Results 1 to 16 of 16
  1. 2018/04/03, 11:45 AM #1
    DevonEllett
    DevonEllett is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Benoni
    Age
    32
    Posts
    491
    Thanked: 90

    Default Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    I went and test drove a Fiat 124 Abarth this past weekend... what a car!
    Having never owned a little sports car before, and seeing as this would be my only car, what is a car like this like to live with on an everyday basis?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 2018/04/03, 11:57 AM #2
    Willis
    Willis is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Alberton
    Age
    34
    Posts
    732
    Thanked: 177

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Quote Originally Posted by DevonEllett View Post
    I went and test drove a Fiat 124 Abarth this past weekend... what a car!
    Having never owned a little sports car before, and seeing as this would be my only car, what is a car like this like to live with on an everyday basis?
    I dont have experience with the 124 Abarth but I do have experience with the 500 Abarth.

    Nice little pocket rocket but I have had a few issues with it. The dealers arnt the best either which is a sad loss for such a great brand.

    Does the 124 also have the MTA gearbox?
    Lexus GS350
    Nissan X-trail 2.5 4x4 (old rattle donkey)
    Ex - Polo Vivo 1.6 sedan(Stolen ), Nissan Hardbody 2.4 4x4 D/cab, Steed 5 2.5tci 4x4 D/cab
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. 2018/04/03, 04:23 PM #3
    DevonEllett
    DevonEllett is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Benoni
    Age
    32
    Posts
    491
    Thanked: 90

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    In SA it only comes with a manual gearbox
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 2018/04/03, 05:04 PM #4
    Willis
    Willis is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Alberton
    Age
    34
    Posts
    732
    Thanked: 177

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    In that case id consider it.
    It has the same 1.4 turbo as the 500 abarth and I can tell you that after 3 years it has never skipped a beat.
    Great little engine that.
    Service intervals are 10 00km which is annoying for a petrol engine but other than that it I cannot fault it.
    Lexus GS350
    Nissan X-trail 2.5 4x4 (old rattle donkey)
    Ex - Polo Vivo 1.6 sedan(Stolen ), Nissan Hardbody 2.4 4x4 D/cab, Steed 5 2.5tci 4x4 D/cab
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to Willis For This Useful Post:

    Markus and Zelda
  6. 2018/04/04, 07:22 AM #5
    DevonEllett
    DevonEllett is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Benoni
    Age
    32
    Posts
    491
    Thanked: 90

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Thanks for the advice!

    I'm trying to decide if I will be able to live with the impractically of a little two-seater sports car though. It will be my only vehicle, so I will have to get used to not having a large boot for shopping and moving things, etc.

    I currently have a 5 series BM, so it will be quite a change
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. 2018/04/04, 07:41 AM #6
    JAPster
    JAPster is offline Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Boksburg
    Posts
    159
    Thanked: 175

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Go for it. You only live once. Every petrol head has to own a small sports car at least once in their life.
    Alfa 159 - die dors ene, met 6 silinders
    Fiat 500c - SWAMBO se pink'e met 'n swart pruik, en make-up
    VW T5 4Motion - cause there ain't no Italian 4x4 kombies
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. 2018/04/18, 09:31 AM #7
    DevonEllett
    DevonEllett is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Benoni
    Age
    32
    Posts
    491
    Thanked: 90

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Decided to go for it. Picking up the little FIAT tomorrow morning
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. 2018/04/18, 09:35 AM #8
    meh
    meh is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Pringle Bay
    Age
    69
    Posts
    1,839
    Thanked: 767

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Congrats I hope you have many happy K,s with it, enjoy it
    Audi A6 Avant Quattro V6 tdi ( Sold )
    VW Touareg V6 tdi ( sadly written off )
    2 x Toyota Celica GT4 Gen 6 (Sold) sadly missed
    2 x Toyota Celica Gen. 5 ( Sold ) not missed as much as the above.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. 2018/04/18, 09:40 AM #9
    Maartendeneef
    Maartendeneef is offline Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    somerset west
    Age
    68
    Posts
    348
    Thanked: 458

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    As far as I know it is a mazda mx5 in disguise
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  11. 2018/04/18, 10:24 AM #10
    Hedgehog's Avatar
    Hedgehog
    Hedgehog is offline Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Rustenburg
    Age
    51
    Posts
    3,819
    Thanked: 6450

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Quote Originally Posted by Maartendeneef View Post
    As far as I know it is a mazda mx5 in disguise
    With a different suspension setup, engine, and body.

