[RBH58]

Was at the Alfa Romeo Spettacolo in Melbourne today. 3 Abarth 124 Spiders on display amongst a stunning display of Alfas, Lancias, Maseratis, Ferraris and Fiats. But this one got our attention...

 

[azzura]

Very nice! And a RHD conversion of course, I've never understood why you guys aren't allowed to drive LHD cars. Is it a genuine Stradale? With fuel filler cap just behind the hardtop, IRS and basic dash/interior? Not sure if the seat are the original bucket seats?

 

[RBH58]

Very nice! And a RHD conversion of course, I've never understood why you guys aren't allowed to drive LHD cars. Is it a genuine Stradale? With fuel filler cap just behind the hardtop, IRS and basic dash/interior? Not sure if the seat are the original bucket seats?

We are allowed LHD if the car is over 40 years old. Go figure.

 

[MotoPete]

30 years here in NSW, but why would you want to?! Without a passenger present it'd be almost impossible to safely overtake on single lane roads for a start...

 

[RBH58]

30 years here in NSW, but why would you want to?! Without a passenger present it'd be almost impossible to safely overtake on single lane roads for a start...

It maybe 30 in Vic now....and you can register just about anything on a "Club" (H) plate providing you don't intend to drive it more than 120 days a year.

 

[LongBeachJim]

It was the Universe telling you to get the black matte Heritage wrap. I'm liking mine more & more, and at this point would not go back. From your photo I can see the early influence for today's red tow cap.

 

[RBH58]

It was the Universe telling you to get the black matte Heritage wrap. I'm liking mine more & more, and at this point would not go back. From your photo I can see the early influence for today's red tow cap.

Ha! That's kinda how we took it too. Wife talking to industry colleagues about who should do it LOL

 

[kjcolv]

Yes thanks for posting, just trying to decide today on the heritage stripe, this helps convince me that's the way to go.

 

[MotoPete]

Yes thanks for posting, just trying to decide today on the heritage stripe, this helps convince me that's the way to go.

Initially we had the same dilemma, however I asked a bunch of non-Fiat/Abarth folks what they thought and all but one said they didn't like the two tone look! I took an interest in a lot of early online (Australian) reviews and similar remarks were made in the comments sections of those. It's just not a popular look outside of aficionado circles, well seemingly not here in Australia at least anyway.

Hence the Abarth stripe down the side, that seems to have won fans on both sides of the fence!

 

[kjcolv]

The heritage stripe was the first one I saw so that is what I wanted from the start, my son tried to talk me out of it, but I am moving forward, I still love the look, even more so after seeing your pic! I also see you are a fellow BRZ owner, I have a gray 2014 BRZ that I LOVE...I was torn but had the chance to get the 124 so going to make the switch. But who knows I may switch back to the BRZ, it's my favorite car I've owned!

 

[RBH58]

The heritage stripe was the first one I saw so that is what I wanted from the start, my son tried to talk me out of it, but I am moving forward, I still love the look, even more so after seeing your pic! I also see you are a fellow BRZ owner, I have a gray 2014 BRZ that I LOVE...I was torn but had the chance to get the 124 so going to make the switch. But who knows I may switch back to the BRZ, it's my favorite car I've owned!

Yes. We currently have the MY14 BRZ and the Abarth. The BRZ is stock apart from STi lowering springs, STi strut brace, STi wheels (with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT rubber) and an STi exhaust. Lovely thing to drive on backroads but the torque deficit makes it annoying in the city. I think it's going to get replaced with an Alfa 4C or a Lotus Elise SC (which I'm slightly leaning towards) next year.

BTW...Back to back, 98% of the time you are going to be happier in the Abarth than the BRZ. I'd give the BRZ the VERY slight edge with respect to handling and steering when you are at 9/10ths. But that's like 2% (or less) of most people's driving reality right? The Abarth is nicer everywhere else. I'd be surprised if you regret the change.

