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DEPENDING UPON ONE'S POV, I HAVE found myself in the somewhat enviable situtation of having 2 automobiles that are, to say/write the least, fun to drive. Both are turbos tuned for performance. One-the Abarth- even has twin intercoolers. Both have sub-6sec. 0-60 times.
I have always had an interest in automobiles-I've had my share of motorcycles as well (still have one)-with "sport"-leaning performance. It never made any sense (to me) to drive a vehicle with the utility and character of a toaster or the float-like-a-boat comfort of a 50s American-made land cruiser. On the other hand, hyper-sports cars-Porsche, Corvette, et al-never made sense to me either. What's the point of driving a vehicle in which a driver can use only 50% (or less) of its potential.
Point of fact, my Abarth can, and has, kept up with anything a typical Porsche can throw at it on the tight, twisty-bit, up-and-down roads we have here about. With its lowered (nearly) track tuned suspension and brakes, unassisted rack-and-pinion steering, low-restriction/tuned dual exhaust (which emits an emphatic, high-pitched, Italianesque wail) and a manual transmission mated to a high-output turbo motor-the wife calls the car "very mechanical"-it is not surprising to know that an Abarth is Michael Schumacher's (8-time Formula One Driver Champion) daily driver.
That written, the Abarth ain't for everybody inasmuch as the car responds with absolute immediacy and precision to every driver imput-steering, throttle, braking-and, again with absolute immediacy, lets the driver know the results, good or bad, of that input. Make a mistake and the car lets the driver know that "forgiveness" is not part of its vocabulary. To drive the car near or at its potential-the point at which the uninitiated tend to soil themselves-requires unwavering attention to detail. All of which is something that I call "fun".
FYI, the Soul Red Cystal Metallic Mazda is also a "driver's" car - AWD, sport-tuned suspension, 250hp turbo motor and steering with good where-the-rubber-meets-the-road feedback. Unlke the Abarth, it has a luxury-level fit and finish interior-lots of leather and stitching-packed with amenities and impressive level of quiet. It is also equipped with just about every currently available safety device / technology (including a heads-up display). While quite responsive to driver input, it goes about its business with a-by comparison to the Abarth-more "relaxed" character. One might characterize it as a more "civilized" alternative to the Abarth but, nevertheless, very capable of hustling through the twisty bits or cruising the interstate equal with aplomb.
In any event, the 2 vehicles offer an wealth of driving riches / fun and it's often difficult to choose which one to drive - the one with the white wheels or the one with black wheels. And, I am not ashamed or embarrassed to admit that on a nice summer day, the choice to drive the Abarth with the top rolled back and the Beach Boys Little Deuce Coupe / Fun, Fun, Fun, etc., blaring on the sound system, is a no-brainer.