I Boughta Fiata!

"MM54" (mm54mk2) 05/30/2020 at 12:15 • Filed to: SpringCar2

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First picture not at the dealer

Mid-last-week (on the 21st, for the record), I took delivery of a car I’ve been dreaming of since they were unveiled; in fact to this day, this is the only car I’ve seen the unveiling of with the immediate impression: I want one.

What is it? A new 2019 Fiat 124 Abarth, which apparently spent about a year sitting in Portland before being transferred over for me (this wa s excellent for price negotiations, too) , being the only one with the color/options combo I was looking for:

Manual, Abarth, “Mare Blue” Metallic paint; Abarth microfiber seats (leather sucks!), Brembo brakes, heated/auto-dimming mirrors, Bose audio, adaptive/self-leveling LED headlights, plus all the goodies that comes standard with the Abarth such as fog lights, the all-important limited slip diff, 17" wheels, and “I didn’t realize that was a thing on new cars” 140 treadwear wires.

Up front in the “this is far too clean” engine bay is the 1.4l ‘Multiair’ turbo, including the cutest little turbo I think I’ve ever seen. Some people disparage this engine for not feeling like it’s turbocharged, and they’re right - boost comes on so early and smoothly that it just feels like a bigger engine, and to me that’s a very good thing.

So clean, and relatively spacious!

Despite being dimensionally-similar to my RX7 (wider, and only ~100lb heavier) the power delivery is entirely different, mainly in that it has torque below 4000+ RPM. Screamy engines are fun, but for something being driven regularly, sometimes it’s nice to just have the torque to be able to just drive .

The only option I was looking for that this one didn’t have (and happily it didn’t have anything I wasn’t looking for) is the Record Monza exhaust, which is available from the dealership parts department for the same price as it adds to the MSRP, so that will happen when it comes off backorder.

So much gross dealer-applied tire shine. It’s mostly gone by now, fortunately.

Having put a few hundred miles on it so far, I am very much enjoying my new roadster life . The whole “new car” thing is definitely weird (prior to this my newest car was a wrecked 2003 Crown Vic purchased in 2013) but it’s nice to have a car which is both fun and “get in and go” without contemplating what overdue maintenance from one of the seventeen previous owners is going to creep up, or what is deficient and needs upgraded to be satisfactory .

Post-wax

When this post is scheduled to publish, I’ll be rewiring an old truck with some of the friends I’ve been keeping this a secret from, but I’ll be back online later or tomorrow. Any questions?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:17

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Aww hell yeah!

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:18

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Looks sweet! Congrats. Have any plans to get some track time with it?

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:19

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Nice color+ wheels, how’s the reliability on these?

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:22

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Nice!  Abarth center caps for the win.

Just Jeepin' > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:25

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Nice! I gave a lot of thought to buying one, may still at some point. If I’m not in a Jeep, I want to at least be in a roadster.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:26

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Well done, new cars are fun!

Also, it’s a good thing those tires have ‘Outside’ marked on them, that way you don’t accidentally take them in the house with you, after a drive.

sony1492 > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:28

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Looks like an excellent spec, the torque of these small turbo engines is really missed once you hop back into an na 1.6

Cash Rewards > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:29

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Awesome! Congrats!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:31

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Awesome, I don’t think I knew of that color, it’s gorgeous! :D

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 05/30/2020 at 12:32

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Considering they are Miata-based and build in Japan and the only different thing is the engine/trans, pretty reliable!

lone_liberal > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:32

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That is glorious! That color is perfect.

Chuckles > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:33

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Congrats on such a great purchase. I think the Fiata looks awesome, and I would take it over the comparable Miata in a heartbeat. Ever since I sold my Miata, I've been keeping an eye on these Fiats. Someday. 

dogisbadob > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:34

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cool car, good luck

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:38

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So glad someone is buying these. I haven’t even been seeing the current gen Miata that often and these are pretty rare, but my favorite take on the chassis. That deep blue is classy too. Haven’t seen an Abarth yet, but I like it!

UserNotFound > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:41

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Oooooohhhhhhhh. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Fiata Abarth but I’ve never driven on. I’ll be eager to see how you like it, as I may consider picking one up some day ...

Poor_Sh > MM54 05/30/2020 at 12:52

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Awesome! Great choice

CompactLuxuryFan > MM54 05/30/2020 at 13:10

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Congrats!!! Looks amazing!!!

Do you think you were able to get it for considerably less than an ND? I’ve been lusting after one of those and this could be a much easier way to get into a new one!

Also is the top the exact same as on the Miata? Any parts that surprisingly aren’t shared?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/30/2020 at 13:15

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“the only different thing is the engine/trans”

Forgive me as I’m not mechanically inclined , but that seems like a big difference. Lol

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 05/30/2020 at 13:22

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Everyone knows the Inside tires just pick up lint. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/30/2020 at 13:24

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Well, it is, but the same model car can have various engines in the same body from the same manufacturer, so is having what is essentially the same car with a different engine from a different manufacturer that much different? :P

RangerSmith > MM54 05/30/2020 at 13:26

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You can always add an exhaust later. Hard finding one in the perfect color! Great job! Make sure you stay stockpiled with sunscreen for the summer.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > MM54 05/30/2020 at 13:26

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Congrats! So exciting!

Love the body color and wheel combo!

Interior pics? Exhaust sound before and after the Monza exhaust please ;)

I picked up a 2019 Miata late last year and looked at these to. There was about a 50/50 split of things I like more the Fiat vs Miata. Boths cars are so much fun to drive it was a tough choic. The main sticking point for me was the Fiat didnt have the telescopic wheel my 6'3" body desperately needed, and my previous car was turbocharged and I was interested in a change, so the higher revving na engine won out. But if I hadn’t had a turbo before, I would have leaned towards that toque from the Abarth engine.

Excited to see more posts about it!

A lso does the Abarth come with the same bridg estone potenza S 001s the Miata has?

MUSASHI66 > MM54 05/30/2020 at 13:27

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I’ve been all over autotrader looking at these as a more mature option instead of the 500 Abarth. Mazda RF Club is still a nice option but it doesn’t sound good with any exhaust offered in the aftermarket.

I want the same specs, only in gray with the red details and black hood.

Very jelly, I hope it serves you well - please post often about how it is. 

Brickman > MM54 05/30/2020 at 13:29

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Awesome! I do like the Fiat styling more than the Miata.

shop-teacher > MM54 05/30/2020 at 13:40

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That's awesome! Nice purchase!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > MM54 05/30/2020 at 13:43

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I have a problem with this:

Too much dandiness in the garage.

Will this car drift?

A Boy and His Longtail > MM54 05/30/2020 at 13:52

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Congrats! I always though those Abarth Spiders were pretty cool. 

AestheticsInMotion > MM54 05/30/2020 at 14:00

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Duuuuuude!!!!! I'll read that when I get off work, just wanted to say congrats! 

jminer > MM54 05/30/2020 at 14:50

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That’s awesome ! I’ve always loved these and drooled over one ever since they came out. You’ve prompted me to look at prices and now I have one more thing to tempt me...

Send us regular dispatches on how awesome it is!

Chariotoflove > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/30/2020 at 15:11

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And the trans is the one from the NC Miata, IIRC. 

Chariotoflove > MM54 05/30/2020 at 15:13

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That is fantastic, and a great color. I too wonder what kind of deal you got with it. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Chariotoflove 05/30/2020 at 15:13

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The FIATa’s trans is an old Miata one?

Chariotoflove > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/30/2020 at 15:19

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Yup. The manual anyway. 

CaptDale - is secretly British > MM54 05/30/2020 at 15:39

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Awesome! I love those cars.

Textured Soy Protein > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 05/30/2020 at 16:18

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I remember test driving a 124 Abarth a couple years ago and not  really being able to get a comfortable driving position. I’m 5'11" with a long torso and short legs and I’m kinda jacked. Then last summer I tried an ND2 and I was able to get comfy just fine. Only later did I realize that the telescoping wheel made all the difference.

Jim Spanfeller > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 05/30/2020 at 16:59

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Or accidentally install them inside-out...  

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > Jim Spanfeller 05/30/2020 at 17:19

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Yeah, do not do that!

https://jalopnik.com/it-turns-out-an-inside-out-tire-still-works-pretty-well-1843528382

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > MM54 05/30/2020 at 17:19

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Beautiful! I love these cars so much. Far better looking than the ND, IMO.

QCGoose > MM54 05/30/2020 at 22:21

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Congrats! That is a sharp-looking machine, and you picked the best color available for it.

Enjoy  it and post about it often!

PG; the scalpel wielder > MM54 05/31/2020 at 05:16

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congratulations!

i just got into an ND1 and having the best fun. The Fiats are a lot more in the aussie used market and new ND/Fiatas are almost $5 0k due to the tanking aussie exchange rates. I do have the 2015 and am now worried about transmission issues, but fingers crossed

MM54 > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 05/31/2020 at 14:11

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Eventually, not particularly soon (though I believe purchase of a new Abarth qualifies for their HPDE class thing in Arizona within a year of purchase, I’ll be looking into that for sure - I’m down to track one that isn’t mine anytime)

MM54 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 05/31/2020 at 14:12

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Thanks! They seem to hold up pretty well from what I’ve researched. At the end of the day it’s built by Mazda (even says so in the door jamb) with a well-proven fiat engine, so not too much to worry about.

MM54 > Just Jeepin' 05/31/2020 at 14:13

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This is p retty much the anti-jeep other than being able to go open-top ;)

MM54 > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 05/31/2020 at 14:14

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Thanks!