    But you are correct
    _______________________________________
    Andrew van Staden
    With a mild case of "Camping Personality Disorder" or CPD
    I drive a five cylinder bakkie and tow an army inspired van.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  12. 2018/04/20, 08:02 AM #11
    DevonEllett
    DevonEllett is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Benoni
    Age
    32
    Posts
    491
    Thanked: 90

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Got her!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version.  Name: WhatsApp Image 2018-04-19 at 16.45.44(1).jpg  Views: 135  Size: 81.2 KB  ID: 485999   Click image for larger version.  Name: WhatsApp Image 2018-04-19 at 16.45.44.jpg  Views: 135  Size: 60.0 KB  ID: 486000  
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  13. 2018/04/20, 08:14 AM #12
    Maartendeneef
    Maartendeneef is offline Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    somerset west
    Age
    68
    Posts
    348
    Thanked: 458

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    baie MOOI....enjoy
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  14. 2018/04/27, 02:45 PM #13
    shfish
    shfish is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Fish Hoek
    Age
    62
    Posts
    443
    Thanked: 216

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Devon, I'm most envious! Didn't I read somewhere that this little beast is the quickest standard production 1400 in RSA?
    I bought my wife a 500 Abarth about a year ago but I can't stay out of this car myself. I just can't help myself from hammering it every time I get behind the wheel......It's a bit of a mid life crisis for me.
    But now you're talking about the Spider that's doing 0-100 in about 2,5 secs quicker than the 500!

    Enjoy, but make sure you don't get behind the wheel if you've had a few toots!
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  15. 2018/04/27, 03:44 PM #14
    Elders's Avatar
    Elders
    Elders is offline Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Bellville
    Age
    52
    Posts
    12,924
    Thanked: 1794

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    my first car was a Fiat 124 Special .. the original ugly box-shape .... some very fond memories.

    https://www.google.co.za/search?q=fi...w=1536&bih=735

    this little sports car seems nice, but this is not a "Fiat 124" ....
    Last edited by Elders; 2018/04/27 at 03:46 PM.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  16. 2018/04/27, 03:45 PM #15
    Nys's Avatar
    Nys
    Nys is offline Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Windhoek
    Age
    38
    Posts
    7,059
    Thanked: 4984

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    Donner dis mooi!!!! Nie eers geweet van die kar nie

    Baie geluk!!!! Ek is jaloers
    Gert Grobler

    VW Touareg V6 Tdi Escape; Land Cruiser 105
    Bush Lapa Boskriek 816
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  17. 2018/04/27, 04:17 PM #16
    DevonEllett
    DevonEllett is offline Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Benoni
    Age
    32
    Posts
    491
    Thanked: 90

    Default Re: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

    It definitely draws attention. I even had a guy get out of his car at a robot to ask me what car it was because he was arguing with his kids about it.

    It's incredible how good the little 1.4t engine is. Incredibly responsive, and because it's manual (unlike its sister car the Mazda MX5 RF which is only available in auto), you can keep the revs in exactly the right place all the time.

    Did a very nice breakfast run on Sunday morning around Hartbeestpoort to see exactly what this car can do. It was massive amounts of fun, and you can tell exactly when the back end is going to step out a bit. The traction control is nicely lenient, so you can get the car quite sideways before it steps in to assist you. The limited slip diff also makes cornering very nice and also nicely quick off the line.

    I was worried I would regret buying it, but I have absolutely zero doubts about it now. Even in practically terms it's not actually bad. Yesterday after work I managed to get a laptop bag, two small bags of wood, and two full packets from Pick n Pay into the little boot.

    The entertainment system is also very nice (although I hardly use it, as I love the sound of the exhausts). It's a Bose system with a touch screen interface and includes nice details, like speakers in the headrests, so that if you take a call with the top down, you can still easily hear the conversation
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to DevonEllett For This Useful Post:

    Elders
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules