Just a point of interest really.

I decided to buy this weeks edition of Auto Express whilst getting some fuel, and they had an article about Britians best used cars.

I was pleased to see that the Fiat 500 came top in the 'Best used premium small car' section.

Also (although I've not read it yet) there's a shootout between the Mazda MX5 and the Fiat 124 Spider and the Fiat comes out on top of that one too!

Worth a look if you are interested in either of those two Fiats.

Beth. X

Lots of articles comparing the fiat to the Mazda seem to favour the fiat, they are at the end of the day the same car but the fiat has better styling and providence compared to the sterile Mazda. However also it tends to get pointed out the the fiat has an "adequate" engine but nothing to really get excited about where as the Mazda gives buyers some choice and more powerful engine options

AndyRKett said:

Lots of articles comparing the fiat to the Mazda seem to favour the fiat, they are at the end of the day the same car but the fiat has better styling and providence compared to the sterile Mazda. However also it tends to get pointed out the the fiat has an "adequate" engine but nothing to really get excited about where as the Mazda gives buyers some choice and more powerful engine options

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TG mag favored the Fiat engine because of the low-down torque compared to the Mazda.. Shame about the open diff in the Fiat, but even so still more response and fun with the better torque
Also, the Fiat would be easier to get more power out of than the N/A Mazda engine

My brother has an MX5, and insisted on taking me for a ride. When I suggested he rode with me over the same route in my 500, he couldn't get indoors fast enough ! I win..on refusals.

brinker said:

TG mag favored the Fiat engine because of the low-down torque compared to the Mazda..

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If you go back and have a read it talks about more mid range torque but low down turbo lag. Also says the fiat is more soft and rolls more than the stiffer Mazda and that if you're planning on a better car than the Mazda you really need to buy an abarth version

Top gear didn't make a clear distinction as to weather or not they prefer the fiat or the Mazda, it seems it's more a draw and they appreciate that each car has equal strengths and weaknesses

AndyRKett said:

If you go back and have a read it talks about more mid range torque but low down turbo lag. Also says the fiat is more soft and rolls more than the stiffer Mazda and that if you're planning on a better car than the Mazda you really need to buy an abarth version

Top gear didn't make a clear distinction as to weather or not they prefer the fiat or the Mazda, it seems it's more a draw and they appreciate that each car has equal strengths and weaknesses

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The ones I've read tend to say the 124 is a better 5/10ths car with it having more torque but the softer springing and lack of a standard diff mean at the limits the Mazda is better.

The MX5 tends to get criticized for its brittle damping (although fairly sure your the 1st person I've ever seen call one sterile), although there will probably be a special edition along with some trick dampers given how much they love a special edition. BBR will sell you a super 200 mx5 with a warranty for less than an abarth 124. You can then spend the change on track days or a set of adjustable dampers.