{"id":349166,"date":"2025-12-18T06:59:41","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T06:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/abarth-124-spider-spotted\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T06:59:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T06:59:41","slug":"abarth-124-spider-spotted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=349166","title":{"rendered":"Abarth 124 Spider | Spotted"},"content":{"rendered":"


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There can\u2019t be many cars that demonstrate just how quickly the enthusiast landscape has changed like the Fiat 124 Spider. Less than a decade ago, we were all a bit mean about the Fiata; after all, who would want a heavier, uglier, turbocharged MX-5? Particularly as the badge didn\u2019t carry much nostalgic kudos on our shores.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But now, with the ND MX-5 better than it\u2019s ever been and a shocking dearth of affordable fun cars, the 124 feels missed somewhat. Though the business case for taking it off sale was hard to argue with – people who wanted an MX-5 were content to buy the Mazda-badged one – it\u2019s sad that the choice is no longer there. Because there seems to be no choice in anything right now. And it was very far from a bad car, the 124; after all, what better foundation is there than the MX-5? The turbocharged engine meant some useful low-rev torque, and if the styling wasn\u2019t for everyone, it certainly couldn\u2019t be accused of simply copying the Mazda.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As a used purchase, too, those MX-5 fundamentals should prove advantageous; sharing parts, as opposed to bespoke hardware, should mean a decent supply of parts. And the 1.4-litre turbo has been in plenty of Fiats over the years, so there\u2019s a good bank of knowledge there, too. Moreover, it’s going to be a lot easier to get a few extra horsepower from a 1.4 turbo than it is a naturally aspirated 1.5 or 2.0, if that\u2019s your bag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Certainly, the 124 was at its best in Abarth format<\/a>, with a bit of extra spice for the engine, a firmed-up chassis and a standard limited-slip diff. It still arrived with a bit of wobble and glassy steering, though it was a huge amount of fun. Probably more entertaining than the equivalent 2.0-litre MX-5 in fact, with the turbo torque able to bring the car to life at lower commitment levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Trouble was that the Abarth was a lot more money than the Mazda as well, starting at \u00a330k when launched in 2017. That\u2019s \u00a340k today, so always a lot for a small two-seat sports car. Yet with rarity in its favour, residuals have proven pretty strong, with low-mileage Abarths still around \u00a320,000. But this one is for sale at \u00a38,950<\/a>, and that\u2019s too affordable to ignore.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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You\u2019ll have to accept a 100,000-mile Abarth for that money, but doesn\u2019t it look brilliant for it? Paint, wheels and interior all seem excellent, only a shiny steering wheel and a tiny bit of bolster rubbing to suggest it has tens of thousands miles more than average. Presumably as a rare-groove sports car, the Abarth has been cared for by dedicated folk who really loved what they were buying into. A recent cambelt change in a comprehensive service history should bring some peace of mind for the next owner. As has always been the case, an MX-5 could be bought for the same money, but plumping for the other answer to everything has never looked quite so appealing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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SPECIFICATION ABARTH 124 SPIDER<\/strong>
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Engine<\/strong>: 1,368cc, turbocharged inline-four
Transmission<\/strong>: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp)<\/strong>: 172@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft)<\/strong>: 184@
MPG<\/strong>: 44.1 (NEDC combined)
CO2<\/strong>: 148g\/km
Year registered: <\/strong>2017
Recorded mileage:<\/strong> 101,080
Price new<\/strong>: \u00a329,620 (before options)
Yours for: <\/strong>\u00a38,950<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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