Fiat 124 Spider Abarth .

Mike X

Member
Messages
233
Has any one had a go in a Fiat 124 Spider , the Abarth version ?
We saw one the other day and thought it looked rather cute , not sure if the guy driving it was trying but we easily slipped past and left him for dead .
 

pj_sibley

Member
Messages
136
Not been in one, but a friend of mine recently bought a Californian 124 Spider import and is planning a full restoration to Abarth spec. A museum in Belgium can supply the correct Abarth panels apaparently!
 

JONT-QP6

New Member
Messages
21
It only has a 1.4 lite engine and is based on an Mx5. I would buy a 2.0 MX5, I have had one before, it’s amazing, but a bit tight if you are really tall.


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Mike X

Member
Messages
233
Yea , they do look a bit snug .
I like the idea of them but I bet the price drops sharply after a few years , might be worth waiting a bit .
 

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
They were leasing them for a daft number last year , £200 a month , something like that
 

hashluck

Member
Messages
1,515
Friend had one. A lot more noise than go. It should work but somehow doesn't (and I cannot put my finger on why but there are better cars for the money).
 

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
Even with silly lease deals they couldn't get rid of them, a shame as they drive really nice
Everybody thinks you need the power but the MX5 on which this is based is all about the handling and throwing it round twisty roads within the speed limit
Without exception a mx5 is the most fun car I've ever driven so I'd expect the fiat to be the same
 

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
100% agree re handling etc

Prefer the looks of the MX5 which is a sad statement to have to make.
 
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6,001
I am your man
No.2 son was interested in one near me at a Fiat garage. he lives in Leeds so I went to check said car out.
It was heavily discounted at £22000 and more or less new ( I will see if I can get a picture)
Anyway, It was lovely inside and I seriously contemplated buying it myself. It was indeed snug but not uncomfortable (I am tall) and the interior was nice. This particular model was an Auto which suits me but maybe not an avid driver.
No 2 son sold his Fiat Spider the other day with WBAC.com at a fair price.
The slimey sales rep mentioned in an earlier Good Morning thread did some numbers on Friday gone and the best deal for No 2 son was a straight purchase.
The Fiat Spider (£6000 ish trade in) and £376 per month over 5 years for the Abarth
or
Trade in + £5000 equates to £272 per month
or
Trade in + £10000 equates to £168 per month
The car had been moved from Boro to possibly York (hence I will have to look for a picture of it if I can) and the rep did not want to lose a sale and so would bring it back for us.
That is where we are at the mo, but it looks as though the whole deal is off totally as No2 son is enjoying the proceeds of the sale to WBAC.com!
 

Mike X

Member
Messages
233
This is the one near me .
I love the look , I get the bit about the twisties and that it’s all about the handling , but what about when you want to get to the twisty bits or have had enough and just want to get home , have they got the guts on the straight bits .
 

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Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
This is the one near me .
I love the look , I get the bit about the twisties and that it’s all about the handling , but what about when you want to get to the twisty bits or have had enough and just want to get home , have they got the guts on the straight bits .
168bhp, just over a tonne, 6.8s to 62mph
More power than the 2.0 Mazda engine

Decent review on top gear
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,763
It's the same 1.4 Turbo from the 500 range I think and the guy that looks after my Alfas does tuning packages for them. His Arbath demo has bolt on options only nad has 270BHP. It is stunning to drive, smooth at low revs but just keeps pulling harder and harder as the revs and the turbo boost rise. If you could match that to a rear drive chassis you could have a real point to point drivers machine.
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
It's the same 1.4 Turbo from the 500 range I think and the guy that looks after my Alfas does tuning packages for them. His Arbath demo has bolt on options only nad has 270BHP. It is stunning to drive, smooth at low revs but just keeps pulling harder and harder as the revs and the turbo boost rise. If you could match that to a rear drive chassis you could have a real point to point drivers machine.

Paul does a bigger one with about 300+ bhp. :oops:
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,763
Paul does a bigger one with about 300+ bhp. :oops:

I know but I think you're into opening the engine for that, if you drive his demo believe me you don't need anymore and i think all in including parts and labour this upgrade is just over £4k not bad for almost doubling the power
 

Mike X

Member
Messages
233
It's the same 1.4 Turbo from the 500 range I think and the guy that looks after my Alfas does tuning packages for them. His Arbath demo has bolt on options only nad has 270BHP. It is stunning to drive, smooth at low revs but just keeps pulling harder and harder as the revs and the turbo boost rise. If you could match that to a rear drive chassis you could have a real point to point drivers machine.
Similar motor , yes , the 500 uses the T Jet , the Spider has the multiair , but the Spider is rear wheel drive with a ltd slip diff as standard .