Fiat 124 Spider Competition
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Starting at the $30k mark, it's a good one to consider, great if you want more power which its 6-cylinder engine does a good job of.
This poses an interesting question actually, as the real competition is what we as owners and potential owners had/have prior to considering the 124, and what else we considered prior to making the final call.
For me that was a BRZ S. What drew me to the 124 was a previous love affair with an Alfa Romeo Spider 3.2 JTS and prior to that an NB Series II MX-5. The ND was ruled out for no other reason than (to me) it looks too dainty (which automatically ruled out the likes of the Mini Convertible and Abarth 500C). I didn't cross shop with anything else, because for the price point here in Australia there isn't anything else in the way of a drop top that any self respecting man would buy (not new at least)!
Had the Abarth 124 I've on order not cut the mustard I'd have whacked a Harrop supercharger on the BRZ S.
I'm interested to hear from others on this one!
For me that was a BRZ S. What drew me to the 124 was a previous love affair with an Alfa Romeo Spider 3.2 JTS and prior to that an NB Series II MX-5. The ND was ruled out for no other reason than (to me) it looks too dainty (which automatically ruled out the likes of the Mini Convertible and Abarth 500C). I didn't cross shop with anything else, because for the price point here in Australia there isn't anything else in the way of a drop top that any self respecting man would buy (not new at least)!
Had the Abarth 124 I've on order not cut the mustard I'd have whacked a Harrop supercharger on the BRZ S.
I'm interested to hear from others on this one!
The MX-5 and 124 are the same except for the engine, manual transmission, differential, every single body panel, the windshield, and most of the things you can touch in the interior. I think when people start to cross shop them they will see the differences. Even some of the MX-5 owners are starting to convert. This past weekend one of our sponsored racers gave a ride in a tuned 500 Abarth to a competing MX-5 driver. The MX-5 owner is now buying an Abarth 124
Greg
MX5 to 86 to Elise
Elise is still here and seriously considering the Abarth for a more useable weekend toy to replace it with.
That's interesting as typically you hear of people comparing the Elise to the 4C. While the Abarth 124 isn't in that same league, it probably does offer as much driving enjoyment and in a more practical package.
Greg
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I'm expecting to lose some driving enjoyment leaving the Elise for an Abarth 124, but I expect the practicality increase will be worth the trade-off.
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Cooper convertible was my alternative. Small, fun, cheap, MPG were my main criteria.
The Miata never connected with me for some reason. It should have checked all the boxes but somehow didn't.
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In the Miata forums, many users report having sold Porsches and BMWs for a Miata that costs less to buy, maintain, and insure. Maybe not as much power, but all the same fun. The 124s "Italian" styling and better configurability are swaying a lot of would-be Miata owners.
Same here for the Miata - I can recognize that overall, the styling isn't bad, but it just didn't/doesn't do anything for me emotionally.
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I looked at the Mustang (Not for long), the BRZ, and the Nissan. The BRZ was the only serious competition for what I wanted. In the end, the BRZ's rear seat is of no value to me. The extra weight is a negative and the EPA mileage is also. As they say in marketing, "when the top goes down, the price goes up." While there are positives for the BRZ, they don't outweigh the drop top, the mileage, the looks, the rain sensing wipers, etc.
Not to mention comfort!
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Yes, it will be nice to own a car that does not require removing a wheel and liner to change the air filter or headlamp bulb.Haha you know you are talking about an Elise when you are looking at a 2 dr convertible for something more practical
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