Mazda MX-5 RF v Abarth 124 Spider Comparison | Drive.com.au

They share a lot in common but these two convertible sports cars are very different beasts.

[@kabloosh699]

Man. The Abarth in blue looks amazing.

[@williambutton5351]

Couldn't decide so I bought both. Seriously.

[@markma8155]

which one you liked better>

[@williambutton5351]

Mark Ma Tough call. They are very different to drive. I've made some suspension mods to the RF. because it was too soft "out of the box" and now I like it a lot. But "standard", the Abarth is better sorted IMHO. Engines? If you like working an engine, you'll prefer the MX5. If you prefer a fat slab of mid-range turbo torque, you'll prefer the Abarth (and it feels quicker even though it actually isn't much). Honestly, both great cars.

[@williambutton5351]

G Rodriguez The RF is more noisy than the ragtop at highway speeds. I don't think it's more turbulent in the cabin than the ragtop, but it is more noisy. That's both with the side windows up BTW.

[@ketchup5344]

That's the solution!!

[@adamd2090]

I can understand why some people prefer the drive of the mx5 because the way the suspension is set up and the naturally aspirated engine. it’s hard to imagine how someone could prefer the looks over the 124 though. The Abarth 124 just has a much more special, expensive look . Sounds a million times better too.

[@JohnDoe-kv4ef]

I've always loved the mx5 but I have to agree the abarth looks way better. I wish they came with a normal hardtop

[@ag4allgood]

Looks are subjective. I did a back to back test drive of the roadsters to get the true feel of each. A 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder Abarth 6 speed manual was 1st. Liked the styling / RED tach in the cluster. 1st thing that hit me was that heavy clutch feel ! Felt like it should be in an old pickup truck not a sport car. Shifter also had a tight pattern , kept thinking I was in 1st but really in 3rd so I stalled it 2 times. Throttle response felt delayed from a start as the turbo had lag. For a daily driver this car was not what I was looking for. So next day was a 2016 Mazda MX-5 manual 6 speed soft top with Brembo / BBS pkg. Right away everything felt really good. The super light clutch / the instant throttle response meant a fast take off ! In the corners the Bilstein shocks are an improvement over the softer stock shocks. This meant the MX-5 felt more athletic in the corners , lighter. The MX-5 felt more like a sport car to me. So here in the US I bought the MX-5 Club I test drove. In fact the dealer gave me an extended test drive & after putting 240 miles on it in a 1.5 day period ( work getting in the way on Monday ) this car was in my garage Monday night ! What is surprising is this car is fun when the snow comes & the winter tires go on. I am very happy with this car. Great job Mazda ! Nice to have a roadster choice that doesn't break the bank account !

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

The 124 is more quirky and grows on you. The MX5 is like a boring lager, straight-forward and predictable. The 124 is like a Guinness, unpredictable, characterful, but an acquired taste. You picked the wrong car.

[@ag4allgood]

@@blackporscheroadster6415 You have to drive both to understand. As daily the MX-5 as it all including the BEST Clutch in the business ! No Turbo Lag , instant throttle response , more athletic feel in turns ! Way better SPORTSCAR ! Do an oil change on that Fiat 124. Upside down oil filter & its buried under the intake ! What a mess ! Acquired taste that leaves you saying WHY Fiat / WHY ?

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

​@@ag4allgood I have owned a NA MX5 and driven them all at some point. They are very good sports cars. However, you don't seem to 'get' the 124. It is flawed, but that gives it character. You get used to the turbo lag and drive 'around' it. Much prefer the 124s suspension, the MX5 is too soft. Already had an oil change, no problem at all. 124 Spiders are also appreciating in value and sound WAY better. MX5s are common and too feminine looking. The 124 looks mean from the front and sounds like a proper sports car.

[@ag4allgood]

@@blackporscheroadster6415 Yes that big gap in the front quarter panel looks SSSOOOO much better ! If you like Boy Racer stuff then I see the attraction of those HUGE Abarth badges on the hood & trunk ! I have an active exhaust on my ND Club & it sounds awesome. The 124 is a mishmash of parts too. Fiat - engine / interior door panels / seats / exhaust / wheels / exterior metal. Mazda - infotainment center / some interior parts. Mopar - windows all around. Its a MUTT ! Get into an accident & parts will cost you arm / leg if they are even available.

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

@@ag4allgood You can take badges OFF the trunk, like I did. I can get any part from a breakers car on ebay. You just sound jealous, like you know you bought the wrong car and are trying to persuade yourself. The ND looks like a girly anime cartoon car for boring mainstream morons. I wouldn't swap my 124 for your ND and £10k. BTW - My spec 124 is selling for £3.5 MORE than what I paid for it two years ago. People are realising they are amazing sports cars, not dull, common and boring like the ND. Enjoy your car's depreciation.

[@braaapindustries9190]

Abarth because of the turbo and the look is nicer imo

[@Lee-70ish]

Biggest let down on the Fiat is the engine it's not a patch on the Mazda's free revving squirter The RF adds way too much weight

[@blountman747]

the blue Fiat 124 Spider Abarth look pretty amazing but when you jumped into the white RF Mazda MX-5 I was sold

[@LePadhoc]

want the Blue of the Abarth on the MX-5 !!!

[@haidweng7948]

Drift G Creation same

[@bluestudio67]

Just my opinion, but the RF makes the typical "Japanese generic" MX-5 look better. The Fiat really has a look of class straight out of the box. I'm not sure why the Japanese can't style better than they do. That's kind of always been a dull sword for them.

[@marcinciborowski5273]

Fiat 124 this model is masterpiece

[@othervoices8789]

124 spider is good, but i will go with miata

[@S7RGOAT_EDITS]

Are you driving in kinglake? I just feel like it looks like that.

[@pereldh5741]

You’re so funny with your Kw’s.

[@ketchup5344]

Who do you fancy, that fit bird with the long legs or the busty blonde?? Man, decisions decisions lol

[@MrTriaxiom]

any of you guys ex-bikers? Go for the Mazda. The 1500 is amazing...so much more fun than either the Abarth or the MX5 2ltr

[@ag4allgood]

We don't get that version in the US !

[@calebwoods9358]

I like how this video looks like it was filmed in 2006.

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very nice video and fun to watch.

[@Tellingthetruthaboutpolice]

man idt that blue is available here in canada on the abarth model, it looks wicked

[@zacharyrangel3518]

Farrad Mohammed I don't think it is, sadly...

[@johnmfjw]

Mazda MX-RF Every Time.

[@andry041]

go to see time laps on track

[@MrPicky400]

andry041 which is faster I will like to know

[@andry041]

124

[@Ballacha]

have you driven one? it's got shit SUV-like soft suspension and massive blindspot because of the flying buttress. it looks like a clownwagon as well.

[@Daniel-rw2gy]

Yes

[@SoFloLuca]

Fiat all day everyday! looks Awesome! Good review as well...

[@balintk.9373]

WTF, in Australia people use kW-s instead of HP? Dafuq?

[@asjeot]

Yes, metric all the way!

[@gabrielflores1149]

Lol. Good job not even giving a verdict.

[@bsgeraghty]

This bloke is the absolute worst car journalist.

[@madrx2]

I don't think he is bad, He just says it as it is, and doesn't fake all that bullshit excitement most of them act.

[@andrewreynolds3133]

Go the Fiat, classic motoring.

[@CrusardModding]

I would always go with the original than a copy.

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

the size of the dopey abarth badges really takes away from the fiat. Maybe on a Peterbuilt truck or something huge it might not be so bad - but really, they look hideous!

[@ag4allgood]

Unless you take them off completely ! Plus there is that front fender gap while the MX-5 has the clean smooth lines.

[@Fluterra]

Those Abarth badges on the exterior are ridiculously ugly.

[@davidclark2932]

It is an ARR BART. Pronounce it correctly.

[@guidoschwengersbauer4290]

David Clark it is an ABART

[@juneong6693]

One of the worst review we can find in the net ..

[@caradvice]

Hi June, Want to give us some point on what you didn't like? some creative critisim? Cheers :)

[@enrico93]

put abarth engine in the mx5 and you'll have the perfect sport car

[@usrincludename.h2394]

Or just throw in a supercharger on the MX-5.

[@farmoboy83]

@@pleaseenteraname8830 what makes you say that? Actually Fiat engines are very reliable. Have One with 250000km and other with 100000km both petrol and not even One breakdown!

[@pleaseenteraname8830]

farmoboy83 google how reliable fiat engines are

[@Turco949]

Love the look of the Spyder 124 but still, leg room and narrow size makes it a deal-breaker for me.

[@steelheart4148]

Could this video be translated into English?

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

Noway mate. Aussie rules.

[@inflatable2]

More choice for roadster lovers, sure.. Unless you're over 6"2, then you can forget about these (to) small cars unfortunatly.. I was really disapointed by that because I used to own a classic Fiat 124 Sport Spider that fitted me, but the new one does not.. Then you have to go shop in the way more expensive range of BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK/SLC or Audi TT roadster.. Or the even more expensive Porsche Boxster.. I eventually settled for a used BMW Z4 (cannot and will not pay that much for a new one)..

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

How original ANOTHER comparison video between the 124 Spider and the MD MX5. Change the fucking record.

[@dovahkiin009087]

Does the 124 spider have rear view camera???

[@blountman747]

Caleb Harwell yeah it has one coming straight out the box on Luso and the top Trend Model A man I just can't get how ugly the car looks I love the blue I think the turbo is great they said the turbo lag sucks though it's really tricky because price range they're kind of the same and gas mileage is kind of the same both of them come with the Bimbo brake package

[@ambrizjeffrey]

My does

[@NathanMatthews.]

Yeah! It's called turning your head around and looking out the rear window!

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

@@blountman747 Is the 'Bimbo' brake package a bit stupid like you.

[@joliauniedafeo9495]

Yeah till it rolls. Anyone notice that windshield

[@maximusminimus1346]

the RF hands down -- the fiat looks like a boat and something old people would drive on the weekend plus the double grill front end is hideous- I do like the turbo factor and the rear of the fiat looks good... I wouldn't turn down a free one !!!

[@marconico]

Maximus Minimus funny considering I have only see oldies driving the Mazda

[@Daniel-rw2gy]

Completely agree, the fiat is plastic shit all over

[@tonytouchz757]

Mx5 is a old ppl car too lol although I’m young and looking at both, fiat have the best sounding engine in the world, would need their engine In the mx5 for the perfect car

[@SoFloLuca]

Love the Abarth version so much better! Good review

[@CrusardModding]

I would always go with the original than a copy.

[@ILuciano489]

why a copy? mazda needed a partner to create a new mx5, so fiat took the chance to create a new generation of the 124.

[@SquarishHarp93]

Eimsbusch bis 0711 Italy is the winner

[@m.goodpickle9609]

Really, the interior is plusher in the Spider. More padding, and vinyl on the door where your arm rests, rather than bare paint on the Miata. I guess both have the chintzy sun-visors, which are a disappointment...as is no glove box.

[@hasanal-habbobi4018]

will their be an rf version for the fiat??