I agree with most of what you say except. I dont think the 124 is uglier. In my opinion it looks better than the fish mouth miata. As far as the inferior motor, i disagree too. Some dont understand the multi-air. it is a very good mill with tons of potential. Just my opinion. and yes i have a new 124 and i enjoy driving it. Destroys new miatas in performance on the street. maybe i got lucky and have a good one. My 500L runs great, the dual clutch is a joke. But If driven properly and not allowed to creep. It is fine and has no issues (design flaw for the 500L).I believe the 124 Spider and 500L are being dropped now as well.
It's too bad that Fiat and Alfa haven't been able to do better this time around in the U.S., but hardly surprising. There's not much demand in America for relatively tiny econoboxes like the 500 and the Abarth version has bar stools for seats, generally awful ergonomics, and too much torque steer. The 124 is an uglier Miata with an inferior 1.4-turbo engine to Mazda's naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter. The 4C was pretty, sharp and lively, but flatulent turbo-four sounds and a dual-clutch automatic are disappointments -- for the same price I'd take a Lotus Evora with a great-sounding, reliable Toyota six-cyl and a manual gearbox. The Giulia is a great sedan in both four- and six-cylinder configuration (even without a manual transmission), but if you can't build a car that functions reliably in this day and age, you're not going to sell very many. Who's got time for that in a brand-new, $35k-$70k car?
All that said, I'll probably buy a used Giulia when they depreciate even further and independent mechanics get a better handle on their common faults. Won't take much longer. There's a 2018 Giulia turbo-four, RWD locally with 45k miles asking $15k. That's more than 50% depreciation from new in three short years!
How long did you own your 500 Abarth for?I believe the 124 Spider and 500L are being dropped now as well.
It's too bad that Fiat and Alfa haven't been able to do better this time around in the U.S., but hardly surprising. There's not much demand in America for relatively tiny econoboxes like the 500 and the Abarth version has bar stools for seats, generally awful ergonomics, and too much torque steer. The 124 is an uglier Miata with an inferior 1.4-turbo engine to Mazda's naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter. The 4C was pretty, sharp and lively, but flatulent turbo-four sounds and a dual-clutch automatic are disappointments -- for the same price I'd take a Lotus Evora with a great-sounding, reliable Toyota six-cyl and a manual gearbox. The Giulia is a great sedan in both four- and six-cylinder configuration (even without a manual transmission), but if you can't build a car that functions reliably in this day and age, you're not going to sell very many. Who's got time for that in a brand-new, $35k-$70k car?
All that said, I'll probably buy a used Giulia when they depreciate even further and independent mechanics get a better handle on their common faults. Won't take much longer. There's a 2018 Giulia turbo-four, RWD locally with 45k miles asking $15k. That's more than 50% depreciation from new in three short years!
Never owned one, but drove and tested several supplied new by FCA for my job (every car I mentioned above, I've done the same). I will say my brother owns a 500 Sport and loves it, never plans to sell it. To each his own, this is just my opinion.How long did you own your 500 Abarth for?
I too think the longer bonnet and grill make the 124 a more striking car, looks-wise. There are times with the 500 Abarth’s engine when I would like a little more grunt between 1st & 2nd, but after that, I’ve never thought I needed more power, considering I‘m not racing the car. Hopefully Tiger Woods won’t be driving anywhere near me though in a monster SUV...Ditto with the comments on the 124 Abarth. Personally I think it looks loads better than the Miata, but after-all we are all on an Italian car forum . . .
This is the first I've heard of someone claiming the Miata's 2.0 N/A was better. Up until now, I've always gotten a sense the general consensus was the 1.4T was the better motor. Can't really comment on the difference because I've only had experience with the 124 Abarth, however I never found myself wishing for more in the motor department. Has been dead reliable too so far (bought new and now have over 60k miles).
Don’t you think those are fake-laws, pushed through by the big three, lobbied to Washington to make start-ups less threatening to their stranglehold? The European version of the 500 Abarth had some great little differences which were scrubbed here for just these reasons. And yes, I hope the NEW 500e makes it here, because I want a car which plays classical music from ‘Amarcord’ or ‘La Dolce Vita’ when it starts...not to mention 0-to-50 in three seconds (km).Personally, I think having the electric 500 here is the next logical thing to do. I understand why the original 500 was discontinued here--it was already 8 years old in the US (even older worldwide) and modern cars don't really last that long--not like the Range Rover Classic, Alfa Spider, Porsche 911 and other cars which lasted for years and years after they should have been dead and buried.
What gets me is the connection to US laws and the "marque". Fiat has to meet all of the requirements separately from Alfa Romeo separately from Maserati separately from Peugeot, etc. Seems the laws are outdated with regards to covering these large conglomerates. They treat the badge like a discrete auto maker but really it's nothing more than a brand and personality these days. This makes it harder for niche marques to sell cars here. Nothing wrong with supporting a small number of Fiat 500s here if the money for certification wasn't so stupid crazy. Seems the US laws need to change. Not every car needs Toyota Camry volumes, but unfortunately that's how the US market is set up. Decreases our choices--free market my ass. I don't want an Accord or Ford F150. I should have the freedom to buy what I want, and that starts with tearing down some of these outdated, protectionist, auto certification rules.
Who are the "big three" these days? I don’t really know anymore.Don’t you think those are fake-laws, pushed through by the big three, lobbied to Washington to make start-ups less threatening to their stranglehold? The European version of the 500 Abarth had some great little differences which were scrubbed here for just these reasons. And yes, I hope the NEW 500e makes it here, because I want a car which plays classical music from ‘Amarcord’ or ‘La Dolce Vita’ when it starts...not to mention 0-to-50 in three seconds (km).