Abarth 124 Interior

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chrispmartha

Original Poster:

15,360 posts

128 months

Monday 27th April 2020
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My 124 Spider is sat waiting to be picked up after the Lease ended at the end of last month - no idea when it's going back!

Anyway I thought I'd give it a good clean inside and out as I was bored, it's the first time Ive actually cleaned it as I usually drop it off for a 'valet' very couple of months.

The interior is really poor quality - I've done 7,000 miles in 2 years, the drivers seat leather is coming apart at the seems, the weather on the steering wheel is really worn )looks like it's done 107,000 miles) and al the plastic is scratched.

I'm really glad I leased it as I'd be pissed off if Id paid over £30k for it

Rapid rental

462 posts

221 months

Tuesday 28th April 2020
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Interesting, i had my seat cover changed as its stitching came apart and the base sagged at 10000 miles as well. Mine is due back next week, did Leasys offer you a discount to extend as well?

chrispmartha

Original Poster:

15,360 posts

128 months

Tuesday 28th April 2020
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Rapid rental said:
Interesting, i had my seat cover changed as its stitching came apart and the base sagged at 10000 miles as well. Mine is due back next week, did Leasys offer you a discount to extend as well?
they offered me a 5 months informal extension or asked if I wanted a quote to either formally extend the lease or a purchase price.

I wasn't interested in extending lease as I've bought another car, which is a 30 year old Saab and the interior on that is in better nick!

But I asked for a purchase price just to see what they offered me it for, £17,700 which I think is a fair price for a 2 year old car with 7,000 on the clock, however I dread to think what the interior would be like after another few years!

I have however loved the car I am just a bit disappointed with how poorly the inside is built, the Sat Nav/infotaintment system was piss poor too - both not Abarths fault I suppose!

They better not try charge me for the seat coming apart!

Trevor555

4,405 posts

83 months

Tuesday 28th April 2020
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It's a great shame they're not better built.

I loved mine, and miss it.

I thought shortly after I bought it I'd be keeping it for a long time.

But after having to visit the main dealer for warranty repairs four times in 6 months I lost my bottle about keeping it after the warranty expired.


Rapid rental

462 posts

221 months

Tuesday 28th April 2020
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They wanted £16300 for mine on a 2018 plate with 12k miles, bose and visibility as well. I think they are going to tank in value once the lockdown is over. People are not going to want toys for some time and its ok build quality wise but there have been a few small issues. However it drives better than my Aston did for the fun factor and I will miss it.


CostaBrava1974

149 posts

51 months

Wednesday 29th April 2020
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"I bought a Fiat 124 Lusso just after they appeared in 2016. Since then I've done 58,000 fault free miles in it, not even changed a light bulb yet, just petrol, servicing and tyres. Brilliant little cars, loads of fun and on a cross country early morning run in the Welsh mountains it left my mate's Ferrari 599 for dead..."

Above is what the sales manager for a very well known classic Alfa Romeo specialist posted on the Alfa Owners Club forum. (I believe he also posts on here?)

That commendation of his matches my own experience to date, but if people have had a problem they're more likely to shout about it than the people who haven't.

There's definitely an issue with the interiors on some cars, but mine is mint after two years and - thin as the leather is - a lot seems to depend on how big /tall you are, and how you get in and out of a 124 - technique is important! (As the actress said to the bishop).

Like many cars, from 205 Gti to Delta Integrale, it's the driver's outer seat squab that takes all the punishment, and if you've got the car in a single garage where you can't open the (long!) doors fully, it's that bit which takes the punishment. It's also the bit people complain about on 124s, but at least FIAT don't quibble about it as a warranty issue, which seems pretty fair-minded to me.

chrispmartha

Original Poster:

15,360 posts

128 months

Wednesday 29th April 2020
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CostaBrava1974 said:
"I bought a Fiat 124 Lusso just after they appeared in 2016. Since then I've done 58,000 fault free miles in it, not even changed a light bulb yet, just petrol, servicing and tyres. Brilliant little cars, loads of fun and on a cross country early morning run in the Welsh mountains it left my mate's Ferrari 599 for dead..."

