New Fiat/ Miata 124 spider ---- what the? | Page 13 | FerrariChat

New Fiat/ Miata 124 spider ---- what the?

Discussion in 'Other Italian' started by TheMayor, Nov 18, 2015.

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  1. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     
    Griffon83 likes this.
  2. Griffon83

    Griffon83 Formula Junior

    Dec 5, 2016
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    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.
     
  3. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I didnt realize the Miata sold so few. It used to be a 20k+ per year car.
     
  4. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     
  5. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     
  6. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     
  7. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
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    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.
     
  8. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ
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    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.

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  9. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
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    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.


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  10. NEP

    NEP F1 Rookie

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    2018 USA Mazda MX-5 Miata sales:-
    January - June: 4691 units
     
  11. pearsonhaus

    pearsonhaus Formula 3

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    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.
     
  12. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     
  13. pearsonhaus

    pearsonhaus Formula 3

    Jul 2, 2008
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    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.
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    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??
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  15. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    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....
     
  16. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    And the Honda S2000 is now a sought after model, in the tuner crowd.

    I think my son's makes about 600HP, blown....:D :D :D
     
  17. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    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
     
  18. Rags747

    Rags747 Formula Junior

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    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.
     
  19. NEP

    NEP F1 Rookie

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    2018 USA Fiat 124 Spider sales:-

    January - 183
    February - 223
    March - 325
    April - 337
    May - 425
    June - 401
    July - 392
    Total: 2286
     
  20. NEP

    NEP F1 Rookie

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    2018 Europe FIAT 124 Spider sales:-

    January - 408
    February - 335
    March - 1351
    April - 442
    May - 786
    June - 1047
    Total: 4369
     
  21. BJK

    BJK F1 Rookie

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  22. BJK

    BJK F1 Rookie

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  23. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    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.


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  24. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Yah all the safety stuff today makes the interiors smaller.
     
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  25. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     

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