RE: Fiat 124 - first pics
Discussion
Highway Star said:
I've had 5 and they've all been pretty reliable, unlike some of the German cars I've owned. Still, attitudes like yours keep them depreciating heavily so I'm not complaining.
My experience is somewhat different - engines usually good but the rest!!!!! Fiat service totally useless as well - go one day out of warranty and you'll have to go to court to get anything done.xRIEx said:
Divisive looks to say the least.
Personally I like the MX-5 and the 124.
Yeah, I'd go with that. I don't see what would have been the point of just sticking a Fiat badge on the nose of a slightly tweaked MX. It's different, it is less aggressive and nods towards the old 124 spider. I don't think there's ever been much problem with Fiat engines? Rust seems to be a thing of the past on most modern cars so I don't expect that to be an issue. The last Fiat I drove had seats that wouldn't have been out of place in the Marquis De Sade's dungeon. Nearly crippled me. Hope they've fixed that!Personally I like the MX-5 and the 124.
Marwood79 said:
This is what happens when a committee of muppets all answering to an Accountant decide the design of a car...
I was going to say it looked Korean, but that would be a big disservice to the standard of contemporary Korean auto design...
With the leeching of captial from the Ferrari IPO, the improbable propositions to GM, and product like this you have to worry about the FCA Group... I don't think they are going to be with us much longer...
I agree with most of your rant! It's so clearly been designed by a group of Dodge designers, with influences from the modern Dodge Charger clearly visible. It's a bit of a shame really, as the Viper is a great looking car and Fiat tend to get the styling right on their modern cars (I'll exclude the Panda, but it is what it is).I was going to say it looked Korean, but that would be a big disservice to the standard of contemporary Korean auto design...
With the leeching of captial from the Ferrari IPO, the improbable propositions to GM, and product like this you have to worry about the FCA Group... I don't think they are going to be with us much longer...
The interior is fine, I'm sure it will drive nicely, but it could have looked really good. The MX-5 looks great, especially in this era of more safety with higher body lines. This modern Fiat 124 has echoes of the original, but I never thought that car great. Maybe it will grow on me, like the two Z4 designs have.
Edited by iloveboost on Sunday 22 November 20:04
Let's just hold fire for one moment.
This new mx5 that some are hailing as being great in the looks department?
It is a minger. It's a ridiculous, classless looking thing and a complete affront to the heritage of the model.
Let's have a bit of reality here and look at where the MX5 begun and why it deserves its status and then look at what they have done to it:
We must be very honest with ourselves at this point, in contrast to the original MX5 this latest one is a visual affront, it is ghastly.
Fiat have clearly decided to design a shape that is different from that mess. Which seems perfectly logical as there will be people who want an MX5 for all its real qualities but don't want something gopping littering the driveway.
I wonder if it will transpire that the 124 will be bought by the more mature 'MX5' market given its more staid and traditional looks whereas the MX5 is much more aimed at kids?
This new mx5 that some are hailing as being great in the looks department?
It is a minger. It's a ridiculous, classless looking thing and a complete affront to the heritage of the model.
Let's have a bit of reality here and look at where the MX5 begun and why it deserves its status and then look at what they have done to it:
We must be very honest with ourselves at this point, in contrast to the original MX5 this latest one is a visual affront, it is ghastly.
Fiat have clearly decided to design a shape that is different from that mess. Which seems perfectly logical as there will be people who want an MX5 for all its real qualities but don't want something gopping littering the driveway.
I wonder if it will transpire that the 124 will be bought by the more mature 'MX5' market given its more staid and traditional looks whereas the MX5 is much more aimed at kids?
ZesPak said:
YOU think it's "ghastly" 
.
Take a poll, you're in the minority. You're allowed your OPPINION though.
Just don't state it as empirical fact
Exactly. I don't know why people think that only their subjective opinion must be the correct, factual point of view.. Take a poll, you're in the minority. You're allowed your OPPINION though.
Just don't state it as empirical fact
Unless it's some artsy-fartsy interior design bod - then I know why they do it, but they're still a stupid twunt for thinking it.
Wills2 said:
So this is a Fiat badged Mx5? Why would you bother?
Variety? Choice? Because not every one of the 7bn people on the planet want exactly the same thing?ETA: put 'marketing' on that list as well.
xRIEx said:
ZesPak said:
YOU think it's "ghastly" .
Take a poll, you're in the minority. You're allowed your OPPINION though.
Just don't state it as empirical fact
Exactly. I don't know why people think that only their subjective opinion must be the correct, factual point of view.. Take a poll, you're in the minority. You're allowed your OPPINION though.
Just don't state it as empirical fact
Unless it's some artsy-fartsy interior design bod - then I know why they do it, but they're still a stupid twunt for thinking it.
Wills2 said:
So this is a Fiat badged Mx5? Why would you bother?
Variety? Choice? Because not every one of the 7bn people on the planet want exactly the same thing?ETA: put 'marketing' on that list as well.
oh the horror. 
As an Industrial Designer I do not see much value in discussing what it s pretty and what aint on this level.
There is good rationale behind both designs. The Mx-5 is not for everyone, though. They clearly aimed for a more youthful audience.(Typical of successful car brands the average age of owners tends to go up and up. No one wants to be seen in his dads car and satisfied first time buyers tend to come back after 3 or 4 years for more of the same.) Full disclosure: My dad is 71 now and still enjoying his NB MX-5. He was one of the first guys really burning to get his hands on a Miata when it came out in 1989.)
So Mazda said to itself: We must do a Miata, that is more manly and caters to youthful drivers. Shame is: Those drivers would want a Turbo over the NA engine and more bang for their buck. And those youthful drivers right now do not nearly have the money on their hands to spent 25k on a 2 seater. The core market sits elsewhere.
My gut feeling tells me that the conservative FIAT Design will cater to that market a lot better.
Both the NB and NC Modells of the Mx-5 sold around 20K copies within their first full year on the european market. The ND seems to be a flop, but has not been fully available this year.
http://left-lane.com/european-car-sales-data/mazda...
Lets see if the FIAT or the MX-5 does better next spring.
I for one are happy to have more of a choice now, but would probably opt for a used Z4.
Martin
P.S.: The new Fiat 124 Spider was designed in Italy by a guy, who formerly was heading an exterior design team at Pininfarina. It really is a globalized game these days, but the Designer of the original 124 Spider was an American in Turin even 50 years back from now. Its main inspiration was a Design done by Pininfarina on a Corvette chassis. Thus the mini-muscle car vibe. Some more fact reading and less babbling would do these forums no harm. (End of rant.)
There is good rationale behind both designs. The Mx-5 is not for everyone, though. They clearly aimed for a more youthful audience.(Typical of successful car brands the average age of owners tends to go up and up. No one wants to be seen in his dads car and satisfied first time buyers tend to come back after 3 or 4 years for more of the same.) Full disclosure: My dad is 71 now and still enjoying his NB MX-5. He was one of the first guys really burning to get his hands on a Miata when it came out in 1989.)
So Mazda said to itself: We must do a Miata, that is more manly and caters to youthful drivers. Shame is: Those drivers would want a Turbo over the NA engine and more bang for their buck. And those youthful drivers right now do not nearly have the money on their hands to spent 25k on a 2 seater. The core market sits elsewhere.
My gut feeling tells me that the conservative FIAT Design will cater to that market a lot better.
Both the NB and NC Modells of the Mx-5 sold around 20K copies within their first full year on the european market. The ND seems to be a flop, but has not been fully available this year.
http://left-lane.com/european-car-sales-data/mazda...
Lets see if the FIAT or the MX-5 does better next spring.
I for one are happy to have more of a choice now, but would probably opt for a used Z4.
Martin
P.S.: The new Fiat 124 Spider was designed in Italy by a guy, who formerly was heading an exterior design team at Pininfarina. It really is a globalized game these days, but the Designer of the original 124 Spider was an American in Turin even 50 years back from now. Its main inspiration was a Design done by Pininfarina on a Corvette chassis. Thus the mini-muscle car vibe. Some more fact reading and less babbling would do these forums no harm. (End of rant.)
Edited by Martin 480 Turbo on Saturday 21st November 11:23
I actually really like this. The new MX-5 is worse looking in my opinion, front headlights are way too small and pointy, diagonal LED running lights don't flow with the design and the rear end is just ugly.
The 124 on the other hand, front end looks much better with the rounder headlights, the rear end I think is slightly ruined by the nasty fog light/reverse light cluster underneath and the rear lights are maybe too square but overall it's better than the Mazda design.
I know I'll get shot down for saying this
The 124 on the other hand, front end looks much better with the rounder headlights, the rear end I think is slightly ruined by the nasty fog light/reverse light cluster underneath and the rear lights are maybe too square but overall it's better than the Mazda design.
I know I'll get shot down for saying this
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