Fiat 124 Spider Is it a best buy in the used car market?

[@aldo90731]

I own a well-equipped 2018 Abarth that I bought new in March 2019. Sticker was $38,500; there were $4,000 in rebates. With dealer discount and all I paid $30,000 + tax and license. The car is a hoot to drive; sounds awesome and looks like a millions bucks. I get 30-35 MPG without even trying. Total strangers come up to me asking what it is; a Ferrari...a Maserati...? It's funny, people can tell it is Italian but have no clue what it is. It is one of the best purchase decisions I ever made.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

That's awesome! Thanks for checking in and for watching my video. We get a lot of the same responses whenever we take our spider out. We have a massive road trip planned for it this summer. It's going to be roughly 5000 miles with a day dedicated to driving through the Rockies up one of the most dangerous roads in America. Yes there will be video.

[@nelsonperez1577]

Tail of the dragon!!!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@nelsonperez1577 No that's actually a walk in the park compared to where the Spider's headed. This place has 7000 foot drop offs and no guard rails. I'll post it come July.

[@tigerbyte0]

Ditto, except mine is 2018

[@gostaholmqvist366]

The made only some 36 thousand of this car, all-in-all. Will one day be a collector´s item. Owning the 124 Spider is like putting money in the bank, just a lot more fun.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

We have taken this car on several road trips. It does well and it is a fun car. We find it is helpful to get out of it after a couple of hours for a few minutes because it is small and restrictive inside the cabin. That stated it hard to beat experience of driving this car on a twisty, scenic road, with the top down, and sport mode engaged. Thanks for watching!

[@Bretana]

I love the 124 Spider to death. I bought a new '18 Classica and it's my favorite car that I've ever driven. I was heartbroken when they discontinued it. I daily drive mine and it's been incredibly reliable. The storage space is perfect for me because I don't have a spouse or kids to shop for. I don't have a problem fitting the groceries in the trunk after a run to Walmart. Great vid!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for the kind words. My wife & I just finished a 2000 mile 4 day road trip in our Spider and I will be posting a video of how things went shortly.

[@ThePreisman]

My Abarth is perfect. I daily drive it, take it on long road trips, and run through the mountains with pace. I went with the A/T and it is a pretty good transmission. I changed the exhaust to make it sound even better than it does from Fiat. And I added some springs to get it a bit lower. I haven't found a situation that the Spider could not handle, aside from larger amounts of snow. It is a great car.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing!

[@shawnmiller7809]

We have a 2019 Abarth we bought new…. We absolutely love it, you describe it perfectly. It’s a fun nice car, unique styling and a blast to just drive around…. My wife also didn’t like the the mix-5 styling, so we went with this…. It’s all about the smiles per gallon!!!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you!

[@jdrewroberts]

My dad had a 1958 MGA. He said if you got caught in a rainstorm. You had to stop the car, and dry off the points in the distributor, before it would run correctly.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

You also had to worry about rain coming into the interior on those car as well.

[@GreyCrowe]

Love my '17 124. Such a great little 3 year, low-ish production, branch off the much-loved Miata family tree. That, tied in with the Fiat 124 being the highest selling roadster in America, prior to it's succession by the Miata.... I believe will make this an instant classic. SAVE THE MANUALS!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Couldn't agree more!

[@ST01K]

I'm the same way with my '18 124 classica. It's awesome to see people turn their head just because they've never seen the car before.

[@RacerX-124]

I got my 2020 Abarth 124 last fall. I've been driving it daily since, and it's appreciated in value. Not that I care much, I love this car to death. I don't miss my 4.6.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

They are a fun car and they are still less than a Mazda MX5

[@RacerX-124]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs better looking and better sounding too IMO

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@RacerX-124 My wife would agree with you. We took it across the country this summer. It was 5,800+ miles and it was surprising comfortable. We did get out every couple of hours and helped a good bit.

[@peterf46]

Perfect review of this great little car! Mine is put away for the winter so it’s fun seeing one being driven. Definitely one of the used car bargains here in the U.K. 👍

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank You very much for the kind words! Sadly ours is now garaged for the winter as well. We have a long trip planned for it this summer and there will be video once the trip is completed so please check back to see how we fared.

[@peterf46]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs looking forward to seeing it. We’re also planning a road trip this summer, to Italy. Just about enough room in the boot for the trip.👍

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@peterf46 I'm going to be in Italy as well this Fall! I wish I could wheel the Spider over there and I am envious of your trip. I will have to rent something while I'm there and I'm sure it won't near as much fun. Enjoy!

[@peterf46]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs wayhey ! Hope you have a great trip, the driving down that part of Europe is incredible! 👍

[@jefflindeman]

Great review! I love my 2019 124 Spider Lusso! (Mare Blue Metallic 6sp manual)! Here’s a tip hardly anyone points out: there are two (two, count ‘em!) hidden “glove boxes”… one behind each seat!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you and yes I used both of those a couple of years back when the wife and I took the Spider from Harrisburg PA to Las Vegas and back in 11 Days. I think we used every inch of storage in car. :)

[@morgangianni8923]

Wow maybe I'm in the wrong industry because months ago I had never knew about this. The more i learned about it, the more I love it!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@morgangianni8923 it’s a fun little car!

[@louarminio]

Hey Tony! I stumbled on this video while browsing test drive vids on KZbin. Looking forward to seeing the Fiat in person this June! I'll be interested to hear about your experience driving it across the country!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Hey Lou! Thanks for watching and I'm sure we can talk about once we get out there.

[@carlglassmeyer5679]

You keep referring to the Fiat reputation. I have owned 4 fiat 124s during the 80's.. They were all 1970-1979 models. Yes they did have a few faults. Primarily with rust and the clutch cable. With the proper care and tlc, they were extremely reliable and fun to drive.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Fiat 1st pulled out of America in 1984 due to poor sales. Cars like the X1/9 and other were prone rust and mostly unreliable. Once again we see Fiat winding down sales in U.S. which is unfortunate. Some of that has to due Americans preferring SUV's. I refer to because often because in America Fiat's reputation isn't great especially when compared to Mazda or Toyota.

[@carlglassmeyer5679]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs thank you for your reply. You are correct re: American preference for suv. Most Americans don't realize bigger isn't always better. I must admit though, that on the roads today, it could be dangerous driving a spider be size car. I don't believe schools even offer drivers training any more. Hard to get kids away from their phone long enough to drive. The X1/9, like the one Pontiac, did have an overheating and fire problem. I still miss my Spider. All the electric relays were the main problem.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@carlglassmeyer5679 The 124 was a much better car than most of Fiat's offerings in the states however they too had rust issues. Our winters and the salt just eats cars up.

[@carlglassmeyer5679]

Other than the reckless in drivers from California. We don't have the problems people in the snow belt do. Love AZ.

[@Antony556]

Why is is a "Bummer" that most of these cars are Auto. It's a sequential gearbox with paddle shifters, fast a great fun and quicker in reality than the stick shift manual, especially in sports mode lots of pops and bangs and the automated throttle blips, well if you ain't tried one... don't knock it. They're brilliant IMO

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I rented one for two weeks from someone on Turo for a trip to drive all over California. I prefer the 5 speed but to each their own.

[@paulyakaitis3352]

Just bought a 2020 Lusso which only had 12900 miles man I love this car. I still don’t believe I own it , love the styling! A 12 year old boy saw and said” this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life!” Cute. It is a head Turner!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

They are a nicely styled car for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@Tony-hc9fw]

Fiat or Abarth?

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@Tony-hc9fw Well it's a Fiat Abarth so both really.

[@Tony-hc9fw]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs I asked if it is Fiat or Abarth just because here in Europe they are two different kind of car: Abarth belongs to Fiat group, but actually Abarth 124 spider is a 1.4 turbo engine with 170 hp, while Fiat 124 spider is a 1.4 turbo engine with 140 hp. In the videos of the Spider 124 sold in the U.S. I noticed that the Abarth 124 Spider version has the Fiat logo on the inside (on the steering wheel). The reason why I asked that question is just because here they are two very different models.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@Tony-hc9fw Got ya. Here in the states they share the 170 HP engine across the spider line up and the only change is cosmetic. The handling package can only be added the the Abarth.

[@scottjackson4518]

Nice review. I own a 2017 124 Classica and love my Spider. Bought it in 2017 with 2500 miles and 6 months old. I now have over 75000 miles and it's been extremely reliable. I've extensively modded mine as a high performance sleeper and it's held up so well. My Spider will never be for sale. It's too much fun. I also own a 1991 Mustang race car and 2012 Corvette Z06 race car but have more fun in my Fiat. My Spider has 346hp currently for reference.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Scott that's awesome to hear. I'm pretty sure we are taking ours across country summer 2022.

[@scottjackson4518]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs You'll love it. Pack tightly with soft luggage. I've been able to pack 2 weeks of clothes for me and my son and travelled to both coasts from East Texas where I live. Love visiting California but wouldn't want to live there. Love the scenery in the mountains near the east coast. Be sure to hit Tail of the Dragon area. Micheal Brenner with Drop Top Tees has a good video about packing the Spider for road trips if you want to check it out. Micheal is a wealth of information on these cars if you look him up on here. His channel is Drop Top Tees.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@scottjackson4518 We have the soft luggage made for the MX5 and rented a turo MX5 this past summer for a Cali trip. Did Route 1 from from San Fran to LA , out to Joshua Tree then parts of 66, up to the southern point of Sequoia drove of of that park up to Sacramento. There is very little of this country I have yet to drive. :) If you want a road that much better then the tail hit up Back Of the Dragon in Southern VA. From Marion to Tazewell. 55 MPH speed limit, covers 33 miles and cross 3 mountains, with very little traffic.

[@scottjackson4518]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs Thanks for that info about another road. I love twisty roads and not scared to drive it like I stole it. I'm an old street racer and still road race my Spider. I also drag race my other race cars. My Spider is my daily driver.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@scottjackson4518 check it out on maps. I have been organizing cross country road trips for Rally North America for over 11 years so I know a great LOT of roads all over America.

[@shmee7978]

I recently got a 2017 Lusso for an amazing deal, less than 5k miles for 20k. For being over 6ft it's a bit of a squeeze, and the controls are hard to use but I love every minute of driving it and I can't recommend it more.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@recyclespinning9839]

I had the 1975 , 124sports coupe , as well as the 1976 spider. Fun cars.. I looked into the BMW Z4, but heard the have a bad lifter tick problem. Sure enough a buddy has one and his does indeed have a loud tick. i may look at Fiat again!!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

It's six months and 3000 miles since I made that video. I have enough confidence in the car to take it on a 6,000 mile road trip this summer.

[@recyclespinning9839]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs Thanks for update. Seems like the Abarth are hard to find . I like the upgraded braked. Any other difference 124 vs Abarth.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@recyclespinning9839 It's mostly cosmetic. We got updated shocks, and brakes but those can be added aftermarket.

[@recyclespinning9839]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs ok, thanks again . I'll be looking to test drive one..

[@CHAD-pj8rx]

Ive been in the market for one of these, and was wondering what type of fuel you put in it. I know the owner manual sates that the car should receive premium, but can take regular. I think the car has a knock sensor which changes the timing of the ignition caused by the difference in the fuel quality. Still, I would like to eliminate knocking all together to preserve the engine.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

We average 34 MPG ish so Premium is what we use. There is a big difference in performance of the car when you select "Sport" (engine mapping) I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have that with regular or Plus fuel.

[@RacerX-124]

Run 91 or better and be done with it. I doubt you'd even save anything in fuel with the ECU enriching the charge frequently to prevent knock.

[@DK-wr6mq]

Nice review! It is a nice looking vehicle.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you! We do enjoy the car and have taken it on several roads trips since this review.

[@treeskier802]

Excellent video. I’ve been shopping for an NC Miata but came across a 2017 124 spider Classica. It has 120k miles on it but was a one owner who put like 23000 miles per year on it. It’s only $8500. I’m thinking about it but am concerned about the long term reliability of the Fiat engine. It’s super cheap compared to other 124s but seems like a legit car. I see your video was a few years ago. Do you still have the car? Curious about the engine long term reliability. I mean the rest of the car is basically a Miata and it was put together in Japan.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Yes we still have the car and have had no issues. That price is VERY cheap. Worst case a replacement engines are not that expensive or difficult to find or drop in so IF it were me I would grab it. Here's a few video from my playlist on the car. kzbin.info/aero/PLz2M3b_orpr3IhUWIl-c3Rz-Yi9IFbs1H

[@treeskier802]

Thank you so much!

[@leigh6507]

It also has two storage compartments behind each seat.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

small but useable. :)

[@ixevaztyan]

Those engines are known to be reliable on multiple cars without engine the only downside the spark plugs how to replace every 30000 miles

[@spartenkiller456]

I don't know, I'm still partial to the Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice. There basically the same car in the same way the Miata and 124 are very similar. Difference is the GM has a turbo with 260hp (290 with the performance pack,) and they're available at half the price of the MX5/124. Less MPG, but at half the price and half again as much power, it's a small price to pay even today. Even at 5 bucks a gallon, you'd have to put 21,000+ miles on it before the cost to own reaches parity.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I know several folks with both GM cars and the reliability on the GM cars isn't quite as good as what it is with either the MX-5 or the Fiat. If you only drive it on nice days as a secondary car that may not matter as much. The big thing with the MX-5/124 is handling & maintaining speed. Neither are fast cars but on small track or a curvy road they walk away from a Sky/Solstice. 50/50 weight distribution and chassis stiffness make up for the horse power difference. Go to any track in America and you will see a lot of the track rats driving MX-5's

[@spartenkiller456]

While no GM product from that era is likely to be as reliable as anything from Japan, that fiat motor feels like something of a time bomb. The only thing real Achilles heel of the kappa platform was the water pump which lasts 75,000 miles, and is both inexpensive and readily available. Also the solstice gxp (the targa/hard topped one,) will hit 60 .4 second faster than an ND miata, and about 1.2 seconds faster than the Abarth spider, and both it and it's Saturn cousin also have 50/50 weight distribution. However I will concede that the newer roadsters corner better regardless, but that's more down to the fact that they weigh more than 500lbs less. Will the Fiat handle curves better? Absolutely. Will it handle them 10,000 dollar's better? Not even close, especially considering the upgrades you could get for 10 grand if you wanted to go down that route. I'm not hating on the Fiat or the Mazda either, love both car's. I'm just saying don't sleep on the Sky or the Solstice. They're great cars, and they're both dirt cheap right now. The only exception is the 2010 GXP, they only made 900 of those before Pontiac closed it's doors forever and they are highly sought after.

[@RacerX-124]

@@spartenkiller456 the Fiat engine is very reliable. It's been around quite a while in several models.

[@danielescobedo7968]

Bought my 2017 Spider Abarth Manual transmission With 8500 miles early this year. Paid $25000 out the door. Fully loaded

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

That's an awesome deal for a low mileage sport car in today's market! Thanks for proving my point. :)

[@ClubsportEvoluzione]

Very good for you.... I missed out on getting one in the spring and now idk if I’ll ever own one.... for sure not for $30k. Enjoy!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@ClubsportEvoluzione The only constant is change. The insane pricing we are currently seeing in the used car market will not continue forever. I'm sure by this time next year once the new car production is able to ramp up prices on these cars and many others will plummet and you will be able to buy one at a decent price. The thing nice is many owners do not daily these cars and therefore low mileage good condition cars will be there for you.

[@ClubsportEvoluzione]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs I hope you’re right, I really want one and even my fiancé likes it!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

IF you are willing to travel there ae several clean title , decent mileage, cars in the 22K range near me. Convertibles don't due that well in the northeast during the winter months. I drove from Pennsylvania to Florida to pick up ours.

[@royrogers2146]

Good content!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you!

[@alanthomson1227]

MX5 2.0 l better than 1.4 Turbo in Abarth . Oh I live in NE Scotland and use it as a daily , we tend to get snow all year round , OK a slight exaggeration .

[@michael3958]

Love the video! How is the stereo?

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for the kind words and the stereo, it's decent. Not great. The speakers are Mazda and placed in the doors and head rests.

[@LLSicilia]

mine has a factory Bose system.. not bad

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@LLSicilia Agreed they are decent. This isn't car you buy because of the stereo. That would be very low on the list of priorities for most Spider owners.

[@RacerX-124]

For a 2 seat roadster, it's awesome. It's night and day better than the pitiful stereo in my BMW Z3 M.

[@recyclespinning9839]

How much for low mileage Abarth now ? They are still asking $20k when I think they should be $17k

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I published that video November 2021. Things have changed in the used car market quite a bit since then.

[@ClubsportEvoluzione]

It’s not.... it was back in spring ‘21 when a ~20kmi car could be had for ~$20k with pearl on leather and the 3 packages. Now a base spec with rebuilt title costs that much.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Here's a clean title onw owner starting at $20,500 it's up north and it's winter www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=616590128&zip=17053&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D17053%26city%3DMarysville%26incremental%3Dall%26modelCodeList%3DFIAT124SPI%26makeCodeList%3DFIAT%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceASC%26location%3D%255Bobject%2BObject%255D%26state%3DPA%26searchByDma%3Dfalse%26firstRecord%3D0%26marketExtension%3Dinclude%26relevanceConfig%3Drelevance-v2%26searchRadius%3D500%26isNewSearch%3Dfalse&numRecords=25&searchByDma=false&firstRecord=0&modelCodeList=FIAT124SPI&makeCodeList=FIAT&searchRadius=500&makeCode1=FIAT&modelCode1=FIAT124SPI&clickType=listing

[@Ana-oy6hm]

Would you say this is a good car for a first car?

[@Ana-oy6hm]

I’m looking into the lusso! Still not quite sure though 😅

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

It's not a bad first car. My answer would also hinge on where you reside. In the areas that get snow this might not be the right car because it's rear wheel drive. People do drive them in the snow but you would need a set of snow tires for the winter and it's still not the greatest. IF you live in a warmer climate where it doesn't snow it would be an awesome first car. They do need a bit more maintenance than your standard Honda/Toyota but not that much more and having a convertible is great fun when you are young. Best of luck!

[@barryjohnson1330]

Tony, has the leg and head room? The classic Fiat Spiders could accomodate taller drivers.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

This one will not really. I'm 5'8" and I fit but the seat is almost all the way back. I would think if you were over 6' 2" it's a no go.

[@barryjohnson1330]

Thanks Tony, had that feeling! Looks like a fun car though

[@ogdumplings8196]

Just hit 30k miles. i changed rear view mirror, turbo blanket and ignition plugs. problem: 4 wheel alignment sensitive 500USD gone, 4 new tyres 500 gone, rear bumper being hit by random person 1600 gone, door ding repair 500 gone (3 times). Getting my oil changed today and transmittion tommorow, good luck finding dealership service it, it is expensive to own! performance wise, it eats oil. everytime i drive it i feel being beat up and it is addictive. I am getting a wrap soon !

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I don't know IF this will make you feel any better but my classic car (70 Mustang) costs way more to drive per mile than the fiat. It's gets 14 MPG and I am constantly doing something just to keep it in good running order. That said I love it as well. Sometimes you are better off just paying what it costs and enjoying the time behind the wheel.

[@ogdumplings8196]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs bet your 70 mustang does not rattle like this one, I constanly find rattle parts during the winter, and summer resets it, winter repeat again lol. but I love driving this thing in rain, i love the sound of the cloth top being hit by raindrops!

[@Kstxrd]

I completely disagree with your pricing information. Cars under 20,000 miles are $25,000 and up to well over $30K.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I might be a bit off but ALL used cars are insanely high right now. That's going to change as quickly as they sky rocketed as soon as all the chip shortage is over and that's happening now.

[@Kstxrd]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs the chip shortage will run well into 2022 and maybe beyond. I don't see used car prices dropping anytime soon but I do know that a low mileage Abarth 6 speed manual is breaking the bank right now and they don't last more than a day or two and they are gone. Even in the dead of winter.

[@alexdavila1356]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs ... it's hard to imagine inflation bring down the price of anything right now

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@alexdavila1356 The car market is headed in decline shortly if not already. Definitely seeing it in the collector car market and a car like a Spider which many people consider a sunny day driver will be following closely behind.

[@cazbantu4233]

I just with this and the Mazda had more Hp then I buy . Otherwise it’s a good looking car.

[@teggsy2165]

Abarth badge looks so crap in plastic,if they wanted a classic look it should at least have some chrome around it's edge? Looks like the kind of sticker you stick on your games console or PC.

[@rubyb.desimití731]

 Esta bonito pero me gusta más el original, el 1er. Modelo Spider 📌

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Los mayores son difíciles de encontrar.

[@PB200559]

Mars-da?🤣

[@sainta2667]

Fiat have great engines, no worries

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

So far so good!