2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 6MT - Redline: Review
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- With the affordable rear-drive lightweight roadster on the scarcity list. Fiat looks to make a splash with the return on the iconic 124 Spider name. Starting with the best possible bones from the latest ND Miata as the base. Want to know what happens when Fiat and Mazda get into bed together? Stay tuned and find out...
I really hope this car is successful, I want to get one in 3 or 4 years when the used market takes its toll on the price. i personally think this car is way more attractive and masculine looking than the miata
Unfortunately this car was a big failure, but definitely an interesting buy now.
Back in March 2017 I did a back to back test of these cars. 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder was 1st , what I noticed was the lag from the turbo engine & the stiff heavy clutch pedal for such a small car. That shift pattern is very tight too 2 times I stalled the car thinking I was in 1st from a stop ... wrong I was in 3rd ! Liked the Red tach interior was nice, styling too was good all white with the back lower trim elements. Next day was the MX-5 Club with Brembo / BBS very close on price but the Fiat still higher. What the naturally aspirated engine in the Mazda gives is is instant throttle response , step into it immediately your gone ! Clutch & the shifter feel are so much easier lighter to use. Just a true joy to drive the MX-5 compared to that heavy clutched Abarth ! So my decision was not based on LOOKS ! It was based on how the MX-5 made me feel when driving it & the smile was wide ! So the Mazda dealer even gave me the keys ( test drove late Saturday ) for the rest of the weekend for an extended test drive saying come back Monday after work to make a decision. So after driving 250 miles that Monday after work I bought that 2016 MX-5 Club with Brembo / BBS package. Truly a great daily driver even in colder weather the winter tires make this car rock in snow ! Awesome job Mazda !
Alan Gregori nah the abarth is better
@@steveranger55 Drive them back to back like I did bet you MX-5 is better !
@@ag4allgoodclutches aren't too big of a deal breaker for me, I've only driven one car (Pontiac gto) that had such an absurd clutch it was nearly impossible to drive. My car has some aftermarket grabby clutch the previous owner installed, it was a bit tricky on the test drive but I got used to it within the first week. To each their own though, the miata is definitely a fantastic car. I ended up buying a genesis coupe, and definitely agree there are pros and cons to turbo cars. My main gripe I had was heat soaking, it was so unpredictable! Nothing is worse than that cock block moment when you step on the gas and the car is just like "hm.. nah not right now". Texas heat is brutal on turbo cars. Luckily a proper fmic got that fixed. The main pro I have with turbos though is how easy it is to add power, I just have a simple ecu reflash tune, it added 40 torque and 25 hp, bolt ons make noticable gains as well. My last car was an N/a celica gt manual and I gotta admit, it was a bit embarrassing getting destroyed at stoplights by soccer moms in a Chevy Tahoe Z71 lol. I do think however 3 year younger me that made this post is crazy, now I would never buy a fiat without a bumper to bumper warranty. You probably made the right choice with mx 5.
The exterior styling of the 124 is SO much better looking than the Miata. The Miata isn't a bad looking car, but it's just not nearly as good looking IMO. I'm disappointed that the interior is straight out of the Miata. It looks very Japanese and out of place in the 124. At least it's a good looking interior.
When you drive the 124 Spyder Abarth & a MX-5 Club soft top back to back the difference between the 2 cars is like night / day ! Much prefer the MX-5 with its instant throttle response ( No turbo lag ) & super light clutch ( the Abarth clutch was heavy - like it belonged in a old truck ). Faster from a stop & faster in the turns. The Mazda felt better as a drivers car !
These things will be steals if they depreciate like fiats
They are. I just got a new 2018 Abarth for $13,000 off of MSRP in Canada. I'm loving this car!
@@alpereira5286 13000 off??????????? HOW??? I thought I was lucky to get 6k off.
@@davidwitmer7251 Sometimes you just get lucky. I think the dealer just wanted to get rid of their last Fiat🙃
Look at them now LoL.
