[canesice]

Due to lack of published online PDF for the packages, here is some basic information on the packages and differences.
You can navigate to fiat build & price or main spider website http://www.fiatusa.com/en/spider/ for all the details and differences between the models.

Available packages:

Classica:
Technology Collection ($1295)
- Adds 3 features not available on the base classica: A) upgrade Radio from 3" display (no bluetooth) to 7" display w/Bluetooth, (neither has siriusxm) B) Rear backup camera, C) Remote proximity keys

Lusso:
Premium Collection ($3795)
Safety and Comfort Collection ($1495) (same content as abarth)

Abarth:
Luxury Collection ($3995)
Safety and Comfort Collection ($1495) (same content as lusso)

Analysis:
Premium and Luxury collection packages are the same except one exception the Abarth Luxury Collection package states it contains "Sport Leather Seats - Sport leather-trimmed seats add a luxurious touch to the interior of your FIAT® 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth." However this inclusion is confusing, because according to the online configuration tool the sport leather seats are available on the base Abarth at no extra charge... Im unsure what the $200 extra fee gets you, given the base abarth actually includes the seats.
My guess is the abarth build & price tool is incomplete. (its also known to miss the painted hood option at $1,995 list)

 

[Stewie]

I've been hearing people say that the configurator isn't fully finished yet so we're not getting accurate information on it there just yet

 

[Chipshot]

Thanks for confirming the Abarth build & price tool omits the painted hood and decklid option.


Is the only way to get Bose by ordering Premium Collection (Lusso) or Luxury Collection (Abarth)?


I'm torn between leather and microfiber seats. My back got sweaty when I test drove, and I can't figure out which one was the culprit (or both).

 

[notlostnow]

Bose stereo

Thanks for confirming the Abarth build & price tool omits the painted hood and decklid option.


Is the only way to get Bose by ordering Premium Collection (Lusso) or Luxury Collection (Abarth)?


I'm torn between leather and microfiber seats. My back got sweaty when I test drove, and I can't figure out which one was the culprit (or both).

I just purchased my lovely Lusso Thursday evening. I spent nearly a week trying to answer your exact question. The options you listed appeared to be the only way to get those nine Bose speakers (which I really, really, really wanted!). Unfortunately, with the Premium Collection added, the payments would have made this car out of my reach, so I (dejectedly) opted to leave the packages off. Ahhhhhh, but the car is still wonderful! The speakers sounded a touch "tinny" to me at first. My husband tinkered with the speaker settings. 2 up on base, 2 down on treble sounds pretty good for the 4-speaker system.

 

[notlostnow]

Ooops, some days I just cannot spell!

I just purchased my lovely Lusso Thursday evening. I spent nearly a week trying to answer your exact question. The options you listed appeared to be the only way to get those nine Bose speakers (which I really, really, really wanted!). Unfortunately, with the Premium Collection added, the payments would have made this car out of my reach, so I (dejectedly) opted to leave the packages off. Ahhhhhh, but the car is still wonderful! The speakers sounded a touch "tinny" to me at first. My husband tinkered with the speaker settings. 2 up on base, 2 down on treble sounds pretty good for the 4-speaker system.

My mind SAID "bass" but my fingers TYPED "base". I really do know the difference.


0

 

[Chipshot]

Congratulations!

Speaking of bass, I can't help but wonder where the upgraded stereo's subwoofer is housed.

 

[210RS]

The Bose system availability was also a dilemma for me. We also wanted to Premium package but couldn't find it in our desired color combo (red/saddle) so ended up with just the Safety & Comfort collection, foregoing the Bose, navi and upgraded lights package. We decided we could live without the lights, could always add the navi or just use a mounted smartphone, and expect to see third-party sound system upgrades hitting the market soon.

 

[canesice]

Congratulations!

Speaking of bass, I can't help but wonder where the upgraded stereo's subwoofer is housed.

I think its safe to assume the sound system is the same as the miata.
So this is the detail on it:
https://globalpressroom.bose.com/us-en/assets/view/8545

The subwoofer + enclosure is pretty large.
It is actually located at the front of the passenger footwell. Models that do not have the subwoofer have a spacer.

 

[Chipshot]

I think its safe to assume the sound system is the same as the miata.
So this is the detail on it:
https://globalpressroom.bose.com/us-en/assets/view/8545

The subwoofer + enclosure is pretty large.
It is actually located at the front of the passenger footwell. Models that do not have the subwoofer have a spacer.

Thanks, canesice. Seems a safe assumption. I can only conclude the spacer is intended to avoid those opting for packages including the Bose system (which appears more comprehensive than the one fitted to my 2004 NB Miata) feeling as if they are sacrificing footroom/legroom. Someone no doubt will explore how easy it is to remove.

 

[Unknownsir]

in this picture #20 is the subwoofer assembly for the Bose system. it looks to be showing that it is located on the passenger floor near the bulkhead.

 

[Adventurer]

Abarth seat trim choices

In playing with the Canadian Abarth build & price tool, it appears that the leather seats w/microfiber insert are the "base" level trim. The leather seats w/leather inserts (black w/red or all black) are only selectable after selecting the Luxury package. I suspect the same will be true for US-spec Abarths once the US configurator gets straightened out.

 

[Chipshot]

In playing with the Canadian Abarth build & price tool, it appears that the leather seats w/microfiber insert are the "base" level trim. The leather seats w/leather inserts (black w/red or all black) are only selectable after selecting the Luxury package. I suspect the same will be true for US-spec Abarths once the US configurator gets straightened out.

That's consistent with the US tool (actually, selecting sport leather seats results in a pop-up informing that the Luxury Collection - a very expensive package, IMO, is required). I want the Bose system, so I'm likely to go the luxury route.

I found my back sweaty after driving cars with both styles of seat and wish I knew which one was the culprit. Of course the answer may be that it was me.

The racing heritage black center band is now on the build and price tool. Only $1,995! I think I'd rather have the Brembos.

 

[Alvon Elrod]

@ Chipshot: You may want to go test drive and listen to the Bose system in these cars before you put that high up on the list. I'm not that impressed with the sound from mine. Has a general muffled sound to me, compared to other cars we have. I can hardly hear anything coming out of the headrest speakers unless I turn the Fader to 100% rear speakers. The AM reception is really poor, and the FM is not much better. Sirrus is better than both FM/AM, and the best sound is from when I plug my own music into the USB port. At first I thought I was impressed with the sound, but after driving the 124 for several days, then driving our Honda Odyssey afterwards, it's astounding how much better the sound is in the Honda Odyssey. Is anybody else less than enthused with the sound system? Maybe something is wrong with mine??

 

[Chipshot]

@ Chipshot: You may want to go test drive and listen to the Bose system in these cars before you put that high up on the list. I'm not that impressed with the sound from mine. Has a general muffled sound to me, compared to other cars we have. I can hardly hear anything coming out of the headrest speakers unless I turn the Fader to 100% rear speakers. The AM reception is really poor, and the FM is not much better. Sirrus is better than both FM/AM, and the best sound is from when I plug my own music into the USB port. At first I thought I was impressed with the sound, but after driving the 124 for several days, then driving our Honda Odyssey afterwards, it's astounding how much better the sound is in the Honda Odyssey. Is anybody else less than enthused with the sound system? Maybe something is wrong with mine??

I'm planning on it (and kicking myself for not talking a USB drive with me when I drove cars a couple of weeks ago). There should be plenty of them around here with the next shipment, and someone will be happy to show theirs off.

I wasn't enthused with the Bose system in my 2004 NB Miata but had high hopes for improvement since then. Convertible sound systems are notoriously difficult to do well, especially when trying to save weight (and until you get into the rarified air occupied by Bentleys, Aston Martins, and such), so I'm not surprised your Odyssey's is superior. Based on the reports I've read, anything's better than the unit put in the Alfa Romeo 4C. Kind of a shame, actually, because non-Abarth Spiders are pretty quiet.

 

[Adventurer]

I found my back sweaty after driving cars with both styles of seat and wish I knew which one was the culprit. Of course the answer may be that it was me.
QUOTE]


I, too suffer from "sweaty back". Perhaps I'll ask my doctor or physician if Abarth is right for me. . .

 

[Alvon Elrod]

I'm planning on it (and kicking myself for not talking a USB drive with me when I drove cars a couple of weeks ago). There should be plenty of them around here with the next shipment, and someone will be happy to show theirs off.

I wasn't enthused with the Bose system in my 2004 NB Miata but had high hopes for improvement since then. Convertible sound systems are notoriously difficult to do well, especially when trying to save weight (and until you get into the rarified air occupied by Bentleys, Aston Martins, and such), so I'm not surprised your Odyssey's is superior. Based on the reports I've read, anything's better than the unit put in the Alfa Romeo 4C. Kind of a shame, actually, because non-Abarth Spiders are pretty quiet.

I'm hoping somebody will challenge my comments, and suggest that something is wrong with my system. The sound in my Prima Fiat 500 is noticeably better than the sound from the new 124. It seems that the headrest speakers should be louder, so I'm puzzled why the sound is so soft from them.


A couple good things I like about the sound system:
1) The HD radio -- though there seems to be some breakup in the signal when driving in the area that I was listening to it. It sounded really good when the car was parked, not moving.
2) The auto volume adjust. I can detect that the volume compensates for driving speed and associated noises. This is really good -- don't have to keep adjusting the volume when changing different driving conditions.

 

[Chipshot]

I'm hoping somebody will challenge my comments, and suggest that something is wrong with my system. The sound in my Prima Fiat 500 is noticeably better than the sound from the new 124. It seems that the headrest speakers should be louder, so I'm puzzled why the sound is so soft from them.

A couple good things I like about the sound system:
1) The HD radio -- though there seems to be some breakup in the signal when driving in the area that I was listening to it. It sounded really good when the car was parked, not moving.
2) The auto volume adjust. I can detect that the volume compensates for driving speed and associated noises. This is really good -- don't have to keep adjusting the volume when changing different driving conditions.

At least one owner seems to like the system: http://www.124spider.org/forum/6-new-member-introductions/2850-87-my-beautiful-blue-doll-mine.html

1) I'm not familiar with HD radio. Different from satellite? I'm not a big fan of satellite for music. Works fine for speech, though.
2) That's pretty commonplace feature these days. If my memory is accurate, the first car I had it on was my 2004 NB Miata.

 

[ameridan]

I'm very happy with the Classica with the Technology Package upgrade - non-Bose 7" screen system. The rear speakers are only in the driver's headrest, but my wife says she can hear them from her seat, they are plenty loud! HD radio is digital across the FM waves and it sounds much better than the regular FM analog. I sware there's a subwoofer listening to HD radio, USB and Bluetooth from my phone (there isn't though). Regular FM stations are bland compared to HD though. Some FM stations transmit their sister station AM broadcast on alternative HD stations too. And I too love the auto-volume adjustments based on speed.

My main reason on ordering the Classica are the great cloth seats which are very comfy and they "breath" unlike leather which can get very hot and "sticky" in the hot weather. I imagine I'll like them in the cold weather better too with no need for seat heaters which don't come with the Classica anyways. Being a Chrysler retiree from Rochester Hills near you Chipshot, I got the employee price discount too.

 

[Chipshot]

My main reason on ordering the Classica are the great cloth seats which are very comfy and they "breath" unlike leather which can get very hot and "sticky" in the hot weather. I imagine I'll like them in the cold weather better too with no need for seat heaters which don't come with the Classica anyways. Being a Chrysler retiree from Rochester Hills near you Chipshot, I got the employee price discount too.

From which dealer did you get your car, ameridan? Have you taken it for hot laps around CTC? The nearby VW guys seem to think Chrysler Drive is a test track.

My wife prefers leather seats; she says it makes getting in and out of the car easier. I had a Saab with heated cloth seats and never noticed them getting warm. Seemed a waste to me.

May I ask what you did at Chrysler? Feel free to answer in a PM.

 

[ameridan]

I PM'd you.

The cloth seats aren't actually cloth at all - they're more like a rayon weave, so I feel like I slide out almost like leather. I suggest others try them before paying all that money for Lusso and getting all those options you may not even be interested in.