Mazda MX-5 vs Fiat 124 Spider | PH Battle | PistonHeads

[@aldo90731]

You guys need to pick the two vehicles with comparable equipment. The Abarth version of the Spider comes standard with a rear LSD

[@blakecunningham8146]

Why not try an accurate comparison to start with. You guys are doing this all over the net...You compare a base 124 with a club MX-5 with a limited slip rear end. Why not compare a club spec MX-5 with an Abarth 124(which has a limited slip rear end) and cutting out the obvious bias....Then you will have a believable comparison....

[@AliTaylor777]

One word, price. The Abarth is £7k more in the UK. Even the newer spec 184bhp (which is actually 190bhp according to BBR GTI) MX5 in highest GT Sport Nav spec is £4k less than the Abarth.

[@MichaelWilliams-fj9mb]

@@AliTaylor777 Weird, over here the abarth start at about $39k, the base miata starts at $42k and a the highest specced one at the moment is worth $58k.

[@jasoncampbell7765]

The Fiat 124 Spider Abarth can be found here in the US for $25,000 with incentives. Incredible bargain. I have a 124 Spider Urbana on order in Red with a manual and it cost me $21,000 brand new for 2020 in November 2020. :)

[@mod.ts76]

@@jasoncampbell7765 Can you update us on how it is to drive? I'd like to get one myself :)

[@jasoncampbell7765]

@@mod.ts76 It is fantastic. The Urbana Edition borrows some of the styling from the Abarth version plus the leather and suede seats are fantastic. I had a 2016 Mx5 Grand Touring a few years back and couldn't stand the body roll... This car sticks to the pavement on the turns. It also feels faster than the Mx5 especially when in the power range of 3,000 to 5,000 rpm in 2nd to 4th gear. The exhaust sounds much better than the Miata as well... I definitely recommend the 124 Spider BUT only in manual. The automatic I test drove a year ago felt rather sluggish.

[@williamperez1142]

Your driving the Miata Club sport? He has the Fiat 124 Lusso, apples to oranges. Next time how about the Fiat Abarth? That would be a fair comparison.

[@AliTaylor777]

@5putput: the Abarth Spider was around £32k when it was on sale. You want to add £3500 to that price and THEN spend more money tuning it? Assuming the multiair unit doesn't fail. That makes the Mazda £10,000 cheaper than your Abarth before you mod it and a stage 2 upgrade at BBR is far less than that, and that gives 300bhp which you'd be very unwise ever tuning the Abarth to.

[@mod.ts76]

@@AliTaylor777 He's not talking about the pricing lol. Just top spec vs top spec in performance

[@noahlippert1160]

It literally couldn't be more fair

[@ag4allgood]

@@mod.ts76 Then give the MX-5 Club $5,000 worth of performance upgrades to make it all around fair ! 😢 More $$$ translates to more power.

[@clairebannister4749]

My 1.5 Sport Nav was putting out 143 from factory - now 158 at 7550 rpm -( limiter at 7700) thanks to BBR Brackley. - I love it for its soft suspension - you can really lean on it on the terrible UK roads and it only weighs 975 kg. Perfect for me.

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Well done good sirs. But next time try the Abarth 124.

[@yikesvikes]

I was driving my US version 2016 MX-5 Club, on I-95 in Virginia last week, and came upon an Abarth. The owner passed me in the right lane, a little smirk on his face. Soon thereafter, I passed him on the left, and at first he challenged, but ended up behind me, and never caught up. . . I realize this wasn't on a track, and all, but still . . . I was left smiling, and at last glance, he was not. Zoom zoom.

[@kaiwenli3432]

michael silver either he doesn’t know how to shift or in the wrong gear.

[@shiftintohigh5564]

michael silver I cam up on. Miata and passed him. I had a smile on my face. I realize it wasn’t on the track, but this proves, what it proves.

[@ilpatongi]

shift intohigh What you did proves absolutely nothing, the Abarth is faster on paper and in the real world, it has even more torque. He probably didn’t even care about you to be honest.

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Gruvve I didnt do anything. lol. Just suggested they try the comparison with the Abarth.

[@davidbattaglia2336]

Fun video guys! From what I've seen, if you are pushing the car 9/10 to 10/10, the MX-5 seems to be the better performer. However, for normal driving, where you aren't driving the wheels off the thing, the Fiat's midrange torque is awesome and makes the car much more livable. Looks are in the eyes of the beholder, but I love my 124 and I love the looks of it, especially the rear. I like the MX-5, but am not a fan of the look of the rear of the car. Honestly, anyone else notice that the rear of the 124 is similar to a NB Miata?

[@andreapavan6895]

Grazie, ma il confronto se prendi il 2litri mx5 lo devi fare con la versione Abarth! La 2litri ha differenziale e sospensioni più sportive della 124 base

[@lucianolucidi8624]

Io sono combattuto se prendere la mx5 rf 2.0 da 184cv o una 124 spider

[@Captivateitmedia]

Can you do a comparison with the top fiat abarth and the top Miata. Then it will be more apples to apples..

[@Tony-hx2fj]

Fiat Spider sure looks a lot better although I it is handy to have Mazda repair and sales stores a lot more available. I have owned a 77 Fiat Spider , which as far as reliability, it has been fantastic, far better than american cars of the same era that I have owned . I always have been concerned with finding competent mechanics to do the maintenance such as changing timing belts and adjusting valves.

[@DadSon211]

This review seemed to be a bit bias for the Mazda. I've watched 4 so far (including this one) and idk. It's 50-50 between them all. I'm favoring the fiats higher horsepower, torque and style. Also it is cheaper. If I were to go too trim on and Mazda and too trim on a fiat the fiat is a few grand cheaper. And it's lighter.. more style. More power. Better handling and has a lot more tuning capabilities. Apparently there is a way to get just over 200 horsepower by simply tuning the fiat and still keeping the warranty. That I'm trying to look into. Definitely learning towards the fiat. Plus everyone in my town either lifts jeeps or tunes old Mazdas. So I'm trying to change it up. Also just some context. I'm looking into buying this because my other 2 cars are way too high in maintenance and I'm looking for a change. I have a 1987 Mercedes 300SDL Turbo and a 2002 S430 AMG (sports package) I'd like to get into tuning a small cheap car. With the 2 cars I have now I can't lmao too expensive for a 19 year old. Please do comment any other research some of you may have found between the 2 of these cars. Definitely would like to discuss them.

[@Captivateitmedia]

If your using the limited slip diff, the use the abarth version and see what the results are...just saying.

[@zxp4]

try the ABARTH next....

[@peterlewis3540]

The Spider has the Fiat Abarth engine, which suits the driving experience, its more of a long distance cruiser, when the Mazda is more of a track day car.

[@shankarbalan3813]

If the objective here is to prove at any cost the MX5 is better, even with an unfair advantage - apples to oranges comparison. Then I guess it is ok. But ideally to give the real world consumer a good comparo you should compare like to like.

[@CARSRULE94]

Jinba Ittai ftw :D Thanks for the great review guys!

[@ghostking0019]

the 124 spider is fun but the MX5 is brilliant

[@DropTopTees]

They didn't use the 124 variant designed for this type of driving while the did use the MX-5 variant that was. #FakeNews

[@weege001]

i just bought a 2017 124 spider lusso.. i think im gonna like it

[@littlepero]

Funny that the standard fiat stays in front of the 2.0

[@navyseal6822]

The fiat isn't for racing round tracks,it is built on comfort

[@showtaito1075]

They should have used the abarth version. It has way stiffer suspension

[@showtaito1075]

Judging from around 4:05 the mx5 seems to have a LSD which the regular 124 doesnt have.

[@madfiat8932]

If you'd bothered to get the Abarth version that's not detuned, then it would be a better competition.

[@2lazeblue]

look at that body roll

[@ronaldweed4599]

Looks awesome fun good driving Pals.

[@Dornpunzel]

So awesome to watch how you guys chase and drift. I want to do that as well with my friends. :-(

[@dakotathomas8759]

So I'm the only one that was smiling watching him slide the mx5

[@qwerty69600]

Main issue with the mx-5 is it looks too soft and toy car like. I know the mx-5 is the car I should get, I really do, but I just can't bring myself to sit in something that looks like a hairdressers car.

[@AliTaylor777]

So many people commenting "why did you not use the Abarth?" Simple. It's £7,000 more than a 2.0 MX5 Sports Nav. And it's not actually as good, or as powerful (170 vs 184bhp now). Spend that £7k difference wisely at the nice folk at BBR GTI and you have a 300bhp MX5.

[@ilpatongi]

Alistair Taylor It absolutely compares, price is the last part of the equation. Suspension, LSD, power and tune make it on par with the 2.0 liter, without considering that the more power of the new MX5 don’t mean it’s better or faster, the Abarth has a lot more torque with stiffer suspension, and that’s why it costs more and it’s plain better and actually faster than any MX5. Looks and sound is also preference but the MX5 really isn’t great on that regard compared to the 124 for my taste.

[@bagelhunt]

Miata Is Always The Answer

[@arricammarques1955]

Too right! Miata MX 5 superior build.

[@Tony-hx2fj]

but ugly, from both front and back.

[@squishyawesome4249]

@@Tony-hx2fj tbh fiat front is so ugly

[@jedmorrow106]

Hate piston heads, they wont let you post youtube links anymore, I've cancelled my subscription.

[@richardmuirhead3568]

R. Kelly also PH

[@graemetalbot01]

I'm bias as I heard someone say that the Fiat was bite the back if your hand beautiful. I agreed & bought one.

[@K22MDL]

Looking at both I am so pleased I bought the MX5 Sport Recaro. The Fiat is over styled, heavier, smaller engine with a turbo and no LSD. Plus, whilst the 124 could be called "more luxury", the plastics are still all black (aka MX5) which I think clashes nicely with the tan interior of the Fiat. Just a mishmash.

[@PrayedDragoon]

Heavier? 100 lbs is heavier it also has 164 HP and a ton more torque at 184 and has and LSD

[@1SaG]

That. I have the Recaro/Sport-pack version myself and I couldn't be happier with the way this little car handles. I did look at the 124 before buying, but I didn't much care for the styling or the fact that both the 124 and the Abarth are way more expensive than the MX-5. Plus I've had turbos for the last 12 years now and really wanted another naturally aspirated engine for a change.

[@juandef4115]

Martin Lynch agreed. But i still prefer an s2000

[@kaiwenli3432]

Martin Lynch MX5 doesn’t have LSD either unless you buy club.. same with 124

[@1SaG]

@@kaiwenli3432 Different trim-lines for different markets. There is no "club" MX-5 in Europe. Not sure about the UK, but in Germany, you get the LSD in the two highest trim-lines (there are four trim-levels altogether).

[@worldwidewayman]

Boys will be boys. Men buy the 124.

[@DropTopTees]

The Abarth 124 has a LSD. Do it again and make it fair?

[@cliffli798]

but spider is much cool looking than the MX-5 though, to be quite frank the mazda looked a bit ugly

[@Victor-wy7yc]

The Miata looks way better.

[@toshibavoodoo]

Added Sub!! Great video, and yes I own an NC.

[@donkeymarco]

The Fiat has additional sound insulation, different seat cushion, acustic glass. What should be changed in the Fiat is the battery with one lighter.

[@orlandocolom]

I think the numbers are wrong. Mx-5 is 155hp and the Spider is 160hp

[@steveaga4683]

Orlando Colom ...it is only 160 in the US. In Europe, it is 140bhp. You need the Abarth at 170 to get more

[@jayjayDrm]

how does that come? other turbosetup? different engine? and why? no abarth in usa and thats why push up the normal version? i'm just curios.

[@1SaG]

@@jayjayDrm Different engine setup I guess. The 1.4 turbo has been around for a while and is still being offered in all sorts of configs. For example: The very first (modern) 500 Abarth also had the 1.4t and made 135hp. The thing with both the 124 Spider and 124 Abarth in Europe is that they are substantially more expensive (massively so in the case of the Abarth) than the Mazda. When I was shopping for my ND in 2017, I was also looking at both Fiats. The Abarth would've been over €40,000 with options that the MX-5 has as standard. The regular 124 with all the options the MX-5 has as standard (most options? some aren't even available for the 124) would've been over €35,000 - and it had 20 hp less than the Mazda. The fully loaded 2.0l MX-5 I ended up buying was €31,000 list, but I paid much less thanks to a healthy rebate - which I wouldn't have gotten for the Fiats.

[@egeayvala1799]

infinite smiles per gallon (miata)

[@LargeFry1]

the EARS on that guy!

[@balbopilota]

if it was not so ugly, it has and indian tent look, the mx5 would be interesting i think.

[@BrUh-is7cw]

Jeez put on helmets, that fiat doesn’t always like those turns, especially when you hit a numb 😬

[@tristanr8597]

Abarth has limited slip, i'd never buy a regular spider

[@chefdancooksforyou1352]

The Abarth would smoke the MX. LSD.......

[@blackporscheroadster6415]

95% of people who drive these cars haven't and won't go anywhere near a track, so this test is a pile of crap. I'm also sick of reviews constantly comparing these two cars. So they share components and are built in the same factory, but for fuck's sake STOP COMPARING THEM.

[@Aesth32]

The Abarth is Better 🥇🏆

[@bobbyrodil6371]

The front end of the Fiat 124 just looks all kinds of wrong. The engine has no place in what is purported to be a highly strung sports car.

[@BrianW1612]

Bobby Rodil much better looking than the mazda. Front of the mazda looks like it has down syndrome.

[@andry041]

there is 124 abarth with 170 hp

[@tracyperry6231]

Actually as some others have said, the Mazda looks like a catfish from the front with that "big mouth". Put some curb feelers on either side of the front fender and it would look like one for sure.

[@richboy900]

It looks slightly like a dodge viper. Just cheaper and no V10

[@drewdrew6904]

Strong words against what might have been badged as an Alfa Romeo. Looks are subjective. Each is different. I owned a NB and deciding between the Abarth and a 2019 Miata. More HP.

[@m3lowiesvlog715]

S2000 be like:cough cough

[@1SaG]

Yeah... from its grave... :P

[@AndresSalazarAutos]

And now the Fiat 124 is no more

[@tsnaha]

Abarth....see ya mitia

[@tsnaha]

Abarth will kill the mitia its got the diff

[@jamesgerardgorman4429]

What abs crap. At least compare like with like - 1.5 MKF V Fiat 124 and 2.0 MX5 V Abarth 124. This was a hatchet job on Fiat/Abarth.

[@krusader9066]

Miata is always gonna be the best roadster

[@Ad0akes]

Fix It Again Tomorrow

[@Gundun]

Wow, got some other new stuff you care to share?

[@Ad0akes]

Thatguy yeah Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious

[@blacksunshine1089]

I thought it was "Fix It Again Tony", or is that politically incorrect now? Either way, I'd still take the 124 over that Miata any day.

[@lucarnetrange]

What a good joke for the year 1970.

[@supershark9k708]

So much body roll ewwwwww

[@jamescarson6681]

Aftermarket suspension. Duh.

[@polopowered]

Why would you choose a Fiat over an MX5?! Fools and their money....

[@ilpatongi]

polopowered Because it’s the same car that looks better and it’s way easier to work with if you want more power. Fools and their useless opinions...

[@carlosrangel3808]

Driving a little death machine with no roll bar and no helmet has got to be the most idiotic thing I've seen. Twice in that video I saw the car lean dangerously and no safety equipment in sight.

[@joshisnot11]

You do realize adults can consent to dangerous recreation, right? You better not watch base jumping or free-climbing lul.

[@qwerty69600]

Oh shut up you bore.