Abarth 124 Interior
Discussion
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
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 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!
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.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.
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 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 £22kMine 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.
Anyway Ive got it for free until they can come pick it up (not that its getting much use mind you)
ryebread said:
Rapid rental said:
Well turns out I might be wrong in my prediction on values. Just had a lomg conversation with my local dealer and he advised that they are paying over book at the moment for the cars from the auction sales, as stock is looking a bit thin and they are selling well. In particular the manual cars, but all generally.
I think that just might be because of difficulties in getting stock through from the auctions. There's at least 20 manuals sitting in Manheim's storage at the moment and almost as many autos more. Plus no doubt many more coming on the way as they pick up more expired leases that were so popular this time 2 years ago.The only issue will be getting through as much stock now as they can because it's summer.
I wouldn't be surprised if you just wait until September to see prices drop >10% across the board.
Luke. said:
chrispmartha said:
Mine’s still parked up doing nothing waiting for Manheim/Leasys to give me a date to pick it up it was due back in April, bit annoying as its costing me to insure a car I’m not using.
You don't need to insure it. Leasys will have that covered. PenelopaPitstop said:
Read the contract. Someone will have to pay for the damage. It won't just disappear. Did you take detailed pictures at the end date of the lease and sent them to Leasys? It would be difficult to prove when the damage occured, without pictures.
Unfortunately I didn't.Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff