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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 37,418 Likes: 978
Tricky Dicky Member of the Inner Circle
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Tricky Dicky Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 37,418 Likes: 978 |
That Abarth is a meaningful looking bit of car  . Maybe howard will get one after all it's the same company that makes Fezz's ?
2009 4/4 Sport Henrietta
1999 Indigo Blue +8
2009 4/4 Sport Green prev
1993 Con Green +8 prev
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,362 Likes: 353
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,362 Likes: 353 |
What? Mazda build Ferraris now? 
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 37,418 Likes: 978
Tricky Dicky Member of the Inner Circle
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Tricky Dicky Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 37,418 Likes: 978 |
I think Fiat get a hand in there somewhere  with the Abarth.
2009 4/4 Sport Henrietta
1999 Indigo Blue +8
2009 4/4 Sport Green prev
1993 Con Green +8 prev
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,900 Likes: 352
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,900 Likes: 352 |
Nothing wrong with the Gen-4 MX-5 "chassis".
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly
'11 MINI Countryman Cooper D All4
'90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,646
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,646 |
True with the FIAT 124, not with the ABARTH 124. With this one the chassis comes from Japan, but the final assembly is made at the Abarth workshop in Turin.
Compared to the Fiat and the Mazda this is a more powerful car (170 bhp), with limited slip differential, revised bilstein suspension, better brakes, a few other bits and pieces.
From my perspective, it ticks all the boxes.
- it isn't a supercar wannabe (quite the contrary),
- it is a convertible
- Should be good to drive up twisty mountain roads, and/or in selected track days.
- it is a good car (but not too comfy) for some longer trips within Europe, and with a different tune both from the Plus 4 and the M3W, so the "palette" of options to choose from is even wider.
- it is italian, and has a service network in Portugal that makes me feel safe from another UK adventure (this time with Lotus, still the "other" contestant for my next purchase)
- It is exclusive enough. (At least in Portugal, I have yet to see one on the road)
- Although heavily influenced by Japanese engineering (MX-5 chassis and gearbox), it still carries a lot of the italian modest "racey" sports car heritage that Abarth represents.
(and my M3W has a MX-5 gearbox, probably one of the best parts in the entire car, so I'm not new to MX-5 engineering anyway).
Sounds to me like you've already made up your mind Mario. Get it ordered.
Giles. Mogless in Paris.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,553 Likes: 88
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,553 Likes: 88 |
I had a close look at the Fiat 124 Abarth when in the Exeter Fiat Dealership.
Very nice detailing; just a little bit special.
Bud
4/4 "Stanley"
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122 |
I like the new Spider, especially by Abarth. But in Germany it would cost more the the double in comparison with a 2.0 MX5 which is on offer everywhere for around 23K€.
Of course the Abarth is something special, but personally I like the new MX5 also very much.
Last edited by Heinz; 02/08/17 10:20 AM.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,748 Likes: 158
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,748 Likes: 158 |
Certainly looks good and the sound is fantastic 
Peter ![[Linked Image]](http://bradley.it/public_images/drive.jpg)
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Joined: Oct 2013
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,642 |
Giles, final decision isn't made yet, but since the mrs. isn't exactly a fan of the Elise I guess the options are indeed very narrow now. She can't go past the looks and says the lotus just looks like a small Ferrari, apparently made of plastic, suited for those (like us) that can't afford the real thing and go for a cheaper one. It's heresy to belittle the Elise in this way, I know, but that's how she sees it and it's no use to convince her that the Elise is a fantastic car on its own. The thing is she LOVES - always did, since day one of ownership - the Plus 4, and although the M3W was not loved in the same way from the start, first she understood my desire to own - again - a car that didn't look or feel like anything else on the road. And by now I do think she enjoys travelling in either of them, with the M3W if the weather is right of course  I was a bit surprised that she had a positive attitude towards the Abarth. Again she knows I like cars that are rare so she doesn't compare the Abarth to the MX-5 based on price (the MX-5 is a very common car in Portugal, huge success in sales for a little roadster). So, yes, I'd say the Abarth has a big advantage now, but my decision will be by year's end, a lot can happen until then. Heinz, the MX-5 that compares to the 124 ABARTH is the 2.0L one. And that one costs, in Portugal, 40.000,00 €. The Abarth will be about 43.000,00 €. So, not really a big difference in price. For comparison purposes, here the cars I've been contemplating. From cheapest to most expensive: MAZDA MX-5 (1.6L - 130 bhp) - 28.000 € CATERHAM 165 (660 c.c. - 81 bhp) - 30.000 € FIAT 124 SPIDER (1.4L - 140 bhp) - 32.000 € MAZDA MX-5 (2.0L - 160 bhp) - 40.000 € CATERHAM 275 (1.6L - 137 bhp) - 43.000 € ABARTH 124 SPIDER (1.4L - 170 bhp) - 43.000 € LOTUS ELISE (1.6L - 136 bhp) - 45.000 € Sadly the Elise S (1.8L - 220 bhp) breaks the budget barrier I set myself for "fun" cars I don't really need (about 50.000 €). It now costs in Portugal about 57.000 €. And by looking at new car prices I discovered that Morgan prices have exploded since I bought mine. The M3W now costs 50.000 €, and a new Plus 4 now costs 65.000 €! Wow, just wow, can't imagine what the prices would be if the pound had kept it's pre-referendum value.
Last edited by MarioCP; 02/08/17 04:24 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,529 Likes: 312
Smile, it confuses them Member of the Inner Circle
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Smile, it confuses them Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,529 Likes: 312 |
I had a similar reaction from my ever patient wife. A load of names passed around but actually the thing that ended up getting the go ahead was a Mini Cooper S in a nice trim and spec.
Whilst not a 2 door sports car the style, quality and driving experience was better than most of them. Not a sports car in style but definitely in driving experience. Did you give one of them a go perchance?
Everyone loves a Morgan. Even me, unless it's broken again.
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