2017 Fiat 124 Spider | CarGurus Test Drive Review
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- The Mazda Miata’s small size and plucky, upbeat looks have unfairly earned it a reputation as soft or “a hairdresser’s car.” If only there was a car that had all the attributes of the Miata but in a package that had more muscular looks and a stronger engine. Now there is, and it’s called the Fiat 124 Spider, recalling an iconic sports car model originally sold from 1966 to 1985 that's been brought back to life for the 2017 model year.
The 124 Spider is the result of a joint venture between Mazda and Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles, and it's based on the same platform as the MX-5 Miata, sharing a chassis and many components. No matter which version of the 124 you select, under the hood sits a 1.4-liter Multi-Air inline 4-cylinder engine. “Multi-Air” is Fiat’s term for turbocharging, and it helps the diminutive engine of the 124 develop 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That's 5 more horsepower and a full 36 more pound-feet of torque than the Miata offers.
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Presenter: George Kennedy
Producer: John Manson
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I believe the Fiat 124 Spider looks better than the MX-5. The Fiat 124 has more of a mature and somewhat understated look. While the MX-5 is just tad to racer boy looking in my opinion.The 124 just has that wonderful Italian persona, that would really attract buyers, that maybe were a little intimidated by the MX-5's look. Great review though! Keep up the great work!
After watching this review multiple times & comparing the 2 IRL, I bought the 124. Their was no comparison in person. Nobody in my town of Winter Park Fl has this car. Aesthetically, it holds it own again the common Boxsters, SLK's, and Miatas. Plus, with the gorgeous George Kennedy giving me the 2 thumbs up, and driving this machine, I was sold. Never been happier with a purchase. Italian style and exclusivity!
124 better looking inside and out.
"Many drivers will opt for the automatic" 😓😓😓 havng once had a fiat spider from the 70's I canNOT WAIT to get into a manual!!!❤❤❤❤thank you fiat! I been waitin for this!!
Having a 124 and driven it through the alps to Italy I can't recommend this car highly enough.
Driven at sensible speeds the fuel return was 40mpg plus.
The handlingvon the tight mountain turns is fantastic
I currently drive a 2016 Z4 35i BMW and am seriously considering UPGRADING to a fiat spider.
Its nice but the bmw is a lot more powerfull tho
@@markproulx2765 Power isn't everything. My parents let me drive their 350 HP BMW but I prefer driving my little 124. My other car is a 1991 Figaro and even though it's probably faster to push than to use the engine it's HUGE fun and I am absolutely in love with it.
Awesome Car!! Will have 1 tomorrow!!!
Got mine 3 weeks ago. Can't save it for the weekends like I planned. Too much fun to drive every day!
Have had this same exact car for over 15k now. A real dream to drive and so far, very reliable (yes, as reliable as a Toyota, for I have owned 6 Toyotas). Like the video mentioned, the Fiat 124 Lusso model is for folks 6 feet one inches or under. I drive the LA freeways frequently for business, so this car while small is very safe in so far as its handling and quick reflexes. The 6 speed auto is much preferred in heavy traffic (shifts much faster than a manual), so the additional $1.5k is worth paying. Finally, you can have a Mustang GT, Camaro SS1LE, Challenger, etc., but nothing even has the class as the 2017-8 Fiat 124 Spider. The April 2017 placed the Fiat 124 Abarth version over even an M2 BMW!! A great second car (keep your CUV or SUV, because this is the fun car for your family). Cheers!
Fiat 124 all day over miata.....good review as well.
Such a great looking, great driving automobile! I'd wager you that more people would opt for a 6 speed manual if they could find one.
