Comparison: 2016 Mazda MX-5 v Abarth 124 Spider | CarAdvice

The fact that both the Mazda MX-5 and the Abarth 124 Spider sports cars exist, side-by-side, is a good thing. In fact, they need each other to survive.
So, here we have two half-brothers fighting for supremacy, both sporting a six-speed manual and presenting a very good choice for those seeking a sporty convertible under $45,000.
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www.caradvice.com.au/504125/ab... - Read the article here.

[@onines1]

Owned a 124 Abarth for about a month now. Still makes me smile every time I put it on.

[@CoolizBrown]

Steven Onines do you still own it if so how is it now?

[@luke4010]

As someone who is about to make the purchase. Do u have any advice for me? And what was your reason for getting rid of it after only a month?

[@gabrielflores1149]

Luke USCG lmao read again, he didn’t get rid of it, simply wrote that after having 1 month. Get LED, Bose, Manual and Recaros. Everything else is optional or has an easy aftermarket solution. Be sure to test drive the ND2 to compare.

[@luke4010]

@@gabrielflores1149 got it, thanks!

[@Gentleman...Driver]

@@luke4010 I have mine for about a year now and I dont have any regrets. It is a very good car, as far as you can live with a compromise. Only weakpoints: The rooftop (it is a Mazda part by the way) is a misconstruction. The early MX-5 NDs have the same problem. The roof is scrubbing on the roll bars and scratching the paint and itself. Sometime the inner roof is "hanging" down. They changed the roof now with a new construction on warranty. So everything is good so far. Just ask the previous owner if the roof was changed, and if the car has warranty left. Also, but that applies to any car: Please drive it. Otherwise things will break. The MultiAir engine doesnt like if you abandon the car for a few weeks. Start it up every 3 weeks if you can. After longer periods of just sitting somewhere the oil will drain out of the motor into the oil pan and that will cause a sensor to block your command for starting the engine. The car has to be towed then to the dealership to make an oil change and a startup procedure. Also the lambda probe was failing me on my very first drive, because the car was sitting one year on a parking lot because Fiat couldnt sell it. :( As I said I dont have any regrets. It is a very nice, very capable car, that is fun to drive on almost every occasion, and the prices dropped here around 26,000 EUR (including tax) in Germany for a new car. The used once are around that number, too. So not much depreciation so far. Every car has its problems. I have owned Porsches, BMWs and even an Audi before. They all have some issues. Some of them are just a little bit annoying, some of them are nasty.

[@williambutton5351]

No comparison on handling. The Abarth is way better sorted. The MX5 standard is too soft and the body roll is alarming when you first experience it. And it doesn't help your confidence. The Abarth is a car you can confidently push from the moment you get in. It's really good.

[@El-Burrito]

"looks like a dodge" that's what I love about it! The 124 looks fantastic. The more I look at it, the more I think it's a very light european interpretation of a muscle car.

[@kazar777]

"it kinda looks like a toy" my exact thoughts when I first saw the Mx 5

[@Bartmantm]

And still my thoughts after owning it half a year already now :-) It IS a toy, and a magnificent one ;-)

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Kazar Own 16 Club for about 7 months now. Toy like agreed. Still feel that way. Looking at a new 124 now...hummmm.🤔🤔🤔 Like having a really neat gadget or really nice knife?? Hard to find much fault with it.

[@jswish777]

Review was great when you guys were actually in the car talking normally rather than trying to deliberately take back-and-forth jabs at the two cars 🚘. Overall solid review thanks 🙏

[@spamfried894]

Why do they keep calling each other "Dude!!"? Australians need to stop watching so much American television.

[@Drivecomau]

+Spamfried - relax dude. Eyyy #fonz

[@harryritchie7367]

Spamfried trust me, it’s just them

[@danielescobedo8460]

No Brainier Abarth all the way. 230 Hp is easy upgrade Looks better also.

[@veronicafemina9372]

There are a rally version with 300 hp !

[@myaccount__7269]

great video. love the banter

[@ausingtv]

I've been getting a lot of stick since deciding to buy an mx5 but I'd never let someone else's opinion be a deciding factor on whether I buy a car or not. I test drove one, I loved it, im getting one. End of

[@sublimekid247]

haha same here I am getting grief over wanting to trade my focus ST in for one.

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

.......you never bought one did you? People like you who claim other opinions don't matter are basically saying, I am totally dictated by what others think.

[@veronicafemina9372]

I live a place with lots of very narrow and very twisty hilly small roads, many places two cars cannot pass each other without have one set of wheels outside of the tarmac, on thes kind of roads I love the Miata ND 1,5, because it is so light 961 kg ! and very easy to keep up the revs, THAT is a real sports car ! The fourth generation MX-5 received praise from automotive journalists. Jeremy Clarkson, in his "Driving" column of , gave the car five out of five stars, calling it an "engineering gem." He also commented that "It’s a cure for depression, this car, it really is. You just can’t be in a bad mood when you’re driving it Jeremy Clarkson, in his "Driving" column of , gave the Fiat 124 Spider three out of five stars, saying that "You’d expect the Fiat, being Italian and all, to be sportier and more manic than the MX-5, but actually it’s quieter and less fun.

[@jrcrawford3036]

Fantastic and informative comparison

[@robertsanders3318]

Nice back in fourth I've always want the fiat from the 1980s the Abarth reminds of that looking to buy one

[@MartinLopez-cp1rl]

now that Ik about it. I rather have the abarth.

[@jeffstone7912]

I like the vintage inspired looks of the Fiat.

[@daveency1992]

Cringy. Trying too hard dude

[@luke4010]

Yeah i didnt like the roasting each others cars. Id rather just they take turns highlighting the positives

[@that_triton1818]

Could pleas review mitsurbishi evolution x

[@TheFantasyReason]

Dude

[@trzmaier]

Abarth looks so much better

[@asherdawrant648]

Bartosz Schatton init

[@ResevoirGod]

Not really. Plus it's a Fiat..

[@1250GSX]

No

[@ag4allgood]

Because the MX-5 drives so much better & its clutch is GODLY ... my eyes get recalibrated every time I drive my MX-5 Club with Brembo / BBS package. It drives like a sports car should drive. Everything is in a comfortable position & after driving these 2 cars back to back my decision was spot on !

[@Scisca1a2a]

The FIAT is so much cooler looking, it's not even a contest. Still, I'm disappointed it's just a 1.4 engine. Would expect something more from the Abarth version, the 2.0 spiced up is what I was expecting. Pity

[@jameschen2942]

They made one, called Alfa Remeo 4C

[@tedheavy3441]

1.4 doesn't sound like much but it's hotter than it sounds. Any car on the road between 40 and 90 mph is toast against it. it's so light and powerful in the mid range it's just stunning. Then if you want to pay somewhere in the 3000 range you can stuff the turbo add resonator delete exhaust switch to e85 and do a chip flash and this car is then pointing at 300 hp.

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

@@tedheavy3441 I own an Abarth 124 and I used to own a 987 Boxster S and the Abarth 'feels' faster, because it is lighter, lower down and more back to basics.

[@miks564]

Anyone that prefers the MX5 2.0 n/a to the 1.4 140hp 124 have never experienced both. ...let alone the 170hp Abarth. There's simply no contest. And precisely for comute and normal driving, having a lot more power in the lower revs it makes all the difference. They're worlds away in terms of power delivery. I just don't understand people always complaining about turbo lag. What's the point to prefer turbo less to turbo lag? In one you wait for the revs to go up and then you have a surge of power from the turbo. In the other, you just wait for the revs to go up. Better waiting for the turbo than waiting for ...nothing. I just don't understand. The difference it's so big that even the regular 140hp 124 beats the MX5 2.0 on the clock. So, when do these two cars become similar? In a circuit both being driven to the max. ...which I would say, less than 1% of the type of usage anyone gives to such a car. ...and even in those conditions, the 124 ends up being faster.

[@bobreno4042]

The consensus from the reputable reviewers seem to show the MX5 to consistently out perform the 124. Numbers do count.

[@miks564]

Bob Reno You should check the actual track numbers, lap times, acceleration figures, torque, power, power to weight ratio, etc. People are free to prefer the Mazda for any number of reasons. Being the quickest is definitely not the correct one.

[@bobreno4042]

I did, lighter weight and higher horsepower is why the MX5 ND2 has the edge, I do love the 124 and would be thrilled to have one in my garage as well, cheers!

[@miks564]

Bob Reno, ND2 is a new version for 2019. This video and the cars reviewed here are 2016 models. There was no ND2 version at the time of the video or the initial comments.

[@zolyomi.z.balazs]

Wondering about a Mazda engine, clutch and gears in a Fiat body with that Abarth exhaust! Well that would be so expensive to buy both and swap the needed parts, but hey, that would be awsome!

[@lrashik]

With around 500 or less the abarth 124 spider is a rare handsome car. My little red scorpion i enjoy looking at it everyday.

[@cjdacka]

Where is Alborz from? His accent is unique.

[@mansourq.689]

Iranian

[@christophedecavalla2941]

Oh, and the price difference?

[@ag4allgood]

I like the Abarth 124 Spyder styling over the MX-5. I test drove a white 124 Abarth 2 weeks ago but had problems with the shifter from a start thinking I was in 1st when really it was in 3rd so I stalled twice ! I have been driving manual transmission cars for the past 35 years as daily drivers. Also the clutch felt very heavy in comparison to the MX-5. When I test drove the MX-5 Club with Brembo / BBS package it felt so much better clutch / shifter wise ! No stalls or mis-shifts in the MX-5 Club. In fact a got an extended test drive from Saturday after dealer closing to Monday after work. The Mazda dealer let me decide because I was hesitant to trade my 2014 Accord Coupe V6 manual 6 speed for the MX-5. So Monday after work I traded in my Accord plus wrote a check to cover the difference & bought the 2016 Artic White MX-5 Club with Brembo / BBS. The MX-5 is the better car as a daily driver because the clutch / shifter. The Fiat 1.4 Liter turbo found in the 500 Abarth ( also in that 124 Abarth Spyder ) has been having reliability issues. This is my 1st ever convertible & never realized how much fun a small roadster really is to drive before those test drives ! My garage just got much bigger.

[@ag4allgood]

@124 Spider I'm happy you enjoy the Spyder 124. Where I work there is a White 124 Spyder Abarth that shows up in summer about once every 2 weeks. I think that is the one I test drove at the local Fiat / Alfa Romeo dealer. Never see it after summer is over. A real shame.

[@yahyara2429]

both are good.

[@th415263]

Great review! Loved the banter but try to be a little more natural next time haha, feels too forced and overly expressive

[@MauiMana]

What color is the MX5? It looks too light to be soul red, but could be the sun.

[@showtaito1075]

Brilliant “shazee” 😂

[@mrpmj00]

Exhaust is still too timid. Suspension too bumpy. I went around a corner fast and I lost traction...not a good thing. Gearbox is not good; my foot was on the clutch and when I tried to put it into 3rd gear, I can feel and hear the gear trying to catch and it shouldn't do this until I release the clutch.

[@onines1]

Your clutch take up is an anomaly. Mine works fine. Turbo lag is real.

[@m.goodpickle9609]

If you want more power, buy a Porsche for 2-3x the price. For me, the Spider has PLENTY of power.

[@ag4allgood]

The maintenance costs of the Porsche Boxster are about 4 to 5 times the cost of my MX-5. I like doing my own maintenance like oil changes / tire rotations & tire changes. Recently installed an Air Oil Separator ( fancy oil catch can ) by Verus. Also installed a Hush-O-Matic active axle back exhaust which sounds so much better than the stock exhaust.

[@nt559]

MX-5 all the time, for Abarth you must add 9.000 EURO in Europe.

[@BenzinioB]

Why I can watch your videos only at 360p?! Yeah I know my system is a bit old, but this is the only channel where I have this problem so it is up to you!

[@garryhopkins]

Benzinio I can watch in up to 1080p, so I think there is something wrong with your system.

[@BenzinioB]

Garry H It is something about You Tube compatibility. I can watch the other channels (at least the subscribed one) up to 1080p as well, so I'm wondering why I can't do the same here and the better quality is unobtainable for me :(

[@BenzinioB]

Garry H It is even weird... I checked few random videos form the last weeks. I can watch the previous vid for Skoda Octavia RS230 in HD, the one with the new Audi Q5 is up to 1080p as well, but the one with the Merc GLC and the V6 Amarok appear exactly like this one only at 360p. So this should be something different then my system...

[@bluestudio67]

Those alligator/croc shirts tho. Hmm...1980's much?

[@b08m4rt1n]

Would you say the 124 clutch feels like a Subaru BRZ clutch? Like only engages in the last inch or so? Cause one of the best things in the MX5 is the clutch. If the 124 clutch is like a BRZ/86 clutch, it destroys the car.

[@1063996]

124 Gearbox and clutch are the same as in the MX5 NC

[@ag4allgood]

@@1063996 What Fiat did to that 124 Spyder Abarth clutch was a show stopper in my book. Abnormally Heavy clutch feel plus did not care for the notchy shifter feel either ! When you drive them back to back the difference between them is very HUGE ! Including the engines & how different they behave ! Do some research into a 124 Spyder oil change ! Why does Fiat make it so hard ?

[@mrhypobaric2532]

"This feels so much faster" at 9.20 is not really surprising - with the Abarth's significantly greater torque.

[@Aurora_v_cali]

That guy with the gray hair is very offensive and overly competitive

[@hu5kyy280]

Who the fuck gives a shit. Only giant fucking pansies complain about that kinda shit.

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

@@hu5kyy280 Is it you? It is isn't it! haha XD

[@tedheavy3441]

from 1500 to 2000 rpm it's just no fun. When is commuter stop start driving ever fun?

[@ReeceJCurtis]

The older guy is such a bumlick for the MX5. This should be an unbiased review, not someone who races one car and dosent like the other.

[@Drivecomau]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

Never once mentioned that the Abarth sounds FAR better than the MX5. The quad exhaust looks so much better too (which was mentioned) and the sound is in a different league. I've owned MX5s and Porsche Boxsters and currently an Abarth 124 and the Abarth is the best sports car I've ever driven.

[@mikeb1039]

Seriously? What year Boxster? Been pondering one for years. Now tempted by the 124. I like the look and the sound. And supposedly not hard to get to 200hp.

[@HassChapman]

I have reversing sensors on my 2.0 MX5 ND Luxury

[@zooks3894]

The fanboy banter is overdone. This is painful to watch.

[@gloriousrunningpotato]

Cant compare the 2016 Mazda MX-5 with the abarth. it needs to be compared with the mazdaspeed mx5

[@darktater2020]

Well, for starters, they put the steering wheel on the wrong side.

[@ketchup5344]

Whats wrong with hairdressers? They're creative, fun and we'd all look like cavemen without them lol

[@MrMazda-ih8cw]

This is a great comparison video but for me, the MX-5 wins hands down. It draws on those valuable years of millions of roadster miles

[@williambutton5351]

Mr. Mazda There are pros and cons. The Abarth is the more confident handler (the MX5 is way too soft and needs work) and the Abarth has better brakes (in Aus spec). Reversing camera is standard on the Abarth and a $700+ option on the MX5. And the Abarth's turbo engine makes a breeze on the open road. Passing is just a flex of the right foot...not a planned event and down 3 cogs like it is in the MX5. Both great cars, but the Abarth has pluses too. Thing is that they are both quite different cars to drive...and that's a good thing.

[@MrMazda-ih8cw]

All good points!

[@ag4allgood]

@@MrMazda-ih8cw The MX-5 Club version comes with light BBS wheels , Brembo brakes Bilstein shocks & stiffer springs that makes this car handle much better than the heavier / larger 124.

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

I'm SO surprised you prefer the MX5, Mr Mazda. What a shocker!

[@jonathanramirez232]

But isnt fiat part of Chrysler?

[@alessio4501]

Of course not. Chrysler is part of fiat.

[@codsam25]

I could car less about your opinion on these cars, just give us the facts!

[@ThomasFerrugia]

0:04 Brilliant "chazzi" . . .LOL

[@ThomasFerrugia]

***** : Just sounds funny. In North America and in the UK, it's pronounced 'cha-see' (two Ss together don't create a Z sound, just a slightly prolonged S).

[@pereldh5741]

”Looks like a Dodge” well the rear is a copy of the last 124 Spider in 1985.

[@LedGaRRagE]

MX-5 amazing handling

[@dnyor93]

That miata looks crazy it's head lights and tail lights

[@CarlyWaarly]

Mazda hands down, it has the best design and handling!

[@m.goodpickle9609]

That's what I thought. Drove both, bought the Spider and LOVE it!

[@andry041]

look 124 abarth time laps on track.

[@craigstevenson7708]

Good or bad?

[@downen1264]

Ok we didn't need two guys going at it over what car is better. Just give us a true honest comparison. Both cars are great. Stopped watching a minute in.

[@ag4allgood]

Drive them back to back Lucas. Its the ONLY way to tell which one is right for you. Looking at a video review gives you an idea but absolutely no feeling in your own hands.

[@mrhypobaric2532]

You didn't compare exhaust sounds. Aaaabaarrth...

[@tedheavy3441]

I have the 124. It is fine light to light. When you run this car on the road above 3k this car is stunning.

[@ag4allgood]

Off the line the MX-5 will smoke the 124 Spyder. In turns the MX-5 Club also fells much more athletic more nimble. Also the oil & oil filter changes are very easy in comparison to the 124 !

[@tedheavy3441]

@@ag4allgood Not mine... Plus it's not butt ugly.

[@ag4allgood]

@@tedheavy3441 Your opinion is like your lower orifice ... everybody has one ! I prefer the look futuristic look of the MX-5 not the outdated 124.

[@tedheavy3441]

@@ag4allgood Well if you think Turbo is outdated good for you. I think it looks like an insect.

[@ag4allgood]

@@tedheavy3441 Yea , that turbo does look like an insect ! I agree ! Have you seen the oil change procedure ? What a fricking nightmare ! Outdated & more complicated than it needs to be ... that is the 124 Spyder wrapped up in a nutshell !

[@BoopSnoot]

I don't understand though. Why do hairdressers really even need sportscars? There's also hardly any room in the passenger seat if your boyfriend is tall.

[@Dreihme]

I've driven both, and it really does come down to personal preference. And by that, I mean more than the styling or NA vs FAI - they both are extremely fun to drive at this price point, and even though the 124 'feels' faster, it has been surprising how close the lap times match at at the track. I think the multi-air has great, unlocked potential, so we'll see where that goes for future modification opportunities, but all-in-all, I found the 124 is more to my liking, performs better in the snow (with Yoko Iceguard winter tires), but does suffer from slightly more understeer in cornering (I'd had Potenza summer tires, and would consider changing them out). I prefer the 124, but if I was lived in a city or area with few curves and short distances between lights, the MX-5 would be a better choice if it is your only car. I do wish the key fob was of the 'switchblade' style, like it is on the 500C, so it was more convenient to lock the storage compartment (otherwise, you have to remove the hard key).

[@mustclime5311]

the new ND handles like crap, It sits on the rear bumpstops in every turn.

[@fastestbasket4327]

Brembo Turbocharged 4 cylinder “Italian sport car” to all non-car guys Better interior But... The first gen MX-5 has pop ups *yeah the MX-5 wins*

[@GriffDawg94]

Blokes an mx5 tragic..

[@guacam_ole]

The Abarth seems more like an american than an italien design for me. Not saying it is bad, it simply doesn't look very italian

[@xuimod]

How can the Fiat have Mazda reliability when the engine is completely different and made by Fiat?

[@ag4allgood]

Also the suspension / exhaust / body panels are Fiat parts. The glass windshield has a Mopar symbol on it. Most of the interior bits are made by Mazda except the seats / door panels are Fiat.

[@awa8903]

get rid of the music. so distracting

[@08060044A]

Mazda every day of the week! The abarth is an inflated money maker.

[@1memo1717]

I’ve got both cars but when you talk a bout driving .. well the miata wins over the fiata

[@s.z.x.01]

Car advice trying to be like top gear. They failed miserably

[@davidwales9657]

Please just stick to the facts rather than pretending to be annoying, opinionated fanboys

[@JericTamayo]

I'd rather get the MX-5 over the Abarth

[@ForgetfulFoot]

Rainer L I got the ND. $25000 AUD for a 2015 2.0L GT. Couldn’t get a second hand Abarth anywhere near that at the time. I prefer the looks of the MX5. However my partner is the opposite. It just doesn’t feel Italian at all compared to the Alfa’s/Fiats I have had. 124 side profile looks like a brick. Mazda dealership network/service also obliterates Fiat.

[@Saboda53]

Still, with the “hairdresser” comments? Seriously?? Such bullshit. I just bought my fourth MX-5, and I happen to be straight. I have two friends with MX-5s, both straight - with wives and kids. I spent 7 years in the Windy City Miata Club, which must’ve been 98% straight guys, all husbands with wives. More MX-5s are raced every weekend than any other car in the world. Have you seen the drivers? They’re overwhelmingly straight guys. So... where does this “hairdresser” bullshit come from? Apparently, mostly from social media and KZbin videos like this one. Sad. In fact, in all my years of Miata ownership, I can’t remember meeting even one homosexual owner. WTF??

[@scott-michael812]

3:29 mazder? there a different in having an accent and saying the word completely wrong....just saying

[@larpy]

ABARTH BETTER LOOKING IT LOOKS MORE EXPENSIVE AND MUCH FASTER. MAZDA LOOKS CHEAP AND TOO SLOW

[@krcrk]

FANBOY LARPEE you have no idea what you’re saying

[@SoFloLuca]

No comparison here for me....the spider is better in every way over the mx5....especially the looks....the dude in the blue shirt is trying so hard to throw shade at the spider but all his corny jokes still doesn’t change the fact that the worst part of my 124 Abarth experience is the Mazda influence(transmission, infotainment, and some cheap interior parts) so, I’m not totally happy the Fiat/Mazda partnership..but man is the mx5 ugly just to look at👎🏼

[@crazylazyfreddy]

After the second mention of hairdresser I stopped watching. Grow up.

[@hu5kyy280]

crazylazyfreddy You know it's satirical, right?

[@ResevoirGod]

@Farina Marcina Ironic as your name sounds pretty gay.

[@1250GSX]

@Farina Marcina or a guy who doesn't care and would punch holes in you for fun.

[@NicWir]

Well MX-5 is better, i mean nobody calls the MX-5 an 124 looking car 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@eldraino9933]

Flogs unite here on screen

[@battlefennec]

"Different transmission"? It's the same Mazda Miata tranny.

[@ag4allgood]

No different transmissions totally. The 124 Spyder has an NC generation transmission that handles the extra torque put out by that 1.4 L turbo. The MX-5 has a newly designed transmission.

[@stefanaamann9241]

The fiat is ugly😳

[@garybanbury]

Both look good but they aren’t sports cars.

[@puterausman7682]

Mazda is a hairdresser car, abath is a gay hairdresser car. I better stick with Mazda.. These cars just like wham..one straight but look like guy and one trying to be macho but is actually a pillow biter.

[@craigstevenson7708]

Your living in the 20th century, grow the fuck up Abarth has changed in 20 years let alone 30 or 40, fiat owns dodge fiats also eons Abarth woukd you say the same about a charger?