Fiat 124 Spider vs. MX-5 ND
Discussion
JFReturns said:
ulakye said:
The MX5 is the better driver's car but I test drove both and went with the 124. I found the suspension a bit softer and better at dealing with potholes etc but you still have 90% of the handling of the MX5.
There really isn't much in it between the two. The extra torque of the turbocharged engine makes the 124 feel quicker even when it isn't.
I've had my 124 for 5 years and not regretted getting it for a second.
Previously I had an MX5 NC for 4 years and loved it but you can feel the benefit of the ND/124 weighing a bit less.
Thanks for the reply There really isn't much in it between the two. The extra torque of the turbocharged engine makes the 124 feel quicker even when it isn't.
I've had my 124 for 5 years and not regretted getting it for a second.
Previously I had an MX5 NC for 4 years and loved it but you can feel the benefit of the ND/124 weighing a bit less.
Did you test drive the 1.5 or 2.0 MX-5?
What trim level did you go for in the 124? Lusso seems the sweet spot but I think the LED lights from the lusso plus are worth having. Not bothered about the Bose.
The MX5 ND I test drove was the 2.0 although it was the RF version so not quite comparing like with like.
The comments about the soundproofing are true although both the 124 & ND are much better than the NC in that regard.
In 9 years of owning the NC & 124 the only thing I've ever had go wrong with either was a leaking shock absorber on the NC that was replaced under warranty.
ulakye said:
Apologies for the late reply. I went for a Lusso plus - black with tan leather interior. The LED lights are great. I've also got the Bose system but it isn't worth it. The previous owner had front parking sensors fitted which I don't think are a normal option but with the long bonnet have been worth having.
The MX5 ND I test drove was the 2.0 although it was the RF version so not quite comparing like with like.
The comments about the soundproofing are true although both the 124 & ND are much better than the NC in that regard.
In 9 years of owning the NC & 124 the only thing I've ever had go wrong with either was a leaking shock absorber on the NC that was replaced under warranty.
Lusso Plus, black with tan leather sounds absolutely perfect! The MX5 ND I test drove was the 2.0 although it was the RF version so not quite comparing like with like.
The comments about the soundproofing are true although both the 124 & ND are much better than the NC in that regard.
In 9 years of owning the NC & 124 the only thing I've ever had go wrong with either was a leaking shock absorber on the NC that was replaced under warranty.
Snow and Rocks said:
Are any of you guys on the taller side? I'm 6ft 2 and can fit in our ancient 986 Boxster but apparently the MX5 is pretty tight.
Could be quite tempted if I can fit now that prices are coming down a bit.
NoCould be quite tempted if I can fit now that prices are coming down a bit.
If you’ve short legs and a long torso you can get brackets which lower the seat but long legs you’ll struggle.
I’m 5’8 and there isn’t much adjustment left, anything over 5’10 is going to be tight.
£15K you say? Here's a £15K Abarth 124. You would be mental going for the Fiat version if you have £15k IMO.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...
TameRacingDriver said:
£15K you say? Here's a £15K Abarth 124. You would be mental going for the Fiat version if you have £15k IMO.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...
Depends what you want really, the abarth is much stiffer than the fiat. The exhaust is much louder and most have the heritage stripe so it won’t suit everybody.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...
It also doesn’t have a reversing camera, though again it’s available for retrofit.
but then I've never really been one who's been overly concerned about subtlety in a car 
Snow and Rocks said:
Are any of you guys on the taller side? I'm 6ft 2 and can fit in our ancient 986 Boxster but apparently the MX5 is pretty tight.
Could be quite tempted if I can fit now that prices are coming down a bit.
I haven't driven the NC or 124, but at 6'5" I could fit fairly comfortably in the NA and ND but not the NB. The NA required a foamectomy to the backrest, but the ND belongs to a friend so I got by without taking a knife to the seat.Could be quite tempted if I can fit now that prices are coming down a bit.
