Thinking of buying Abarth 124 spider
Discussion
I’ve been looking at buying an abarth 124 spider, prefer red, age not important as they didn’t make them for long and lowish mileage would be nice.
Anyone know of anyone thinking of selling, prefer to buy privately from the owner, have looked at some at dealers and they are over priced and not great condition. (Ex lease vehicles)
All 3 had scratches on the paintwork, scuffed leather seats( quality of leather known problem) and one had mould in the boot!
Advice on any known problems also welcome 👍
Anyone know of anyone thinking of selling, prefer to buy privately from the owner, have looked at some at dealers and they are over priced and not great condition. (Ex lease vehicles)
All 3 had scratches on the paintwork, scuffed leather seats( quality of leather known problem) and one had mould in the boot!
Advice on any known problems also welcome 👍
Not private but 2 red in stock here: https://www.westsussexspecialistcars.co.uk/used-ca...
I can’t vouch for them as I only ever drive past but in the last few years they seemed to have branched out into buying up a lot of Abarth’s.
I can’t vouch for them as I only ever drive past but in the last few years they seemed to have branched out into buying up a lot of Abarth’s.
Thanks for the link, dealers seem to be getting a lot of ex lease cars in most of which seem to be auto boxes, I’d prefer a manual but not ruled the auto box out completely( sorry I didn’t say that)
If it’s at a dealers I’ve seen it advertised though as I’m looking quite regularly, I’ll know if it’s the right car when I get that gut feeling that it’s the one.
If it’s at a dealers I’ve seen it advertised though as I’m looking quite regularly, I’ll know if it’s the right car when I get that gut feeling that it’s the one.
Have a good look underneath.
I saw three that were very crusty under there, and this was three years ago! (subframes/suspension arms)
The hood can rub on the roll bars, check the front edge of the roof for wear.
This can be avoided by not putting the roof down when sat in the car. Get out and push back slightly on the roof as you fold it down, and you'll see a nice gap between the roof and the roll bars when down.
One of mine slowly lost coolant, that was down to a leaky water pump. That's a big job on these.
If left for more than a couple of weeks unused they can fail to start, the oil drains away from the multiair thingy.
The seat bases are weak and can collapse. Easy to spot as they'll look out of shape.
Now that's out of the way I can tell you these are very enjoyable cars despite their few problems.
I've had two of them as I missed the first one when it went. In fact I could be tempted into another if the prices drop.
LSD, brembo brakes, bilstein suspension, noisy exhaust..
The dealer that bought one of mine said a remap transforms them. (about 200bhp)
Try to get one with the better headlights.
And if you're planning on keeping it, get it waxoiled underneath pronto.
Just remembered another, the exhaust valve sticks unless lubricated very often. Not a massive deal, some owners removed the spring and wired them open. Doesn't actually make a huge difference if it's stuck shut.
I saw three that were very crusty under there, and this was three years ago! (subframes/suspension arms)
The hood can rub on the roll bars, check the front edge of the roof for wear.
This can be avoided by not putting the roof down when sat in the car. Get out and push back slightly on the roof as you fold it down, and you'll see a nice gap between the roof and the roll bars when down.
One of mine slowly lost coolant, that was down to a leaky water pump. That's a big job on these.
If left for more than a couple of weeks unused they can fail to start, the oil drains away from the multiair thingy.
The seat bases are weak and can collapse. Easy to spot as they'll look out of shape.
Now that's out of the way I can tell you these are very enjoyable cars despite their few problems.
I've had two of them as I missed the first one when it went. In fact I could be tempted into another if the prices drop.
LSD, brembo brakes, bilstein suspension, noisy exhaust..
The dealer that bought one of mine said a remap transforms them. (about 200bhp)
Try to get one with the better headlights.
And if you're planning on keeping it, get it waxoiled underneath pronto.
Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 14th February 10:02
Just remembered another, the exhaust valve sticks unless lubricated very often. Not a massive deal, some owners removed the spring and wired them open. Doesn't actually make a huge difference if it's stuck shut.
Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 14th February 10:18
karl c said:
Lots of great info there, I also get the exhaust valve sticking on my TTRS annoying minor problem.
Will be sure to use your post as a check list on viewing, I think their great looking little cars and that’s coming from an S2 Exige.
Wow, that's interesting. I went to the Abarth directly after a TTRSWill be sure to use your post as a check list on viewing, I think their great looking little cars and that’s coming from an S2 Exige.
Here's a couple of pics showing the exhaust valve (spring removed)
You can see it doesn't move very far.
I had one in 2018 and loved it. I'm considering getting another one (certainly on my shortlist) and have recently been looking at the classifieds.
Prices for low mileage cars are definitely on the increase and it seems they're already becoming "collectors cars".
Personally I'd only want a manual as I think it suits the car perfectly. I did read somewhere that they'd only made 1000 rhd manuals but I'm not sure if that's true.
The cars for sale at the dealers above do seem particularly highly priced.
Prices for low mileage cars are definitely on the increase and it seems they're already becoming "collectors cars".
Personally I'd only want a manual as I think it suits the car perfectly. I did read somewhere that they'd only made 1000 rhd manuals but I'm not sure if that's true.
The cars for sale at the dealers above do seem particularly highly priced.
mph said:
I had one in 2018 and loved it. I'm considering getting another one (certainly on my shortlist) and have recently been looking at the classifieds.
Prices for low mileage cars are definitely on the increase and it seems they're already becoming "collectors cars".
Personally I'd only want a manual as I think it suits the car perfectly. I did read somewhere that they'd only made 1000 rhd manuals but I'm not sure if that's true.
The cars for sale at the dealers above do seem particularly highly priced.
That’s just the used market in general. Prices for low mileage cars are definitely on the increase and it seems they're already becoming "collectors cars".
Personally I'd only want a manual as I think it suits the car perfectly. I did read somewhere that they'd only made 1000 rhd manuals but I'm not sure if that's true.
The cars for sale at the dealers above do seem particularly highly priced.
It’s great to get lots people’s points of view on prices and going forward I think it’s a hard one to call, the second hand car market prices are inflated at the moment and some dealers in particular seem to be pricing as though they are selling gold plated cars.
I’m thinking eventually the rarity of the 124 spider and particularly the abarth will make them collectible, especially low mileage well kept examples.
At the moment though only a few are selling as I’m seeing the same cars for sale month on month but it’s a slow time for selling convertible’s traditionally.
Still mustn’t grumble, the search goes on for the right car at a sensible price!
I’m thinking eventually the rarity of the 124 spider and particularly the abarth will make them collectible, especially low mileage well kept examples.
At the moment though only a few are selling as I’m seeing the same cars for sale month on month but it’s a slow time for selling convertible’s traditionally.
Still mustn’t grumble, the search goes on for the right car at a sensible price!
Check out the 124 spider forum.
Lots of information about these cars from enthusiasts.
www.124spider.org.
Love mine as a weekend toy when the weather is fine.
Plenty upgrades are available I have fitted the light weight GT wheels to mine and Apple car play.
As earlier posters have said try and find one with the visibility pack (better headlights and rear parking sensors) you can spot this has the car will have headlight washers fitted. Also the Bose sound system I found was an upgrade. Again the car will have speakers in the headrest and a Bose badge on the seat headrest on the seat side.
I also believe full Abarth service history is nice to have.
Enjoy the search.
Lots of information about these cars from enthusiasts.
www.124spider.org.
Love mine as a weekend toy when the weather is fine.
Plenty upgrades are available I have fitted the light weight GT wheels to mine and Apple car play.
As earlier posters have said try and find one with the visibility pack (better headlights and rear parking sensors) you can spot this has the car will have headlight washers fitted. Also the Bose sound system I found was an upgrade. Again the car will have speakers in the headrest and a Bose badge on the seat headrest on the seat side.
I also believe full Abarth service history is nice to have.
Enjoy the search.
And of course there's this existing thread, on here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.veloces.co.uk/used-abarth-124-new-barn...
Deposit now down on his car subject to inspection, 1 owner 8k miles, full service history, description from sales guy is that it’s in really good condition so hopeful.
Not able to get there until next Wednesday earliest so plenty of time for them to pamper the car, will be putting all the great advice to good use on the inspection.
Thanks all.
Deposit now down on his car subject to inspection, 1 owner 8k miles, full service history, description from sales guy is that it’s in really good condition so hopeful.
Not able to get there until next Wednesday earliest so plenty of time for them to pamper the car, will be putting all the great advice to good use on the inspection.
Thanks all.
karl c said:
https://www.veloces.co.uk/used-abarth-124-new-barn...
Deposit now down on his car subject to inspection, 1 owner 8k miles, full service history, description from sales guy is that it’s in really good condition so hopeful.
Not able to get there until next Wednesday earliest so plenty of time for them to pamper the car, will be putting all the great advice to good use on the inspection.
Thanks all.
That looks lovely, and certainly is top spec.Deposit now down on his car subject to inspection, 1 owner 8k miles, full service history, description from sales guy is that it’s in really good condition so hopeful.
Not able to get there until next Wednesday earliest so plenty of time for them to pamper the car, will be putting all the great advice to good use on the inspection.
Thanks all.
Visibility pack and bose..
Veloches were the people who bought one of mine, good people to deal with.
Please keep the thread updated with your ownership experiences.
WelshRich said:
Wow, I didn't realise Arnold Clack had come down so far south.Are you missing it?
It's a tough car to go on from, they feel so lightweight, and a bit naughty with the exhaust note.
They make so many other cars feel like fast barges.
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