Getting my Lusso in a few days, Every factory option with a 6 speed stick.. Meteor Gray / Black Interior.. 1st of ONLY 2 Fully Optioned Lusso's so far on the entire west coast of the USA with a stick.. LOVE my dealer, they jumped through hoops to get me my car.. My car was originally headed to Detroit, before their intervention with connections.. =) I've Always admired the Miata ... for it's CONCEPT.. of a Practical Reliable British Roadster experience, but never cared for the looks.. Even the new model... But the 124 Finally / Totally Transforms the base of the car, into a work of Art.... SO Hyped to get mine !!!.... I should be FAMOUS for my Car... lol... Ya know???? An actual First... in Fiat USA History... If you LOVE the 124 like I do... Let's PLAY with this, and have this go VIRAL... FOR the 124 Manual Fans out there... WTF? SHARE SHARE SHARE !!!!!! Let's see .... =)
Just test drove a Fiat 124 Lusso yesterday - the first day the car was launched here in Great Britain. Lovely drive and I was very impressed. I've been following this car now for about a year and I am very tempted. I am even more tempted by the rumoured hard top - possibly a better option in our wet climate! I am test driving the Abarth 124 version in a couple of weeks time when that gets officially launched too. Can't wait to hear that sound.
Love my Lusso - in Magnetic Bronze Titanium - sort of a rich metallic grey. Black interior as the saddle colors are pretty much impossible to find. traded in my BMW 1 series convertible, which I really liked, but the Fiat is tons more fun to drive. Wife can't drive a manual so had to get an auto - but, really, the auto responds well and in manual mode is quite a lot of fun. I've gotten many compliments on the car and few have realized it's Mazda roots. To me its far more attractive.
Great review and very informative. Fiat wins for style every time....
Your're so right! So in love with this car...what a pity that Fiat will end production any time soon :-(
Best review I've seen on the new Spider!
Multiair is the throttleless system in which the intake valves are independently controlled by individual solenoids thus controlling the correct volume of air per cylinder. It has nothing to do with turbocharging... as the n/a fiat 500 pop has the exact same multiair engine.
Great looking car...want one!
Found my 2018 Fiat 124 Spider on Car Gurus!
Love the look
I'm still torn between the Miata or the F124 Spider. Having said that, why is it that most of the reviewers are tall dudes in little cars? can someone explain that? maybe I need to leave my medical career for a summer & go in review mode!
Very good review George. However, I am surprised you are driving in flip flops. I still like Miata's looks better but I am glad Fiat made 124 more quiet and with bigger trunk/boot. I am concerned about less cabin space though. BTW, how tall are you?
Get off your high horse. Flip flops don't matter when it comes to his effectiveness of reviewing a car.
My remark about flip flops was not meant as an insult. Although, I can see that it may bee perceived as such. I was taught that footwear such as flip flops is dangerous for driving. I changed my original posting. Thanks.
BrokenFiddles The only time flip flops can be dangerous is when driving a manual transmission. He was driving the automatic version.
Also I do not recommend to driving in flip flops, especially a manual car. Better to drive barefoot, in this case.
Do the flip flops come with the car?
Cool review! How tall are you? I am looking to buy one and I am 6ft 4 and little concerned about that. Thanks!
Looks good
Is this guy really using flip flops on a review video?? Lol
Kind of hot. He's got nice legs & feet.
Esse carro ficou lindo.
Americans and automatic gearbox ... an real love story.
How can u possibly buy a 124 with automatic gearbox? :)
Because it's my money and I can buy whatever I want with it maybe? Also having (fun) is relative, that's why you have 2 options one for automatic and other for manual, you can choose what feeds your needs and preferences, live and let live others!
Still is like ketchup on Pizza ... simply it doesn't match.
I chekced on Swiss, German and Italian Fiat web-site. in those countries the auto is not available.
+rer rer I lived in Spain, and automatic transmissions are right about 1000 Euros more expensive, which is a lot of money, in countries that have higher tax rates, and whose cars are notably more expensive than in North America already. Automatic transmissions are often considered "lazy" and "unnecessary luxury", and people are not willing to spend a lot of money on luxury only, also driving school is much longer, much harder, much more expensive, and of course mandatory, and driving stick shift is the first and one of the most important lessons taught there, if you do not drive a stick shift in driving school, but an automatic instead, your license will have a marker prohibiting you from legally driving cars with stick shifts. Once you've learned how to drive stick, there's little reason not to do it.That's why most of the Europe drive manual stick!
