{"id":75654,"date":"2026-07-12T07:18:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T11:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/?p=75654"},"modified":"2026-07-12T07:18:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T11:18:25","slug":"abarth-124-spider-weighs-italian-style-and-rarity-against-mx-5-practicality-and-running-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/abarth-124-spider-weighs-italian-style-and-rarity-against-mx-5-practicality-and-running-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"Abarth 124 Spider Weighs Italian Style and Rarity Against MX-5 Practicality and Running Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Distinguishes the Abarth 124 Spider from the Mazda MX-5 Mechanically and Culturally?<\/p>\n

The Abarth 124 Spider, while sharing a substantial portion of its underpinnings with the Mazda MX-5, diverges in ways that are neither trivial nor purely cosmetic. The evidence suggests that the core mechanical differentiation\u2014namely, the adoption of Fiat\u2019s 1.4-litre Multiair turbocharged engine\u2014alters the character of the platform in a manner that is not reducible to a simple power bump. The Abarth\u2019s 168bhp output, combined with a distinctive Record Monza exhaust, reframes the MX-5\u2019s celebrated chassis, introducing a torque-rich, more forceful delivery that some enthusiasts interpret as a more European, even idiosyncratic, driving experience. This is not merely a matter of numbers; it is a question of how the car\u2019s personality is perceived and enacted on the road.<\/p>\n

Yet, the Abarth\u2019s claim to exclusivity and Italian flair is not without its ambiguities. While the black bonnet and bespoke badging evoke Abarth\u2019s motorsport heritage, such signifiers are, in a sense, performative\u2014inviting owners to participate in a narrative of rarity and distinction. The limited production run (2016-2019) and unique bodywork reinforce this aura, but also introduce practical complications, particularly regarding parts availability and insurance. The car\u2019s cultural cachet, then, is inseparable from its logistical vulnerabilities. For some, this tension enhances the appeal; for others, it constitutes a structural deterrent.<\/p>\n

What Are the Hidden Costs and Maintenance Risks Associated with the Abarth 124 and MX-5?<\/p>\n

The shared architecture between the Abarth 124 and the MX-5 brings with it a common set of mechanical liabilities, most notably the propensity for spherical bush failure in the rear hubs. The practical significance of this issue is not easily dismissed: replacement requires the purchase of an entire hub assembly, as OEM bushes are not sold separately. The financial impact\u2014ranging from \u00a32,400 to upwards of \u00a33,000 for parts and labor\u2014exceeds what many owners might anticipate for what is, in essence, a consumable suspension component. While anecdotal evidence points to bush failures typically emerging after 30,000 miles, the absence of comprehensive, model-wide failure rate data renders it difficult to assess the true prevalence or predictability of this issue. Nevertheless, the risk is sufficiently documented to warrant caution among prospective buyers.<\/p>\n

The Abarth\u2019s unique body panels and lights, produced in limited numbers, further complicate the ownership equation. Replacement parts are not only expensive but also subject to long lead times. This scarcity has a second-order effect: insurance companies, facing high repair costs and uncertain parts availability, are more likely to declare the car a total loss after relatively minor incidents. The mainstream narrative of \u201cItalian exclusivity\u201d thus contains an undercurrent of fragility, both economic and practical, that is often glossed over in enthusiast circles.<\/p>\n

How Does Ownership Experience Diverge Between the Two Models, and Who Is Most Affected?<\/p>\n

For owners, the divergence between the Abarth 124 and the MX-5 is experienced as a blend of aesthetic, emotional, and logistical factors. The Abarth\u2019s interior, with Alcantara upholstery and dedicated sports seats, offers a tactile differentiation, but the underlying architecture remains Mazda\u2019s. This duality\u2014Italian surface atop Japanese substance\u2014appeals to a subset of buyers seeking both reliability and a sense of occasion. Yet, the very attributes that make the Abarth feel special to some (rarity, bespoke details, heritage cues) are precisely those that expose owners to higher costs and greater inconvenience in the event of damage or mechanical failure.<\/p>\n

The affected population is not limited to performance enthusiasts. Insurance underwriters, parts suppliers, and even MOT testers become stakeholders in the car\u2019s lifecycle, each responding to the vehicle\u2019s structural idiosyncrasies in ways that ripple outward. Owners in rural or less densely populated regions, where specialist repairers and parts are scarcer, face amplified risks. The car\u2019s appeal is thus not universal; it is mediated by geography, risk tolerance, and one\u2019s willingness to navigate the trade-offs between exclusivity and practicality.<\/p>\n

Why Do Mainstream Interpretations of the Abarth 124\u2019s Value Proposition Remain Incomplete?<\/p>\n

Prevailing discourse often frames the Abarth 124 as a \u201cbetter-looking MX-5 with Italian flair,\u201d but this interpretation is, at best, partial. It underestimates the extent to which the car\u2019s distinctiveness is double-edged, conferring both status and exposure to unique forms of risk. The mainstream focus on styling and performance metrics obscures the more consequential dynamics of ownership: the fragility of the supply chain for body parts, the actuarial logic of insurance write-offs, and the psychological calculus of owning a car whose rarity is as much a liability as an asset.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the narrative of \u201ctrouble-free\u201d ownership, while not without basis in individual cases, is methodologically suspect when generalized. The absence of problems up to a certain mileage does not guarantee future reliability, particularly given the known issues with rear hub bushes. The lack of longitudinal, model-specific reliability data means that buyers are operating in a context of radical uncertainty, one that is not adequately acknowledged in most consumer advice.<\/p>\n

What Should a Discerning Reader Infer About the Abarth 124\u2019s Place in the Market?<\/p>\n

The evidence, while incomplete, points to a car that occupies a liminal space: more exclusive and expressive than the MX-5, yet burdened by structural vulnerabilities that are not easily mitigated. For those who value rarity, heritage, and aesthetic differentiation above all, the Abarth 124 offers a compelling\u2014if precarious\u2014proposition. For risk-averse buyers or those unwilling to navigate the complexities of parts sourcing and insurance, the MX-5\u2019s ubiquity and support infrastructure remain decisive advantages.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the Abarth 124\u2019s market position is defined not by its technical superiority or inferiority, but by the interplay of desire and risk. The informed reader should approach the car not as a simple upgrade or alternative to the MX-5, but as a case study in the costs and consequences of automotive exclusivity. The question is not whether the Abarth is \u201cbetter,\u201d but whether its unique blend of virtues and vulnerabilities aligns with one\u2019s own priorities and risk appetite.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Abarth<\/a><\/p>\n

Take an MX-5, inject a little bit of Italian flair and you get the 124,\u00a0though there are some downsides…<\/p>\n

\n

After a few minutes of talking to Carlo Dore, owner of a 2018-reg Abarth 124<\/a> Spider automatic, I’m glad I sold my 2018 Mazda MX-5<\/a> 2.0 Sport.<\/p>\n

He says that it and the technically related 124 can suffer failure of the so-called spherical bushes in their rear hubs, one hub per corner. There are multiple bushes in each hub and it takes only the failure of one, usually detected at the MOT test if any clonking noises haven’t already been heard, to render the entire hub unfit for purpose. Replacement OEM bushes alone are unavailable and so the entire hub assembly must be purchased.<\/p>\n

Carlo mentioned that people are paying up to \u00a33000 for the supply and fitting of new rear hubs. That sounded high to me so I checked with a Mazda dealer, who quoted \u00a32406 – less but still scary. The price was made up of \u00a31686 for the parts plus \u00a3720 for four hours’ labour fitting them. So now you know.<\/p>\n

Back to Carlo’s Abarth and, as always with this model, I was keen to know why, besides being of Italian heritage, he bought it over an MX-5. “It’s prettier,” he said. “It’s more exclusive too, while the black bonnet reminds me of Abarth’s racing colours. I’d have preferred a red car but my wife liked the white. She also liked the six-speed automatic gearbox…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

“It’s a nimble car and even more responsive in Sport mode.” Aside from the styling, the Abarth differs from the MX-5 in having a Fiat 1.4-litre Multiair turbo engine, uprated to 168bhp, which gives the MX-5’s brilliant chassis a good workout. The model has a Record Monza sports exhaust too, with a distinctive raspy note.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential and Bilstein dampers (there’s a diff on 2.0-litre MX-5s and Bilsteins on Sport versions) complete the mechanical picture. Although the interior architecture is the same in both models, the Abarth has Alcantara upholstery and dedicated Abarth sports seats. Carlo bought his Spider in 2022 with 13,500 miles on the clock. It’s now done 30,000 and he has experienced no issues with it. “It’s been trouble-free but I’ve been told the spherical bushes can start failing after 30,000 miles, so I’m on my guard,” he says.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He’s also on his guard for accidental breakages. Things like body panels and lights are unique to the 124 Spider<\/a>, and because relatively few cars were produced and for such a short period (2016-19), replacements can be tricky to source. This also has an impact on insurance premiums. “Mechanical parts and anything shared with Mazda are fine, I understand, but headlights, wings and other parts are hard to get hold of and can take a long time to come through,” he says. “It’s why insurance companies will write off 124s quite readily, rather than repairing them.”<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For the second time, Carlo invites me to inspect the aluminium plaque mounted between the seats. I can’t see the fuss but on closer inspection realise it depicts an exploded view of the car above the legend ‘Vettura No.207’, which translates as Car No.207, and a Union Jack. “I like that touch,” he says. “It makes the car feel even more special.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75655,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75654"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75656,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75654\/revisions\/75656"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}