Saturday 9th July 2016

Fiat 124 Spider - video roadtest

Is the Italian sunshine enough to put Fiat's retro-modern 124 Spider in a favourable light?

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If Fiat wanted the 124 Spider to shine on home soil it had a funny way of showing it, the launch route basically a traffic-clogged tour of slow-moving roads between Verona and Lake Garda. With a stop-off for some manner of web broadcast press conference. And a big lunch.

Much as we liked the idea of the latter we decided to elope and take the 124 Spider off-piste, up into the mountains and onto some proper roads to really put it to the test. And here's the video of that drive, exploring the vital question of whether or not Fiat has put sufficient ground between the Spider and the MX-5 on which it is based.

Fiat 124 Spider video roadtest

 

[RanchoGrande]

How to make any car appear deeply uncool: Put this guy in it.

[fourscore]

Solid review, and nice work on getting the tail out there at the beginning!

[xjay1337]

RanchoGrande said:

How to make any car appear deeply uncool: Put this guy in it.

Bit harsh, but he is a bit Auto Express.

On the topic of the car, I prefer the MX5 in every way. Especially styling.

[torchy6]

Why oh why do you ALWAYS have to ruin a video with unnecessary trashy music???!!!

[em177]

RanchoGrande said:

How to make any car appear deeply uncool: Put this guy in it.

As mentioned, bit harsh, but have to agree, think it's better you stick to the writing Dan... The game has moved on with video reviews these days, Pistonheads should be better than this.

[theholygrail]

em177 said:

RanchoGrande said:

How to make any car appear deeply uncool: Put this guy in it.

As mentioned, bit harsh, but have to agree, think it's better you stick to the writing Dan... The game has moved on with video reviews these days, Pistonheads should be better than this.

Wow tough crowd! I've seen far worse. It was perhaps a bit short on substance; left me wanting more. I actually like the MX5 and this in equal measure. The interiors look pretty good. Neither car particularly stirs my loins but if I wanted cheap, uncomplicated roof-down fun I'd imagine they'd both fit the bill quite well.

[audidoody]

Harsh and not fair. Not everyone can be Clarkson (as CE demonstrated).

You try speaking lucidly to a camera without 'humming' and 'aaahing" while driving in just one or two 'takes'.

Oh yes. I prefer this to the MX5 for a second 'toy' summer car

[unrepentant]

I had the "old" 124 Spider in the 90's and I loved it. I always regretted selling it although it was replaced by faster and more exotic machinery. I'm looking forward to seeing this one in the flesh and I hope it works for them. Fiat and Alfa are back in the USA and that's good to see.

I built one to see if I can tempt myself. $30k for an Abarth, seems like a lot of fun for the money. Now, where can I put that extra garage.....

[RanchoGrande]

audidoody said:

Harsh and not fair. Not everyone can be Clarkson (as CE demonstrated).

You try speaking lucidly to a camera without 'humming' and 'aaahing" while driving in just one or two 'takes'.

Harsh but a fair assessment, he comes across as a total dweeb. I thought this when I saw the desperate PH TV on a random freesat channel the other day. Some people are just not right for TV work and this guy is one of them.

[Dan Trent]

RanchoGrande said:

Harsh but a fair assessment, he comes across as a total dweeb. I thought this when I saw the desperate PH TV on a random freesat channel the other day. Some people are just not right for TV work and this guy is one of them.

Amateur level - you need to learn how to do it properly from the YouTube commentators. Apparently my arms are too girly to manhandle the total animal of a car that is the Fiat 124 Spider!

Sorry you didn't enjoy the vid though. Maybe next time!

Dan

[Kawasicki]

I enjoyed the video, thanks.

I would a prefer a bit more detail on the driving itself, but overall it was watchable.

Dan comes across as a nerdy driving/car enthusiast, not cool at all....a bit like me then.

[daemon]

Nigh on £20K for one of these?

Or an mx-5 starting at £1,500 less?

I know where my money would be....

[Scottie - NW]

RanchoGrande said:

How to make any car appear deeply uncool: Put this guy in it.

It depends how you view it. Against the best video makers then yes.

But take this for what it is, a PH article that benefits from some video footage, and it's an advantage to the article.

[skip_1]

I prefer the styling of the Fiat over the Mazda.

[BVB]

This car makes the new MX5 look absolutely terrible. Well done Fiat.

[Nick928]

I'll go against the masses and say I liked the video but not a fan of the looks of the 124 at all.
Some more videos please Dan, chop chop.

[loafer123]

Good video, in my view.

I am also delighted to hear that many don't like the 124 as this is currently at the top of the list when the kids leave home!

[CooperD]

I enjoyed the review. I thought the reviewer did a pretty decent job. It's a car I like and certainly intend to have a test drive in having previously owned a Fiat X1/9 which was a car I really enjoyed driving although it was a bit of a money pit.

[ChasW]

RanchoGrande said:

How to make any car appear deeply uncool: Put this guy in it.

Clearly judges cars by the drivers. Really objective!

I quite enjoyed it. I am sick of screaming and howling road testers and not learning anything about the car. I also happen to think the Fiat is quite cool.

[vrooom]

open rear diff ?