Fiat 124 Spider vs. MX-5 ND

Fiat 124 Spider vs. MX-5 ND

Author
Discussion

ChrisH72

2,241 posts

54 months

Sunday 29th October 2023
quotequote all
Would you day it's worth the premium over the ND1 1.5?

Looks like they're generally 4-5k more expensive.

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,698 posts

173 months

Sunday 29th October 2023
quotequote all
ChrisH72 said:
Would you day it's worth the premium over the ND1 1.5?

Looks like they're generally 4-5k more expensive.
Based only on the two I drove, probably.

But I’m not convinced the ND1 1.5 I drove was right and therefore a very well sorted early 1.5 would be an awesome little thing.

Scotter

386 posts

97 months

Sunday 29th October 2023
quotequote all
JFReturns said:
Bloody loved it. Absolutely fantastic.

Looks like this thread is going to come to an unsatisfying conclusion and the 124 will remain untested. Whilst I love the look, I can’t see how it will drive better than an ND 2.0!
I refrained yesterday from saying I look forward to seeing your newly purchased ND2 as I was certain you’d fall for it but I didn’t want to cloud your judgement before trying the other options.
They’re a bit special aren’t they?

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,698 posts

173 months

Sunday 29th October 2023
quotequote all
Scotter said:
JFReturns said:
Bloody loved it. Absolutely fantastic.

Looks like this thread is going to come to an unsatisfying conclusion and the 124 will remain untested. Whilst I love the look, I can’t see how it will drive better than an ND 2.0!
I refrained yesterday from saying I look forward to seeing your newly purchased ND2 as I was certain you’d fall for it but I didn’t want to cloud your judgement before trying the other options.
They’re a bit special aren’t they?
You were 100% right yesterday wink

Trevor555

4,466 posts

86 months

Sunday 29th October 2023
quotequote all
JFReturns said:
Bloody loved it. Absolutely fantastic.

Looks like this thread is going to come to an unsatisfying conclusion and the 124 will remain untested. Whilst I love the look, I can’t see how it will drive better than an ND 2.0!
Driven both.

I wouldn't say better at all, just different.

124 has turbo which gives you some oooomppphhh low down the rev range.

The Mazda needs higher revs to get the power.

The 124 Abarth can be remapped to 200bhp

Veloches say it makes a world of difference to them. (167bhp standard)

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,698 posts

173 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
quotequote all
Thought I’d update this thread - unfortunately the 124 remains untested as I went with an ND2 2.0 which I test drove and fell in love with.

I’d very much have liked to test a 124 but there are so few around and those that are are with smaller dealers who (in my case) wouldn’t allow a test until a deal was done.

Ideally I’d have waited until a 124 was available but I’ve been tracking the value of my part exchange over the past couple of months and it’s been dropping a fair bit and I think would continue. So coupled with loving the MX-5 I went for it!

Apologies for the inconclusive thread but if anyone searches in the future there is loads of great opinions in here smile

TameRacingDriver

18,128 posts

274 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
quotequote all
Nice one. You can't really go wrong with an ND 184. Photos when you get it? wink

Mind, how some of these dealers expect to sell cars when they want you to do a deal before buying escapes me...

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,698 posts

173 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
quotequote all
TameRacingDriver said:
Nice one. You can't really go wrong with an ND 184. Photos when you get it? wink

Mind, how some of these dealers expect to sell cars when they want you to do a deal before buying escapes me...
Picked it up this morning and the sun has just come out so off for a drive! Not once did I go for a drive just for the sake of it in my previous car driving


TameRacingDriver

18,128 posts

274 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
quotequote all
Cool little car! Enjoy driving

BoRED S2upid

19,772 posts

242 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
quotequote all
Trevor555 said:
Driven both.

I wouldn't say better at all, just different.

124 has turbo which gives you some oooomppphhh low down the rev range.

The Mazda needs higher revs to get the power.

The 124 Abarth can be remapped to 200bhp

Veloches say it makes a world of difference to them. (167bhp standard)
They just need to depreciate then I can add a second Abarth to my garage.

Mr Tidy

22,727 posts

129 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
quotequote all
JFReturns said:
Picked it up this morning and the sun has just come out so off for a drive! Not once did I go for a drive just for the sake of it in my previous car driving
Congratulations, that looks lovely. thumbup

Earthdweller

13,671 posts

128 months

Friday 3rd November 2023
quotequote all
Well done that looks lovely

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,698 posts

173 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
quotequote all
Thank you both thumbup

dxg

8,321 posts

262 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
quotequote all
It's the best colour, too.

ZX10R NIN

27,756 posts

127 months

Saturday 4th November 2023
quotequote all
Glad you got sorted OP.

Scotter

386 posts

97 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
JFReturns said:
Picked it up this morning and the sun has just come out so off for a drive! Not once did I go for a drive just for the sake of it in my previous car driving

I’ve just caught up with this thread.
What a belter.
No regrets on the choice I assume!

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,698 posts

173 months

Tuesday 21st November 2023
quotequote all
Scotter said:
I’ve just caught up with this thread.
What a belter.
No regrets on the choice I assume!
None whatsoever, bloody love it!