2018 Fiat 124 Spider ABARTH // A Cooler Miata?

This week I face a conundrum. The Fiat 124 Spider Abarth is certainly flawed. So why then, did I really like it by the end of the week? (NOTE: when I discuss the trunk lights not working, I mean the lights INSIDE the trunk, NOT the brake lights or taillights and there is a switch to turn them on that I somehow didn’t see.)

Is the new MX5 Miata really THAT different? I was dying to find out, so I spent a week with the 2019 MX-5 RF. SUBSCRIBE for MORE car content weekly!

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[EWL-]

Watching this in 2024 and damn… Throttle House rn is so different… in a good way.

[RacerX-]

I've been daily driving an Abarth 124 for a while now, and it's been my favorite car I've ever had.

[chefdancooksforyou]

I've had mine for about a year. I love it. It gets a lot of attention. Suggestions,
1. find sport mode, your turbo will kick in at around 2400rpm instead of 3200.
2. Add a cold air induction system, $345.
3. Upgrade your turbo diverter valve, $145.
4' If you are feeling really adventurous flash you CPU and give a tune, $799.
All this for about $1200. No more turbo lag. At the $2700 range you upgrade your turbo, $1500. It will increase your HP from 164 to around 250 with 284lbs of torque are the rear wheels.... All parts are bolt on and are easy to install. With upgrades the 124 Abarth will smoke anything in its class. Or you can just enjoy a great little roadster.

[nobushan]

Agree with some of the previous comments that this is one of the best reviews for the 124 Spider. Thanks for telling such a great story about this little known gem that only a small number of people like us bought and enjoyed every minute of it.

[ChrisIsObes]

As someone whos civic got totalled and somehow finessed a lusso with the insurance check, couldnt love it more

[anzamotive]

in 20 years, this will look 1000% better than an MX-5

[seanflahockey]

I’ve owned two Miatas and now this 124. I am much more excited about driving this everyday. This car has much more character in my opinion. The difference is engines is true, but like he said...you fall in love with it. There really isn’t that much turbo lag to turn you away. The looks and compliments I get from complete strangers is incredible compared to the Miatas. People ask me if it’s a Porsche, Jag or even a Ferrari. I haven’t had one mechanical issue so I’m not sure what the speedo issues are he’s talking about. I live in a medium size Florida city and have not seen one other Abarth yet. It’s a head-turner for sure. I would wish these 6’3” guys would stop reviewing these small roadsters and complain about not fitting in them. Buy a Corvette then, the car isn’t designed for your frame.

[Kocan]

The worst thing in Abart 124 is that doesn't have Alfa's 1.75 engine, it has 240HP :)

[fragu]

You just deliver, thanks for these very enjoyable but competent videos....

[ridac]

I recently bought this car from Carmax and had to return it for repairs just four days later because it needed a new starter. I'm picking it up tomorrow, and I'm hoping it won't give me any more problems. I had high hopes for its reliability since I got it from Carmax. Despite the brief setback, I’ve fallen in love with the car and am willing to take the risk because I truly believe it was meant for me. My previous car was a 2012 Miata that I absolutely loved, but it was getting old, and I knew it was time to turn it in.

[thebrunoserge]

There's some upgrades to reduce turbo lag, namely the GoFastBits DV+ turbo diverter valve

[markakin]

I love mine! It loves the windy hilly 2 lane roads in NE Kansas, Its' not so flat around here.

[samuelfanning]

Please come drive my Eurocompulsion tuned 124 Spider in Ottawa. Tune and springs fix most issues. And it just needs a few more add ons to be amazing. Peak boost is around 3000 rpm.

[wallacemeoski]

My daily driver is a resto mod 1981 fiat spider, fuel injected with electronic ignition. Out of the many sports cars Ive owned over the years some pretty exotic, none get the looks and compliments from complete strangers like my spider does. The body was sculpted by Penin Farina's design house and one thing for sure you can say about Italian designers, they sculp beautiful cars. It's a work of art. Even though ironically it was an american who designed it and originally proposed it for a corvette design back in the day. Almost the same car looks wise.
Driving that car puts a smile on your face every time. It's very analog, demanding of your attention but mostly just the most fun car to drive ive ever owned, hands down.

[GreyCrowe]

It's worth pointing out that Fiata guys have an extra 5 inches on Miata guys.

[nelsonperez]

Just a few mods on this engine and you go. Perfect. I love mine

[jpmralfa]

You got the point in this review! I own a Dodge Dart with the same engine the the 1.4 multiair, the car wants me to downshift to 3rd gear if I'm cruising at 60 km/h and suddenly I want to push it!! It's not perfect but really fun, and all the people that tried my car agree with that.

[ihopetowin]

I think your reviews are some of the best around.

[ericescott]

In the US, used with really low miles are going in the low $20k. I'm thinking to wait a couple more years to see how hard depreciation hits these and should be a really good value.

[acchaladka]

More on the 124 please! I like your take on this and wish the video was longer / had a follow up. I test drove this exact model earlier this year and it was great - you forgot to mention it’s a little higher and broader and turns flat in hard corners; stage one tunes apparently smooth out the torque curve and add pop-pop. I’m thinking the Abarth is my next, obvs.