It’s been a bit of a pain having to swap the outside tires for the inside tires every time I pull into the garage, though...

MM54 > sony1492 05/31/2020 at 14:15

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Thank you! I have been really impressed with the torque/power delivery for such a small engine, and I’m sure it’s 100% due to the turbo setup. De spite being all of 0.2L more displacement than my rx7, it’s like going from a scooter to a muscle car between the two.

MM54 > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/31/2020 at 14:16

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Thank you!

Yes unfortunately it seems they’re all silver, white, red, or black. The dark blue metallic is hard to beat, and a rea l color !

MM54 > lone_liberal 05/31/2020 at 14:17

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Thank you!

MM54 > Chuckles 05/31/2020 at 14:18

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It’s worth holding out for! I just can’t get behind the styling of the new miata; I could cope with the front end but the rear is a disproportionate mess, and putting that with the “okay” front takes the needle way into the red.

MM54 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/31/2020 at 14:20

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Thank you! I’m not sure of numbers but they can’t be selling very many; I think to date I’ve seen all of one (1) other 124 on the road . There are a bunch on dealer lots, and most of them automatics for some reason. The sales manager (?) at the dealer mentioned it’s getting hard to find them in manual, I don’t know why.

MM54 > UserNotFound 05/31/2020 at 14:21

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I am very pleased so far!

MM54 > Poor_Sh 05/31/2020 at 14:21

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Thanks!

MM54 > CompactLuxuryFan 05/31/2020 at 14:23

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Thank you!

Being a well-optioned top-trim Abarth, compared to a similarly optioned top-trim mx5 I think I got a very good deal. I’m sure relatively slow sales (and the whole pandemic thing) helped in my negotiations - and that it’s a new 2019 unsold in May of 2020 which might not be something you can find in an ND

MM54 > RangerSmith 05/31/2020 at 14:24

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Exactly! The salesman seemed a little worried when he asked what my second-choice color would be and I told him there wasn’t one :)

I already got sunburn on my arms/neck once since buying this, like 50% sure it happened while driving... I burn easily. Much sunscreen will be had.

MM54 > MUSASHI66 05/31/2020 at 14:26

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Thank you! The grey with the red graphics and black hood/decklid would look sharp for sure. I’ll do what I can to keep Oppo up to date on things :)

MM54 > Brickman 05/31/2020 at 14:27

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Agreed! As a bonus, it’s a little longer (same wheelbase but more overhang ) and I think that results in a somewhat larger trunk, so it’s a win-win.

MM54 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/31/2020 at 14:28

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Hey, pegboard is a nice place to hang microfibers to dry. There just happens to be a lot up there...

I suspect it would drift if asked nicely.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > MM54 05/31/2020 at 14:28

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There are two I see occasionally. One at a retirement home that never moves another that I know is a stick in the same all black color scheme I usually see parked as well. Sad, because I want more Abarths here but also they did no marketing so what did they really expect?

MM54 > A Boy and His Longtail 05/31/2020 at 14:28

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Thanks!

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion 05/31/2020 at 14:29

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Thanks!

MM54 > Chariotoflove 05/31/2020 at 14:30

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Thanks! I think it was a good deal, we’ll just go with “Out the door well under invoice”

MM54 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/31/2020 at 14:30

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Thank you! I agree about the styling vs the ND

MM54 > QCGoose 05/31/2020 at 14:31

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Thank you! I will do my best to enjoy & share

MM54 > PG; the scalpel wielder 05/31/2020 at 14:32

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Thank you!

It seems everything down there is at least at a 50% premium. Glad you’re enjoying the ND! I’ve been curious - in RHD, is the handbrake on your side of the center console or is it on the far side?

Just Jeepin' > MM54 05/31/2020 at 14:34

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Well, and being mostly impractical for anything.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > MM54 05/31/2020 at 14:36

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MM54 > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 05/31/2020 at 14:41

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Thank you! I’ll get some video at some point before and after doing the Monza exhaust, which I still don’t have (so it’ll be a while) .

Interior:

Not a great picture but it’s the only one I’ve taken!

I fit very comfortably in it (5'10" / 155lb) but I can see how someone taller would want a telescoping wheel. I had a taller passenger mention he didn’t have much legroom, but I’m not sure if the footwells are the same size.

In addition to the styling, the torque from the turbo drew me in - it makes for a more practical vehicle day-to-day (having daily driven my RX7 (12A) a few summers, I am very familiar with “nothing under 4k rpm”).

The tires are the RE050 which are a 140TW runflat (there’s no spare, just a patch kit). I’m not familiar enough with their lineup to know how that compares to the S001

MM54 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/31/2020 at 14:43

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It seems like very few people know these even exist, which is a shame.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > MM54 05/31/2020 at 15:48

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Imagine if auto makers actually marketed their good cars. There’d be TourXs on every (50th ) corner!