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2017 Fiat 124 Spider

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You had me at Abarth. Seriously though, I'm sold with a Miata basis, and Abarth grunt it seems like a winner.
 
I have to say I feel conflicted.

I do like the styling. But until I see one in person I don't really know if I'll like it more than the new MX-5's. (Which I do like a lot, finally, after all these years.)

The added power sounds like a good idea at first blush. But it's only 5hp. Maybe it will feel like more with the extra 36 ft-lb of torque. And then there's turbo lag.

The Mazda motor has always been bulletproof. The FIAT? Well, let's just say it's still an unknown.

Unfortunately, both are suffering from the insidious gadget creep that's afflicting all new cars. I practically broke into tears when I saw that the new MX-5 comes only with keyless start. (Actually, I started cursing violently. But you get the point.)

Maybe if they come come out with a true Abarth edition I'll reconsider.


pc
 
I like the looks better than the new Miata, but haven't seen either in the flesh yet. I am truly amazed at the performance they are pulling out of new cars these days. The new Miata weighs about 2200 pounds if I remember right, 155 horsepower, and they are getting 0-60 in 5.7 seconds or something like that. I know it is gross horsepower on our old cars, but a 150 horsepower Healey 3000 was a 9 second car, and I don't think the 140hp Jensen Healeys with similar weight to the Miata did better than 8 plus seconds. I know the speed is not really the point of the Miata or Fiat, but it is interesting the performance they can squeeze out of cars these days.
 
I think part of it is the change over from gross HP to net HP, 155 Net HP out of the Miata is quite a bit more than the 150 gross out of the old Healey.
 
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