Kevin Channer
True Classic
I have casually been in the market for a Fiat 500 Abarth to become my daily driver. My ideal car would be 2013 500C Abarth with low miles, less the say 30k. They are available but the one caveat is I want to pay less than 10k. I have found a few examples in my price range but most were on the east coast, where they seem to sell for 20-30% cheaper. East coast can be done but it adds some complications. I also entertained the thought of bargain hunting at the other end of the market. Finding the lowest priced 500 Abarth and paying cash. That would probably mean a salvaged title car, but if the damage was minor and the repairs decent I could have a nice daily driver for cheap. Yes resale would be poor but based on sales I believe resale for Fiat 500s is dropping like a rock. A salvaged bargain would have less depreciation. I missed out on a good one about a month ago. It was a 2013 Abarth 500C in a local insurance auction, It was loaded with low miles, listed as light front end damage, no airbags deployed, no visible damage, running, keys, manuals etc. I was waiting for it to come available for bid, and it came available when I was out of town. I guess it sold for about 5k. Yesterday I looked at a 500 Abarth that is for sale at a lien sale lot about 10 min away from me. It is also salvaged. They are asking $3,500. It is complete and running, but the repairs if you would call them that were done in some ones home garage. It appears to have taken a slightly offset front hit at less than 20 mph. The front bumper cover and sub apron were not replaced, the apron was crudely straightened and the bumper cover, hood lip and fender edges bondo with coating of rhino liner giving it the look of a faux bra at a distance. The rhino liner was also used to cover the dash sealing the area where the passenger air bag exploded! obviously they did not replace the airbag. The steering wheel airbag though intact, probably has no airbag inside. The dash and interior wear ok, leather seats good, a/c worked. Driverside seat belt cut, missing. They lock on impact and must be replaced. The engine sounded ok. 48k miles. No visible codes, seat belt light on, and a service due warning which may be mileage generated. 17" wheels were good, front tires new, probably replaced due to damage. Has after market tuned exhaust. Conclusion, this is close to the bottom but not what I am looking for.