Fiat 124 Spider

[Buddy Shagmore]

Anyone else here own one? I love mine! It's a very fun car, no question. 1.4T, rear wheel drive, 6 spd manual, 32mpg, the top folds down with 1 hand in a few seconds. I was thinking of buying a muscle car before I decided on the Spider, but am happy with my decision. The style...Italians always are the best in that dept.
I was going to post some pics of mine...can't seem to get it done here...

[JJ]

Anyone else here own one? I love mine! It's a very fun car, no question. 1.4T, rear wheel drive, 6 spd manual, 32mpg, the top folds down with 1 hand in a few seconds. I was thinking of buying a muscle car before I decided on the Spider, but am happy with my decision. The style...Italians always are the best in that dept.
I was going to post some pics of mine...can't seem to get it done here...

Never owned one...always admired them!  Like "The Italian Miata!"  I assume you have a modern one...but here's a few vintage beauties from BaT...

[Motorad64]

My stepdad had a 1983 2000 when I was in high school.  Used to 'borrow' it all the time. Navy blue with the wider alloy wheels 185/60s and the twin tube bumpers.   Great little car for the twisty backroads.  Very direct steering and handling.  I think he put about 80k on it from new.  Only problem I ever recall was a leaky heater core/hose that was fixed.  Otherwise was reliable and fun.  Top was easy to get up and down and reasonably well sealed.  Great little 2 cam motor!   

Just ran into an Italian car club outing on the Snake in Little Switzerland, NC that sounded way better than ours did with a freer flowing exhaust.  Digging for the pic....

[Deno]

Never owned a Fiat spider. Had an Alfa one though.
Presently the barn is littered with an 850 sport coupe, an X1/9, and a newer version Abarth. I like them all for different reasons.

[guzzisteve]

I had one for a few years, no problems at all but a friend had just freshened up the body, top & seats. He wanted my SP1 I wanted his car. Traded it back to him for his wife's V50III. Mine was Red w/black int. 1800 motor blew a head gasket from me racing a Camero through the twisties & straits.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I had one back in the day.. fun car for sure.

[Buddy Shagmore]

Mine is a '19. I have the Lusso in ceramica grey metallic. Tan leather seats. No issues. It is an additional fun vehicle in my stable.

[LowRyter]

Buddy, you peaked my interest.   When they came out with this car a couple of years ago, I didn't think you could get a manual transmission.  I checked the website and they offer the base model with a stick shift for $21.9k.  That's a heck of bargain for any new convertible sportscar.  I think the sister Miata is more than $26k starting off.

[JJ]

A couple of nice ones for auction right now on BaT...I really like the red Azzurra!!

[wymple]

I bought one years ago, ran great, 1800 as I recall. It was a bit rusty, and it was a blast. I did not like that clutch cable crap, you had to carry a spare. I think you could put a brick on the gas pedal and come back in an hour to find it humming away.

[blu guzz]

I have 2 contemporary Fiats, the small 500 and the larger 500X.  Both have been very good cars.  The little 500 has the 1.4 non-turbo and 5 speed.  It is very light and even with just 101 hp, it is a hoot to drive.  Unfortunately, the auto versions are dogs.

[Roebling3]

Had they offered the contemporary roadster with a tan roof over the dk brown I would have caved* (in bright lighting it looked to be brown w/gold dust. I painted the V7 IIIR that color). *But then, again, I have a big dog. 5 yrs. later I'm wondering; Would I need help getting out?
I believe frame, drive line and other bits are sourced from or assembled at Mazda.   R3~

[moto]

Buddy, you peaked my interest.   When they came out with this car a couple of years ago, I didn't think you could get a manual transmission.  I checked the website and they offer the base model with a stick shift for $21.9k.  That's a heck of bargain for any new convertible sportscar.  I think the sister Miata is more than $26k starting off.

Whoa! I don't see that on the Fiat USA site. Do you have a link I can follow?

