RE: Abarth 124 Spider vs. Mazda MX-5 2.0
Discussion
The side profile of the Mazda looks as if somebody has crashed it into a wall & the front wings crushed skywards. It really is a titchy awkward looking thing with a mean sized cabin & boot, the former dominated by a laptop that somebody had left behind.
Rightly said it's no sports car more a fun al fresco toy.
The first 2 versions of the MX-5 now look even better.
Rightly said it's no sports car more a fun al fresco toy.
The first 2 versions of the MX-5 now look even better.
I had a mk2 MX-5 and absolutely loved it, best car I've driven by a long way. Super fun accelerating with a great induction noise, and even more fun throwing it around a corner.
But I had to replace it with a new car as the underside of the car resembled an exploded bomb. I test drove the 2.0 new MX-5 and was really quite disappointed by it. It felt much more insulated and disconnected from the road. Didn't like the electric steering at all, couldn't really feel what the car was doing. It was quiet and speedy and smooth but that wasn't what I wanted from it - give me the proper old MX-5 any day of the week.
between the MX-5 and the Abarth, the 124 looks great and abarth is probably more fun. Not sure what justifies the huge pricetag though, especially when Abarth 500 series are so cheap.
But I had to replace it with a new car as the underside of the car resembled an exploded bomb. I test drove the 2.0 new MX-5 and was really quite disappointed by it. It felt much more insulated and disconnected from the road. Didn't like the electric steering at all, couldn't really feel what the car was doing. It was quiet and speedy and smooth but that wasn't what I wanted from it - give me the proper old MX-5 any day of the week.
between the MX-5 and the Abarth, the 124 looks great and abarth is probably more fun. Not sure what justifies the huge pricetag though, especially when Abarth 500 series are so cheap.
Edited by treeroy on Thursday 12th October 17:31
Bright Halo said:
There’s a normal Fiat 124 right?
So they should have made the Abarth more extreme, bigger more powerful engine, more extreme suspension set up etc.
The abarth has 30bhp more than the normal one (20% more than the normal one). The thing is the 124 starts as a sports car, whereas the 500 does not, so the jump isn't going to be as much.So they should have made the Abarth more extreme, bigger more powerful engine, more extreme suspension set up etc.
Abarth is quicker, lighter, more economical and cheaper on tax, worth mentioning when trying to justify the price tag.....I sat in one recently at the abarth showroom and have to say it did feel special. A bit of a strange one though, I have an Abarth 595 with the same engine as the 124, I absolutely love my 595, the engine especially....but, and here's the rub, I wouldn't want it in a 2 seater open top sports car. So, Im still sat on the fence!
jenkosrugby said:
Abarth is quicker, lighter, more economical and cheaper on tax, worth mentioning when trying to justify the price tag.....I sat in one recently at the abarth showroom and have to say it did feel special. A bit of a strange one though, I have an Abarth 595 with the same engine as the 124, I absolutely love my 595, the engine especially....but, and here's the rub, I wouldn't want it in a 2 seater open top sports car. So, Im still sat on the fence!
Yes, I sat in an abarth 124 at a dealer and thought it felt great inside.ZX10R NIN said:
I prefer the looks of the 124 the price would be a hinderance but hey it's an individual choice.
I bought a 124 Lusso because it wasn't as shouty as the Abarth and I didn't need the extra 30 horses, jiggly suspension and red rev counter. Yeah, a limited slip diff would be nice but not for the extra 7 grand the Abarth is. I think it's the better car overall.
I'd have bought an MX 5 otherwise but couldn't get over the way they look, just a bit dumpy for me.
te, fact. No thanks.Otispunkmeyer said:
Mx5 for me. Oh wait I'm too tall and can't fit. 
But you’d fit in a 124. I’m 6’3” and fit fine. I also think it looks great however the price needs to drop a bit before it becomes competitive. As for power the Abarth with a remap is going to be close to 200bhp for a small price.
I’ve just purchased a one year old Abarth 124 Spider with just 650 miles on it after considering buying a new one. This had the exact same spec I would have ordered new and was over a £9K saving!
As the car passes its first year anniversary, I think there are some good deals around on used – certainly happy with the deal I got.
Picking it up in the morning and looking forward to the first drive in it. I’ve yet to actually see an Abarth 124 Spider on the road (apart from the ones I have seen at Abarth dealers). It will be interesting to see how many people ask me what make it is with it being such a rare car!
As the car passes its first year anniversary, I think there are some good deals around on used – certainly happy with the deal I got.
Picking it up in the morning and looking forward to the first drive in it. I’ve yet to actually see an Abarth 124 Spider on the road (apart from the ones I have seen at Abarth dealers). It will be interesting to see how many people ask me what make it is with it being such a rare car!
A124S said:
I’ve just purchased a one year old Abarth 124 Spider with just 650 miles on it after considering buying a new one. This had the exact same spec I would have ordered new and was over a £9K saving!
As the car passes its first year anniversary, I think there are some good deals around on used – certainly happy with the deal I got.
Picking it up in the morning and looking forward to the first drive in it. I’ve yet to actually see an Abarth 124 Spider on the road (apart from the ones I have seen at Abarth dealers). It will be interesting to see how many people ask me what make it is with it being such a rare car!
Now that is a deal! I’d happily pay that for one (in fact that’s cheaper than my 595.) As the car passes its first year anniversary, I think there are some good deals around on used – certainly happy with the deal I got.
Picking it up in the morning and looking forward to the first drive in it. I’ve yet to actually see an Abarth 124 Spider on the road (apart from the ones I have seen at Abarth dealers). It will be interesting to see how many people ask me what make it is with it being such a rare car!
I recently went to a dealer that had the MX5 and the Abarth 124 and to be honest I would have gone for the Abarth.
The interior of the Mazda was a bit meh! but when you sit in the Abarth then it is a very nice place to be. Given the looks, I would also go with the Abarth as with the black bonnet/white combo it is a good looking car.
As most people say, the price of the 124 is going to put it outside of most peoples budget which is a shame. That said, most dealers seem to have ex demo/pre-reg with around 5k off list which makes it about right.
The interior of the Mazda was a bit meh! but when you sit in the Abarth then it is a very nice place to be. Given the looks, I would also go with the Abarth as with the black bonnet/white combo it is a good looking car.
As most people say, the price of the 124 is going to put it outside of most peoples budget which is a shame. That said, most dealers seem to have ex demo/pre-reg with around 5k off list which makes it about right.
RichB said:
redroadster said:
Fiat looks fugly compared to Mazda ,pity they did not stick to plan and use it as a base Alfa this would have been far nicer looking from renderings pics I saw .
Indeed, it could have been a really good looking sports car
I think people need to get used to downsized engines, especially with the whole hybrid thing coming along. Dont judge on cc but on results.
Saying that I would pick the ND over the 124 as I seriously dislike the abarth looks.
The key to the mx5 as said above is its fun, its fun without breaking speed limits, its fun even when not thrashing it, its not (in retail guise) a track car or outright performance sportster, 5k to BBR changes that somewhat and still change from the abarth...
Saying that I would pick the ND over the 124 as I seriously dislike the abarth looks.
The key to the mx5 as said above is its fun, its fun without breaking speed limits, its fun even when not thrashing it, its not (in retail guise) a track car or outright performance sportster, 5k to BBR changes that somewhat and still change from the abarth...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff