. The engine also sounds superb through the unbelievably rude exhaust system these cars come with as standard.

With very stiff suspension the Abarth 500 isn’t the most comfortable car, but it handles brilliantly, with the small size and low weight making it endlessly chuckable.

Tempted? This one is up for £7291. It’s done 71,000 miles, which is relatively high considering the age, but it’s had only one owner from new. Fancy a bit more power? Earlier Abarth 500s were available with an ‘Essesse’ kit for £2500 (this has since morphed into a separate model, the 595), which included a power boost to 160bhp, uprated brakes and suspension, plus bigger wheels with wider tyres. This Essesse-kitted example we spotted has done 53,500 miles, and is up for £8,890.