Moto

[TN Mark]

We had many Fiats (850/124/128/131/X19) over the years. Our 1978 124 Spider was a wonderful car. 100% reliable, fun and so easy to own. We also had the Yugoslavian (Yugo) version when they were available in the US. The Yugo went 80K trouble free miles. Well, before we made the first payment, someone broke in and stole the Yugo branded radio. Amazingly sad but true. I was even able to bu a nos 1987 X1/9 in 1990. That was also a fabulous car.

I've even thought about looking for another 124 Spider. They even made a few with GM automatic transmissions. Though we've been spoiled by modern air conditioning, heating, power windows/seats/steering etc., cruise control etc etc etc. It would be fun to own one again but I wouldn't want one as a daily driver.

[Bulldog9]

In my year long examination and evaluation of my next/last sports/sporting car, I was on a convertible kick for a while, and looked long and hard at the 124. Is a very nice little roadster. Fiat did a great job improving the Miata platform, longe body, classic looks, blast of a little turbo motor, and much more refined. GREAT value as well.

In the end, I decided I wanted to stay in a 4 seater. After 20 years in a 1997 E36-M3 which I loved, I decided I couldn't go with 2 seats and that small.

The last 20 years







Ended up with this for (hopefully) the next 20 years.

[sdcr]

I just sold my 2002 Miata, and was considering the Fiata as a replacement. My local Fiat dealer has a few in stock, at very good pricing, but they told me that Fiat is no longer making the 124 Spider.

Anyone else here own one? I love mine! It's a very fun car, no question. 1.4T, rear wheel drive, 6 spd manual, 32mpg, the top folds down with 1 hand in a few seconds. I was thinking of buying a muscle car before I decided on the Spider, but am happy with my decision. The style...Italians always are the best in that dept.
I was going to post some pics of mine...can't seem to get it done here...

[Siamese]

Not me, but always thought they were a classy little Italian car.

My first car was a Fiat 850, a 1971 that I bought in 1973, and sold about a year later.  A year after that I was attending college when I saw a girl struggling with getting the trunk (on the front of the car) open on her 850.  I walked over and told here there's a trick to it.  I vaguely recall I reached inside the glove compartment to fiddle with the cable release, and the trunk immediately popped open.  She said 'wow, you must know everything about cars!'. Nope, I admitted, but this is my old car!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Whoa! I don't see that on the Fiat USA site. Do you have a link I can follow?

Moto

https://www.fiatusa.com/spider.html

[LowRyter]

Whoa! I don't see that on the Fiat USA site. Do you have a link I can follow?

Moto

https://www.fiatusa.com/bmo.fiat_124_spider.2020.html#/build/summary/73003/CUX202007BAFH27A/2DD/APA,PKM,X9,EAM,DAG,TNZ,WDB,AJ,RAD,21D

$21,885  (that is after $5k rebates)

[LowRyter]

In my year long examination and evaluation of my next/last sports/sporting car, I was on a convertible kick for a while, and looked long and hard at the 124. Is a very nice little roadster. Fiat did a great job improving the Miata platform, longe body, classic looks, blast of a little turbo motor, and much more refined. GREAT value as well.

In the end, I decided I wanted to stay in a 4 seater. After 20 years in a 1997 E36-M3 which I loved, I decided I couldn't go with 2 seats and that small.


Ended up with this for (hopefully) the next 20 years.

Quite a beauty.   What model?  The naked grill looks like a Bullitt.

[Bulldog9]

Quite a beauty.   What model?  The naked grill looks like a Bullitt.

Yes, is a Black Bullitt. I could care less about the 'movie connection'  The car had the clean lines, style, performance and creature comforts I was looking for. Very impressed with it. My first Ford, and all my car buddies had a heart attack that I am in a Mustang....... I still can't believe it myself, but it checked all the blocks. I really wanted an M4 or M2, or 911, but were way above my budget unless I bought used, and would have been more expensive to maintain. The Camaro was just hideous, and as much as I liked the Challenger, was just too big. Liking it more and more each time I drive.

