Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) If not a Morgan??

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 ?

What? Mazda build Ferraris now?

I think Fiat get a hand in there somewhere with the Abarth.

Nothing wrong with the Gen-4 MX-5 "chassis".

Sounds to me like you've already made up your mind Mario.

Get it ordered.

I had a close look at the Fiat 124 Abarth when in the Exeter Fiat Dealership.
Very nice detailing; just a little bit special.

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.

Certainly looks good and the sound is fantastic

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.

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?