In reply to Toebra:
Seriously, I haven't seen the new Miata in a color that I like.
In reply to Toebra:
Seriously, I haven't seen the new Miata in a color that I like.
Nick (Not-Stig) Comstock wrote: Imo, seeing this immediately made the Miata look cheap and dated. I really like it.
That's because you've been seeing the Miata for a year, it's not the new shiny anymore. The Fiat is certainly more divisive, people either like it a lot or don't care for it. Which is good. The dark grey looks good on the Miata in person, better than I expected from the photos. Pardon the SEMA livery...
WOW Really Paul? wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: If the little 1.4 holds true to the Abarth it's currently in, 200whp is about $400 away.
The other Fiats are FWD, which means less drivetrain loss. I'd expect the 124s to be a bit weaker at the wheels because of that. But yeah, there will be a good market in intakes, exhausts and tunes. Turbo cars are always good for that.
The ND Miatas are up about 20 hp with tunes alone at the moment. I'm looking forward to driving one that's been completely uncorked, it should be quite entertaining. Turbo cars are effective, high compression naturally aspirated cars are fun 
As for transmissions, Autoblog reports that the auto uses the same ratios. That would imply the same trans. The manuals have different ratios. Let's hope there's some potential for a motor interchange, although the electronics could be interesting.
Come to think of it, one of my coworkers has a Fiat Abarth. I wonder if it's the same engine?
In reply to Keith Tanner:
It's probably the same in the sense that a FWD BP is the "same" as a RWD BP. Fiat puts the 1.4 turbo in everything from the Abarth to the 500X to the Jeep Renegade, just in different states of tune. I can't imagine they would go through the trouble of creating a whole different 1.4 turbo just for this car; almost certainly the same mill with small changes to work effectively RWD.
I think for many street class autocrossers the longer gearing and earlier torque peak will point them to the fiat vs. the ND. It will be a fun comparison for our favorite mag to do.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
Or maybe it's because he (and me) thinks the Fiat is better looking than the Miata.
pointofdeparture wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: It's probably the same in the sense that a FWD BP is the "same" as a RWD BP. Fiat puts the 1.4 turbo in everything from the Abarth to the 500X to the Jeep Renegade, just in different states of tune. I can't imagine they would go through the trouble of creating a whole different 1.4 turbo just for this car; almost certainly the same mill with small changes to work effectively RWD.
What I should have posted was "I wonder what kind of engine is in that Abarth in the parking lot". I don't know anything about it other than it looks like a 500 that was left to ripen.
bravenrace wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: Or maybe it's because he (and me) thinks the Fiat is better looking than the Miata.
I'd love to see this statement accompanied by the age of the beholder. I suspect the Fiat is going to appeal to a different demographic from a styling standpoint. Personally, I'm hoping the pictures of the Fiat don't do it justice because they look like they were done by a student.
This just in; much like the Abarth, our 124 is more powerful than everyone else's. Also, some shots in white...I still want to see it in a bright orange or something.
http://jalopnik.com/american-gets-a-more-powerful-fiat-124-spider-than-piti-1743287149?rev=1447867932226&utm_campaign=socialflow_jalopnik_facebook&utm_source=jalopnik_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
Keith Tanner wrote:bravenrace wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: Or maybe it's because he (and me) thinks the Fiat is better looking than the Miata.I'd love to see this statement accompanied by the age of the beholder. I suspect the Fiat is going to appeal to a different demographic from a styling standpoint. Personally, I'm hoping the pictures of the Fiat don't do it justice because they look like they were done by a student.
I just thought it was humorous that you decided you knew why Nick thought what he did, when looks and perceived quality are completely subjective. I didn't count, but I'd say more people here like the Fiat than don't.
Keith Tanner wrote:pointofdeparture wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: It's probably the same in the sense that a FWD BP is the "same" as a RWD BP. Fiat puts the 1.4 turbo in everything from the Abarth to the 500X to the Jeep Renegade, just in different states of tune. I can't imagine they would go through the trouble of creating a whole different 1.4 turbo just for this car; almost certainly the same mill with small changes to work effectively RWD.What I should have posted was "I wonder what kind of engine is in that Abarth in the parking lot". I don't know anything about it other than it looks like a 500 that was left to ripen.
I just asked the owner, one of our shipping guys. Yup, same engine. Now he's saying he's going to lock it in the garage and chain it down so we don't use it for experiments...
pointofdeparture wrote: This just in; much like the Abarth, our 124 is more powerful than everyone else's. Also, some shots in white...I still want to see it in a bright orange or something.
Yep, our Abarth is basically the esse esse over there
I like the styling of the ND, but the Fiat looks better to me. The curvature of the front fender in relation to the wheel well has always looked wrong on the ND and this seems to address it nicely. I'll wait to see both in the flesh before final judgement is passed and a cheque written.
How soon until one of these 124 engines finds its way into a 500?
