Thinking of buying Abarth 124 spider
Discussion
Trevor555 said:
Wow, I didn't realise Arnold Clack had come down so far south.
Are you missing it?
It's a tough car to go on from, they feel so lightweight, and a bit naughty with the exhaust note.
They make so many other cars feel like fast barges.
Definitely missing it - Had to get something suitable (insurable) for my daughter to learn to drive in and don’t really have enough room to park an extra car. The only thing that made the pain easier was that I sold it for about the same as I paid for it so basically got to enjoy it for three years depreciation free!Are you missing it?
It's a tough car to go on from, they feel so lightweight, and a bit naughty with the exhaust note.
They make so many other cars feel like fast barges.
I went to look at this one at the weekend.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202072...
I was told it was one owner but when I got there it was two.
I wasn't too keen on the contrasting panels on the bonnet and boot and as these were wraps I'm not sure I'd like to risk removing them.
Car was supposedly fully prepped and ready to go but three of the four wheels needed refurbing.
Oh - and they've just increased the price by £500.00 !
To be fair it was a decent car and with a bit of TLC it could still be worth buying.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202072...
I was told it was one owner but when I got there it was two.
I wasn't too keen on the contrasting panels on the bonnet and boot and as these were wraps I'm not sure I'd like to risk removing them.
Car was supposedly fully prepped and ready to go but three of the four wheels needed refurbing.
Oh - and they've just increased the price by £500.00 !
To be fair it was a decent car and with a bit of TLC it could still be worth buying.
For me it was a car I really needed to have a garage to keep it in. I'd recommend getting some paint protection to as it seemed a bit fragile. I had problems with wear on the drivers seat, the exhaust sticking and a defect with the sat nav screen. All that said I really regret having sold it. I daily'd mine and usual left pretty early for work which in the winter meant it chugging away on the drive thawing out. They never complained......but it must have been annoying.
You tend to get a wave from other Abarth 124 drivers and also Abarth drivers in general.
If you own RO18 NKR or see it about let me know. I think the dealer bought it for himself though.
You tend to get a wave from other Abarth 124 drivers and also Abarth drivers in general.
If you own RO18 NKR or see it about let me know. I think the dealer bought it for himself though.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/7vvMAc3W.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/55gj4c9G" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/55gj4c9G.jpg)
Picked up the Abarth 124 spider today from Veloces, was very impressed with the condition of the car as this was the first time I had seen it in the flesh.
only niggles were the roof does touch the very bottom of the roll hoops when down so has rubbed the roof slightly and the sat nav had a moment after we stopped at the services on the way home, seems to be working fine now though!
The service from Veloces was very efficient and found them knowledgeable of the cars.
Enjoyable drive back and looking forward to sunny days with the roof down.
Looks great.
The infotainment screen froze on mine a couple of times. Worked after switching the car off, and on again.
Hopefully your roof won't get worse, get into the habit of pushing it backwards when you close it, from outside of the car.
Please keep us updated with your ownership experience.
The infotainment screen froze on mine a couple of times. Worked after switching the car off, and on again.
Hopefully your roof won't get worse, get into the habit of pushing it backwards when you close it, from outside of the car.
Please keep us updated with your ownership experience.
Yes I’ve noticed the same with the nice low mileage cars, higher mileage ones seem to hang around and the same for over priced low mileage ones.
It’s the same with everything I suppose, the right car/house etc at the right price will sell quickly, I missed a few cars by dithering around and giving it too much thought but think I probably got the best one available in the end so all is well.
I was in touch with the dealer about another car and he happened to mention that my car had just come into stock that day, right place right time!
It’s the same with everything I suppose, the right car/house etc at the right price will sell quickly, I missed a few cars by dithering around and giving it too much thought but think I probably got the best one available in the end so all is well.
I was in touch with the dealer about another car and he happened to mention that my car had just come into stock that day, right place right time!
Yes I’ve noticed the same with the nice low mileage cars, higher mileage ones seem to hang around and the same for over priced low mileage ones.
It’s the same with everything I suppose, the right car/house etc at the right price will sell quickly, I missed a few cars by dithering around and giving it too much thought but think I probably got the best one available in the end so all is well.
I was in touch with the dealer about another car and he happened to mention that my car had just come into stock that day, right place right time!
It’s the same with everything I suppose, the right car/house etc at the right price will sell quickly, I missed a few cars by dithering around and giving it too much thought but think I probably got the best one available in the end so all is well.
I was in touch with the dealer about another car and he happened to mention that my car had just come into stock that day, right place right time!
