Anyone considering the Fiat 124?

Bauer · Postby **Bauer** » Tue Jun 21, 2016 9:04 am

Not sure how I feel about the Abarth only news. It means if you want the fiat version, you will have an Abarth - which is awesome as its the only spec that interests me. But it takes away that exclusivity of paying a premium to get the sporty version. Turn up to a 124 convention and everyone will have the same car. Not having the lower spec will no doubt decrease sales volume but if the price is around what they say, I would sway towards the Abarth over the current top spec MX5.

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smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Tue Jun 21, 2016 9:12 am

Knowing FCA, it will be $50k at launch, then they'll drop the price to $40k before raising it again to $55k.
I would've thought the abarth 124 would be priced around the upper spec 500 abarth models, which are over $60k.

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pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Tue Jun 21, 2016 9:31 am

UK pricing suggests $55k-$60k here so will be a niche car at that level.Out of my league!

Peter

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 10:15 am

Here's a couple more side by side comparison shots. :mrgreen:

This time in white.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 10:17 am

ND Vs. Abarth front end?

Driv3r · Postby **Driv3r** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 8:00 pm

Not a chance I buy that ugly car. I shall save every penny and wait impatiently for 2017 MX5 Fastback!

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2017-mazda-mx-5-miata-retractable-fastback-debuts-new-york/

Vat · Postby **Vat** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:26 am

Car and Driver review of the Abarth: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... ted-review

TLDR: they prefer the MX-5, and the 2.0 litre MX-5 slaughters the 1.4 TwinAir in a straight line, unless you specifically need to go from 70 to 110 km/h and you're on boost.

rjastra2 · Postby **rjastra2** » Thu Jul 07, 2016 2:27 am

Bauer · Postby **Bauer** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 12:53 am

So word on the street (interweb) is $43500 drive away for the manual Abarth. That's prolly 3-4K south of my expectations.

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Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:15 am

Is it just me or does the 124 pictured in the video above look like the car was originally red and had some bits sprayed in plasti-dip?

If the bonnet was red it might look OK but it looks like it's on the way to becoming a rat-rod, not like a brand new car.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:44 am

Lokiel wrote:Is it just me or does the 124 pictured in the video above look like the car was originally red and had some bits sprayed in plasti-dip?

If the bonnet was red it might look OK but it looks like it's on the way to becoming a rat-rod, not like a brand new car.

This is pretty much exactly the case in the US......

The standard Abarth doesn't come with the matt black bonnet and boot.
They are an option 'fitted' (it's actually paint not plasti-dip) that is applied after arrival in the US as a $2K option. :shock:

To me, if you like the idea, just get a standard version and have matt black vinyl applied later. It would be cheaper and reversible too! :wink:

Not sure what the deal will be with Australian delivered vehicles, we'll find out when they are official released here on the 6th of October.....

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 10:24 am

On the plus side they've made an attempt to hide the US idiot-spec side reflector blanking plates, and you can add more power very easily and cheaply.

On the other hand, is there really any need, in 2016, for turbo lag?

Then there's the styling, and that's just a matter of taste. Or not.

speed · Postby **speed** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 1:50 pm

The review posted by Vat didn't really praise the car. The mx5 is lighter, shorter and has overall better acceleration.
The 1.4s engine bay also looks like a nightmare.
The only plus that i could see is that it's made in japan.

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Blesif · Postby **Blesif** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 2:14 pm

Okay, we are preaching to the converted here. And, I too, would take the Mazda over the Fiat every time because it is shorter, lighter, faster, simpler ....and it is a Mazda with a large network of dealers, strong resale and solid parts backup. There is also the huge advantage of the worldwide Mazda fraternity with all the aftermarket enhancements. Hard to beat.

Having said that, I think the Fiat is great for the market and is an asset to keeping Mazda honest with MX5 pricing and support. Well done Fiat for bringing us the Abarth and doing it at a competitive price point. I hope it is popular and reliable. I think it is very well styled harking back nicely to the original Fiat 124 which was very popular in Europe, the USA and Canada in the 1970s - where I was living at the time. The styling differentiation to the MX5 will help with sales and, surely, it is a good thing that we have two neat little open top sports cars competing in our market. I look forward to seeing one or two (or more) joining us on the track at Wakefield/Winton etc and adding some more spice to the MX5/Toyota 86 duals.

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 3:34 pm

Blesif wrote:I look forward to seeing one or two (or more) joining us on the track at Wakefield/Winton etc and adding some more spice to the MX5/Toyota 86 duals.

Pity they'll have to go in class 11 with the other non MX-5s :-)