I much prefer the looks of the Miata. It's more aggressive, and looks like the body has been wrapped around the chassis to save as much weight as possible. The Fiat has larger bulky overhangs that make it look more awkward. I realize the Fiat has kind of a retro design, but I don't think the retro cues they integrated really work here.
Of course, all of this could change in person.
The Fiat is about 100lbs heavier but has a far different powerband.
Power
Fiat: 160 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
Mazda: 155 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
Fiat: 184 pound-feet @ 2,500 rpm
Mazda: 148 pound-feet @ 4,600 rpm
The Fiat seems more like a GT variant of the Miata platform to me. It's a bit larger and heavier with more power and (presumably) a great sound. The Miata is the more sporty variant with sharper looks and an engine that wants to be revved.
Jerry From LA wrote: How soon until one of these 124 engines finds its way into a 500?
You can already get one from the factory that way. That would be the 500 Abarth.
The release video on the Fiat site was painful. Almost 15 minutes of listening to the suit before you even get to see the car!
I'm ok with the styling. It does look a little clumsy, but I think it will grow on me.
STM317 wrote: I much prefer the looks of the Miata. It's more aggressive, and looks like the body has been wrapped around the chassis to save as much weight as possible. The Fiat has larger bulky overhangs that make it look more awkward. I realize the Fiat has kind of a retro design, but I don't think the retro cues they integrated really work here. Of course, all of this could change in person. The Fiat is about 100lbs heavier but has a far different powerband. Power Fiat: 160 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm Mazda: 155 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm Torque Fiat: 184 pound-feet @ 2,500 rpm Mazda: 148 pound-feet @ 4,600 rpm The Fiat seems more like a GT variant of the Miata platform to me. It's a bit larger and heavier with more power and (presumably) a great sound. The Miata is the more sporty variant with sharper looks and an engine that wants to be revved.
The funny thing about that is that the ND Miata already has a high-torque engine by Miata standards.
Did you know the 500 Abarth doesn't actually have a muffler? Straight pipes. So does our ND Miata on full throttle, but that's not factory...
seeing it in white there's now a pair of Mopar cues it in that once seen, cannot be unseen
The twin hood bulges/recesses
and the taper of the body under belt line as it comes off of the rear fender around the door handle and down. Though I know that the original 124 had a similar feature, but it was to a long rear section and not as crisp, that feature on this new one is more Dodge Challenger than 124. It's as if Fiat designers were given control of the headlamps and front fascia, and Dodge took over from there.
Keith Tanner wrote:Nick (Not-Stig) Comstock wrote: Imo, seeing this immediately made the Miata look cheap and dated. I really like it.That's because you've been seeing the Miata for a year, it's not the new shiny anymore.
Sunday, I followed a Porsche 918 Spyder for about a mile and a half so have seen more (1) 918 Spyders than ND Miatas (0) on the road (have seen 2 ND Miatas at the dealer). I'm in Columbus, Oh so a rather large metropolitan area. I would say NDs are still shiny and new.
I'm an NA owner (51) and, while it's not perfect, I much prefer the Fiat over the ND. That white is very nice and I normally don't like white cars.
It's nice to see another fun car on the market. I prefer the ND styling.
This car opens up additional options for drivetrain swaps, etc. something that probably won't catch on in a big way from the DIY crowd until prices start to drop say in 10 years.
I've seen 1 ND, 0 918s. ;)
Adrift wrote: Sunday, I followed a Porsche 918 Spyder for about a mile and a half so have seen more (1) 918 Spyders than ND Miatas (0) on the road (have seen 2 ND Miatas at the dealer). I'm in Columbus, Oh so a rather large metropolitan area. I would say NDs are still shiny and new.
Ha! No kidding - I've seen more i8s, Huracans, and Mclaren Spiders on the road than ND's.
And none of us have seen an uncamouflaged Fiat on the road. But you've been looking at pictures of the ND since September 2014.
I like them both. You can see the Italian and Japanese design in each one. Miata is more angular the 124 is more rounded. As previously mentioned, the Miata will likely appeal to a younger crowd with the 124 more mature buyers. I think the Japanese are far better at reliability and engineering than the Italians so that verdict is still out. Frankly I am a little sorry they are so similar. I get sharing development costs and all but it's a little like Buick getting a version of the Corvette.
Still it's always nice to have another sports car option.
Both are nice. Here's another vote for the Miata.
captdownshift wrote: The twin hood bulges/recesses
Err, those have always been there:
Feedyurhed wrote: I like them both. You can see the Italian and Japanese design in each one. Miata is more angular the 124 is more rounded. As previously mentioned, the Miata will likely appeal to a younger crowd with the 124 more mature buyers. I think the Japanese are far better at reliability and engineering than the Italians so that verdict is still out. Frankly I am a little sorry they are so similar. I get sharing development costs and all but it's a little like Cadillac getting a version of the Corvette.
Fixed that 
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