American competitive market has reduced the price of cars. Actually even American specs tend to be a a bit poorer compared to EU ones. But in general I would guess the market has played the greatest role in the price reduction. Although prices have increased faster un US than EU in the last decade.
When it comes to driving school, I do agree they need to be intense. You learn to drive a potentially dangerous vehicle. In Switzerland and Austria you even have mandatory safe-driving training on devoted facilities.
+rer rer I know, driving in Europe is like being in a dream, I lived there 8 years so I know what I'm saying, and yes the driving school is very hard, is nice to hear some opinions, thanks for responding!
It's tough because I really like both.
The Fiat Spider, now that's , bellissimo the MX-5 not so much.
Art de Silva, North Port, FL. The comparisons between the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the FIAT 124 Spyder and the Abarth Variant gets more competitive with each review. The Miata has the Classic DOHC, 16 valve all aluminium motor very similar to the 1960 vintage Alfa Romeo Spyder I had and loved driving. The Fiat-Abarth model should have the 180 hp 2.4 liter normally aspirated engine the Fiat 500X model has to justify the extra cost performance suspension, Brembo Brakes and added overall cost this model commands. This motor could be easily tweaked to deliver 190 hp with the Abarth exhaust system used and it would be a top draw sports car and I would run out and buy one. Fiat Wake up and do it as a 2020/2021 model please.
"multi-air" has nothing to do with turbo-charging
Dreihme facepalm moment
It looks better in that beautiful color and trim you tested. Automatic is a sin..and they need to put a bigger revvier engine and exhaust in it fast..also get rid of the double bubble hood and go single bubble. While they are at that clean up the from valence make it like the original 124.. clean flodaway with fog lights. Slim up those side sills and Bam..perfecto.
How does this car hold up 7 years later, anyone? Fix it again Tony?
The new MX-5 revisits the first generation model (I had a '96 NA). Mazda did a great job keeping it small and light. It does however look stubby. Stretch it out a bit and bingo, you now have the Fiat 124 Spyder. I definitely prefer the longer flowing lines of the Fiat. But...I do not want the turbo!
I don't want the turbo either, but I do like that the engine uses a chain rather than belts that need replacing. Knowing some of the added weight comes from the chain and heavier duty older mazda trany seems to make the weight gain more ok.
2200 miles so far.. Funnest car I've EVER owned... LOVE the Turbo... It's from the 500 Abarth.. And a proven engine .. with no major reported problems...
@@dennismattson8383 Bought a Lusso almost 2 months ago and I completely agree, it's so fun!
Finally looked at one of these in person. Styling is nice, but the seam in the front fenders where the Fiat nose is attached to the the body is really poor design. Makes it obvious this car was not designed as a whole piece. Local dealer had 3 of these brand new 2018 models. Just sold a red one, but still had a black base model and red Abarth. Too bad Mazda did not make a Miata that looks like an MGB and use their own SkyActiv 2.5L turbo engine. That I would buy. Zoom Zoom.
The sleek, Italianesque-looking Fiat is hands down better-looking than the pudgy Miata with its unattractive sharply squinted headlights. Same goes for the rear end. Same goes for the side silhouette! Why in hell's bells would anyone choose an automatic? That is fully 75% of the fun of driving in a top-down roadster! If my S2000 ever bites the dirt, I'll be wanting one of these. Until then, I will keep on ADORING my S2000.
but how tall are you?
It's a beautiful car! Just needs a bit more power to be a real winner....same for the MX5
You can get after market chips that will remap the engine and increase the HP by 25-30 HP with no other mods
I heard from someone that. 124 Spider has a slightly bigger interior then Mazda Miata?
Hi, what ist the name of the colour? Thanks
Sweet Car!
Dude were you even able to look through windshiled? Cause it looks like your head is way over it.
Where was this filmed?
How tall are you and how well do you fit in the car. Im thinking of buying a spider, but im 6 feet tall, just want to know if its comfortable
I'm 6'2" and fit just fine. My hair just touches the inside of the top when its up.
I'm 55.. 6'0 200lbs.. The car fits me like a Glove... I have NEVER loved a car as much as this one... not my 69 Camaro RS vert.. My Mustang BULLITT GT.. etc...
Honda S2000 baby
Test Drive is SPOT ON.. Except.. You don't get the 9 Speaker / Subwoofer with Headrest Speaker BOSE System, Nav, Lane Detection, Back-up Sensors, Heated Mirrors, Headlight washers, Rain Sensitive WIpers, Etc, unless you spring for the '$3700 PREMIUM Tech Package available ONLY on the LUSSO...... which brings it to 33-34k... Final Price.... I know... I got one with a Stick coming in a few days... WHOOT WHOOT !!! ;) MOST AWSOME REVIEW YET... BTW... You're Awesome DUDE !!!!
Got the premium package on mine so I have all those features - listed for $34K but paid $31K as the dealer (Holt in DFW) sells at a discount. I've noticed quite a variance in pricing so shop around.
I like it, I like it a lot. But, I still prefer my MX-5
And that’s the beauty of it! You have a choice, and both are good ones!
hey jw how tall are you? I'm 6' 3" and I really want this car I'm just worried I won't fit
I'm 54, 6'0, 205, 36w, and the car fits me like a glove.. go test drive one
it depends how your body is shaped.. if your length is in your legs you will probably fit, but if it's in the upper body probably not.. I'm 6"3 (191cm) and unfortunately cannot fit in the car properly with the roof closed.. Just go try it yourself..
Got me a 2nd hand BMW E89 Z4 30i instead, not a bad alternative at all, haha..
How tall are you? Trying to get a sense of how tall of a driver can fit
Hey man, i actually have one car dealership near to the place where i live and i wanted to try to drive it around ( Im 191cm) and it was unbearable. Definitelly wouldnt recommend it to all tall guys.
5:58 - the title of this song?
Seems that the european spec 2.0 MX 5 is faster than the 124 Abarth and the american spec Miata is slower than the 124, why ?
Heiko Panzlaff safety standards, emissions, and other bullshit like that
Heiko Panzlaff if u look at the difference between the american spec mustang and euro, you will notice the body is slightly different and u don't get certain engines
Lookin thicc. I like it dude.
If you're worried about what the vehicle you drive says about you b/c you're insecure, drive a big truck. No over-compensating there.
hmmm might get
The 124 looks like it cost about 10K more than the Miata to me.
Did he say it has a Japanese reliability? Hmmm 🤔 not sure if that's true, it still has a fiat engine..
Th Euros consider this engine to be Rock solid reliable
meteor gray nice color that is the color of my MX-5 XXX XXX XXX!!!
The fiat looks very good but will it beat the miata on the track? Or on a quater mile run?
Ya.. It's my 124's color.. Makes most any car look sexy.... Was debating Black first.. then saw Meteor... Love the color contrast Much More...
Definitely better than Miata.
You lost me at PRND
the miata better looking car
Why is it that every review I watch about the 124 no one is commenting about how cheaply made the aesthetics feel. I drive a 12 Focus Titanium and it feels more expensive than this 124. The plastics feel cheap and flimsy. Even the Fiat emblem feels cheap.
Strat Man that's true. Just like nobody cares about your strat guitar.
Strat Man as if I had to mention it!
Strat Man anything for a strapping young lad like yourself.
I care about his strat guitar
You lost me as soon as I saw the flip flops.
Flip flops and convertibles go together, although not very safe.
Merry me
Fiat 124 is a better looking car.
Just don't like the bonnet
This guy talks more like a sorority girl Miata driver with his uptalking and vocal fry.