I disagree with the looks opinion. The Fiat lacks the equivalent of the RF of the MX5 which is beautiful. “Relaxed driving” is also something the MX5 is fully capable of. Just because you CAN wring out the MX5 doesn’t mean you must. Finally, no matter what anyone says, I would never trust a Fiat motor. Italian cars are great to look at and if you have more dollars than sense some are great to drive but never ever to be trusted as a daily form of transport
@@particleinthewave8378 , It was mostly looks that made me choose the 124 over the MX-5 RF. RF is a "targa top" style convertible which I'm not too keen on but was willing to let it slide. It was the front view of the MX5 that I just couldn't get over. It looks like a Japanese guy squinting, and with the front hood squished and abruptly cut-off the proportions weren't to my liking.
Can't speak on the driving, but I want exciting in a sports car, not relaxing. I can speak on the looks, although it is to taste....the Miata looks way way waaaay better. On top of all this, the Mazda actually has a reliable engine.
I've had my '17 6spd Classica 124 for 4 years and it has been one of the easiest cars to maintain/self-service. It's my primary and only vehicle and makes commuting around Dallas TX a blast at an average of 28mpg
I test drove both 1.5 and 2.0 MX5s along with the Fiat and the Abarth. To me, there was no contest! I have had my Abarth for almost 5 years, now! No regrets! And the looks! It captures more attention than Miss World strolling down the road naked!
For the record, would prefer Miss World naked instead of my '17 Abarth! Think of 'little car' as an Italian beauty model. Bucks, snorts, and belches when cold. You got'a warm her up.
Another storage spot which a lot of people have been unaware of is behind the seats. Behind both seats is a storage cubby (one of which has a door, the other is more like a shelf). Definitely take a look if you haven’t already!
As a 124 owner I watched this and thought he must've been driving a different car from the one I have. Maybe he's just biased towards the MX5 which is nice but looks ordinary by comparison. And isn't as interesting to drive.
Difficult to choose between the 124 and MX-5. I think that the 124's engine is more charismatic but the Mx-5 is the safer bet due to its reliability. Would probably choose the MX-5 but in RF form. Both the 124 and Mx-5 are very good cars though. Good review thanks.
Really nice ! I am in my mid 50's and at a young age first car was the 1st Gen Fiat Uno Turbo which I kept for 2 years , then bought a 12 month old Fiat Strada 130TC Abarth , followed by a Fiat Tipo 16V ! I am confused now ! My friend who is Italian drives an Alfa Rome GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO and recently I discussed that I am looking for a 2nd hand convertible , options are BMW Z4 (2nd Gen) , Mercedes SLK (3rd Gen) , or the Mazda (3rd or 4th Gen) , Now I am confused as the Abarth 124 just looks and feels so retro and so stylish ! Please Help !
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@@Tourist1967 Great fun and much less boring than the dozens of Porsches I see when out on a day trip. Abarth just has the better looks and noise than the Fiat, but the Fiat is still a good car. One owner has over 70K miles on his.
@@ronecc2 Sounds...promising. I read it was destined to be the new Alfa Romeo Spider, but it was decided Alfas had to be made in Italy, so it became a Fiat.
@@Tourist1967 I think it was Abarth that Fiat remembered could not be built outside of Italy, so they had the body/chassis made in Japan and then shipped back to Italy for the final touches, engine suspension etc. They then had the Fiats made in Japan.
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Once again a totally unfounded slur on the Automatic version of this car. My car is the 170bhp Abarth version of this car with the automatic transmission. Its amazing, once you learn to drive a paddle shift sequential gearbox transmission system in sport manual mode then I'd post this again the manual version any day. Unless your manual dexterity is absolutely pitch perfect coordination between clutch, manual cog selection, hand movement and engine revs then I'm afraid you're no match for the speed and seamless precision of the auto box, and you get to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times, letting your fingers do the talking.
Im not happy with that review. You should have reviewed the abarth instead. Design wise, it's a baffeling to me how you can not appreciate the design language. But each to their own. Nice conclusion though.
