Mazda MX-5 VS Abarth 124 Spider REVIEW I THE TRUTH ABOUT MODERN SPORTS CARS!!

These cars are notoriously fun and great to ride around in all day long, but do their exponential costs make it truly better than the sports cars of old?
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[@wrighty338]

The 124 is lot more stylish and desirable. Id be interested to see what you think of an RX8 R3, similar to a NC/ND series mx5 but a tad more power

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Never driver a rx8 r3 edition would love to have a go

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

I've got the Fiat 124 black over tan. It's got an Ascari quad exhaust and a stage 1 tune. It's had the wheels painted gloss black and a lot of the silver muted black and Fiat badges removed. I love it. It's got enough power to push you back in your seat, but it doesn't look as tacky as the Abarth. I used to have an MX5 and they are great cars, but the 124 feels more characterful and feel-good to drive.

[@danielescobedo7968]

Good review I looked at the MX5 AND 124, Bought the 124 Spider Abarth Manual transmission early last year.. Both cares need a least 250 hp. I will be upgrading the turbo on mine. I bought the Spider because I like the looks Better than the mx5 (newer model). Also the 124 Spider Abarth Will be harder To find with low mileage.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Yes agreed 124 is a great looking car even as standard and even next to a very cleanly modified Mx5 nd and yes they need tuning as the engines are a little flat as standard

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Thanks for the feedback to Daniel 👊

[@pindadopje0162]

I drove a 3 series bmw now a Mx5 Nc and already love it more then my bmw

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Never had a mk3 but yes the 3 series are just too heavy really

[@pindadopje0162]

@@feathersandtarmac6456 i went from a 2.8L 6cilinder to 1.8 mx5 but it drift so easy it’s amazing

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

yes mx5s are really well balanced just need a little more power had a supercharged one was a good laugh while it lasted

[@albertopersico3636]

Good video, you deserve more. But put down the music, too loud for your voice.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Thanks Alberto, and agreed the Mx5 video was filmed a long time ago and have rectified the mistakes but totally agree thanks for sharing your feedback

[@GreyCrowe]

Fiat guys have an extra 5 inches on Miata guys..... Just sayin'

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

😂😂 I’ll take your word on that one ☝️ 😂

[@curtisdickson6277]

Bro you got damn good content.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Thanks Curtis Hope you enjoy the next video 👊

[@Izzy111R]

An older Mx5 with a Turbo conversion would be a great fun car, I love driving the older versions they just lack a bit of grunt.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Had a few Mx5 mk1/2 and a supercharged Mx5 mk2 it didn’t last long think the engine is safe without forced induction but yes agreed they haven’t got a huge amount of go unfortunately

[@demonsaint1296]

Boost an ND1.

[@rs5001988]

I'll be honest not keen on either car , each to there own! BUT Still a informed good road test an enjoyable watch ! Early mx5 if I wanted a soft top 2 seat car first car I ever skidded and very fun to drive!

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Totally agree I’ve had a few Mx5 mk1/2 and mr2s and I would go for that instead cheap fun and going up In value no brainer really

[@SSRstudio]

Stock abarth is extremely well tuned for a mountain\any curvy Road blast and gives tones if fun even driving it 11/10 So this was just a wrong car Also the only problem with these both is that miata nc steering us just way better compared to nd/abarth Cant wait to drive new mild hybrid miata ;)

[@SSRstudio]

Also stick abarth brakes are good

[@acchaladka]

Right, got it, good review, thanks. I'll buy an early Boxster.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

Don’t know a lot about the early Boxster but would buy either of them In the video personally as I’m out for performance more than anything else also don’t like to throw money away

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

I owned a 986S for 4 years and a 987 RS60 Spyder for 6 years and they are money pits. The 987 engine imploded after 4 years and cost £5200 for a refurbished replacement. Cost a fortune to maintain AND they are not that great to drive. The tracking gets easily knocked out on them which means they handle like they are on cobbles. The 986 is a better car to own than the 987, but for me the 987 looks far better. A new MX5 or 124 is in a different league to an old Boxster.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

I’m currently looking into a Porsche Cayman s 2010 3.4 but I’ve heard the horror stories about the Porsche maintenance I’ve got a noble so nothing really phases me when it comes to throwing money at a car now love the British cars but when you actually used them they tend to cost a lot to run

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

@@feathersandtarmac6456 Don't buy a 987 Cayman S. They are relatively cheap for a reason. Here's some examples: A common fault with the 987 is the gear shift cable breaking. This happened to me in the middle of Wales 70 miles from home stuck in 4th gear. I had to drive it home in 4th and it was incredibly stressful. The suspensions are weak and almost every component fails. Another example. The day AFTER I came back from a trip into Wales, I popped to the fish and chip shop. Got back to the car, it wouldn't start. Fuel pump had failed and I had to get it towed to a specialist garage. Local garages don't like working on Porsches too. Also alternators, water pumps and windows regulators WILL fail. You have been warned. They are decent looking cars, but they are not worth the hassle. My RS60's small end crankshaft bearing failed destroying the engine. The 124 Spider I have had for 2 years 4 months and not one second of trouble. Great sports cars and they are appreciating in value too.

[@acchaladka]

@@blackporscheroadster6415 thanks for all the valuable comments. I had a 944 turbo which i paid a specialist mechanic to rebuild and tried working on my self a bit. Once fixed up by the guy who knew what he was doing, my 1989 could keep up with almost everything Porsche, and the car was as reliable as you could want. The key to affordable ownership is being able to do at least some things yourself, as well as driving the car hard routinely. I've been told the 2000 -2003 Boxster/ Cayman engines are the ones to look for for best reliability; I'm actually looking now for a 914 which i can slowly rebuild as my skill level is about 1970s cars and a 914-6 is a minor dream I have.

[@idokwatcher2062]

Miata is so expensive in southern Europe but even the 181bhp 2019+ engine can't justify it. At 205bhp it would barely be equal to Toyota GR86 power to weight ratio.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

The Mx5/124 are just not worth the money in relation to performance,but nice cars to drive around in but the performance to me just doesn’t justify the price tag as it’s nothing particularly special

[@demonsaint1296]

ND Miata can be had less than 13k euro in the US. Cheap ND1 supercharged for less than 20k euro in the US. What’s expensive? European taxes?

[@idokwatcher2062]

@@demonsaint1296 MX-5 RF is $43K in Takumi trim (BBS wheels, red leather seats) :(

[@demonsaint1296]

@@idokwatcher2062 hopefully the European market will see prices go higher. Either through taxes or just a European premium at the local dealerships.

[@bigbear2550]

Agree don’t buy either if your a keen driver there not very serious cars needs serious mods to make them into a decent sports car enjoyed the video good work

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

Disagree. I've owned two Porsches, MX5s and a 124 Spider and the 124 Spider is a serious sports car. The Porsches you have to be going silly speeds to get any thrill, whereas the 124 you can ring its neck and it handles like a go-cart and is the epitome of what a sports cars should be. More 'serious' sports cars lack character.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

I would go for the earlier mx5 mk1/2 or mr2 roadster as it’s far cheaper and feels more rewarding to drive not a massive fan of the mx5 nd or 124 but each to there own

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

​@@feathersandtarmac6456 I owned a NA MX5 S-Limited for 8 years. It was black over burgundy leather BBS multi-spokes and tastefully modified and great little car, but even that was not in the same league as a new 124 Spider. The MX5 and 124 you drove in the video looked like they had been molested beyond recognition. The NB MX5 and MR2 are butt ugly - modified or not. I notice the commenters with weird opinions are also the ones who seem to be grammatically challenged.

[@madfiat8932]

Kindof a dis service to both to review modified cars as if they're stock when they're not. For example, the brakes factory are the same, base or brembo options depending (which are available on both). So differences are based on what the owners have done to them since.

[@feathersandtarmac6456]

I’m going to go out on a limb and say you own a 124, regardless I’m going to be honest it’s just not that good but I understand I’m going to get criticism but seems pretty respectable and balance so hope you enjoy the next video