I've found a low mileage car with the right spec. one owner and less than 10k miles. It's an early car (2016)
The only issue is the underside. The subframes and suspension have a fair bit of surface corrosion, far more than I'd expect for the mileage.
I've read that these cars are prone to surface corrosion and obviously I can have it treated. Given the mileage, should I be concerned or is it pretty much to be expected ?
The only issue is the underside. The subframes and suspension have a fair bit of surface corrosion, far more than I'd expect for the mileage.
I've read that these cars are prone to surface corrosion and obviously I can have it treated. Given the mileage, should I be concerned or is it pretty much to be expected ?
mph said:
I've found a low mileage car with the right spec. one owner and less than 10k miles. It's an early car (2016)
The only issue is the underside. The subframes and suspension have a fair bit of surface corrosion, far more than I'd expect for the mileage.
I've read that these cars are prone to surface corrosion and obviously I can have it treated. Given the mileage, should I be concerned or is it pretty much to be expected ?
It's to be expected on cars that have been used through the winter sadly.The only issue is the underside. The subframes and suspension have a fair bit of surface corrosion, far more than I'd expect for the mileage.
I've read that these cars are prone to surface corrosion and obviously I can have it treated. Given the mileage, should I be concerned or is it pretty much to be expected ?
When I was looking for my first one back in 2019 I saw two cars that were worryingly corroded underneath on the subframes etc, both low miles, one was 16,000 miles from memory.
It nearly put me off them, but I was hooked after a road test, I had to have one. They're like an MX5 with all the good bits added, and a bit of rarity thrown in.
Third one I looked at had been garaged when not used, and clearly hadn't been used on salted roads, so that one got bought.
So you've either got to accept them, and get it treated, or be very patient and get one that's been a summer toy.
Early last year when I went to see one for a garage I saw one with rust starting on the rear arch so check for that also, and rust forming in the boot recess near the rear lights.
Many, many, of these were sold on very cheap lease deals early on so would have been daily drivers for most of those buyers.
Not many were bought privately to begin with because of the high price. They got quite heavily discounted in 2017 I think from memory so more were snapped up then by private punters.
If you're patient an uncorroded one will come up.
If I was looking now I'd get the seller to take a flash photo underneath before I travelled to save wasted trips.
Best of luck with your hunt, they're great cars.
mph said:
The car I'm looking at has only done 8k miles in more than 5 years and with one owner.
My thinking is with that sort of mileage it's could only have been a fair weather car, hence my surprise at the corrosion.
The first one I looked at shocked me, I thought it must have been kept by the sea it was so bad.My thinking is with that sort of mileage it's could only have been a fair weather car, hence my surprise at the corrosion.
it was two years old, 16,000 miles.
So I guess a five year old car that's been kept outside could be bad I suppose.
The majority are corroded underneath especially exhaust, they sat at the docks for a long time.
I had a black/black 2018 on the £200 a month lease deal (auto) I would have another but manual.
I paid a donation & had the screen unlocked with lots of additional features appeared.
I still have two cup holders in the garage that were horrendously expensive
I had a black/black 2018 on the £200 a month lease deal (auto) I would have another but manual.
I paid a donation & had the screen unlocked with lots of additional features appeared.
I still have two cup holders in the garage that were horrendously expensive
g40steve said:
The majority are corroded underneath especially exhaust, they sat at the docks for a long time.
I had a black/black 2018 on the £200 a month lease deal (auto) I would have another but manual.
I paid a donation & had the screen unlocked with lots of additional features appeared.
I still have two cup holders in the garage that were horrendously expensive
I think you're right, the majority do have corrosion underneath. I inquired about another low mileage car but it doesn't look any better than the first one. I had a black/black 2018 on the £200 a month lease deal (auto) I would have another but manual.
I paid a donation & had the screen unlocked with lots of additional features appeared.
I still have two cup holders in the garage that were horrendously expensive
As the corrosion usually isn't structural (yet) I've decided the best option is to buy one and have it treated.
Do you want to sell your cup holders ?
Edited by mph on Tuesday 29th March 07:28
I’ve always liked Fiats, especially the sporty ones and my Dad had a series 2 124 Sport Coupe in the 70’s when I was a Baby / Toddler.
When it came to replacing the wife’s Alfa Mito a couple of years ago the search was narrowed down to a Mini Cooper (with plenty of sporty add ons) a BMW 2 Series Convertible and a Fiat 124. All cars needed to be under 2 years old and the intention would be to keep it for 5 years.
The Fiat was my favourite, although it wasn’t my choice. However my concern (didn’t mention this to the wife) was the number of owners the 124’s seem to have had in examples under 2 years old. Three
owners was generally typical.