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The turbo is what makes it fun. Need the manual and then you have to stay in the power band. You can also fettle Turbos easily. Mine has a GFB diverter which holds the boost about 1/2 second longer.
It’s about looks. Some people are put off by the styling of the MX5. The exhaust note of the Fiat 1.4 with the record monza exhaust is amazing. The Fiat is easier to live with as far as “lazy driving” goes. The midrange punch of torque means you can accelerate easily without needing to downshift. The Mazda has more performance, but you have to work a little to get it. Certainly 7 out of 10 and up, it is all Mazda.
Why choose the Mazda? The 124 looks better and in Abarth form, even better. The underpinnings are Mazda, but in Abarth form you get Bilstein shocks, Brembo brakes on some models, LSD at the rear, a turbo engine and sport mode.
The GT in either the cloth or RF also have brembo and bilstein options and the RF is much better looking in my opinion. I’d never trust a Fiat motor..turbo or not
Still loving mine , got it in 2018. No intention of selling it.
The Fiat is a lot better looking and much more relaxing to drive.
I disagree with the looks opinion. The Fiat lacks the equivalent of the RF of the MX5 which is beautiful. “Relaxed driving” is also something the MX5 is fully capable of. Just because you CAN wring out the MX5 doesn’t mean you must. Finally, no matter what anyone says, I would never trust a Fiat motor. Italian cars are great to look at and if you have more dollars than sense some are great to drive but never ever to be trusted as a daily form of transport
@@particleinthewave8378 Except that you're wrong. The Fiat is beautiful the Mazda a bit wierd. Its built in Japan, it will be fine.
@@particleinthewave8378 Fiat engines are very reliable. Build quality was a problem. The 124 is built in Japan using mostly Mazda-made bits.
@@particleinthewave8378 , It was mostly looks that made me choose the 124 over the MX-5 RF. RF is a "targa top" style convertible which I'm not too keen on but was willing to let it slide. It was the front view of the MX5 that I just couldn't get over. It looks like a Japanese guy squinting, and with the front hood squished and abruptly cut-off the proportions weren't to my liking.
Can't speak on the driving, but I want exciting in a sports car, not relaxing.
I can speak on the looks, although it is to taste....the Miata looks way way waaaay better.
On top of all this, the Mazda actually has a reliable engine.
It got me at the red tachometer. Mild tune and more open exhaust makes one smile whenever you drive. Six years and not a single problem.
str@ightalk1.... nutfree 👊
I've had my '17 6spd Classica 124 for 4 years and it has been one of the easiest cars to maintain/self-service. It's my primary and only vehicle and makes commuting around Dallas TX a blast at an average of 28mpg
I test drove both 1.5 and 2.0 MX5s along with the Fiat and the Abarth. To me, there was no contest! I have had my Abarth for almost 5 years, now! No regrets! And the looks! It captures more attention than Miss World strolling down the road naked!
For the record, would prefer Miss World naked instead of my '17 Abarth! Think of 'little car' as an Italian beauty model. Bucks, snorts, and belches when cold. You got'a warm her up.
@@onines1LOL beautiful analogy. I love my 2019 Lusso+
Exactly same story here. Had our Abarth since new.
Ok I got the Lusso and love it but I gotta stop at naked miss America close though
I have the 2020 spider and it is just a kick to drive! Love it! It’s a sports car!
Fantastic!
Another storage spot which a lot of people have been unaware of is behind the seats. Behind both seats is a storage cubby (one of which has a door, the other is more like a shelf).
Definitely take a look if you haven’t already!
As a 124 owner I watched this and thought he must've been driving a different car from the one I have. Maybe he's just biased towards the MX5 which is nice but looks ordinary by comparison. And isn't as interesting to drive.
Having a Fiat engine will really evoke that great British sports car feel... Oil leaks included.. 😂
Difficult to choose between the 124 and MX-5. I think that the 124's engine is more charismatic but the Mx-5 is the safer bet due to its reliability. Would probably choose the MX-5 but in RF form. Both the 124 and Mx-5 are very good cars though. Good review thanks.
You’ll get neither.
The Fiat multi-air engine is pretty bullet-proof.
They are built in the same Japanese factory. There won't be any different in build quality.
