Why buy a Mazda MX-5 when you can have an Abarth 124 instead?

After a few minutes of talking to Carlo Dore, owner of a 2018-reg Abarth 124 Spider automatic, I'm glad I sold my 2018 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport. 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. Carlo mentioned that people are paying up to £3000 for the supply and fitting of new rear hubs. That sounded high to me so I checked with a Mazda dealer, who quoted £2406 - less but still scary. The price was made up of £1686 for the parts plus £720 for four hours' labour fitting them. So now you know. 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... "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. 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. He's also on his guard for accidental breakages. Things like body panels and lights are unique to the 124 Spider, 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." 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."

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Why buy a Mazda MX-5 when you can have an Abarth 124 instead?

Take an MX-5, inject a little bit of Italian flair and you get the 124, though there are some downsides...

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Why buy a Mazda MX-5 when you can have an Abarth 124 instead?

Take an MX-5, inject a little bit of Italian flair and you get the 124, though there are some downsides...

More from Autocar

Top 10s

Latest car reviews

Top manufacturers

Quick search

We recommend

Legal bits

About Autocar