I rented a base model Fiat 500 with an automatic while in Florida for the Barrett-Jackson Auctions last month. That little car, in base trim with an automatic was a hoot - I can only imagine that the Abarth would be a riot. No, it's not the fastest thing on earth, and even a MINI JCW is faster (according to the current comparo in Car & Driver) but I think I'd still have the Abarth. It's got so much character, so much personality, and with the narrow canyon roads we have here in SoCal it would be a full on blast. If it could carry all my detailing equipment like my PT Cruiser Turbo can it would be on my short list to replace that car in the near future. But I hear Chrysler Group, LLC is coming out with a hatchback in the Dart's sizing, most likely based on an existing Alfa/Fiat platform just like the Dart is, and I'll probably wait for that. But if I didn't have that need to haul so much stuff, this little Abarth would be really high on my want list for a new daily driver.