The Spicy Turbo Miata // 2019 FIAT 124 Abarth

I agree totally with your logic about preferring to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Being able to truly enjoy that driving experience on the road in a 5 bean performance car is almost impossible these days unless you don’t fear losing your licence. You can actually have more fun in a lesser powered sports car with a manual transmission.

Went from a FR-S to this when these first came out. The 124 Abarth has been my daily for over two years now and I still love it. Did a couple roadtrips to north Georgia and Tail of the Dragon - it’s absolutely fantastic in the mountains. I do wish I had those recaros, since I bought mine early they weren’t available at the time.

absolutely LOVE this car. I love the old school Italian styling reminiscent of old Ferrari and Alfa Romeo as well. Perfect amount of power to have fun with, push to the limit and still be and feel safe. Plus you never see them! Fiat did an amazing job and I will be considering one of these specced just like this.

"Not really going to give it a heavy launch" Immediately chirps and steps out the back end.. You crack me up =D

I had a '70 Fiat 124 back in the '80s. It was pretty advanced for its day. The engine was a DOHC,it had a 5 speed and all wheel disc brakes. It was fun to drive,but a real pain to work on.

My family had Fiats when I was I kid. I got to drive the family 124 Spider for a few years in high school. Reading the comments, it's a little sad to see the hate for these things... mostly around reliability. These cars and some other notorious (thinking about MGs, etc...) "unreliable" cars are enthusiast cars. They DO need some tending to from time to time. You will be turning a wrench a bit if you choose to own one. I recall though that they were ENGINEERED to be worked on. Everything is accessible. You can get to just about everything you need to easily. You can nearly tear down the entire thing and put it back together with a 13mm open end wrench. They are to be owned by enthusiasts. You get to know the car. You develop a relationship with it. If you maintain it well, it will reward you with many many miles of grins when tearing into a corner, cruising it with the top down, etc... Technology has improved a ton since then. I'm sure the reliability is fine with these. Great review. You captured it as an enthusiast... WE are the audience for these cars. Well done!

Should only be a manual transmission... I think I am in love with this girl! :D

hi sarah i own this car a 2019 fiat 124 abarth but i use it as my weekend car the ride is pure italian feel and the monza exhaust sound is impressive great video as always

"Oh this thing is good" all I've ever wanted to hear

Lol "yup, it stops" 9:13 😍 Great review! God I love you! Crushes aside, I like the "tuner-oriented" perspective that you are taking with your car reviews! Keep it up, Sarah!

Glad to hear you’re bringing back car reviews...More Sarah is a win in my book!!!😊

It is refreshing to see a light sports car with a smaller engine, this is why Lotus made such brilliant cars. Nowadays every model seems to get bigger and heavier, they get loaded with tons of tech you hardly need. I currently have the 124 classica but looking to upgrade to the Abarth.

Hallelujah, someone finally reviews it and understands the Abarth 124 - thank you for this review, Sarah! I totally think you should get one, it’s I would in your situation...and you could tune it for the channel. I’m looking forward to next year and hoping we get the EU spec power, and the removable hardtop option they showed in Geneva last year. Android Auto comes in these? Currently, you’re totally right that getting a basic Classica and upgrading the differential exhaust and exhaust to taste is the way to go. I nearly bought one but was swept off my feet by a 1989 Porsche 944 turbo instead. I think an Abarth will be my next.

I might love this car if I fit in it. I didn't see any warning that your videos are addictive.... After watching just one clip before I knew it I was hooked. Thanks for sharing.

I love my 124, it is like putting the car on and not just getting into it. I found the best way and the coolest way to get out of it, is to push out. Put your right foot up against the right inside middle wheel well. Put your left foot outside the car and push yourself out using your right foot.

Sarah discovers the MX-5/Fiat 124 platform! Yay! "Enthusiast and mechanic!" Yay! Life is good! Did a road trip to Italy with my wife in our NC - we had a blast. If you have a car like this you don't need cupholders. Both hands are needed for steering & shifting. If you're on a straight road you're going the wrong way. All the best, Rob: NC owner 160HP 2.0l Sport convertible.

Nice review! I have the 124 Lusso version. I can’t stop smiling when I drive it and it is my daily driver. I am taking it to the Michigan International Speedway tomorrow for five laps and just added all season tires. I’ve driven from ohio to the Florida keys, then to Houston then back to Ohio and was comfortable the whole trip. I got 39 mpg average. The car is very responsive and so much fun. Fiat ended production this year.

Abarths and Alfas are addictive as hell. I had a Mito and a Punto Abarth , both with the 1.4T-Jet engine and i miss them every day!

Speakers in the headrest. Reminds me of my 85 Fiero. Man I miss that car.

I'm getting one next year and I absolutely can't wait. I love that this car is a throwback to the old "mature sportcars" of the 1960s and 70s