The Ultimate Practicality Test | Abarth 124 Spider *Will It Fit?!*

The Abarth 124 spider sometimes gets criticised for not being as practical as other cars due to its roadster platform. In this video i put the Abarth 124 spider through the ultimate practicality test. I try to load up my Abarth 124 spider with luggage that i would use to take myself and my wife on a euro roadtrip. The question is, how much was i able to fit in my Abarth 124 spider and more importantly did it then affect how my Abarth 124 spider handled? Help me get to 50k subscribers! Join the adventure, its free! Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss an update!
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#Abarth #Abarth124 #Abarth124spider

[@johnmethven5955]

You're approaching the luggage in the wrong way. Ditch the hard cases and you'll get all the luggage in including your wife's in the boot. The wife and I did a two week trip to Germany in the autumn of last year and my wife likes to take lots of clothes. We managed fine using soft sports bags. You'll be amazed at how much you can get in the boot. The car is no issue over long distances and can cruise comfortably at very high speeds with the roof down. Good luck.

[@StefABtv]

Yeah I think soft luggage is the way forward

[@stevekinney7423]

The perfect combo for a memorable road trip - a brilliant sports car, sufficient clutter and wonderful company. Enjoy.

[@StefABtv]

Thank you!

[@omrifadida]

You can use 2 big duffel bag and it fit perfectly. We used the 124 for a one week roadtrip at Italy and it was amazing!

[@StefABtv]

I bet they was amazing with the roof down!

[@bshwrd]

My husband and I too a week long trip to Vancouver Island from Idaho in my 124 Abarth. There was plenty of room in the trunk we each carry too large duffle bag and a back pack. Didn’t have to do laundry until we got home. My DH was worried about the comfort but was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it is on a long trip. I do the driving and was completely relaxed the entire time.

[@marvusparvus]

looks & utility to the max ! big cheers !

[@124Brad]

Love it mate, glad CarPlay is a key part of your road trip preparations ;)

[@StefABtv]

Yep! Thanks to you mate. Couldn’t live without it 🙌

[@CoolcatTerri]

I see you kept the emergency road kit in the trunk/boot and that kit actually fits inside the compartment behind the seats so that will free up some extra space in the trunk.

[@ogotuwaobuto5366]

Love your content mate. Always interesting and entertaining.😀

[@StefABtv]

Thank you!

[@jtk00763]

If you’re determined to use the 124 to go away in, you could sacrifice having the roof up, when going camping I managed to put 2 large camping chairs and two soft backpacks in the space where the roof folds away into!

[@cookieitltd]

I Didn't think of doing that!

[@faysalmehio3270]

amazing content m8 keep it up!

[@StefABtv]

Thanks mate!

[@dm1lls919]

Cool video stef very interesting to see 😁. Happy 1st March! Looking forward to the roadtrips you'll embark on 😎

[@StefABtv]

Thank you buddy! I think we all can’t wait to hit the road when we can!

[@dm1lls919]

@@StefABtv Agreed, I've got a modified e89 bmw z4 and I can't wait to get back out there and make the most of life. That six cylinder exhaust 😍. About you cupholders I know a guy who makes some custom 3d printed for all abarths. I'll ask him to get in touch with you and see if he can sort you out 👍🏾

[@evanmachado]

Wow! Quite impressed with the space the Abarth offers!

[@StefABtv]

Surprising isn’t it!

[@stanislas4990]

Even if the Abarth 124 Spider is not a very practical car, you have some space for luggage. I love the sound of the exhaust. It's such a fun car.

[@StefABtv]

Yep it’s so fun!!!

[@TechFromYorkshire]

Love this video. Super useful!

[@StefABtv]

Thank you!

[@EnzoAlejandroZamoraDAlessandro]

Great video, just what I needed! I was planning to rent this car on a trip recently and had this doubt.

[@kidoctane]

Oh, this video is just so, so relatable on so many levels

[@StefABtv]

😂😂😂

[@jeremyingham2953]

Cheers Stef! Loving the roof down action as always. If she HAS to have the big suitcase, a Globetrotter suitcase looks bit thinner than your red ones - may give you the ammunition to get a really nice bag as it maximises boot space 😉

[@StefABtv]

Haha cheers mate. Yep different luggage for her is the way forward lol

[@jumpjump2906]

Cracking upload. Seriously thinking about a abarth spider. Only things putting me off. Lack of cup holder and the pot holed roads where I stay. Pot holes so bad they are like tank traps

[@StefABtv]

Awesome car for the money. You can buy the cup holders just expensive lol

[@thawk2563]

Stef, great video as always. So the key for this car in your opinion is soft bags where possible. Out of interest, did you try a bag behind the passenger seat? I found alot of space there myself and curious to know. Video always appreciated! 🙌

[@StefABtv]

Yeah soft bags are the key I think. Didn’t try a bag behind the seat. It could work but would compromise comfort for the passengers

[@robertlloyd7493]

Great to see you warming to your car 😄

[@StefABtv]

Yeah I let it warm up before I boot it lol I just don’t show it in the video

[@cullmaster7361]

Nice vid. You’ve got the same spec car as mine and the same colour with heritage bonnet and boot. Just in case you didn’t know the 124 and Mx-5 ND series share the same accessories in the cabin. So you can easily get mx-5 cupholders cheaper. I did. I’ve got the TCM do it yourself flash tune to stage 1. Also done the android auto and Apple CarPlay but did the software upgrade to latest MX-5 version as I read that the one you got can have Bluetooth issues. Ended up using a laptop and a USB setup to reprogramme the car system which also allowed me to put a few things on extra. One mod I do recommend if you drive at night is the automatic dimming rear view mirror that the MX-5 ND models get. Helps with not have that shaking mirror you get on the standard manual ones you get. Another thing I recommend is replacing the plastic rear wind deflector with a clear Perspex one as this help reduce the noise in the cabin when the top is down. Another mod I also fitted is a rear view camera for reversing when you have the hood up. Have you had chance to do your TCM stage 1, BCM airfilter upgrade and have it dyno’d?

[@MP_pov]

Your missus'' case + everything you have in soft bags, job done. I had 2 mx5s and they also had space for jackets and small soft bags by the rear window where the roof folds - assume the 124 has that too?

[@johnkeenan4184]

Cheers Stef, I'm going to check later if the puncture kit in my MX5 fits ito the cubby behind the Driver's seat. At 5 ft 9.I think I can also sneak some hanging shirts behind each seat,

[@StefABtv]

Yep you defo could mate!

[@lascm5237]

Revo Rack for the missus’s case and the rest in the boot - job’s a goodun 👍

[@StefABtv]

👏👏👏

[@JayTee124]

First three seconds 😆 ✌️ Brilliant!

[@SChapps]

When I've done long journeys in my 500, I've had the same cramp as well. What I did was stretch my leg out above the gas pedal and press it against the back of the footwell, and use just the back of my heel on the top of the pedal. Really not ideal 😂

[@johndavies4079]

Stef I shave had mine 3 months now and love it 👍 off topic for this vid but do you have any tips on cleaning the bonnet? I have heritage pack and find I am damaging the wrap no matter how careful I am

[@StefABtv]

I don’t yet mate. I need to find that out myself lol

[@user-zj1eg2iv6m]

Es el mejor coche que he tenido, es genial

[@steveaga4683]

I have the taylor-made Roadster triple case set! It makes the most of the boot space AND leaves a little space at the sides

[@StefABtv]

Awesome! Is it expensive?

[@steveaga4683]

@@StefABtv I paid just under £180 from MX5Parts in Portsmouth. However, I have seen a few sets for sale on the 124 pages over the last few weeks....and they have been much cheaper.

[@MartynStanleyAuthor]

You could get a boot rack for the wife's massive case? That lot would fly into my 911 if I was allowed to use the back seats. A good chunk of it would go in the front boot though.

[@comeonman7423]

Love this video, what about the custom luggage though?

[@StefABtv]

Yep I think that’s the best solution. Thanks for watching!

[@sainta2667]

Stef, I'm 1.87 ? will I fit in? Everybody speak about it's size , but not if it fits tall drivers ?

[@Jubellymmel]

The flexibility of many smaller bags, as opposed to the 1 piece space hog luggage of your wife, is the way to go I think. However we have also made very good use of our boot luggage rack on our road trips within Sweden. But, as you pointed out, while the fear of having that big piece of luggage stolen off the rack is an issue, we've never packed any valuables in there.

[@Jubellymmel]

And btw many thanks for another interesting video man! It's always such great fun to watch. I can't wait to see what you do with your 124 in the future.

[@StefABtv]

Thank you!

[@KCnLex]

Where do you put the dog? If you put the things in bunches of plastic bags you could get the contents of all the bags, but will look funny checking in when you put them into your "garden sized trash bag" in place of a suitcase. I tried an Abarth and the inability to change the angle of the seat back so as to redistribute the pressure points in your spine and rear makes it very uncomfortable for long drives. If memory serves the Miata has enough room for some adjustment, so not sure why this lacks it.

[@hotrodmercury3941]

Mitsubishi Mirage has less space with the seats up than this. People underestimate small cars, I fit my entire life in my Mirage and drove it 17 hours to my new home. You can definitely do it if you get smart and ditch the hard cases. I always go soft body for clothes because it can mash n fit. If you have any electronics, take it in a seperate bag for obvious reasons. I know they used to make a luggage rack for the trunk of these sport cars to fit that little extra bit of luggage. I can imagine you can mount a tow hitch with a cargo box, ive seen a Miata run around town with one. He also had those thule roof racks and looked like he was going the miracle mile somwwhere. I also had a MGB for a few short months, I slapped a hitch on that thing and put a universal transmission cooler on that thing (it could handle it stock so this was just an extra layer of protection). I would easily tow a small trailer, something a motorcycle may pull to a little Uhaul. I paid 2K for that little thing, but had to give it up because I needed the money and it was an extra car. I was able to tow all my tools, a spare tire, some luggage and stuff. I even pulled a washer and dryer once! When it comes to towing you can always feel a bit scared. Most modern cars arent built like thet were back then in terms of "i need the utility too" my Mercury Grand Marquis would easily tow another car, I wouldnt try it with my Mirage because of how its built, low horse and torque and its a CVT not a manual.

[@TheAlastair34]

I'm looking at buying one of these at the moment, current road trip car is an Elise and we managed 2 weeks round Italy in that so this looks like a 4 bed detached in comparison 😂

[@StefABtv]

Haha yeah it’s a decent boot. My 4c boot was terrible lol

[@shankarbalan3813]

I wish you had put out this story 3 years ago…. I wanted to rent one for an Euro Road trip…..but travelling for two weeks ain’t easy if one has to compromise on the luggage…

[@desertwindauh]

What's the volume of the wife's big bag? And the two smaller hard cases? One possible solution would be to replace the hard shell bags with soft sided items that would conform to the shape of the boot. So, here's what you do. Establish the volume of each of the hard sided bags and replace them with soft sides bags of equivalent volume. And that should do the trick and all 5 would fit.

[@StefABtv]

Yeah I think softer luggage will be the solution as it was so close to fitting with my luggage

[@thomasmurrell8490]

I’m looking at getting a 124. Is the car noisy at high speeds say on the UK motorways around 70-80mph? Wind noise I am referring to that is.

[@StefABtv]

It’s very reasonable mate

[@thomasmurrell8490]

Thanks for the reply and sorry for my late response. Can I trouble a couple more questions from you. I went and had a look at the outside of a 124 yesterday but I forgot to check is the rear window glass or plastic? Also have you had any problems with cleaning the roof? Many thanks in advance

[@philiphunt4341]

Hi Steph Are the 2016 and 2017 models the same? the only ones available in Australia. Phil

[@StefABtv]

They are yep

[@mrvik8]

Soft bags in the boot, shoes in separate small plastic bags,flat foldable suit holder and spare engine oil, all in the boot. Small picnic bag behind the other half’s seat. Small Back pack with micro four thirds camera behind my driver seat. Behind seat cubby holes had car cleaning wipes and cloth. Knick knacks including a Tom Tom go unit in the cubby between the seats. Mrs handbag in passenger footwell. All in all it was enough for a 1700 mile road trip to Amalfi with stop over in cinque terra on the way back. 0730 drive , top down on the Amalfi costal road from Vietri to Amalfi was magical. Also had space to somehow fit in 2 small bottles of Limoncello and chocolate on the way back

[@biobak123]

Take soft bags instead of hard cases. So everything will fit 🙂

[@JohnnyJQuest]

and no wheels!

[@MFnDahk]

Switch to soft cases instead of hard ones and you could fit more than all that.

[@TheTiMFREAK]

2 duffel bags and 2 gym bags fit snug ,was the max i could fit

[@carobsessions4707]

Sref bro Did you know storage behind of each seats 😀 and i heard usb port under passenger side dashboard

[@StefABtv]

Yep I mention it in the vid 🙌

[@carobsessions4707]

@@StefABtv actually i comment before watch full video😅

[@slowjo99]

Can you show us a video on how to properly clean the roof mate.

[@StefABtv]

Will see what I can do :)

[@recyclespinning9839]

The original made in Italy fiat spider has large trunk and back seats.😊

[@NextChapterMusic]

How tall are you?

[@krzysztoffolta4823]

Can you do this test with the aniversario?

[@StefABtv]

Can’t at the mo as I don’t have the 695 anymore but hopefully will have something soon from Abarth I could try it with :)

[@krzysztoffolta4823]

@@StefABtv ok, thanks a lot!

[@keithevans5667]

Hope your wife doesn't see this....... Travels Heavy! Bad boy! ha ha ha! Nice to have seen your last ever video ;-)

[@StefABtv]

Haha she knows 😂😂😂

[@vasiliiadler788]

I recon you never played tetris 😂

[@joeykrodinger8258]

Your wife just needs to pack whatever she would in the big case in the other smaller two same amount of space but in separate bags so it fits ;)

[@mcmustangno1567]

Sakes, 4 days, 3 bags, you sir pack like my wife, that little rucksacks enough 🤷‍♂️

[@StefABtv]

😂😂😂

[@mcmustangno1567]

@@StefABtv 😂. Great car you have mister, been looking at these for a few months now, this vid disheartens me though as it proves I would have to continue taking my wife away with me at weekends 😂. Need to buy a motorbike 😂

[@fozzie221]

Just use soft bags rather than hard suitcases and it would surprise you just how much extra room you get

[@yevrahbor]

Also 2 not incredibly puffy jackets fit under the roof when down

[@classicmodification2902]

I wish this Abarth spider would have launched in India before fiat shutting the production

[@kjss4345]

Road trips are spending time with friends and family...buys the smallest car on the market😂

[@ERICtheLATE]

Cue the Tetris music!!!

[@StefABtv]

😂😂😂😂

[@yeahno....]

Large soft duffel bags *4 laid front to back

[@-IsleOfSkye-]

I love my wife :D ya bell end :D

[@cookieitltd]

I have found a couple of solutions to increase/maximise luggage space, as follows 1. tailor made luggage - www.roadster-concept.de/roadsterbag-koffer-fiat-124-spider-english.html 2. A boot luggage rack - e.g. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aarMd359bbGGh9U As my family has a luggage fetish, they were strangely excited about the first one!

[@MP_pov]

Don’t think your wife will appreciate being referred to as heavy...

[@StefABtv]

I said travels heavy, didn’t say she was heavy and she’s fine I tell her all the time 😂

[@MP_pov]

@@StefABtv yeah that's how she will probably hear it no matter how you say it though :-)

[@UncleRayRayGarageEmporium]

If she split her "necessities" from the large case into 2 smaller bags, done deal.

[@chriscuthbertson]

Get her a trailer.

[@alechill3527]

He said roof rack on a convertable

[@StefABtv]

Meant boot rack

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Are you moving house? Going away for a year? What the hell is in all that luggage... arctic survival gear, recovery kit and a dog sled? 🥴

[@StefABtv]

Lol I wish there was an easy solution 😂😂😂

[@stevenbennett3922]

Soft bags.

[@StefABtv]

Yep defo the solution

[@craigpavia8943]

Who travels with three hard cases in 2020s? Go find the Titanic or something

[@benny_mc]

First.

[@StefABtv]

👏👏👏