Shootout: the Fiat Abarth 124 Spider versus Mazda MX5 - what would you choose?

[@spa3093]

Abarth has lsd, brembo and bilstein which weren't mentioned.

[@davidbattaglia2336]

Thanks for the video and comparison! I hope you do a road test with both cars as well! I love my Fiat 124 Abarth. The power band is great for everyday driving, because you don’t have to rev the heck out of it to get the performance. The exhaust is amazing on the 124 and I like the looks better. I love that it shares the underpinnings with the MX-5, a lot less to go wrong with it.

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

David Battaglia Hey David thanks so much for your comments. I filmed this a few years ago so sadly didn’t do a traditional road test with them BUT I agree with you completely in terms of the daily usability of that turbo engine. The high altitude in Johannesburg sees like an 18% loss on engine performance so having a turbo is a no brainer. I also really like the styling - it’s distinct and retro which appeals to my taste. The biggest issue and what made it a tough buy in South Africa was price disparity between it and the MX5

[@davidbattaglia2336]

Marius Roberts thank you for the reply! I was wondering where you were based, as I didn’t recognize the currency you were referencing. In the US, they are effectively equivalent in cost. In watching videos, it seems the North American reviewers prefer the MX-5, usually because of the little extra performance they can squeeze out of it. The European reviewers prefer the 124, for its styling and that it seems truer to the “60’s British Roadster”. To each their own. I love my 124!

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

David Battaglia That’s part of what has killed FCA in South Africa - pricing and the legacy of poor service & reliability with their product! And it’s such a pity...such good products of late, especially on the Alfa side, but our market is VERY German brand focused. My Italian mate in my hometown has one - loves it - perhaps I should do a little follow up video. 🤔

[@davidbattaglia2336]

Marius Roberts even better if you can compare it to another “fun” to drive car. Maybe a comparison of vintage vs newer?

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

David Battaglia Good idea - am on it!

[@Monkeydoge]

Picking up the abarth in the coming months, it's the way to go really

[@tonyandrews7956]

124 abarth to my eyes looks so much better. Classic looks. Mx5 may be the better overall driving experience but I think I would go with the Abarth over the mx5.

[@ag4allgood]

I drove both a 2017 124 Spyder Abarth & a 2016 Mazda MX-5 Club both with Brembo brakes. The delayed throttle response in the 124 is no fun. The 2017 124 Abarth also had a heavy clutch pedal feel ( might have been fixed in later year cars ). The 2016 MX-5 Club has instant throttle response off the line quicker. In turns the MX-5 feels more athletic , more nimble. That is JUST the driving experience. The MX-5 will be more reliable / last longer / cheaper to maintain / easier to work on yourself. Upside oil filter hidden under the air intake ? For more $$$ , No thank you Fiat ! Almost 5 years of daily driving my MX-5 Club in all weather / heavy rain / snow / ice / freezing rain the car is under rated. 50 / 50 weight balance makes it handle like no other.

[@LP-up9dy]

124. No question!

[@alexdavila1356]

I chose Abarth. Looks better and sounds better. I couldn't get over how the front fascia of the MX5 looks like a smiling guy squinting.

[@RegUnsworth]

The interiors are the same as are most other parts because they are built on the same assembly line in Japan. Apart from some parts like dampers, brakes etc which are the same but upgraded some work on the diff and the Fiat engine & box they are pretty much the same. What you get with the Abarth is an Italian sports car built with Japanese reliability.

[@joedebeer8563]

The Mazda gets my vote based on looks, price and faith in the company being in South Africa in 5 years time. Wish it had a turbo for us here at altitude though.

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

All very valid points Joe

[@milk240cat]

Abarth 124 Spider😉

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

milk240cat It’s got so much character hey

[@milk240cat]

@@MariusRobertsProductions This is my ABARTH 124 spider kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaCaloGuZbB-pbc

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

milk240cat It looks great in white...

[@danielescobedo7968]

The 124 Spider Abarth No brainer. I just got mine last week manual transmission

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

MX5 is great of course BUT it lacks the character of the 124

[@ag4allgood]

@@MariusRobertsProductions Character = More $$$. Don't ever get into an accident with your 124 Abarth. They stopped making these cars so the cost to repair ANY body panel / glass window / exhaust will have you waiting to even find a part to fit. Same with the unique interior parts to the Fiat. That upside down buried oil filter though had me scratching my head !

[@Dcage13]

So who won the race?

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

Dcage 13 Mmm that was the one damn annoying thing with the edit that was done - they didn’t give the times?!?! Never did understand that...but interestingly enough the times were almost identical - the Fiat was ever so slightly quicker but in car it felt a lot quicker because of the different character and how the power is delivered. Way easier to get it unsettled compared with the MX5 as you could see - if I was driving for visual impact and kept it tidier, it definitely would have been an even quicker time

[@lukeskywalker6148]

Mx5 all day long spider looks odd unrefined bit of a mess really

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

Luke Greenynexus Thats what I love about cars - we all have different likes and opinions! Look, the MX5 is a true classic and they haven’t messed with the winning formula over the years so it’s important that a shared platform project like this has its own personality & unique feel

[@adamhastie5718]

Pretty sure the mx5 is stiffer and build to be track fast..the Abarth is built to let go on the corners..soft suspension some form of electric slip diff..performs at lower revs..I love my Abarth..but in a race I have a strong feeling the mx5 will win because of corner grip. I think Abarth knew better than try build the same thing as mx5...chose torque and a fun drive..

[@ag4allgood]

@@adamhastie5718 They do drive very differently ! Because I wanted a daily car the MX-5 was definitely a better choice for me. Turbo engines will not last as long as Naturally aspirated engines. Easy to do oil changes on the MX-5 without making a mess !

[@adamhastie5718]

@@ag4allgood hey..I got the oil change down pretty good…just need a funnel, 2 hoses, a cloth, small hand pump and an umbrella..😂😂 Lol..damn I hate oil changes..