TameRacingDriver said:
£15K you say? Here's a £15K Abarth 124. You would be mental going for the Fiat version if you have £15k IMO.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...
I mean yeah, I do love them. But they’re a lot more expensive like for like and I think I prefer the slightly more understated nature of the Fiat. Conjecture, but from what I’ve read there’s barely anything between them performance wise too!https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...
Which ever one you buy OP have a good nose underneath as they can suffer bad subframe corrosion.
They were 2/3 years old when I was looking, and two cars I viewed were heavily corroded on the subframes.
I dread to think what those two cars would look like now underneath.
I ended up buying a second one after the first one went, I missed it.
I'd recommend the Abarth version though, I'm sure the residuals will be good on them, 5,000 of them in UK?
Abarth gets
LSD
Bilstein suspension
Brembo brakes
Monza exhaust (a bit farty for some)
Nicer seats (seat bases can collapse over time)
Early cars had Ltd edition plaque
A bit of alcantara inside
Rumours were around that all the Abarth 124's for the UK market were built in 2016 and shipped over here.
The later registered ones having been sat in a compound somewhere near the sea.
There was more than one forum member reporting they'd bought brand new 2018 cars that were waxoiled underneath by the supplying dealer to cover up the rust.
As I said, have a good look underneath.
They were 2/3 years old when I was looking, and two cars I viewed were heavily corroded on the subframes.
I dread to think what those two cars would look like now underneath.
I ended up buying a second one after the first one went, I missed it.
I'd recommend the Abarth version though, I'm sure the residuals will be good on them, 5,000 of them in UK?
Abarth gets
LSD
Bilstein suspension
Brembo brakes
Monza exhaust (a bit farty for some)
Nicer seats (seat bases can collapse over time)
Early cars had Ltd edition plaque
A bit of alcantara inside
Rumours were around that all the Abarth 124's for the UK market were built in 2016 and shipped over here.
The later registered ones having been sat in a compound somewhere near the sea.
There was more than one forum member reporting they'd bought brand new 2018 cars that were waxoiled underneath by the supplying dealer to cover up the rust.
As I said, have a good look underneath.
Edited by Trevor555 on Friday 27th October 12:34
biggbn said:
An ND MX5 in 'base engine' 1.5 but with decent spec is another 'on my list' car...I'll really have to get round to seeing if I fit!!
That appeals to me too.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023080303...
Something like that could sit alongside my Fiesta ST if I can get around driveway space issues and also SWMBO!
Mind you I have noticed the 2.0 is really no more money. And whilst the 1.5 might be sweeter, the 2.0 is quicker, comes with LSD and nicer 17 inch grey wheels.
I was expecting them to be down to 10k now. Maybe as we get a little further into the winter.
ChrisH72 said:
biggbn said:
An ND MX5 in 'base engine' 1.5 but with decent spec is another 'on my list' car...I'll really have to get round to seeing if I fit!!
That appeals to me too.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023080303...
Something like that could sit alongside my Fiesta ST if I can get around driveway space issues and also SWMBO!
Mind you I have noticed the 2.0 is really no more money. And whilst the 1.5 might be sweeter, the 2.0 is quicker, comes with LSD and nicer 17 inch grey wheels.
I was expecting them to be down to 10k now. Maybe as we get a little further into the winter.
I've yet to try either the 1.5 or the 2.0 but yes it seems the 1.5 has softer suspension and 16 inch wheels. Obviously lighter too which could add to the fun. I guess the fact there are more 2.0's around keeps prices similar.
SEL Nav might be worth a look but Sport Nav adds heated leather seats and reversing sensors which could be useful.
SEL Nav might be worth a look but Sport Nav adds heated leather seats and reversing sensors which could be useful.
TameRacingDriver said:
They say the 1.5 is the more fun engine against the early 2.0. More revvy and better sounding, returns better MPG (if it matters, 50+), lighter in the nose, and makes it (IIRC) the only ND MX-5 that gets close to or even dips under a ton.
Yup, sounds like the one to have!! Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff