2017 Fiat 124 - The best MX-5 (? or !)

[funwheeldrive]

Now if only it had a fixed top option.

Is there any word on how much the abarth weighs? It can't be less than 2500lbs.

[DarkSunrise]

Crazy. I didn't think Fiat would price the 124 as high as some people were expecting ($35k), but I didn't think it'd be cheaper than or even on par with the Miata either. I wonder if the ND early adopters are kicking themselves for not waiting. The lack of a coupe version rules this out as a track car for me, but I might pick one up in a few years as a daily.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Now if only it had a fixed top option.

Is there any word on how much the abarth weighs? It can't be less than 2500lbs.

Hard top version would be nice, but really... if it only had two extra seats, if it only had a bigger trunk, if it only had a carbon fiber monocoque... that's all day. No car is perfect.

As far as weight goes, it'll probably be somewhere between a MX-5's 2,322 and a Fiat 500 Abarth's 2,512. (Mostly due to the extra length, sound deadening, and engine). Mazda's previous gen NC Miata's ended up between 2,447–2,542 lbs. depending on model. With Abarth's extra power/torque (especially with an ECU tune) and firmer springs even 150-200 lbs above an ND would make it a wash. Heck our 86's are ~425 lbs heavier and are still referred to as a featherweight's by today's standards.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Crazy. I didn't think Fiat would price the 124 as high as some people were expecting ($35k), but I didn't think it'd be cheaper than or even on par with the Miata either. I wonder if the ND early adopters are kicking themselves for not waiting. The lack of a coupe version rules this out as a track car for me, but I might pick one up in a few years as a daily.

Don't think they'll be kicking themselves as most Miata guys will prefer the ND simply because it's a Mazda badge and then look to highlight reasons that the Fiat is inferior. That's kind of the way people tend to roll. Not a huge deal in my book. Personally, this as a weekend or commuter car sounds like blast.

[XanRules]

this is going to be tough not to buy.

[YukiHachiRoku]

If I was in the market again, I'd buy one of these turbo models- if I could not find a decent S2K CR at a fair price. I always wanted an Italian car, being half Italian, cuz it aint gonna be a Ferrari lol

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by XanRules

this is going to be tough not to buy.

Originally Posted by YukiHachiRoku

If I was in the market again, I'd buy one of these turbo models- if I could not find a decent S2K CR at a fair price. I always wanted an Italian car, being half Italian, cuz it aint gonna be a Ferrari lol

Yeah, I'd say anyone looking at a used S2K as a way to get a Miata with power should be cross shopping the Fiata. Obviously not the same, but those cars are closer in spirit than the S2K and the 86.

[synchromesh]

The Abarth Multi-Air was a great little engine on a test drive when coincidentally, the 4C arrived that same exact day last spring.


If somebody needed a new Multi-Air, I'd strongly considere donating mine for a new flat screen TV. An S2000 swap should be able to keep up with some of those Tesla guys.


The FR-S though; it feels good when people are surprised you can fit full sized Rubbermaid bins and relocation-sized luggage in the back.

[Entroper]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Crazy. I didn't think Fiat would price the 124 as high as some people were expecting ($35k), but I didn't think it'd be cheaper than or even on par with the Miata either. I wonder if the ND early adopters are kicking themselves for not waiting. The lack of a coupe version rules this out as a track car for me, but I might pick one up in a few years as a daily.

I think expectations of the price were high because people were also predicting a lot more than a 5 hp boost for the Abarth over the vanilla 124.

I think they hit a sweet spot with price and features, though. All the blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, etc. are optional, which is great since a lot of enthusiasts don't really care about them. People are also crazy about the Recaros. They're available for the ND in non-US regions, but not here.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Entroper

I think expectations of the price were high because people were also predicting a lot more than a 5 hp boost for the Abarth over the vanilla 124.

I think they hit a sweet spot with price and features, though. All the blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, etc. are optional, which is great since a lot of enthusiasts don't really care about them. People are also crazy about the Recaros. They're available for the ND in non-US regions, but not here.

I was just messing around with the online configurator and I agree the packaging of the options is spot on. Most of the packages (Luxury, Safety and Comfort) I wouldn't want so it's great they're not built into the base model. Unfortunately I still couldn't get the price below $30k for the spec I would choose (Abarth, Recaros, Brembos).