Fiat 124 Spider

[LowRyter]

Thanks.

Pretty tempting even though I'm not looking for a car.  I drove one, get the stick shift. 

[Lannis]

We have one ( the wifes car ) 1977 1800 Spider. Fun little car. 5 speed. I put an earlier exhaust manifold, performance exhaust and a Empi 32/36 carb.

Before my sister-in-law was married, she had one of these:





1975 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe.

She wasn't a mechanic, but it ran to well over 100,000 miles with nothing but oil changes, shocks, and tires, and was running well when it was traded for a family car years later.

I drove it once, and it was a sporty thing for sure.   I liked the "Benzina" on the fuel gauge, and "Press. Olio" on the oil pressure gauge ... !

Lannis

[twowheeladdict]

I had a 1974 Triumph Spitfire my senior year of high school. 
Didn't own another 2 seater until the 2006 Pontiac Solstice.

When going through my back infection recovery and thinking riding might be over I test rode all kinds of sporty cars.  4 seaters just didn't do much for me so two seaters quickly bubbled to the top.

I found many of the two seaters were too capable and would only be fun driving at very illegal speeds or taking to the track.

The two that quickly went to the top of the list for engaging riding experience was the Miata and the 370Z roadster.  I did test drive the Fiat but prefer the feel of NA engines over turbos.  The 123 spider is a good looking vehicle and the Recaro package is nice. 

In the end I stuck with motorcycles, but if I had to give them up I could see owning a Miata RF. 

[bettythebear]

I've been driving a 124 Spider since beginning of May. It is my only car, and it is perfect for my needs.

It's a 2017 Lusso, with a manual. The only change I've done is putting on the Record Monza exhaust and non-resonator midpipe. Got both used for a sweet deal.

There's just no substitute for a lightweight, rear/right wheel drive car with a turbo.

If you want one, and see one for sale buy it coz they aren't making any more.

[Bulldog9]

I don't care about what the history of GM is.  All I can tell ya I've driven the Mustang and the Camaro and the Camaro is fantastic. Perhaps the best car with more than two seats vs any car I've ever driven.   I didn't like the 5.0 clunky 6 speed, nor the ticky tack on the fenders and hood and it just doesn't have all the "feel".  The Camaro styling has grown on me and the interior is pedestrian, but from the steering wheel, pedals, handling and feel, torque and power standpoint, it's the winner.  Fantastic car despite the styling short comings.  That Bullitt is a pretty ride, I really like it but it is $50k+, perhaps the upgrades make as good as a Camaro?  My ride is a used '08 'vette.  I'll bet the 1LE would make me have a second thought but <Guzzi content> I'll keep my money.  Good enough is still good enough.

It is mostly subjective. I drove them both, most trim levels, and the best of the bunch was the ZL1, and GT350, but in the end preferred the Bullitt for value, ride/handling, power, as well as visibility, comfort, fit/finish and overall look. The Bullitt is the only Mustang I would consider, unless the GT350 was available sans the stripes and wings, which is almost impossible to find. I drove the Camaro SS in Coupe and Convert, and preferred the Ford in every way. I did really like the ZL1, but that like the GT350 is in the 60K+ range.

Have you driven the most recently updated cars? (2018+)  Significant improvements, particularly in the Camaro in the handling department, and the Mustang Getrag transmission.

Trim levels and packages dramatically change these cars. Camaro has the base LS, then LT SS with 1, 2, 3 trim levels, and top dog ZL1. Mustang has similar with Ecoboost as Base, and Premium packages for Eco Boost and GT, with their performance packs in two levels and the GT 350/350R and top dog GT 500 Shelby. Bottom line, you can't just say randomly which is 'better' Camaro or Mustang. As a track car, the Camaro is likely better all around, but as a Grand Touring Road Car, the Bullitt hit all the marks for me. The GT500 Shelby Mustang tops them all and is in C7/C8 levels of performance. It is so great we have so many choices, including the Challengers. I do have to say my favorite 'drive' of ALL the cars was the Toyota Supra, just amazing, but it had terrible dash/gauges, and you can't drive faster than 20mph with the windows down, terrible buffeting. It was also a 2 seater.  These guys are some of my favorite youtube car guys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifaWMxS1O10

The Bullitt, is a limited and numbered edition, they made 8000 worldwide for 2019, and 3500 for 2020, with less than 800 in Shadow Black.  It is slotted between the GT and GT350 having the features of the Mustang GT Premium package, unique leather and stitching, auto everything, and digital dash, adds the Performance Pack 1 suspension tuning, braces, and such. The Bullitt also has the active exhaust, brakes, intake manifold, throttle body and CAI from the GT350 with a unique tune for 480 HP and 7500 rev limit. The torque peaks at 4K and drops, but the HP builds straight to redline. It just pulls straight to redline rather than peaking and dropping off. Is a very different feel.





Fully loaded with the Magnaride suspension and Recaro seats (only other options), the Bullitt can push over 54K MSRP, but I never pay MSRP. I wanted the stock heated/cooled seats and the standard suspension, so my car's MSRP was 52K, I negotiated down to $44K plus tax & tags.

But getting back to the OP's topic, the 124 is also very different in it's trim packages and transmission. I drove their Lusso with the manual and automatic, and did not like the automatic. The manual was just plain fun and light, like a V7. The Abarth trim package is their best performing with upgrades to tires, suspension, brakes, power, and exhaust. While the other trim levels were nice and fun, the Abarth is a hoot. Much more character than its Miata cousin.

Apologies for the book, have tons of time on my hands convalescing from knee replacement.