Your reaction to the old 124 shows how much we've lost in sporty transportation. It's why I'm still daily-driving my Alfa GTV after 48 years and 663,000 miles. As you said, it matches my personality and is fun to work on. Keep the fluids and filters clean, and there's not much else to do except replace parts as they wear out.
It's kinda true. Especially with things like the VW killing off their manual completely in the GTI, Ford no longer offering hot hatches, and consumers continuing to demand more and more tech and features in cars these days, it really sheds a light on how mechanical cars really used to be. Also, congratulations on those years and miles on your GTV! That's awesome! Thanks for watching!
And now, like the original, you can only get the Abarth as a used car. 2020 was the last year of production for the 124 Spider....again. I am truly enjoying modifying and tuning my 2019 Hypnotic Red with the Heritage Stripe Abarth 6 speed manual. One of about 1,800 manual Abarths sold in North America.
@@ExhibitionofSpeed I have Bosch coil packs, a Forge wastegate actuator, Go Fast Bits blow off valve, Sila turbo blanket, Eurocomplusion V-4 cold air intake, EC high flow cross pipe, Record Monza exhaust and an EC phase 1.5 tune (180 crank horsepower and 210 ft lbs of torque). All that I intend to do in the future is an EC front mount intercooler and move on to phase 2 tune (200 crank horsepower and 235 ft lbs of torque). I would be there already but the FMICs are on back order.
I really enjoyed your video. You both understand Italian style in the roadster market. Both the vintage and modern 124 show a flare that the MX5 lacks. I really like the MD2 however I love my Fiat 124 Lusso. It just looks and drives like I want my Italian roadster to be like. My Lusso needs a better sounding exhaust but nothing more. I plan on giving it that. You both seem to enjoy your experience with both cars and isn’t that what these cars are all about. Really enjoyable and rewarding review guys.
Thank you for the kind words Lesley! And you're absolutely right. At the end of the day, you are the one that drives it, so you better enjoy it. Thanks for watching!
I own three classic Fiat Spiders and a 2017 Fiat Spider. Generally, I agree with what you said, but you drove an automatic new Spider? That sucks. When I test drove the auto and then drove the 6 speed manual, there was no comparison. The auto was sluggish off the line, while the manual is an absolute blast. I would not buy the new Spider with an automatic transmission....period. When you criticized the car for being an "Italian car", I suggest you go and drive a stock 1982 American car with 150,000 miles on it and see what you think - maybe something like an 82 Mustang with a 4 cylinder, Ford Escort, AMC Spirit. They never make it to 150,000 miles. LOL. The fuel pump switch, BTW, was something somebody added onto the car. They didn't come with that. Also, the automatic classic Spiders aren't as bad as you indicated. You're not going to win any races, but they are very reliable and responsive. Thanks for the video - beautiful video work by the way!!!
Thanks for the constructive criticism, and of course thank you for watching! We both drove a brand new automatic 124 Abarth back in 2016 seeing as Justin was actually looking at possibly owning one. We have yet to find a manual (contemporary) 124, but Gavin has driven a number of different ND Miatas in different stages of modifications over the years. If we find one, Gavin will likely drive it a post a written piece on our Instagram. Cheers!
Surprised you guys didn't comment on the theatric aspect. Open top roadster means you can hear a nice exhaust much better. Even though ND2 has a better engine and makes more power, it sounds like shite. All you have to do to make the 124 sound like the 500 is chop the mufflers.
The engine does kinda sound like trash. Yes, hacking off the mufflers would make it sound like a 500 Abarth. But this one 100% factory..... Still want to experience turbo theater with a proper manual gearbox though! -Gavin
Mine has the Goodwin cat back exhaust and it really unleashed the engine noise as well as improving the performance (butt Dyno). And yes, the Abarth with the 6speed manual is where it’s at! For me, the day to day aspect of the Fiat engine was easier to live with compared to the Mazda. When going 9-10/10, the Miata rocks, but I rarely drive the car that hard.
The new 124 in a manual would make for a quirky and fun daily runabout if you don't need to carry things, or people. Would love to find one locally in the Utah area and see what it's all about.
First thanks for the review, I own both a 1985 FIAT (pininfarina) and a 2017 FIAT Abarth. All the first reviews thought is so witty to call the new 124 a fiata, how clever, (not). You did mention that but didn't beat it to death thanks for that. I think one of you is missing the point, just look at it, it's Italian and shares its sexy looks with the original. Yes the bones are Miata but that is a good thing. The classical look of both FIATS will be remembered not forgotten like the ND Miata. What a shame for it to come to a premature end. Please don't call an engine a motor!
This is late.......but........the back area is considered in car storage. It is finished because it's an Italian car I do own one. A 81 with 75000 kilometers on it
Independent front, solid axle rear, coil suspension all around and the rally version was independent suspension both front and rear. Cars were ahead of their time with all around disc brakes, even on the 1969 model year. Relatively unchanged until the fuel injected cars in 1980.
Thanks for watching! We're down in the Salt Lake area actually and filmed this on Antelope Island. I can see where you get some similar vibes from though.
I have to disagree about FCA having to use the Miata platform to produce the 124. They designed and produced the Fiat 500 with no other input and also the fabulous Alfa Romeo Julia and 4C.
The Giulias have been really hit and miss with reliability issues, and the 4C is a great car at 6/10ths. Kinda falls flat on its face past that point. However, it might have been a better idea for FCA to release the 124 first before those other two so it wouldn't have been so forgotten about. -Gavin
Your reaction to the old 124 shows how much we've lost in sporty transportation. It's why I'm still daily-driving my Alfa GTV after 48 years and 663,000 miles. As you said, it matches my personality and is fun to work on. Keep the fluids and filters clean, and there's not much else to do except replace parts as they wear out.
It's kinda true. Especially with things like the VW killing off their manual completely in the GTI, Ford no longer offering hot hatches, and consumers continuing to demand more and more tech and features in cars these days, it really sheds a light on how mechanical cars really used to be.
Also, congratulations on those years and miles on your GTV! That's awesome!
Thanks for watching!
And now, like the original, you can only get the Abarth as a used car. 2020 was the last year of production for the 124 Spider....again. I am truly enjoying modifying and tuning my 2019 Hypnotic Red with the Heritage Stripe Abarth 6 speed manual. One of about 1,800 manual Abarths sold in North America.
That's cool that you're modifying yours! What's all done to it and what is left?
@@ExhibitionofSpeed I have Bosch coil packs, a Forge wastegate actuator, Go Fast Bits blow off valve, Sila turbo blanket, Eurocomplusion V-4 cold air intake, EC high flow cross pipe, Record Monza exhaust and an EC phase 1.5 tune (180 crank horsepower and 210 ft lbs of torque). All that I intend to do in the future is an EC front mount intercooler and move on to phase 2 tune (200 crank horsepower and 235 ft lbs of torque). I would be there already but the FMICs are on back order.
I really enjoyed your video. You both understand Italian style in the roadster market. Both the vintage and modern 124 show a flare that the MX5 lacks. I really like the MD2 however I love my Fiat 124 Lusso. It just looks and drives like I want my Italian roadster to be like. My Lusso needs a better sounding exhaust but nothing more. I plan on giving it that. You both seem to enjoy your experience with both cars and isn’t that what these cars are all about. Really enjoyable and rewarding review guys.
Thank you for the kind words Lesley! And you're absolutely right. At the end of the day, you are the one that drives it, so you better enjoy it.
Thanks for watching!
I own three classic Fiat Spiders and a 2017 Fiat Spider. Generally, I agree with what you said, but you drove an automatic new Spider? That sucks. When I test drove the auto and then drove the 6 speed manual, there was no comparison. The auto was sluggish off the line, while the manual is an absolute blast. I would not buy the new Spider with an automatic transmission....period.
When you criticized the car for being an "Italian car", I suggest you go and drive a stock 1982 American car with 150,000 miles on it and see what you think - maybe something like an 82 Mustang with a 4 cylinder, Ford Escort, AMC Spirit. They never make it to 150,000 miles. LOL.
The fuel pump switch, BTW, was something somebody added onto the car. They didn't come with that. Also, the automatic classic Spiders aren't as bad as you indicated. You're not going to win any races, but they are very reliable and responsive.