@@Tourist1967really? Is It?
@@littlepero Is what?
The car is also heavier than the mx because they added significantly more sound deadening. The car is actually quiet for a drop top.
The 500 were awesome little cars
Beautiful car, too bad there wasn’t a hardtop / wagon version like the bmw
Really nice ! I am in my mid 50's and at a young age first car was the 1st Gen Fiat Uno Turbo which I kept for 2 years , then bought a 12 month old Fiat Strada 130TC Abarth , followed by a Fiat Tipo 16V ! I am confused now ! My friend who is Italian drives an Alfa Rome GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO and recently I discussed that I am looking for a 2nd hand convertible , options are BMW Z4 (2nd Gen) , Mercedes SLK (3rd Gen) , or the Mazda (3rd or 4th Gen) , Now I am confused as the Abarth 124 just looks and feels so retro and so stylish ! Please Help !
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I have the Abarth version. Amazing car. Where permitted 150mph or driven more sensibly 50+ mpg.
Great to hear your Abarth is still going strong 💪
Worth buying, would you say?
@@Tourist1967 Great fun and much less boring than the dozens of Porsches I see when out on a day trip. Abarth just has the better looks and noise than the Fiat, but the Fiat is still a good car. One owner has over 70K miles on his.
@@ronecc2 Sounds...promising. I read it was destined to be the new Alfa Romeo Spider, but it was decided Alfas had to be made in Italy, so it became a Fiat.
@@Tourist1967 I think it was Abarth that Fiat remembered could not be built outside of Italy, so they had the body/chassis made in Japan and then shipped back to Italy for the final touches, engine suspension etc. They then had the Fiats made in Japan.
Holy Hell !
Where is this car ?
That is Gorgeous!!
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Envied
Dealers hard to find
I love my Abarth
7.5 k rev limit in the 1.5 mx5 ,not fast but fun!
Once again a totally unfounded slur on the Automatic version of this car. My car is the 170bhp Abarth version of this car with the automatic transmission. Its amazing, once you learn to drive a paddle shift sequential gearbox transmission system in sport manual mode then I'd post this again the manual version any day. Unless your manual dexterity is absolutely pitch perfect coordination between clutch, manual cog selection, hand movement and engine revs then I'm afraid you're no match for the speed and seamless precision of the auto box, and you get to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times, letting your fingers do the talking.
JUST LIKE MOST RACE CARS
That is like asking if British food is better than tasty food.
Fiat 124 = Žiguli-Lada coupe ! 😉
Im not happy with that review. You should have reviewed the abarth instead. Design wise, it's a baffeling to me how you can not appreciate the design language. But each to their own. Nice conclusion though.
Thank you for your honesty, we will pass the feedback to the team!
Nice car
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The 184 nd pisses on this and the arbath
To many adds I’m off
They ruined it by not putting the engine from the Miata in it.
The turbo is what makes it fun. Need the manual and then you have to stay in the power band. You can also fettle Turbos easily. Mine has a GFB diverter which holds the boost about 1/2 second longer.
Apart from trying too hard to be noticed, I can't see why you'd close the Fiat over the Mazda! 😂😎🎸
It’s about looks. Some people are put off by the styling of the MX5. The exhaust note of the Fiat 1.4 with the record monza exhaust is amazing.
The Fiat is easier to live with as far as “lazy driving” goes. The midrange punch of torque means you can accelerate easily without needing to downshift.
The Mazda has more performance, but you have to work a little to get it. Certainly 7 out of 10 and up, it is all Mazda.
Why choose the Mazda? The 124 looks better and in Abarth form, even better. The underpinnings are Mazda, but in Abarth form you get Bilstein shocks, Brembo brakes on some models, LSD at the rear, a turbo engine and sport mode.
The GT in either the cloth or RF also have brembo and bilstein options and the RF is much better looking in my opinion. I’d never trust a Fiat motor..turbo or not
@@particleinthewave8378 The twin air engine is qwerky, but a very strong build.
Better looks sound and style
Just put a turbo on the mazda
Fiat 124 = Žiguli-Lada coupe ! 😉