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Fiat 124 Spicder

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Basil

Basil

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As the wife's BWM Z4 is getting long in the tooth, she is contemplating selling and looking for another sports car (she is in love with the top-down sports car experience). Before the BMW she had a Mazda Miata, which she liked and has been looking at those again. However, she has also been looking at the new Fiat 124 Spider. Personally I like the new Fiat. It's made at the same factory as the Miata (in Japan) but has an Italian design, more powerful turbo-charged engine, etc. The interior is virtually identical to the Miata's just slightly different trim. The gearbox is from last year's Miata but the engine is not Miata.

Anyone had any experience or seen the new Spider up close?
 
I got to study one up close at a local car show last August. I talked with the new owner about a half hour too. I have to say that I loved it. I should also say that I previously owned 3 124s, two coupes and one spyder. They were fun cars and I found them to be quite reliable. The only reason I quit FIAT was after they pulled out of the U.S. market it became impossible to get decent parts. After 2 sets of ball joints failed within a year I had enough. The originals lasted almost 100,000.
 
Bayless said:
I got to study one up close at a local car show last August. I talked with the new owner about a half hour too. I have to say that I loved it. I should also say that I previously owned 3 124s, two coupes and one spyder. They were fun cars and I found them to be quite reliable. The only reason I quit FIAT was after they pulled out of the U.S. market it became impossible to get decent parts. After 2 sets of ball joints failed within a year I had enough. The originals lasted almost 100,000.
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I didn't realize they had once pulled out of US market? I assume they are back since we have a Fiat dealer here in Albuquerque now. As far as I can determine this new 124 shares a lot with the Miata and is built at the Miata factory (but in my opinion has a much nicer design). The only Fiat I've ever owned was a 1957 Fiat 1100 Saloon. My sister bought it for $75 from a neighbor and gave it to me when she later bought a VW bug.

1957-Fiat-1100-Saloon-car.jpg
 
If you plan on driving it, I hope you're not tall
 
Bayless said:
I should also say that I previously owned 3 124s, two coupes and one spyder. They were fun cars and I found them to be quite reliable. The only reason I quit FIAT was after they pulled out of the U.S. market it became impossible to get decent parts. After 2 sets of ball joints failed within a year I had enough. The originals lasted almost 100,000.
Click to expand...

Does that explain the "Bayless" name? I had two 124 Spyders and an X 1/9 and enjoyed them all. I look at the new Spyders and think they are very handsome. Although the bodies are made in the Mazda plant, the motors are made in Italy. I think you'd do well to check in on some of the Fiat forums to see if there are any reliability issues as I know some of the 500 models have some problems, but I don't know about the 124s. Of course, I'd want an Abarth version if it was me.
 
DNK said:
If you plan on driving it, I hope you're not tall
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I'm 5'10". We had a 2001 Miata and I had no problems with that, but I could see how someone over 6' would have had an issue with the top up. Of course we'd both test drive first if we were looking to buy.
 
That's a perfect size for that then
I sat in the last gen MX5 and when the top was closed my head hit the material. I also didn't have enough leg room.
The new 5 is even smaller by a bit

Our Z4 is OK for me on medium drives but anything over 3 hours and my legs start to cramp
 
DNK said:
That's a perfect size for that then
I sat in the last gen MX5 and when the top was closed my head hit the material. I also didn't have enough leg room.
The new 5 is even smaller by a bit

Our Z4 is OK for me on medium drives but anything over 3 hours and my legs start to cramp
Click to expand...

How tall are you? Over 6'?
 
HealeyRick said:
Does that explain the "Bayless" name? I had two 124 Spyders and an X 1/9 and enjoyed them all. I look at the new Spyders and think they are very handsome. Although the bodies are made in the Mazda plant, the motors are made in Italy. I think you'd do well to check in on some of the Fiat forums to see if there are any reliability issues as I know some of the 500 models have some problems, but I don't know about the 124s. Of course, I'd want an Abarth version if it was me.
Click to expand...

The Abarth is definitely in consideration. While the motor is made in Italy, I understand the gearbox is straight out of a previous year Miata. Good idea about checking the Fiat forums. If we do get one it won't be for several months yet so there will be some time for people to have some experience and document any early issues in the forums.
 
6 even
I also wouldn't fit if I had to wear a big coat
 
DNK said:
6 even
I also wouldn't fit if I had to wear a big coat
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I recall one of the Youtube videos where a guy was reviewing the 124 and he commented that he'd have trouble with the top up (he was over 6' and his head stuck above the windshield frame LOL)
 
NutmegCT said:
Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/Fiat/124

Edmunds: https://www.edmunds.com/fiat/124-spider/

Car and Driver: https://www.caranddriver.com/fiat/124-spider
Click to expand...

From the Edmunds review: Also adding to its long-distance ability is the 124's increased amount of sound-dampening material compared to the Miata that makes the cabin noticeably quieter at highway speeds.

That could be a real factor since we would not be auto-crossing but would be taking some longer trips in whatever we get.
 
From Consumer's: The two-seater cabin is very tight.

Edmunds: Driver and passenger are likely to bump elbows, and the cabin feels especially cramped if the removable cupholders are secured in their slots at the rear of the center console ...

So if you're planning some longer trips, comfort might be an issue.

TM
 
NutmegCT said:
From Consumer's: The two-seater cabin is very tight.

Edmunds: Driver and passenger are likely to bump elbows, and the cabin feels especially cramped if the removable cupholders are secured in their slots at the rear of the center console ...

So if you're planning some longer trips, comfort might be an issue.

TM
Click to expand...

I'll have to sit in one I guess. Our Miata was similar but we're both not large so might not be as much of an issue. The interior cabin on both the new Miata and the Fiat 124 are supposed to be virtually identical.
 
EVERY road test that I've read says that the Miata is a better choice.
 
AngliaGT said:
EVERY road test that I've read says that the Miata is a better choice.
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My wife isn't into Auto-Cross so there are other considerations - like style. I suspect we will end up test driving both. Personally I like the look of the 124 much better than the narrow-headlamps on the Miata and I also like the longer hood. I have seen drive tests that say they are not that far apart and it really depends on what kind of driving a person does. In this case it will be my wife driving it mostly. Luckily we we still have time to think about it, test them and even consider other possibilities.
 
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