Not really. These Miata's only sell about 6000 cars a year. If Fiat does half of that I think it's all the expected. No one wants small 2 seat convertible sports cars anymore.
I agree. Having seen an Abarth 124 I asked the owner, now in his late 50s, what was the reason behind and his answer was "because it has a flair of nostalgia", having owned a Fiat Barchetta back in the '90s.
Yes. But the new Miata would never have been made if not for Fiat's version augmenting their sales. That's how bad it is now for 2 seat convertibles. The world has moved on to SUV's and "sports sedans". I agree sales of the 124 are not great. But Fiat had no real expectations of it being great either. It was a cheap way to get another car segment for dealers to sell.
I wonder what the break-even production volume is for the Miata/124 series? By way of comparison, the last full year of S-2000 worldwide production was around 4,000 units before Honda pulled the plug. Production of the Miata/124 series is still above that threshold, but the dive rate is now approaching 50% drawing the day of reckoning nearer.
A lot of the parts are shared with other stuff. The 124 engine is straight out of a 500. I think that's is the only component in the entire car Fiat supplies. Aside from the body shell and interior, this is a pretty cheap program to put together. The problem is when the volume drops so low you can't justify starting production again. That's what kills it. Mazda wanted Fiat's additional production number to keep the line moving or start it back up faster. Mazda wanted to keep the Miata. I don't think they make any money off it now but it's a bit of their statement. Fiat just wanted another retro car to offer their dealers at a minimal investment. Both probably got what they wanted and expected.
Anyone seen any TV advertising for the brand? AR was all over channels watched by younger, urban and suburban affluents (ESPN, NBA, NFL etc). US dealers must feel screwed by Fiat. Ugh.
6800 units sold in the first 5 months of 2018. People do not want to spend money on garbage. Why FIAT hasn't learned this is beyond me. The local dealer had new 500's for sale for just under $11k. In 1985, you could get a new YUGO for $4k. In 2018 dollars, that's $9500. FIAT combined the build quality of a Reliant Robin with the price of a YUGO and expected success in the US market. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I disagree. I have a 2012 500 Abarth and it’s been trouble free and fun so far. I think the build quality is fine. Maybe my experience is the exception. Sent from my iPod touch using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I saw a red 124 on my way to lunch today. I like it! I live in a small town with no Fiat dealer, so it's likely the only one here. Plenty of Miata's here though. I think if I wanted a small inexpensive roadster I would opt for the 124.
Agree! It is more distinctive than the Miata and with so few being sold and the possibility that production could be discontinued, it might be a good fun car to hold long term thru the depreciation phase and into a possible appreciation phase if one's timeframe is long enough.
I think you may be correct on your assumption. At the cost of the 124 I doubt one would get hurt badly if the appreciation cycle did not take place. Then there is the fun side of ownership too. The car certainly got my attention.
FIAT year over year US sales are off the cliff..... I did see a white 124 Abarth up the street, it's cute. I just put my two FIAT 2000 Spiders in the Ads up there, for the accumulated storage fees!! For anyone that wants to drive down Memory Lane. Not fast, but fun! I was going to give one to friend's TEN year old daughter to drive to Elementary school!! A 'one half scale' Grace Kelly! That idea went down in flames, but WTF not?? Image Unavailable, Please Login
I don't think production will cease, numbers are too important. I can see FIAT as a nameplate pulling out of North America. They are already discussing reimbursement to the dealerships that launched it....
And the Honda S2000 is now a sought after model, in the tuner crowd. I think my son's makes about 600HP, blown....
I can too. I can see Alfa taking over the slot with a 500 replacement or they just stop selling cars with $15K MSRP's anymore. My guess is after the new NAFTA is announced, Fiat will close those plants in Mexico
My 13 500 Abarth has been rock solid with approx 31k miles now. No other car will provide the fun or smiles per mile for the same $$. Hell just starting her up puts a smile on my face.
2018 USA Fiat 124 Spider sales:- January - 183 February - 223 March - 325 April - 337 May - 425 June - 401 July - 392 Total: 2286
2018 Europe FIAT 124 Spider sales:- January - 408 February - 335 March - 1351 April - 442 May - 786 June - 1047 Total: 4369
Will Fiat answer with an engine upgrade/boost? If they don't, I think that will really hurt/kill sales. It will be that much harder to justify buying the Fiata over the Miata. https://jalopnik.com/the-2019-mazda-miata-s-extra-power-and-improved-cuphold-1828264024
This comparison is from Aug.'16. They pick the Miata over the Abarth. Gap would be wider against 2019 Miata. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-fiat-124-spider-abarth-vs-2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-club-comparison-test I really like the different 'Italian' styling of the 124 over the Japanese 'pokeman' styling of the Miata. So much potential. It will be a crime if Fiat doesn't see it through. Soooo close.
At 6’ 2”, long waisted and fat, I barely fit into either car. (When I sit up, my eyeballs hit the top of the windshield.) A telescoping steering wheel gives some hope, but not much. Then there is the issue of my right knee banging on the crap hanging down from console. Wanna know something funny? I fit fine in a first gen Fiat Spider. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
Yeah, I guess they have to make room for the airbags. But if they only gave say a couple more inches of legroom, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.