 

[matbard]

This is mine...

 

[LongBeachJim]

This is mine...

Great photo! I'm getting the red pieces added to mine next week. I'll be in Florence & Lake Como this June. I'm hoping to hear what the Monza Exhaust sounds like in person. We don't get it here in the U.S.

 

[ForzaFiata]

Yes. We currently have the MY14 BRZ and the Abarth. The BRZ is stock apart from STi lowering springs, STi strut brace, STi wheels (with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT rubber) and an STi exhaust. Lovely thing to drive on backroads but the torque deficit makes it annoying in the city. I think it's going to get replaced with an Alfa 4C or a Lotus Elise SC (which I'm slightly leaning towards) next year.

BTW...Back to back, 98% of the time you are going to be happier in the Abarth than the BRZ. I'd give the BRZ the VERY slight edge with respect to handling and steering when you are at 9/10ths. But that's like 2% (or less) of most people's driving reality right? The Abarth is nicer everywhere else. I'd be surprised if you regret the change.

I've been looking for a nice objective review of the two platforms from someone who has owned (not just test-driven) each car.

Would you agree that the addition of stiffer shocks, lowering springs, and swaybar upgrades that the Abarth would edge ahead of the BRZ in terms of handling?

Thanks,

 

[RBH58]

I've been looking for a nice objective review of the two platforms from someone who has owned (not just test-driven) each car.

Would you agree that the addition of stiffer shocks, lowering springs, and swaybar upgrades that the Abarth would edge ahead of the BRZ in terms of handling?

Thanks,

Absolutely. But then the better car will probably always be the one you "sensibly" splash the most cash on. And I say "sensibly" because I've also seen people spend a bundle of cash only to have ruined the car. I know a guy that spent a fortune on his GT86 and wound up with a great track car that was intolerable on an average road.

 

[kjcolv]

Yes. We currently have the MY14 BRZ and the Abarth. The BRZ is stock apart from STi lowering springs, STi strut brace, STi wheels (with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT rubber) and an STi exhaust. Lovely thing to drive on backroads but the torque deficit makes it annoying in the city. I think it's going to get replaced with an Alfa 4C or a Lotus Elise SC (which I'm slightly leaning towards) next year.

BTW...Back to back, 98% of the time you are going to be happier in the Abarth than the BRZ. I'd give the BRZ the VERY slight edge with respect to handling and steering when you are at 9/10ths. But that's like 2% (or less) of most people's driving reality right? The Abarth is nicer everywhere else. I'd be surprised if you regret the change.

So good to hear, I can't wait to get the Abarth here, I wasn't able to test drive one, drove a 124 lusso but it was an automatic, test drove a miata stick, then went on the search for the perfect Abarth!! I can't for the life of me understand why there are any automatic Abarths??

Will report back when it finally arrives.

 

[RBH58]

I can't for the life of me understand why there are any automatic Abarths??

Nor can I, but I guess they need a model for people with one working leg.

 

[ForzaFiata]

Absolutely. But then the better car will probably always be the one you "sensibly" splash the most cash on. And I say "sensibly" because I've also seen people spend a bundle of cash only to have ruined the car. I know a guy that spent a fortune on his GT86 and wound up with a great track car that was intolerable on an average road.

Agree 100%.

I've got a worse example yet -- a very close friend of mine bought a 996 Turbo in 2012. It had a few go-fast goodies on it, and was allegedly making ~600 HP.

That wasn't enough, so he embarked on a journey to upgrade the turbos, cams, internals, etc. with a target of 1,000 RWHP (yes, that's bonkers).

Unfortunately, $35,000 later (that's not a typo) he's driven the car a collective 10 miles in two years. It's currently in pieces waiting on a $5,000 clutch to be rebuilt.

My Abarth will be built with a focus on reliable power and improved (but not extreme) handling capabilities. This will be my fourth performance vehicle, so I've definitely learned "what not to do" over the years

Cheers,