My thoughts were that people were buying the Fiat and for whatever reason were selling them after 6 months. The Fiat was unfortunately dropped out of contention after this.
I wonder if others have noticed this high turnover of vehicles.
When it came to replacing the wife’s Alfa Mito a couple of years ago the search was narrowed down to a Mini Cooper (with plenty of sporty add ons) a BMW 2 Series Convertible and a Fiat 124. All cars needed to be under 2 years old and the intention would be to keep it for 5 years.
The Fiat was my favourite, although it wasn’t my choice. However my concern (didn’t mention this to the wife) was the number of owners the 124’s seem to have had in examples under 2 years old. Three
owners was generally typical. My thoughts were that people were buying the Fiat and for whatever reason were selling them after 6 months. The Fiat was unfortunately dropped out of contention after this.
I wonder if others have noticed this high turnover of vehicles.
Rob 131 Sport said:
I’ve always liked Fiats, especially the sporty ones and my Dad had a series 2 124 Sport Coupe in the 70’s when I was a Baby / Toddler.
When it came to replacing the wife’s Alfa Mito a couple of years ago the search was narrowed down to a Mini Cooper (with plenty of sporty add ons) a BMW 2 Series Convertible and a Fiat 124. All cars needed to be under 2 years old and the intention would be to keep it for 5 years.
The Fiat was my favourite, although it wasn’t my choice. However my concern (didn’t mention this to the wife) was the number of owners the 124’s seem to have had in examples under 2 years old. Three owners was generally typical.
My thoughts were that people were buying the Fiat and for whatever reason were selling them after 6 months. The Fiat was unfortunately dropped out of contention after this.
I wonder if others have noticed this high turnover of vehicles.
I suspect the Abarth has a very different audience to the Fiat (whilst being the same car) same as 595 vs 500 it’s unlikely many of the owners are interested in the other. When it came to replacing the wife’s Alfa Mito a couple of years ago the search was narrowed down to a Mini Cooper (with plenty of sporty add ons) a BMW 2 Series Convertible and a Fiat 124. All cars needed to be under 2 years old and the intention would be to keep it for 5 years.
The Fiat was my favourite, although it wasn’t my choice. However my concern (didn’t mention this to the wife) was the number of owners the 124’s seem to have had in examples under 2 years old. Three
owners was generally typical. My thoughts were that people were buying the Fiat and for whatever reason were selling them after 6 months. The Fiat was unfortunately dropped out of contention after this.
I wonder if others have noticed this high turnover of vehicles.
ecsrobin said:
I suspect the Abarth has a very different audience to the Fiat (whilst being the same car) same as 595 vs 500 it’s unlikely many of the owners are interested in the other.
Certainly true in my case. The one thing I thought even the Abarth version needed was a bit more performance, nothing OTT just a bit more for overtaking.
Mine's getting a remap from Celtic tuning next month
Just to revisit this thread as I have started looking at the Abarth 124 (manual). My original plan was to buy a 996/997 as a weekend toy, but I am too afraid of the running costs and a big bill which I can't explain to the wife when the car is doing 2-3k miles a year. 165 road tax plus 300 insurance and cheap servicing is an easier sell.
Knowing that I can pop my son (3) in the passenger seat for school runs is a bonus, and I feel that the 124 will give me a lot of the same enjoyment that I used to get from my Elise 111s but with some more comfort and practicality (mainly Isofix if I am honest), and much lower cost of ownership.
2 questions though:
- How much is a waxoil treatment?
- Would keeping the car in a car port be ok? I don't have a full garage but do have a roof and both sides would be protected from rain. It's off road so I am not worried about vandals, but mainly rain and snow, and some afternoon sun
Bonus question:
- Prices seem high for a 3-5 year old low volume Italian (Japanese) roadster - are they likely to fall if cost of living increases as these will be second cars for many?
Knowing that I can pop my son (3) in the passenger seat for school runs is a bonus, and I feel that the 124 will give me a lot of the same enjoyment that I used to get from my Elise 111s but with some more comfort and practicality (mainly Isofix if I am honest), and much lower cost of ownership.
2 questions though:
- How much is a waxoil treatment?
- Would keeping the car in a car port be ok? I don't have a full garage but do have a roof and both sides would be protected from rain. It's off road so I am not worried about vandals, but mainly rain and snow, and some afternoon sun
Bonus question:
- Prices seem high for a 3-5 year old low volume Italian (Japanese) roadster - are they likely to fall if cost of living increases as these will be second cars for many?
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