Thanks for the video - beautiful video work by the way!!!
Thanks for the constructive criticism, and of course thank you for watching! We both drove a brand new automatic 124 Abarth back in 2016 seeing as Justin was actually looking at possibly owning one. We have yet to find a manual (contemporary) 124, but Gavin has driven a number of different ND Miatas in different stages of modifications over the years. If we find one, Gavin will likely drive it a post a written piece on our Instagram.
Cheers!
As a Canadian former 124 owner, I can confirm that it was an American in the Pininfarina house who designed it.
What kind of 124? Old or new?
@@ExhibitionofSpeed1969
@@ExhibitionofSpeedDesigner was Tom Tjaarda, who penned a number of Pininfarina's classics.
Surprised you guys didn't comment on the theatric aspect. Open top roadster means you can hear a nice exhaust much better. Even though ND2 has a better engine and makes more power, it sounds like shite. All you have to do to make the 124 sound like the 500 is chop the mufflers.
The engine does kinda sound like trash. Yes, hacking off the mufflers would make it sound like a 500 Abarth. But this one 100% factory..... Still want to experience turbo theater with a proper manual gearbox though!
-Gavin
Mine has the Goodwin cat back exhaust and it really unleashed the engine noise as well as improving the performance (butt Dyno).
And yes, the Abarth with the 6speed manual is where it’s at!
For me, the day to day aspect of the Fiat engine was easier to live with compared to the Mazda. When going 9-10/10, the Miata rocks, but I rarely drive the car that hard.
The new 124 in a manual would make for a quirky and fun daily runabout if you don't need to carry things, or people. Would love to find one locally in the Utah area and see what it's all about.
First thanks for the review, I own both a 1985 FIAT (pininfarina) and a 2017 FIAT Abarth. All the first reviews thought is so witty to call the new 124 a fiata, how clever, (not). You did mention that but didn't beat it to death thanks for that. I think one of you is missing the point, just look at it, it's Italian and shares its sexy looks with the original. Yes the bones are Miata but that is a good thing. The classical look of both FIATS will be remembered not forgotten like the ND Miata. What a shame for it to come to a premature end. Please don't call an engine a motor!
Thanks for watching!
This is late.......but........the back area is considered in car storage. It is finished because it's an Italian car I do own one. A 81 with 75000 kilometers on it
My uncle has a 1980 fiat 124. I’m gonna try to fix it. im still in high school.
That'd make for a great project for you! Let us know how it goes!
for that body condition, i dont mind paying $7k even without engine
The body on this one was quite good. This was filmed in March 2020, so things have definitely changed since then haha thanks for watching!
What suspension setup does the old 124 have?
Independent front, solid axle rear, coil suspension all around and the rally version was independent suspension both front and rear. Cars were ahead of their time with all around disc brakes, even on the 1969 model year. Relatively unchanged until the fuel injected cars in 1980.
I'll take both, please. Great review! Were you guys up by Malad Pass?
Thanks for watching! We're down in the Salt Lake area actually and filmed this on Antelope Island. I can see where you get some similar vibes from though.
I have to disagree about FCA having to use the Miata platform to produce the 124. They designed and produced the Fiat 500 with no other input and also the fabulous Alfa Romeo Julia and 4C.
The Giulias have been really hit and miss with reliability issues, and the 4C is a great car at 6/10ths. Kinda falls flat on its face past that point.
However, it might have been a better idea for FCA to release the 124 first before those other two so it wouldn't have been so forgotten about.
-Gavin
✌️🇮🇹🤗🧑🎄💫 Bellissima ! 🇮🇹😄
🤌
Where are you guys based?
In Utah. This particular shoot was at Antelope Island!
there is one in my area for sale for $5K .....buy way way way ugly than that LOL
How was it mechanically?
The Fiata references lose my respect for the review. It's not a turbo Miata.
But..... It is though.
-Gavin
It literally is tho
Damn bumpers destroys the aesthetics..
🙄
They definitely look better with them off for sure. Thanks for watching!
That’s not a fiat.
I dunno dude. Says it right on the hood. 😂