[LowRyter]

Yes, is a Black Bullitt. I could care less about the 'movie connection'  The car had the clean lines, style, performance and creature comforts I was looking for. Very impressed with it. My first Ford, and all my car buddies had a heart attack that I am in a Mustang....... I still can't believe it myself, but it checked all the blocks. I really wanted an M4 or M2, or 911, but were way above my budget unless I bought used, and would have been more expensive to maintain. The Camaro was just hideous, and as much as I liked the Challenger, was just too big. Liking it more and more each time I drive.

congrats!   Yeah, I saw the Bullitt when it was introduced and for sure, it's the best looking Mustang on the road.  It's also got some of the Shelby performance upgrades that the GT doesn't have.  The Camaro was grown on me so far as styling but perhaps not as good looking as the Bullitt.   I'll say the Camaro is one of the best driving cars ever, fantastic feel, steering and handling, the interior is another story; I think the driving experience shames many European cars.

[Buddy Shagmore]

Bulldog, your Bullitt is badazz. It was high on my list, actually at the top, but I ultimately went for something less expensive, and got the 124. The Bullitt is the coolest Stang ever. Congrats!

[Bulldog9]

congrats!   Yeah, I saw the Bullitt when it was introduced and for sure, it's the best looking Mustang on the road.  It's also got some of the Shelby performance upgrades that the GT doesn't have.  The Camaro was grown on me so far as styling but perhaps not as good looking as the Bullitt.   I'll say the Camaro is one of the best driving cars ever, fantastic feel, steering and handling, the interior is another story; I think the driving experience shames many European cars.

No doubt, the Camaro in the SS or higher trims are definitely some of the best drivers cars out there, but the styling in and out is terrible IMO, and I don't think I could ever buy a car from the company that killed Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, and Saab, all brands I loved.  GM should have kept Pontiac or Oldsmobile and killed Buick. Olds could have easily filled the Luxury Sport Euro-Competitor they tried to make Buick, but I can't see anyone over 50 buying one.

Bulldog, your Bullitt is badazz. It was high on my list, actually at the top, but I ultimately went for something less expensive, and got the 124. The Bullitt is the coolest Stang ever. Congrats!

Thanks, I'm really liking it, but was really tempted with the Fiat, there was a Rosso Red Abarth I test drove 3X near me that I really liked, but ultimately wanted a car that fit my habits.  I had been looking and driving and saving and comparing for over a year, and was frustrated at not finding that 'goldilocks' that my M3 was.  As a last ditch effort, and after urging by a buddy, I went to the Build a car online thing, and tried to build a Mustang. I had driven a GT and GT350, but the GT was too common, and the 350 too hot. Too much bling, scoops, stripes, etc.

I saw the Bullitt as an option, clicked it, liked it immediately, was impressed with the content and performance, realized I may have found Goldilocks, found a dealer with two the next day (they had just gotten them in that day) went on a test drive, spent over an hour poking and prodded, and bought the Black one the next day after some haggling.

Took it on a road trip to NC for my dads 80th birthday, and averaged 27MPG at 70-75MPH which was a pleasant surprise.

I do look longingly at the 124 though, maybe I can talk my wife into it when she needs a new car, but she wants an electric......

[Chuck in Indiana]

It was a bit rusty, and it was a blast.

Yeah.. rust was their major down side.

[DesertPilot]

I had an early MGB. with the twin SUs.  One of my friends had an early Fiat 124.  We both lived in Southern Cal, back in the mid-70s, when traffic was light, and the Angeles Crest Highway was often entirely empty.

You can imagine how that played out 

[Rich A]

Yeah.. rust was their major down side.

I used to live in New England where they were considered, "water soluble."

Rich A

[moto]

https://www.fiatusa.com/bmo.fiat_124_spider.2020.html#/build/summary/73003/CUX202007BAFH27A/2DD/APA,PKM,X9,EAM,DAG,TNZ,WDB,AJ,RAD,21D

$21,885  (that is after $5k rebates)

Thanks.

[Turin]

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.

[LowRyter]

No doubt, the Camaro in the SS or higher trims are definitely some of the best drivers cars out there, but the styling in and out is terrible IMO, and I don't think I could ever buy a car from the company that killed Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, and Saab, all brands I loved.  GM should have kept Pontiac or Oldsmobile and killed Buick. Olds could have easily filled the Luxury Sport Euro-Competitor they tried to make Buick, but I can't see anyone over 50 buying one.

:

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.