Anyone going to test drive the Mazda?
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its been on my to do list ever since I seen the production model MX-5 completely revealed.
going for the miata instead and not waiting for the 124 might be a good option if you really need to get in a roadster like this, thats if you don't already have something fun to throw around for the time being.
going for the miata instead and not waiting for the 124 might be a good option if you really need to get in a roadster like this, thats if you don't already have something fun to throw around for the time being.
I drove both an automatic 124 Classica (the only 124 available in my state at the time) and a manual Miata Club. I'm holding out for a manual Lusso which might not arrive anytime soon. My impressions:
- the Fiat is noticeably quieter inside, especially on the highway.
- the clutch and shifter in the Miata are fantastic. Of course I haven't driven a manual 124 to compare.
- there is slightly more headroom in the Miata due to its lightly padded top.
- the Fiat has a much better ride than the Miata Club. I drove the Miata through some road construction at about 30mph and it was bouncing all over.
- the view down the hood in the Fiat gives you the impression you're driving a larger car than the Miata, where you only see the tops of the fenders.
Has anyone heard about manual Lussos making it to our shores? I know one poster in Canada managed to find one. My dealer won't even take a deposit or offer any information whatsoever.
- the Fiat is noticeably quieter inside, especially on the highway.
- the clutch and shifter in the Miata are fantastic. Of course I haven't driven a manual 124 to compare.
- there is slightly more headroom in the Miata due to its lightly padded top.
- the Fiat has a much better ride than the Miata Club. I drove the Miata through some road construction at about 30mph and it was bouncing all over.
- the view down the hood in the Fiat gives you the impression you're driving a larger car than the Miata, where you only see the tops of the fenders.
Has anyone heard about manual Lussos making it to our shores? I know one poster in Canada managed to find one. My dealer won't even take a deposit or offer any information whatsoever.
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191 Posts
I drove a manual Lusso today. It shifted exactly like my NC Miata.
I've driven a manual Club a few times in the past week or so, also a Lusso manual and an Abarth auto, and I had many of the same observations. I'd add:
- at lower speeds the added noise in the Club is from the engine, not wind or tire noise; the Lusso engine at a steady speed was extremely quiet
- on heavy throttle I thought the slightly growlier sound of the Lusso was more appealing than the Club sound; the Abarth sounds a bit crude/ricer for my tastes
- the Lusso and Abarth have virtually nothing on tap until they hit 2500 rpm so unless you are willing to do some high-rev clutch drops you won't be getting off the line smartly. They do move a little better when given the boot in the 3000-4500 rpm range but if you are willing to rev it out the Club is a bit faster
- the 124s subjectively feel somewhat bigger and heavier; neither is as eager or playful feeling as the Club, but they have a nice "oiled" ride when cruising.
-clutch is noticeably stiffer in 124s, which I find a negative. Shifter is a bit clunkier/notchier too
Will be testing a manual Abarth and a manual MX-5 GT (which is supposed to be quieter on the highway than the Club) on the same day next week. Our Canadian GT has the same suspension setup as the Club (Bilsteins etc.) so I will have another chance to compare ride/handling. The Abarth goes into this battle at a disadvantage as its MSRP here is about $4-5k over a comparably equipped GT.
I also want to see if the MX-5 pearl white, which is a no-surcharge option for the GT, is the same as the pearl white on the 124 (which costs a ridiculous $995 here).
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Since I already have my Fiat, the answer is no.
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I recently drove a 2017 6MT Club Miata and it was an absolute gem. I loved every minute of it. I'm planning to repeat the test drive on the day I go to check the Abarth that's arriving at the local dealer around 11/3. And that day I'll have one or the other.
I own a 2000SE NB that has been a joy to own and even after all these years it is a tough act to follow.
I own a 2000SE NB that has been a joy to own and even after all these years it is a tough act to follow.
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191 Posts
Hey, I also had a 2000 SE. I owned each of the first three generations, and my NB was the best by a mile.
The 124 has everything I love about that car, and more.
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230 Posts
I drove a new "Club" MX5 model and really liked it. But the only ones they had on the lot were overpriced for my budget. I found a barely used one on-line at the same dealer and went to check it out. For some reason, the dealer never acknowledged they had it. When I got there, they said the battery was dead and I waited and waited, then they said it apparently had other "issues" and would let me know when it was ready to drive. They never called me back. In the meantime, I stopped by the Alpha/Fiat place down the street and drove a Spider. I was in love! As soon as I found one in my price range with manual trans. (Classica, 100 miles away) I bought it! Although the "deal" that was offered vanished when I finally looked at the monster paperwork days later, and they stuck me with a 4%+ interest rate...I still love the car! As was quoted somewhere else..."Why are these great cars sold at the worst dealerships"...or something to that effect. Don't let the dealerships railroad you. They are awesome cars....at the right price and terms!
Hi, I am new here.
I am on the fence between a 124 Abarth and Miata ND GT. I actually prefer the Abarth styling a little more and would appreciate the slightly larger trunk. I like the extra torque for daily driving also. Other pluses are the LSD, Bilstein shocks, Recaro seats. I do have some concerns about Fiat though.
How has the quality control and reliability been between the 2?
How prevalent is the issue with oil leaking out of the "brick" and no-starts during extended storage?
Any other common issues?
My main issues are service and parts. How is Fiat's parts and service compared to Mazda's? Who knows how long Fiat will be around?
Which would you buy today after owning both?
I suspect the Miata resale values will hold better?
Thanks for any input you might have.
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