Above is what the sales manager for a very well known classic Alfa Romeo specialist posted on the Alfa Owners Club forum. (I believe he also posts on here?)

That commendation of his matches my own experience to date, but if people have had a problem they're more likely to shout about it than the people who haven't.

There's definitely an issue with the interiors on some cars, but mine is mint after two years and - thin as the leather is - a lot seems to depend on how big /tall you are, and how you get in and out of a 124 - technique is important! (As the actress said to the bishop).

Like many cars, from 205 Gti to Delta Integrale, it's the driver's outer seat squab that takes all the punishment, and if you've got the car in a single garage where you can't open the (long!) doors fully, it's that bit which takes the punishment. It's also the bit people complain about on 124s, but at least FIAT don't quibble about it as a warranty issue, which seems pretty fair-minded to me.
Glad yours has been OK - funny you mention bulbs, my interior bulb went within a month :-) having said that it never bothered me enough to change it so I can't really moan.

Seats sagging and tearing with less than 7,000 miles on the clock is poor form though, especially for a £30k plus car - as I say as much as I've enjoyed it I'm glad I don't own it, I will miss it though don't get me wrong! especially the sound it makes, if they take a massive dip in price over the next few years I may even consider getting another - as long as the seats are OK :-)

CostaBrava1974

149 posts

51 months

Thursday 30th April 2020
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Yes, of course - and I see you mention the £30k+ thing again, as further colouring your views and perception. Which is more than understandable, since that was full list price back in the day - but even then there were bargains to be had.

Mine was only £22k with minimal mileage (eight hundred only) and absolutely mint - as it remains to this day after four thousand miles - why it still seems such a bargain, and doubtless affects my own outlook on the thing. How I value it. A manual, red with heritage black was my absolute priority then, with as near to zero miles as possible.

Though they are all under £20k now - but condition, mileage, and history of course remains everything, as with all cars. There'll be some real bargains out there for sure, now, if you were able to get to them.

I still think they're the nearest thing, fresh out of the box, to a money-no-object-restored classic convertible. Not to mention a load of fun. All about perceptions, again, I guess.

PenelopaPitstop

2,147 posts

132 months

Friday 1st May 2020
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I had my Abarth 124 for a year now and interior looks fine. It may suffer from seat sagging but it doesn't look serious. Otherwise, it's in very good condition inside. I should probably add, that 7500 miles were done mostly on longer trips, so I didn't get in and out every 5 minutes (except in the Alps for photos).

In terms of faults, coil pack failed at around 2400 miles. Yes, there are interior rattles but I'm not going to waste my time to fix them, car is too cheap for that. There's also rust under the seal in the boot, will mention it during the service, when dealership opens.

In general, I'm happy with small, fun car, without too many tech gizmos. Right now, it's designated daily driver, except it's more like weekly.

I was hoping to go for another Alpine trip in summer but it doesn't look like it will happen, so will probably extend my lease for couple of months, to do this next summer. I have spare miles, so can take this 5 months informal extension without extra pro-rata miles. I haven't considered buying it out yet, but will think about it closer to end of lease. Depends what else will be on the market and at what price.

Edited by PenelopaPitstop on Friday 1st May 16:33

chrispmartha

Original Poster:

15,360 posts

128 months

Friday 1st May 2020
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CostaBrava1974 said:
Yes, of course - and I see you mention the £30k+ thing again, as further colouring your views and perception. Which is more than understandable, since that was full list price back in the day - but even then there were bargains to be had.

Mine was only £22k with minimal mileage (eight hundred only) and absolutely mint - as it remains to this day after four thousand miles - why it still seems such a bargain, and doubtless affects my own outlook on the thing. How I value it. A manual, red with heritage black was my absolute priority then, with as near to zero miles as possible.

Though they are all under £20k now - but condition, mileage, and history of course remains everything, as with all cars. There'll be some real bargains out there for sure, now, if you were able to get to them.

