Joined
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549 Posts
Hello from Sydney, Australia
The forum name is joseph124 – and yes, in real life it is Joseph however I do not have a 124, but it is under consideration.
I am an Italian car tragic !!!! I just think that there is this fundamental immeasurable quality about Italian Cars that is addictive and applies from the most humble Panda right up to the most exclusive Ferrari. My first car was a Fiat 850 Sport (with high compression Abarth pistons BTW), followed by a Fiat 128 3P, followed by another Fiat 128 3P, followed by an Alfa 33, followed by a Citroen Xantia (hey, there was a time that no new Italian cars were available in Australia, at least the Xantia was designed by Bertone) followed by 13 years in an Alfa 156 Selepeed. And now I drive an Alfa Giulietta QV and my “Baby” – an Abarth 5oo that I have had since 2011.
Which leads me to my current car deliberations. I cannot see myself selling the A5oo ever. However, our Alfa Giulietta QV I have found hard to bond with – although I quite like the car, I consider it more of a family wagon rather an object of desire. And to be honest, with the kids all grown up we hardly need the family car. So I am thinking about acquiring another fun hobby car and replacing the Alfa with a cheap little runaround for the few family duties – shopping, teaching the kids to drive, etc.
I did initially consider the 124 (we only get the Abarth version here in Australia) but TBH I was I bit underwhelmed when I took one for a test drive. I was not totally convinced with the appearance but the biggest disappointment basically boiled down to ……. essentially after reading many reviews (both the Mazda and the Fiat) full of gushing superlatives I was expected to be blown away by the “sublime” performance and handling, but I just did not feel it. Frankly, my A5oo felt more fun to drive. So at that time the 124 was sadly off my list and I started looking at something a little more “exotic”, something with too many cylinders and 400 odd of Italy’s finest ponies. And………after much deliberations that car did not feel like me.
So here I am – relooking at the 124. I will organise another test drive, but will hang out until a Monza exhaust is available before I decide finally
Cheers
PS: HiYa Rob !!
The forum name is joseph124 – and yes, in real life it is Joseph however I do not have a 124, but it is under consideration.
I am an Italian car tragic !!!! I just think that there is this fundamental immeasurable quality about Italian Cars that is addictive and applies from the most humble Panda right up to the most exclusive Ferrari. My first car was a Fiat 850 Sport (with high compression Abarth pistons BTW), followed by a Fiat 128 3P, followed by another Fiat 128 3P, followed by an Alfa 33, followed by a Citroen Xantia (hey, there was a time that no new Italian cars were available in Australia, at least the Xantia was designed by Bertone) followed by 13 years in an Alfa 156 Selepeed. And now I drive an Alfa Giulietta QV and my “Baby” – an Abarth 5oo that I have had since 2011.
Which leads me to my current car deliberations. I cannot see myself selling the A5oo ever. However, our Alfa Giulietta QV I have found hard to bond with – although I quite like the car, I consider it more of a family wagon rather an object of desire. And to be honest, with the kids all grown up we hardly need the family car. So I am thinking about acquiring another fun hobby car and replacing the Alfa with a cheap little runaround for the few family duties – shopping, teaching the kids to drive, etc.
I did initially consider the 124 (we only get the Abarth version here in Australia) but TBH I was I bit underwhelmed when I took one for a test drive. I was not totally convinced with the appearance but the biggest disappointment basically boiled down to ……. essentially after reading many reviews (both the Mazda and the Fiat) full of gushing superlatives I was expected to be blown away by the “sublime” performance and handling, but I just did not feel it. Frankly, my A5oo felt more fun to drive. So at that time the 124 was sadly off my list and I started looking at something a little more “exotic”, something with too many cylinders and 400 odd of Italy’s finest ponies. And………after much deliberations that car did not feel like me.
So here I am – relooking at the 124. I will organise another test drive, but will hang out until a Monza exhaust is available before I decide finally
Cheers
PS: HiYa Rob !!
