Abarth 124 spider

[Tfp]

Went to see one today.





Made a lovely noise, nice to look at, some decent modern tech, a rare sight on UK roads I guess.

Just not quite quick enough.

I know it's not all about straight line speed, but plenty of fairly ordinary cars are just as quick.

30k new was a bit steep when I first looked at one, but they're now available for 20k or so with just minimal miles.

So probably sticking with the Z3 for my roadster for now.

 

[Delk]

The reason I bought a Z3 was I used to have a 1978 124 that was hit and totaled by an old man in a Volvo. Loved the car and it was great. Made fantastic noises but wasn't fast by any imagination.

 

[Tfp]

Interesting that a large dealership would have a 20k car on their front with damage.

And they said it'll be sold as is.

 

[gookah]

something you didn't mention after your test drive?

 

[Sean d]

We have one locally, I quite like them, should get that wing painted, its only a couple of hundred quid to get done

 

[Althulas]

Seen one in Guernsey last summer and liked the look and build. Also seen one yesterday afternoon on the A27 back from Bognor Regis.

 

[Slam]

I think they look really nice much better looking than the mx5 equivalent

 

[Slam]

Was it noticeably slower than your 2.2 ?

 

[andyglym]

Was it noticeably slower than your 2.2 ?

The Arbath Spider is 0-60 in 6.8 seconds and 144 mph so good pace I think for this type of car.

 

[andyglym]

I think they look great and will give my 2.8 a good run for its money and faster top end.

 

[Tfp]

Was it noticeably slower than your 2.2 ?

Good question, and one I tried to work out for myself.

The Abarth pulled nicely after a small amount of lag, but didn't get more powerful higher up the rev range like the 2.2 does.

Outright performance after a short test drive felt similar, although I reckon the Abarth will go a bit better with some high octane fuel.

The Abarth is lighter so I expected it to feel more urgent I suppose. I left slightly disappointed as I really wanted to like it.

I might still have one if a private sale job comes up at the right price. That way I can own it for a few months and sell on without a huge loss if I don't fall in love with it.

It is a very pretty car though, nice seats, nice dash with a bit of alcantara, lovely sound from the exhaust at low speeds, it burbles along at low revs, and a few pops with the sport mode on.

Another thing I noticed that's concerned me a bit, the front subframe already had surface rust on it. At only a few thousand miles. The car had been registered in Liverpool so maybe it's been parked up near the sea?

 

[Tfp]

I think they look great and will give my 2.8 a good run for its money and faster top end.

I'm not sure Andy.

My last Z was a 3.0cc and that felt like it had much more punch than the Abarth.

I'm wondering two things, maybe cheap fuel, or maybe just not had enough use yet for the engine to loosen up.

My TTRS felt quicker once past 4,000 miles.

 

[Tfp]

I need to decide.

 

[andyglym]

I'm not sure Andy.

My last Z was a 3.0cc and that felt like it had much more punch than the Abarth.

I'm wondering two things, maybe cheap fuel, or maybe just not had enough use yet for the engine to loosen up.

My TTRS felt quicker once past 4,000 miles.

The 3.0 is miles ahead mate in power and torque, no contest. Better on looks too. A nice looking car and zippy but not in the same league as a Z3 IMO.

 

[andyglym]

I need to decide.


View attachment 97008 View attachment 97009

Your Z3, very classy.

 

[Althulas]

Im surprised at it having surface rust appear that quickly. Hope the rest of the body has better anti corrosion properties.

 

[gookah]

I need to decide.

although I really like the Abarth Spider,......... in those two photos the Z3 I think looks sleeker, classier and actually more expensive.
The Abarth looks a bit, dare I say, 'Halfords"

The white version, I think, carries off the black bonnet and red trim better.

 

[Sean d]

Im surprised at it having surface rust appear that quickly. Hope the rest of the body has better anti corrosion properties.

Its a Fiat, they are terrible for it, even today, just as bad as Mazda's and Mitsubishi's

 

[Tfp]

Its a Fiat, they are terrible for it, even today, just as bad as Mazda's and Mitsubishi's

Thanks Sean, I didn't know that about the Fiat stuff.

Is it just the subframes that suffer?

The wishbones looked alloy.

The yellow bilsteins had a bit of surface rust as well.

 

[Dino D]

Whilst I like the 124 those side by side pics make you see how nice a Z is

If you fancy some up to date changes why not give the Z a freshly covered alcantara interior and a quality exhaust with an electric valve and you’ll have a far better sound that a turbo 4 pot can give.
Oh and you can get yellow bilsteins in Z fitment too...