I still think they're the nearest thing, fresh out of the box, to a money-no-object-restored classic convertible. Not to mention a load of fun. All about perceptions, again, I guess.
Oh don’t get me wrong I have enjoyed having it and I will miss it, I think it would be a great second car to have for the summer, for £210 per month on lease I don’t think much would come close to it to be fair but as I say if I had paid for it outright I would be a bit annoyed at the points I raised, even at £22k

Anyway Ive got it for free until they can come pick it up (not that its getting much use mind you)

Caterhamfan

304 posts

169 months

Wednesday 6th May 2020
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Ours has done 56,000kms (nearly 35,000 miles) in the three years we've had it. It's been our "daily driver" and the interior looks like new (apart from the inevitable dust that gets into the crevices James May would get his tiny brushes into). No problems at all, apart from the SatNav that, at rare and random intervals, either doesn't load up at all or loads up and works but doesn't give any voice prompts of any sort. It's more of a nuisance than anything as we usually know where we're going (and have a road atlas!) but the dealer and Fiat are still trying to work out what's going on. A rare, intermittent fault is always going to be challenging to diagnose frown

The car itself is brilliant, much better looking than the Mazda and much, much rarer, it garners a lot of attention, partly because most people have no idea what an "Abarth" is - and we have yet to see another one on the road smile It's comfortable enough for long cross-country jaunts and has enough luggage space for holidays. It's also great fun to drive on the road or for trackdays, goes round corners well, has a very pleasant throaty burble and has averaged nearly 50mpg overall. (I'm obviously not driving it fast enough!) The roof is so easy and quick to put up or down, traffic lights give plenty of time to do either and no electrical mechanism to go wrong.

Apart from the niggle with the SatNav the main complaint is the lack of a glove box or door pockets.

We had to pay full list ($55,000 New Zealand) but didn't want to wait for the secondhand market, which was just as well, we'd have missed out on nearly two years of driving before another white one turned up significantly cheaper than what we paid. Definitely a keeper!

ric p

563 posts

268 months

Wednesday 6th May 2020
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Caterhamfan, I’m interested in your daily driver experience. I’m looking at one to replace my Alfa GT. I do 35 miles each way on open A road or dual carriageway.
How has it been through the winter months or on a longer journey comfort wise? I can see the fun for the summer but a dark winter’s morning?
I almost prefer the softer Fiat 124 For the tan leather but there are plenty of mods you can do to tighten them up including a remap to the Abarth spec.

Caterhamfan

304 posts

169 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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ric p said:
Caterhamfan, I’m interested in your daily driver experience. I’m looking at one to replace my Alfa GT. I do 35 miles each way on open A road or dual carriageway.
How has it been through the winter months or on a longer journey comfort wise? I can see the fun for the summer but a dark winter’s morning?
I almost prefer the softer Fiat 124 For the tan leather but there are plenty of mods you can do to tighten them up including a remap to the Abarth spec.
It's been great all year round, visibility is obviously better with the top down but the cockpit design and wind deflector mean that, if it's not raining, it's possible to drive it like that nearly all the time. No leaks in the rain, the heater and heated seats mean I have had the roof off even when the dash temperature reads 6 degrees C and been quite comfortable in a light coat, hat and (occasionally) gloves. The aircon demists the screen very quickly, but on a cold, damp day it needs to be on pretty much all the time otherwise it mists up again. The heated rear screen works well but heated mirrors would be useful some mornings. The headlights are brilliant and we have the adaptive ones that turn for corners, so no problems in the dark. Long journey are no problem either, we've been on car runs where we've driven for a total of 8 hours in a day and got out with no aches or pains - and done that for four days running. We're in New Zealand and NZ roads are very similar to A and B roads in the UK but mostly a coarse chip surface rather than tarmac where we are (bottom of the South Island) with frequent dips, bumps and irregularities. I think the spec must be different to the UK Abarth as the ride is more comfortable and compliant than the Peugeot 206CC and the BMW Z4 that we had before, it goes over bridge joints (like the joints you get on the concrete sections of the M25) with no fuss and rides nicely over bumps and dips whereas the road tests I've read from the UK all say the Abarth is very stiffly sprung. As I said in my original post, the quad-pipe exhaust has a pleasant throaty burble and even at high revs isn't loud.

Compared to the Peugeot 206CC, it is a lot less draughty with the roof down - and has a bigger boot than the 206 or the Z4 in that configuration. It's a lot more nimble and fun to drive than either of them too smile

PenelopaPitstop

2,147 posts

132 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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It can be tricky in heavy rain on motorway with poor surface. I commuted in my Abarth a bit, 38 miles one way, dual carriageway, M25 and then town. Worst part was in winter in rainy evenings. Sometimes I drove on slowest lane due too excessive water on the road.

Otherwise, it's decent car as daily if you're not bothered by size, noise, etc. I drove it as often as I could but at some point, after another rainy evening I gave up and drove my other car until weather improved.

I had no problem with heating, demisting or anything like it. Always parked car with front under the house, so didn't have to de-frost it in winter.

Your route could be much better and not a problem in any weather

Edited by PenelopaPitstop on Thursday 7th May 16:57

CostaBrava1974

149 posts

51 months

dxg

8,122 posts

259 months

Tuesday 12th May 2020
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I, too, am rather disappointed in the quality of my MX5's interior. It's only done 6,000 miles and the steering wheel leather is really torn up. I've been as careful as I can, but with a tight cabin and such cheap / thin leather, it only have to breathe on it and it gets scuffed.

Ironically, this is largely due to the way I position myself when getting in and out to try to avoid wearing out the seat bolster because it was looking tired about 3,000 miles in.

The interior plastics are as cheap as chips, but that's par for the course and the not the point of the car... But the steering wheel? The primary point of contact?

CostaBrava1974

149 posts

51 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2020
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Of Mazda design and manufacture, the MX5/124 interiors and their strong ergonomic/functional quality are an obvious point of commonality between the Mazda and a FIAT/Abarth, which certainly is a good thing, but one of the things which I like most of all about my 124 Spider is that it most definitely is not a Mazda.....

We all have different priorities, but having test-driven them all in each and every variant, both FIAT/Abarth and Mazda, that personal preference/prejudice of mine was formed by the driving experience as much as by their external appearance - important as that aspect undoubtedly is for me.

Italianate looks and turbo performance-characteristics what clinched it for me.

ryebread

213 posts

76 months

Monday 29th June 2020
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Rapid rental said:
They wanted £16300 for mine on a 2018 plate with 12k miles, bose and visibility as well. I think they are going to tank in value once the lockdown is over. People are not going to want toys for some time and its ok build quality wise but there have been a few small issues. However it drives better than my Aston did for the fun factor and I will miss it.
I've been keeping an eye on them recently. Still need something to replace the Giulia that went back last September!

There's like 50 cars waiting to go up on auction on Manheim so they'll be a surge coming through the dealers soon. Plus like you said, not much appetite for toys post lockdown and summers ending soon.

If I could find one with visibility pack and the heritage pack that's not stupidly priced (or an auto) I'd buy one now!

One which note... if anyone gets a quote from leasys about buying their ex-lease car and it's got the heritage & visibility pack. Give me a DM :P

PenelopaPitstop

2,147 posts

132 months

Tuesday 30th June 2020
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I think auto model went up in price due to spring/summer. They were cheaper before. I'm checking prices daily on Autotrader. You can see when cars arrive from auction, a few at the time, but they are not flooding the market.

CostaBrava1972

149 posts

51 months

Tuesday 30th June 2020
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I really wouldn't fret about the 'visibility pack' as a deal-breaker, since the standard headlamps with decent bulbs are more than good enough; while I find turning my head and actually looking back (aided by a Mark One Eyeball or two) is infinitely more helpful than those panic stricken bleepers on my reversing sensors.

Quaint but true.

And as for the 'heritage pack', well that's an effect easily and economically replicated by your local wrap applier.....

Provided of course that it's a genuine 'Abarth' and a manual - the most important thing is condition. After that, the other big thing to watch out for is the condition. Have a really, really good look underneath - especially at the back and underneath the arches. These cars are poorly protected from new and - absent any protection - it's underneath which will decide your choice of car, rather than colour - and regardless of any 'visibility pack'......

I was slow to come round to these cars but they're probably the most fun on a British 'B' road I've ever owned, and that includes some proper forest rally cars. Good luck!