[stevenvillatoro]

I'm trying to figure out my favorite 124 configuration, and your opinions would be helpful. Too many good choices!

What would be your perfect Abarth spec?

• Exterior color
• Manual or automatic
• Seat style (and color, for sport seats)
• Heritage blackouts, or not
• Brembos, or not
• Bundled option packages

What do you think of Blanco Gelato (pure white nonmetallic) vs. Blanco Perla (pearlescent white)?
Between sport seats (in leather) and Recaros (in Alacantra), which is better?

Thanks!

 

[master modder]

Bianco Perla Tri-Coat White or Rosso Red

- Alcantara® Leather Recaro Seats
- 6 speed manual
- Safety and Comfort Collection
- NO Brembos
- No other options

With these initial add ons

- Goodwin Racing 12.88" Front 6 piston Wilwood Brakes
- Goodwin Racing Ultralight Rear 4 Piston Wilwood Brakes
- Ohlins coilovers
- 4 Piece Complete Underbody Ultralight Aluminum Brace Kit
- Good-Win Racing Rear Shock Tower Brace
- Progress Technologies FRONT and REAR AntiSway Bar Combo

At least that would be a start, at least until I could find a new turbo down pipe, high flow cat and a new exhaust. Along with an intake and a good tune. So much for the warranty

 

[stevenvillatoro]

Bianco Perla Tri-Coat White or...

Sounds like a fun build!

Why pearl rather than base white? I've been heavily self-debating those two colors. Saw them both yesterday side-by-side in both sun and shade. I'll probably go for base white for several reasons, but still want feedback to keep considering both.

Here's what I like about the base white (Gelato):

• I'd like (possibly) to swap the mirror caps for red, which is a base paint, i.e., not metallic/pearl/mica. So I think it would look better for me to have both body paint and mirrors be congruent using two base colors.

• It looks contemporary, especially when paired with the Abarth wheels and trim.

• I prefer the depth and reflectivity of base colors. The pearl finish had no mirroring effect with its surroundings.

Here's what I like about the pearl white:

• It looks sophisticated and classy – a gorgeous finish and thankfully not yellowish.

• Nothing would be easier to keep clean and hide future flaws than pearl white.

 

[master modder]

The pearl because it doesn't show scratches and swirls as much. I will be doing the black hood and trunk as well. Where I differ is when it comes to the mirrors I would have those custom painted in a pearl rosso red instead of the stock color that would also include the little strip on the front spoiler. Just enough to set it off from the concept car.

 

[stevenvillatoro]

The pearl because it doesn't show scratches and swirls as much.

Thanks for your reasoning – it entered my mind, too. But then, if you ever were to need to repaint a section, a base white would be far easier to get a perfect match than the more complicated pearl.

Looking forward to seeing your finished result – it'll be gorgeous!

 

[LongBeachJim]

Base white with heritage stripe, and three-point red accents. Luxury package with red leather sports seats. Manual. Brembo brakes. Basically, I want it exactly the same as the press release Abarths from Europe, even if I have to have some of it done myself.

 

[stevenvillatoro]

Found this video of my exact configuration goal:

 

[Chipshot]

I'm torn between rosso and bianca gelato (which I agree looks great with red mirrors and front lip/chin -- I hope stevenvillatoro wouldn't mind me duplicating his). While red would feel more Italian to me, either would ultimately be pleasing.

I have two directions, one if I lease and another if I buy:

Leasing:
• Manual Transmission
• No Heritage Center Band
• Brembos
• Luxury Collection
• Nero/Rosso Sport Leather Seats

Buying:
• Manual Transmission
• No Heritage Center Band
• Luxury Collection
• Nero/Rosso Sport Leather Seats
• Mopar Cat-Back Exhaust
• Some Kind of Protective Film
• Upgraded Brakes (not sure which ones)
• Longer-Term (Probably Post-Warranty) fit Alfa Romeo 4C Engine and Upgrade Suspension, Wheels, and Tires.

Upgrading the audio system appears to be challenging, since the screen controls many of the car's functions.

 

[Greg]

I can't decide on color, but I know I don't want any extra options.

Greg

 

[stevenvillatoro]

Lots of people – including me – seem to want the Brembos.

But every reviewer agrees that there's not much point of them on a lightweight car like this, unless it were to be tracked. Even then, there are cheaper options.

I guess they bring out the poser in me – I like them for their aesthetic appeal. If they couldn't be seen, I wouldn't want them.

 

[Chipshot]

Lots of people – including me – seem to want the Brembos.

But every reviewer agrees that there's not much point of them on a lightweight car like this, unless it were to be tracked. Even then, there are cheaper options.

I guess they bring out the poser in me – I like them for their aesthetic appeal. If they couldn't be seen, I wouldn't want them.

Would you pay, say $150, for red brake calipers with no performance benefit?
For reference, Alfa Romeo charges $300 for colored calipers on the 4C Coupe.

 

[stevenvillatoro]

Would you pay, say $150, for red brake calipers with no performance benefit?

Absolutely! They'd match my planned red mirror caps, which have no performance benefit either.

After I wrote that post, I spent some time trying to find a comparison. One Miata test reported about a 20-foot shorter 60-0 stopping distance with the Brembos, and better pedal feel. Sometimes, 20 feet can make all the difference.

OK, I'll take the Brembos. It's only money.

 

[Denzel]

Going for the metallic blue non heritage Abarth once they are released in the UK around October.

Brembo brakes come as standard in the UK, and heritage version has no extra cost also.

Add-on packs include the speaker pack (bose) and visibility pack which I don't think are worth it imo.

 

[TomM]

Gotta say I'm really annoyed to learn of that lovely metallic blue which is available in the UK but not the US. I'm not enamored of any of the US color choices and would jump at that blue in a heartbeat.

 

[stevenvillatoro]

Gotta say I'm really annoyed to learn of that lovely metallic blue which is available in the UK but not the US. I'm not enamored of any of the US color choices and would jump at that blue in a heartbeat.

Yes, what a shame! I went to the UK site – love that blue. The downside is I couldn't order red seats with it. But I'm glad that I went to the UK site because I saw that the red Corsa dam insert is available, which means likely OEM aftermarket availability.

 

[JFernald]

Yes, what a shame! I went to the UK site – love that blue. The downside is I couldn't order red seats with it. But I'm glad that I went to the UK site because I saw that the red Corsa dam insert is available, which means likely OEM aftermarket availability.

Fiat of Albuquerque has one of the blue ones with the saddle leather seats.

 

[Chipshot]

Fiat of Albuquerque has one of the blue ones with the saddle leather seats.

That's a nice combo. A red Abarth Spider with saddle seats would make me think (OK this is a stretch, a big stretch) baby Ferrari Daytona Spyder.

 

[JFernald]

That's a nice combo. A red Abarth Spider with saddle seats would make me think (OK this is a stretch, a big stretch) baby Ferrari Daytona Spyder.

You can't get a red Spider with saddle seats yet. They only offer the saddle seats in the electric blue special edition. I was told that once the special edition is sold out, you will be able to get the saddle leather seats in the other colors.