Mario, it seems they managed to set up two really different and genuine types of car and mentality.
Here is a test drive comparison, I know there are a lot like this, but he can really describe the differences in terms of handling and feel. It is not the Abarth so far.
https://youtu.be/4wFuuAfYdnwIf in Germany the difference of costs would be just 3000€ the Abarth would be a very attractive alternative. Here the Abarth is around 41.000€ and that is what you pay. The MX5 2.0 officially with the best trim is around 30.000€ but you can always find on "mobile.de" new MX5 2.0 or such with a dealer registration and 10km on the clock for about 23.000€ to 24.000€. And that is up to 18.000€ difference to the Abarth.
On the other side the Abarth looks really cool, special ad is much more a rare beast. Perhaps in Portugal I would also decide for the Abarth.
We are in the market also, want to sell the old SL of my wife and buy a practical nice cheap to maintain car for my wife, a car which just drives every time you want it. It will be a MX5.
Regarding Lotus, I would prefer an Abarth or an MX5 against a 136 PS Elise. I know her in different power versions. The 136 Elise drives awesome through curves but has not enough punch to play with her a bit out of the curves. It is somehow boring when the chassis could do so much more than the engine power allows.
One addition, the Fiat or MX5 are real cars, the Lotus is a toy...with all the advantages and disadvantages.
(In this sense to me a Morgan is more a special lightweight real car than a toy.)
Have you test driven a Fiat or MX5? I was sitting in a MX5. The drivers position is very very good. But the passanger leg room is much smaller. I'm 1.86 m and I'm on the very limit to sit on the passanger side.
