[stevenvillatoro]

I read an owner-journalist's review of his new Miata, the 124's sister-car. His major complaint was about the many squeaks, rattles, and other aggravating noises in/around the cabin. They drove him crazy.

I then posted a "Does your Miata rattle?" question on the major Miata website. Many people replied affirmatively; some of them very irritated at the number of rattles, and others finding simple fixes. Another significant group had NO rattles at all.

Might the 124 be better than the Miata for such noises, due to the 124's more compliant suspension?

Any first-hand feedback from new owners would be appreciated.

 

[kpoling]

No rattles whatsoever - solid car. Also, we have a lot of poor surfaces on our roads in Louisiana and the car takes them in stride. Better than the Bimmer I traded for the Spider. very happy so far.

 

[Greg]

NO, it doesn't. It's a very solid car. I honestly think some of these journalists are so biased against Fiats that they are just making up stuff, or at least seriously exaggerating minor things. One journalist complained of "cowl shake". I am convinced he never even drove the car, it certainly doesn't have cowl shake.

Greg

 

[Alvon Elrod]

I notice if I tilt the seats back such that they touch the plastic behind them, there are fairly constant creaking, rattling, popping, etc noises. When tilt or move the seat so that it doesn't touch the plastic behind it, the noises go away.

ALVON

 

[Greg]

I notice if I tilt the seats back such that they touch the plastic behind them, there are fairly constant creaking, rattling, popping, etc noises. When tilt or move the seat so that it doesn't touch the plastic behind it, the noises go away.

ALVON

Simple fix for it, Armor All.

Greg

 

[JFernald]

I drove my Lusso across the Panhandle of Texas, through the Hill Country and from San Antonio to Houston and back to Albuquerque over the last two weeks. Not a single rattle or squeak detected. US 83, US 84, US 87, I10, I35 and I40. There are some bad roads on that trip and they shook my little Fiat violently, but nary a sound from her. She's solid as a rock.

 

[stevenvillatoro]

I honestly think some of these journalists are so biased against Fiats that they are just making up stuff, or at least seriously exaggerating minor things.

The journalist was talking about his new Miata, not the 124!

I was just curious to compare the 124, since many Miata owners on the Miata forum were experiencing rattles. My theory is that the 124 suspension rides better than the Miata, and thereby has fewer rattles. So far, the results here are encouraging.

 

[ForzaFiata]

The journalist was talking about his new Miata, not the 124!

I was just curious to compare the 124, since many Miata owners on the Miata forum were experiencing rattles. My theory is that the 124 suspension rides better than the Miata, and thereby has fewer rattles. So far, the results here are encouraging.

Softer suspension AND soft-touch surfaces within the cabin... both of those will reduce NVH and rattles.

 

[Sonny Burnett]

I have driven two different Fiata's, no rattles, but the interior is kind of cheap.

 

[Greg]

The journalist was talking about his new Miata, not the 124!

I wasn't speaking about this specific journalist.

Greg

 

[darrelross]

No rattles here, yet... But then again mine only has 800 miles on it.

 

[RalphinOrmondBeach]

No Rattles Here

No Rattles at 140 miles. I am certainly glad of that. I think that auto journalists drive their cars really hard and can wear a car out in no time. It's like popping big wheelies on a motorcycle and banging down. Sure you can do it but the bike's going to suffer. Similarly, I find that the Spider's turbo lag is much exaggerated. Yes, I believe if I slapped the pedal to the floor there probably would be a lag. But I don't drive like that. I've been approaching cars at about 2500 rpm's, putting the pedal down quickly but smoothly and find myself making the pass at a fully satisfying speed. No lag at all. I like a spirited ride but I am not fantasizing that I am a car racer.0

 

[kpoling]

Drive the Lusso with the leather seats - very nice upgraded interior.

 

[Newod]

UK spec car - only done 190 miles but I took it out this afternoon to listen for rattles. I drove 40 miles through the lanes - bumps, pot holes, rubbish left by tractors etc. Pushed the car into bends etc but no noises that alarmed me - it sounded quite nice actually.

Based on the reports I read and videos I watched at the start of September when I began my research, the conclusion I have come to is there is a lot of lazy journalism out there repeating the same stuff, that is not in line with my experience. Moto - do your own research unless you know and value the author. Rant over.
Danny

 

[cadreamin]

No rattles whatsoever - solid car. Also, we have a lot of poor surfaces on our roads in Louisiana and the car takes them in stride. Better than the Bimmer I traded for the Spider. very happy so far.

Good to hear. Curious - I am also considering a 1 series convertible in case I go the more practical route. I noticed you have been liking the Fiat better and even found it more solid. Did you have any issues with the Bimmer? What other things did you prefer or do you miss?

 

[wedgewa]

At 4400+ miles, under limited conditions - a certain pavement surface in a narrow, steady speed range - I get a minimal plastic buzz from the left end of the dash interior. Otherwise no rattles or other odd sounds at all.

 

[MotoPete]

soft-touch surfaces within the cabin... those will reduce NVH and rattles.

I believe you're right, the quality of the materials over the MX-5's has been remarked on by many journalists.

 

[kpoling]

Mostly the 1 series was a great car and I enjoyed driving it. It was a more expensive car and felt that to some extent but there were a few things that bothered me:

1)I had the light colored beige interior and the leather seats were showing more wear than seemed right.

2) There was more buffeting inside the car compared to the Fiat, so on a chilly night or an extra hot day the AC/Heat only did an average job keeping up. A couple weeks ago I drove a 200 mile round trip up into Arkansas on a chilly night in the Fiat and made it home with the top down before I realized I had been able to make the trip in great comfort. The BMW had heated seats but too much air from above came into the cabin so I often had to stop to raise the top on my drives on a night like that.

3) I had the 128, which had nice acceleration and decent power but it didn't push you back with gusto like the Fiat. (My wife's 135 X1 beats them both, though - one very powerful six.)

4) They don't joke about "Bring My Wallet" for nothing....Once I was out of warranty I got stuck with a $495 battery replacement - evidently the car's computer has to be matched to a specific battery otherwise generic batteries fail pretty quickly. Tires were a couple grand. Another 128 convertible at the same dealer (but one year older) had its rear window fall out - that was a $5,000 repair. Glad it wasn't mine but I always worried that could happen.

Finally, to me at least, the Fiat is more fun to drive. I had traded in a Solstice for the 128 because of the better practicality but I missed the immediacy of the smaller car The Fiat sort of gives me the best of both worlds. But - they are both great cars, just different.
K

 

[drbjaz]

I haven't experienced a single rattle in my 124. I have nearly 1000 miles on her now and have taken a couple road trips over varying road conditions, some bumpy. The car rides smooth and quiet except for the expected wind noise.

 

[cadreamin]

Mostly the 1 series was a great car and I enjoyed driving it. It was a more expensive car and felt that to some extent but there were a few things that bothered me:

1)I had the light colored beige interior and the leather seats were showing more wear than seemed right.

2) There was more buffeting inside the car compared to the Fiat, so on a chilly night or an extra hot day the AC/Heat only did an average job keeping up. A couple weeks ago I drove a 200 mile round trip up into Arkansas on a chilly night in the Fiat and made it home with the top down before I realized I had been able to make the trip in great comfort. The BMW had heated seats but too much air from above came into the cabin so I often had to stop to raise the top on my drives on a night like that.

3) I had the 128, which had nice acceleration and decent power but it didn't push you back with gusto like the Fiat. (My wife's 135 X1 beats them both, though - one very powerful six.)

4) They don't joke about "Bring My Wallet" for nothing....Once I was out of warranty I got stuck with a $495 battery replacement - evidently the car's computer has to be matched to a specific battery otherwise generic batteries fail pretty quickly. Tires were a couple grand. Another 128 convertible at the same dealer (but one year older) had its rear window fall out - that was a $5,000 repair. Glad it wasn't mine but I always worried that could happen.

Finally, to me at least, the Fiat is more fun to drive. I had traded in a Solstice for the 128 because of the better practicality but I missed the immediacy of the smaller car The Fiat sort of gives me the best of both worlds. But - they are both great cars, just different.
K

Thanks for the great insights - enjoy your ride!