Today's post is another reader request, and makes a great follow-up to yesterday's Fiat 500L.  Our friend, the G-MAN, is fretting the end of his lease and needs to find his next daily driver in the coming months.  He's currently in an Italian-American product, the Dodge Challenger - would a 500 Abarth improve on that?

Our experience with the 500 Abarth has been largely positive.  Space hasn't been a concern for our two-person, two-dachshund household, and the rear seats are surprisingly comfortable for shuttling additional friends around town.  We even made a junkyard run in the runt yesterday, stuffing a large Mercedes-Benz 400E front sway bar in the rear seat area with some 72" brake lines that we were returning to the parts store.  Rear seats deletes are popular on the Abarths, but with the rear seats folded down, we don't see the need.

Year: 2017
Model:  Fiat 500 Abarth
Engine: 1.4L 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  12 mi
Price: $16,995 or best offer

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2017 Fiat 500 Abarth

As far as reliability goes, our only complaint has been a leaky transmission seal, replaced under warranty.  We are nearing 60,000 miles with no further issues to speak of.  The trim and interior are generally holding up well, too.  We've heard that our experience might not be representative, which is why we are recommending this new model with a full warranty.

Unfortunately for Fiat, these cars were sold new for $5-10k more than what we think most folks were willing to pay for them.  We didn't become interested until the low-mileage used examples were a tick or two below $10,000, ourselves.  We think that this new model from last year is a smart way to get into the seat of fun daily driver - the discount off of MSRP is substantial, but the full balance of the warranty remains.  Good luck, G-MAN!

-Graham