by "SgtHop" (SgtHop)
Published 06/03/2017 at 17:17
by "SgtHop" (SgtHop)
Published 06/03/2017 at 17:17
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STARS: 1
That is the question.
Right now there is a nice base 124 Spyder at my local Fiat dealer. Looks more or less like the car above. I’m playing with the idea of leasing a car to take over daily duty, as I have recently realized that my SS is quite rare and also seems to attract idiots. Dealer says they can do in the realm of $250 a month for it as a lease. I drove the car, and I quite like it. Fun, basic, nice to look at. Plus it gets far better fuel economy, with the SS returning a lovely 16mpg.
What does Oppo think about it? Is leasing a good idea? Or should I just save my pennies and buy a similar used car? What are peoples’ thoughts about the 124 in general?
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
06/03/2017 at 17:33, STARS: 1
No to Fiat. N/A all day baybay
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
06/03/2017 at 17:38, STARS: 1
Warranty on the Fiat? I’m leaning yes, because they ain’t makin’ no more SSs.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 17:40, STARS: 0
For sure. I really want to protect the SS. Going to build a garage and all that jazz. Still gonna be driving it plenty, but I don’t want to have to use it for the daily run. So, I’ve decided I’m going to be getting another car, at this point it’s more of just what other car.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 17:41, STARS: 0
I tend to agree. Miatas lease for like $340/mo for the same term and mileage though. That’s a significant price difference.
Thoughts on leasing in general for this purpose?
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
06/03/2017 at 17:48, STARS: 1
I’d say go for it. The MultiAir 1.4L Turbo in the 124 has been used in various generations in Europe for years now, so they’re generally fairly reliable units.
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
06/03/2017 at 17:54, STARS: 0
GTI or one of its competitors? Can fit lots of stuff in one ....
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 17:58, STARS: 0
I did enjoy the engine when I test drove it. We have them in the 500s as well over here. I think it’s a more or less solid powerplant. Everything else is Mazda aside from the bodywork if memory serves. I’ve heard that Fiat interiors leave a little to be desired, but that’s certainly not the case with the 124.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 18:08, STARS: 0
GTIs are a bit more expensive too, over $300/mo. I’m not too concerned about carrying things, got an old truck for that. Focus ST is in closer at 270, but at that point I could get an Abarth 124 at $280, which I would probably still prefer for that whole $10 a month.
Also, RWD is nice.
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
06/03/2017 at 18:09, STARS: 0
Any deals on used Toyobarus?
"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
06/03/2017 at 18:14, STARS: 0
I think I’ve seen people say that the transmission is unique to the Fiat as well.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 18:15, STARS: 0
Not near me. At least, not with a manual.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 18:19, STARS: 0
Though, there are a few new ones that lease for about $300. Might go look and see what they might be able to do for me.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 1
According to C&D, the manual in the 124 is out of the NC Miata, with the automatic being the Aisin that’s been used for some time in Miatas.
"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
06/03/2017 at 18:44, STARS: 0
Ah. I must have read that it doesn’t have the transmission out of the ND and I was probably confused.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 18:48, STARS: 0
No worries. It sounds like a pretty solid car though. Set up to be a bit more comfortable than the Miata, which I wouldn’t mind. I do agree with For Sweden’s assessment of “N/A all day,” but I can think of worse things.
"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
06/03/2017 at 18:48, STARS: 1
Used NB/NC/MR-S instead? The driving experience hasn’t changed all that much, and comfort and reliability should be similar. I’m probably biased though, as I don’t really like the looks of the 124.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 18:59, STARS: 0
I’m not a big fan of the NC’s looks myself, and an NB isn’t going to have a lot of the niceties like USB input so I can listen to the not-radio. They are cheap though...
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
06/03/2017 at 20:42, STARS: 0
Compare it to an MX-5...
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 22:25, STARS: 0
Pretty easy to do, considering they’re basically the same car. Mazda is about $80 a month more than the Fiat with the same equipment.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
06/03/2017 at 22:30, STARS: 0
I guess that might make it worth it, plus it would be under warranty. Then again, how much time in the shop does it take before you’re better off in the Mazda?
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/03/2017 at 22:36, STARS: 0
Eh, I don’t think it being in the shop would be that big of an issue. How awful it would be to be forced to drive my SS, haha. But really, the only thing that’s Fiat in the 124 is the engine, seats and bodywork. Everything else is Mazda. The Fiat badge just makes people scared, but I imagine the 124 will be a fairly reliable car.
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
06/04/2017 at 02:44, STARS: 1
To fiat. But definitely abarth
"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
06/04/2017 at 03:28, STARS: 0
Fair enough. I’ve driven the ND, and stuff like AC, the heated seats and a modern infotainment are nice indeed. Whether they’re worth the price difference is up to you to decide, but they make sense from a DD perspective.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/04/2017 at 05:32, STARS: 2
I think the newer car would be nicer to drive every day. If it were something meant to just be a toy, then I would likely go for the older choice, but I want something reliable and with some semblance of comfort to get in every day.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/04/2017 at 05:33, STARS: 1
Unfortunately the Abarth is a little out of my price range. Trust me, I would strongly prefer that.
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
06/04/2017 at 16:24, STARS: 0
Ew no, skip the Abarth, especially the US Abarth. No way is it worth the premium price they are asking. Go for a Classica with or without the Tech Package depending on your preference of touch screen or not.
"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
06/04/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 0
Yes to the Fiat! We have a 124 Classica base model (no options, no touch screen, stick shift) and it is asbolutely wonderful and worth the price we paid for it! Had Fiat been offering a lease deal anywhere close to $250 a month when we got ours I would have gladly gone that route.
It is a wonderful DD and much nicer than the ND and makes all the right noises. Leasing is good depending on the deal, whch your deal sounds wonderful.
What questions do you have about the 124? For reference we (girlfriend and I) downsized from a few cars (FoST, EcoBoost S550, S197 GT, Sky Turbo, Supra Mk3 and Mk4) to our current garage setup of ND + 124 and would gladly do it all over again. Nothing but smiles and fun.
"SgtHop" (SgtHop)
06/04/2017 at 16:37, STARS: 0
Oh, very nice. Yeah, my test drive of the 124 seemed to tick all the right boxes of being fun to drive without breaking the bank or my spine. The one here has the touch screen too, which is an added bonus. I’m pretty strongly leaning towards it. I think the combination of my old F150, the SS and the 124 would be a pretty well rounded fleet.
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
06/04/2017 at 16:37, STARS: 0
Ok I will keep that in mind when I get a 124 in the future