[LongBeachJim]

After the excitement of yesterday's test drive, I decided to wait for the Abarth, which is what I really want. In an email exchange today with one of the largest Fiat dealers in California, I was told that they won't be in until the end of the year, or early 2017. Disappointing, but I can live with it.

What really bothered me was that I was told that I can't special order an Abarth with my exact specifications and that I have to wait until the dealer gets his own allotment of Abarths on his lot and choose from his stock (that would undoubtedly be a shark feeding frenzy competing with all the buyers out there). Is it true that I can't special order an Abarth?

 

[Abarth 124]

After the excitement of yesterday's test drive, I decided to wait for the Abarth, which is what I really want. In an email exchange today with one of the largest Fiat dealers in California, I was told that they won't be in until the end of the year, or early 2017. Disappointing, but I can live with it.

What really bothered me was that I was told that I can't special order an Abarth with my exact specifications and that I have to wait until the dealer gets his own allotment of Abarths on his lot and choose from his stock (that would undoubtedly be a shark feeding frenzy competing with all the buyers out there). Is it true that I can't special order an Abarth?

The dealer I talked to said that they weren't available for special order yet. He indicated that they would be but the system isn't up yet. But if you do special order they might come in after the first shipment of abarths. The recent shipments they were not able to special order either.

 

[LongBeachJim]

The dealer I talked to said that they weren't available for special order yet. He indicated that they would be but the system isn't up yet. But if you do special order they might come in after the first shipment of abarths. The recent shipments they were not able to special order either.

Thanks. Is your dealer in the west? He's certainly giving you more information than the obstinate fellow I've been emailing in Southern California, who adamantly states that there will be no special orders. If the dealer's allotment arrives after the November L.A. Auto Show I'm doomed to compete with masses of buyers. Now I'm wondering if I could at least get on some dealer's wait list for a white one with red seats (I want my body shop guy to do the red accents and black matte bonnet just like the release car).

 

[pikeman]

My local dealer was very happy to accept a refundable deposit on an Abarth. I'm number 2 in line, and the expected delivery is the fall. Perhaps as late as November.
The car shouldn't be a "special order" unless they are planning for you to pay a "special price" i.e. inflated, collectible, etc.. You know the drill.

 

[FSpidie]

After the excitement of yesterday's test drive, I decided to wait for the Abarth, which is what I really want. In an email exchange today with one of the largest Fiat dealers in California, I was told that they won't be in until the end of the year, or early 2017. Disappointing, but I can live with it.

What really bothered me was that I was told that I can't special order an Abarth with my exact specifications and that I have to wait until the dealer gets his own allotment of Abarths on his lot and choose from his stock (that would undoubtedly be a shark feeding frenzy competing with all the buyers out there). Is it true that I can't special order an Abarth?

I was told something similar when I asked about ordering a Lusso in the color and configuration I wanted. I'm on the dealer's list for a manual in my configuration, instead.

 

[LongBeachJim]

I was told something similar when I asked about ordering a Lusso in the color and configuration I wanted. I'm on the dealer's list for a manual in my configuration, instead.

My hunch is that the Lusso is offered to target the automatic buyer, and the Abarth is for the manual crowd. As mentioned in another post, a local salesperson claims that "as many as 70% of Abarths will be manual".

If you don't mind the lower sports facia and raspy dual exhausts of the Abarth, it might be considered, given that there isn't much price difference. The Abarth doesn't offer the handsome saddle interior though, and it has a stiffer suspension.

 

[Chipshot]

Mind the fascia, stiffer suspension, and exhaust tone? No, not at. I'll have to make due with black/red in lieu of the saddle.

 

[FSpidie]

My hunch is that the Lusso is offered to target the automatic buyer, and the Abarth is for the manual crowd. As mentioned in another post, a local salesperson claims that "as many as 70% of Abarths will be manual".

If you don't mind the lower sports facia and raspy dual exhausts of the Abarth, it might be considered, given that there isn't much price difference. The Abarth doesn't offer the handsome saddle interior though, and it has a stiffer suspension.

Oh, yes. I understand. I'm just setting back in the interim to see how the deliveries evolve over some time. The dealers don't seem to know much more than we do, at this point, as to who's going to get what and what to expect.

If if turns out Fiat wants to keep the Lusso almost exclusively automatic, based upon the upcoming deliveries, I may just go with the Classica or completely reconsider. Another upgrade I believe I'd miss, if I did go with a manual Classica versus a Lusso, would be heated seats. I don't believe that's even an option for the Classica. So, I'd really prefer a Lusso, primarily, to get heated, saddle seats. The other stuff with the Lusso, I can live with out, or can add myself, such as 17" wheels and tires.

Of course, if the dealers end up with a bunch of automatic Lusso's setting on their lot, with potential customers yammering for auto Lussos, maybe Fiat will up the supply from original intentions. Who knows at this point since Fiat, to my knowledge, has not released a statement with actual percentage goals for manual Lussos.

Stay tuned.

 

[FSpidie]

Mind the fascia, stiffer suspension, and exhaust tone? No, not at. I'll have to make due with black/red in lieu of the saddle.

It's all in what you personally would prefer. Me? I don't care for the Abarth fascia and don't desire a stiffer suspension. The Abarth exhaust note would be a nice plus but not mandatory for me. Hence, I'm interested in a manual Lusso or might settle for a manual Classica. Options are good.

 

[124GASM]

Getting a Lusso with Every Option w/stick

My dealer in Vegas so far has only Classica's in stick.. ALL Lusso's are Auto


He's trying to find me my Lusso with a stick for his next allotment... Meteor Gray/Black Interior.... If he can't, Ill have to special order...


I HATE the the Abarth Front/Rear End... Rather do mods to my Lusso...

 

[Chipshot]

I HATE the the Abarth Front/Rear End... Rather do mods to my Lusso...

While I don't love the Abarth's front end, I'm comforted by the knowledge it won't be visible from the driver's seat (others will get to enjoy the rear). I'm also hoping a red lower lip will be an easy add.

 

[racergary]

I'll save my like it or not better or not so much when I can see the Abarth in the fresh over the other 124's

 

[124GASM]

Get the Right Dealer

I was told something similar when I asked about ordering a Lusso in the color and configuration I wanted. I'm on the dealer's list for a manual in my configuration, instead.

I raced to the Dealer as soon as the first 124 shipment came in in Henderson / Las Vegas.. ALL the Lusso's were Auto.. 7 Manual Classica's..


Test drove a Classica Stick.. Told them... Lusso, Fully Loaded, STICK...
Had to wait 6 more weeks, but GOT IT... AWESOME CAR !!!!

 

[Pasolini]

After the excitement of yesterday's test drive, I decided to wait for the Abarth, which is what I really want. In an email exchange today with one of the largest Fiat dealers in California, I was told that they won't be in until the end of the year, or early 2017. Disappointing, but I can live with it.

What really bothered me was that I was told that I can't special order an Abarth with my exact specifications and that I have to wait until the dealer gets his own allotment of Abarths on his lot and choose from his stock (that would undoubtedly be a shark feeding frenzy competing with all the buyers out there). Is it true that I can't special order an Abarth?

December 2016 I ordered a 2018 124 Spider Abarth to my specifications from the Manhattan dealer, should be coming the end of March , beginning of April

 

[Bob Z]

December 2016 I ordered a 2018 124 Spider Abarth to my specifications from the Manhattan dealer, should be coming the end of March , beginning of April

2018? The car I am getting was ordered by the dealer in Nov. 2016 and it is a 2017 and the latest POC shows it in an order status of "D" - what order status is yours in? If your was ordered a month later and should be here late March/early April mine may be here about the same time, or a bit earlier.

 

[Bob Z]

My dealer in Vegas so far has only Classica's in stick.. ALL Lusso's are Auto


He's trying to find me my Lusso with a stick for his next allotment... Meteor Gray/Black Interior.... If he can't, Ill have to special order...


I HATE the the Abarth Front/Rear End... Rather do mods to my Lusso...

My local dealer has a Red manual Lusso sitting in his showroom, which it has been for quite a while and I know a buyer would get a great deal.