@@alpereira5286 same thing for me , i paid 15000$ out of the door for my fiat . Had a msrp of 29 000$ , cant be happier .
That leaf flew in as karma for not taking the leaf out of the grille of that other car you reviewed 😂
Leaf got in as karma lol
No offense, but this Fiat 124 is way better looking than the Miata! And that boost! ! ! ! And that red TACH
The Red Tach ONLY comes in the Abarth trim. In Lusso / Classica its a regular tachometer. Boost ? The 2017 Fiat 124 Abarth I test drove had turbo lag & a heavy clutch that felt like it should be in a 1970s pickup truck ! Deal killers in my feelings about a roadster. The next day I went to the Mazda dealer & they had a very similar equipped 2016 MX-5 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package. Throttle response was instant & the clutch was super light. It felt much quicker & more athletic in the turns than the Fiat 124 Abarth. So that 2016 MX-5 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package sits in my garage after giving both cars the chance to impress me. It was the Mazda that drove so much better all around that won the competition ! Its been 6.75 years & loving every day with the MX-5.
The best thing about your reviews is they give the viewer the feeling of actually being inside the car. Also you touch upon lots of practical considerations I feel lacking in other reviews. Keep it up!
My wife chose the Fiat 124 over the Miata because of the front and back end styling, she also liked the leather appointments on the Fiat. She loves this car, she chose the automatic, something the reviewer did not discuss. I think the Fiat is more auto friendly due to the more abundant midrange torque, I noticed immediately that the MX-5 Miata is not auto friendly, let's face the facts, Fiat has made the 124 more feminine with the auto friendly turbo/ automatic setup. This engine is a delight, runs cool, has a little throaty growl when pushed, otherwise just goes into background mode, until you push the pedal. Delightful car, well assembled, I smile when I look at it. Kudos to Mazda and Fiat both. Smart use of shared automobile intelligence.
Mazda/ Fiat symbiosis rules.........
Saw one in a grocery parking lot last week. Without seeing its badge I thought it was in the $100K leagues. At the mid $20K a mere mortal like me can afford one. I like the Fiat design more than Mazda. The Mazda is like a metro sexual fashion. The Fiat is like a gentleman. A timeless design that I won't get tired of looking at it years from now.
The 124 has a longer history then the Miata my grandpa had 124 in the early 80s
and this is before the 230whp tune that was on the fiat 500 abarth which shares its engine with this.
imagine what kind of power you can get from turbo swaps. holy hell, this is the stock turbo miata we always wanted
inb4 someone brings up the NB Mazdaspeed Miata...
They only made so many NB Speeds, plus old car = no warranty.
Yes, but you can't deny that Mazda did in fact release a stock Miata turbo.
masterwhopper414
and it was very underwhelming with pretty much no room for tuning and improvement. the 124 has a very high stock power ceiling
own a 500 abarth, can confirm - in fact the motor will very willingly make 260-300whp as long as the bits around it can handle it (gears, axles, etc.)
3:08 that leaf really wanted in
straight in the cupholder😂😂😂
8:01 Now that is an AMAZING stock exhaust.
Luckily the abrupt loss in boost can be fixed by replacing the diverter valve. The way the stock valve is designed is guaranteed to leak pressure.
Other great news is 2019+ Miata telescoping steering column is a direct swap.
Also, the Fiat engine is port injected, meaning no carbon buildup on valves.
This is definitely a great car. Too bad it's soon to receive the axe.
that leaf heard that Exhaust and had to take a test drive with you. x)
Or the tree was crapping on him the only way it could, for taking a car with less than 2K miles on the odometer, with a perfectly cold engine, and revving it to near redline.
Despite the fact this could be a bit more impressive with it's power, I really like the looks, sounds, and overall package offered here. I think it looks incredibly fun to own and drive and I definitely am now gonna be saving for one.
Great review. One thing if I may say, is that there is no such thing as “ very identical”. It’s either identical or not. It can be “very similar” or “almost identical” but not “very, somewhat, etc” identical.
haha that leaf tho 3:08
devil devil Nice!
Listen, I love these reviews; that being said, I live in a large city. I drive in city traffic, strait lines. I'm going to have a 5 year note on this thing. I'm not interested in, nor will I ever, red line this thing in every gear (again, 5 year note..I want it to last), nor will I be driving it around curvy hills in southern California. For once I'd like to see an honest review of daily driving in "normal" areas. Oh, and mine will be an automatic (again, city driving).
So, I like the looks, and gas mileage is decent. It looks like a fun car for a daily driver, and that's what I'm interested in.
Now that they are out of production the price for a well equipped 6 speed manual has gone through the roof. Lots of automatic to choose from but good luck finding a manual transmission. They were cheaper when new...
Why the hell is there a spider inside the arm rest😂😂😂😂😂 is that suppose to reference the car 124 spider?
Fiat -
Looks better inside and out (IMHO)
More comfy seats
Better sound
Ride more tuned for cruising than cornering, (I like this)
Low end torque (big plus)
Not having to say you drive a Miata (the Fiat name is a big plus)
And it breaks down like sh*t just like any other fiats.
Not sure where your based, but here in the UK, and in Europe generally Fiat don't have a great reputation. They are considered a budget manufacturer with one of the worst reliability records out there. A well built and finished car like this could never have come from Turin!
Khu NoPie Yes because Fiat's aren't seen as girl cars...you're an idiot
ChillNyeTheBroGuy Yeah... fiats are not girls cars. But fiat is definitely a GAY car.
So, fiat is the ford of the UK?
What a great looking car, love the way it looks and sounds.
Trunk space not identical! 0.4 cu ft more in Fiat and wider opening.
personally, it looks better than the mx5 front and rear. wish the shape was better tho
Very good review. I really like how your not biased towards the Miata just because you own one. There are many reviewers who are biased and I really like how you give "fair" reviews.
This car looks really nice in person!👍
I like how you always review cars in manual transmission.
12:19 Yellow Alfa Romeo look pretty sick!
Looks better in bright Lime Green. The 4C has impressive lines. Good track car but it would be rough as a daily drive.
i've been anticipating his take on this car for quite some time seeing that he owns an ND Miata
Best review of this by far. Great Job! Took a test drive of the 124 abarth and noticed that it was way more calm/quiet than I wanted. The turbo lag/wine was also unpleasant in my opinion and it seemed more suited to people who don't really want to drive it like crazy, but rather take it out for a relaxed sunday drive. I think I'm going to get the MX5 around December and you just sealed the deal.
Thank you! Good luck to you on your purchase. Which trim did you decide to go for?
I think I'm going with the Grand Touring trim. The leather seats seem like a no-brainer. I do wish the option for red exterior with tan leather interior was available like it is for the Fiat 124 though.
Though, the club is the one with the Limited Slip Differential. I might have to go with that.
LordTyroxx FYI, Mazda does offer the GT trim in the Soul Red with Tan leather.
I think that's only for their Launch Edition which aren't really easy to find at dealerships because it was a limited run. If they made that available for regular GT trim, I'll hop on that immediately.
Fiat looks better
I had one for almost a year before my ex totaled it. Gonna get another one soon, I have a Corvette now for the past 2 years, and it's fun, but man, I miss how these Abarths felt.
...my pants just melted from the sound of that exhaust ....WOOOOOOOWWWWWSSS....a Italian 4cyl... I like the 2.0/2.4 in the dart it just sounds SOOOO GOOOOOOD.
When you hope Sofyan notices tha fine yellow machine @12:18 just riding by 👌.. but does not lol
I'm suspecting it wasn't that much of a coincidence. FCA press event?
Could be
I actually already drove the Alfa right before filming this Fiata. Sadly, didn't get a chance to review it, hopefully they'll loan me one sometime soon.
-Sofyan
Nice ..Keep up the work !
Looking forward to that! It's on my shopping list...looking for something more hardcore than the 124.
Decent review. Wish he'd review it based on the car's merit. I lost count how many times he swung to the Miata ropes. I get the bias, he owns a Miata, but more Fiat please.
looks way better than the Miata
I have had a ND for a year, I like it's less cluttered look.
3ducs un
The fiat has no edge. It is so bland.
That exhaust is the most beautiful 4 banger I've ever heard. It doesn't sound anemic or like you're farting through a tin can like most aftermarket 4-banger exhausts out there.
One day I will buy one....a Geo Metro, that is
LuBano 😂😂😂
Not gonna lie, I was not jumping up and down about this when I first heard about it. But, it's growing on me! Great review 👍🏾
no abarth logo on the steering wheel?
exactly, where is the scorpion?
Abarth attracted you Joe!
They put so many on the 500c that they didn't have any more for the Spider lol
Shhhhhh don’t tell anyone but it’s not actually an Abarth. It’s just a Fiat with a few Abarth badges on it. The car Europe gets is the Abarth 124 spider with final assembly at Abarth in Italy. The US car is a Fiat 124 Abarth, which is a Fiat made in Japan with a few Abarth badges on it.
The quality of your reviews (video & audio) has come a very long way since this
slamming .. thank you for the all the details. thinking about this as next car.
I'm 400ft tall and cannot fit unfortunately.
Sounds like you need a bus.
I am too. :(
Im 399 foot n fit just fine! 🤔
having owned every miata expect the nd it looks like you would enjoy the drive more without people trying to race you all the time unlike the miata.
I really like that car..i'll admit I didn't even know about it
100% agree. I own a Miata ND 2.0 and love to rev it out. I would't opt for the Fiata for its engine and its looks.
Cheers Oliver
12:19 yoooooo dat alfa tho
I've had my ND for just over a year, 14,000+ miles. I prefer it to what I have seen and heard of the Fiat.
When presented, many thought this car was made specifically for the USA. It's larger, bulkier, less european in looks. Also, here in EU the base car is 140hp. The Abarth is 160hp, and it costs 40k€.
If you check closely... there are differences on the interior aside from the badge. Top of the instrument cluster is different. Plastic area to left of the push button start is different. It's not a lot, but admittedly, I prefer the Mazda treatment over the Fiat's.
Currently own a Sky Redline with GM's factory Turbo Upgrade Kit installed when purchased new in 2009. The miles are accumulating and have been keeping my eyes open for a possible replacement when the car begins to give me trouble. This car was on my list of options because I do like what Fiat has done to the exterior styling of the vehicle but, the power is just not there. While this roadster is lighter than the Sky Redline, it is so very under powered I just could not get around this fact. It's very easy to get used to the 325/325 the TUK equipped Redline offers. 4.9 secs flat to 60 is nothing I'm willing to give up on. Being able to bring the rear around with the throttle in a corner is something I enjoy quite a bit. I can drift the Redline whenever the mood strikes me. Neither the Miata or the 124 could ever do either without some serious engine mods or a complete replacement. So, I continue to search for a suitable replacement. Perhaps in vain? I enjoy your reviews BTW.
al8603cl buy the Fiat and have one of the v8 miata shops swap an LS V8 into it. Great looking car with plenty of power.
my Abarth had great torque, not the power of my Focus ST but nice. Agree with your engine opinions on power delivery good vid
HEY SOFYAN YOURE AWESOME
the only review I watched from the begining to the end. Nice review, thanks.
HI RR
Back up camera is available on the Japanese ND Miata and other markets
love your channel, keep up the good work . . drive faster! lol
I will totally buy one if they make a coupe version
Adrian Macias same!
I had the Lucco model for a couple weeks - not a bad car. the seat bugged me. pretty narrow at the shoulder, I never felt like I fit in it completely. my wife enjoyed it, but if you have broad shoulders you'll feel the bolsters against your shoulderblades.
You have very good TV personality.
A reviewer who owns an MX-5 is always going to be biased.. Abarth is much more fun than the mx-5 imo. In every review he goes on and on about how the mx-5 is better than everything.. I would also take the GT86 over an mx-5.
Reviewers should be unbiased, and provide an objective review regardless of their buyer remorse. His face when he lunches says it all.
his gripes were the easiest things to change too. Like the shift knob and exhaust are easy mods.
Turbo's develop torque way more than horsepower, they also allow for smaller displacement which leads to better fuel economy.
Why there is a toy spider in the center console storage
Because, it's a Fiat 124 "SPIDER"... get it? ;)
Honestly, Fiat just put it in there for some laughs.
Redline Reviews ok i got it hahaha
Redline Reviews thanks for replying
And Halloween?
3ducs maybe
I liked the walk-around part of your review. Also the hood bumps or "boobs" were introduced not because of the dual overhead cams, but the size of the engine. The early 124s had boob-less hood, but still DOHC. In mid 71 they introduced the 1608cc engine and the small boobs appeared. In the late 70s they grew a little with the 1800 & 2000cc after.
I agree on the big difference on how you drive the cars. The 1.4 turbo multi air doesn't want to be pushed to high up the rev range. The fiat 500 Abarth is no different. BTW - you can get a nice ECU piggy back for this engine and add another 40 HP while still CARB in California legal. Really adds some spirit and although it won't increase the power band, it will get you there much faster and the low-end torque and pull you noticed gets better. $400-500.
Good review...!
PS - you would have won points with the Italian purist if you mentioned the yellow Alfa Romeo spider that drove by...
It's only 30,000 wow not bad👌
Another amazing review. What was your observed fuel economy like? I've heard the Fiats are getting lower observed economy in real world testing than the Miata.
The car needs an abarth badge on the steering wheel and on the key fob.
Zakaria KTM there’s a very good reason there isn’t an Abarth badge on the wheel.
My biggest disappointment of this car is that , It has the steering wheel emblem and the command center fiat logo as well. When I drive my car, my most joy, is that most people don"t know what it is, until the see the sttering wheel
@@Jabber-ig3iw What is this very good reason?
so I watch the whole cubs ad and totally forgot what video I clicked on lol
Did you notice that the interior was any quieter than the Miata? I know Fiat claims to have made several noise-cancellation changes, but I believe the Grand Touring trim of the Miata has most of them.
i think i'll go for the 1.5 litre MX5 - it weight only 2150 lb dry (975kg) and revs higher and smoother than the 2.0 (the car was constucted on the 1.5 for in mind wich has less weight over the front wheels, and have better turn in
what's your opinion of the clutch? a lot of people don't like it compared to the ND Miata.
please stop saying "very identical" - either it is identical or it is not.
I hate these turbo engines that die in the high revs, Ford didn't tell me that when I drove the eco boost mustang and it felt so slow and gutless,
So I like the idea of putting in the 1.8l from the Alfa 4C....does anyone know if that engine would actually fit though? The Italians SO should have made this an Alfa or a proper Abarth (exhaust and badging), and offered a hardtop for us in the snowy states, but, oh well - too much development risk I assume. Will be watching closely to see if they do a much improved refresh in 2020 or so. If I were them I’d at least differentiate it more from the Mazda with exhaust and interior....it’s a very interesting brand case study for N America.
Great shots of the Fiat!
Love your reviews! My only suggestion is maybe a better camera? In that lighting it was hard to see details when close to the wheels and exterior body features. Could be just the lighting.
So torn between this and the MX5. I love the styling of the 124 and the Abarth exhaust, but the driving dynamics seem to be a bit behind the Miata. That Miata RF tho...
I just bought an NC and I love it. I see a lot of comments stating positives over the MX-5 and from my point of view I agree but that's kind of a point. Btw red tach... wtf?
Sounds like it needs a little bigger turbo, OR at least a large turbine housing. I'm guessing it's to restrictive which helps speed up spool and low end torque but chokes the engine up top.
The Miata is great, but you can’t knock a turbo engine. A simple ECU tune on the Fiat’s engine will blow the Miata away. So if you want all of the above, plus the tuneability, the 124 is the one to have. I personally think it looks better too, as opposed to looking cute.
If only it had a flat bottom steering wheel :(
what is the benefit of that?
Farrad Mohammed+ It looks better
Farrad Mohammed More room.
Most of the reviewers negative feedback is addressed in the fully loaded 124 Spider Abarth, including suspension, handling, and roll back. It’s like he picked a lower trim of the 124 Spider Abarth Just to be able to tear it apart.
Miguel Ruiz you realize abarth IS the trim level, right?
@@TheFuanOne Only in the USA actually and it's the lowest trim of the proper Abarth that was sold in Europe.
I know this car looks nothing like one, but those sunken headlights can't stop reminding me about a 240z
And I agree, however the 240z copied the Dino Ferrari and to some extent the Jaguar XKE.
If the Miata had the rear end of this, it would be my dream car. The rear of the Miata is meh. The front of the 124 is meh. If someone made a car with the ND Miata front and the 124 rear, I would buy it in an instant.
If anyone in the Washington DC metro area would like to see this car in person send me a message. This is a super hot car and I absolutely love the way it drives.
The 124 is a better car than the miata, it’s better looking, sounds better, and turbo/ torque is better
Sofyan what camera did you use for this video in the 8:01 exhaust scene , the colors look A M A Z I N G!!
omg I had an original 124 sports I would love this car
I'd take the mx5 over this car any day of the week BUT the car looks really cool. kinda like a mx5 and S2K mated
Idk why I just don't like the mx5 at all I don't like mazda much due to my dad's cars but he doenst take car of it so
Sadly at 6'5" I am way too tall to fit in either the 124 or the Miata.
97I30T Yeah I'm 6'4" and was really squashed when driving one around Silverstone
LOOK NO BRAKES I sat in an ND Miata at the auto show last spring just for shits and giggles and my head was above the windshield and my legs were smashed against the steering wheel. I don't even think I would have been able to drive it and there's no way I would be able to put the roof up.
Hell I'm 5'10" and the NC Miata I once drove was a squeeze
The 3 pointer from the nature @3:08
12:16 What were the odds that a bright yellow Alfa Romeo 4C would drive by you? 😆 🍀
doesn't sound quite as mean as my 500 Abarth. don't know why they didn't do the exhaust the same as the 500 abarth.
Fiat is its own thing and wouldn't copy Mazda or anyone
I'd wish Fiat revives legendary Coupe. Sigh.
Port injection. You’ll never have to clean the back of intake valves. At 150 pounds more, it’s basically the Nc. But you get 35 mph, sometimes you don’t get in the Nc. Interesting!
That leaf dunked itself.
Small storage for your spider*
Do a video on the new fiat 500 Abarth please
SteezyHector ....I'm sure he will when one comes out.
Guys im not an expert so i gotta ask but how important is hp when it comes to the to overall car speed.I like how the 124 spyder looks and sound but im also interested in 2016 genesis coupe 2.0t in the end i cant decide. In the end is worth getting this car over the 2.0t genesis
any mechanic here? isnt a dohc better than a sohc? can anyone explain me why the more expansive car has a sohc and the cheaper mx5 has a dohc
- it's a multi air. the intake valves are not controlled by a cam so it only has one cam for the exhaust valves.. that's why it's a sohc.
Decent review but the amount of bias towards your own Mazda is incredibly high..