Topic: First Drive: 2017 Fiat 124 Spider

[neil]

Is the autobox really a FCA part?  I have a hard time picturing a FWD transaxle from the Dart being used in a RWD roadster.

[tpl]

Is the autobox really a FCA part?  I have a hard time picturing a FWD transaxle from the Dart being used in a RWD roadster.

Probably just the core of the transmission, torque converter and the gearbox put into a new case.

It is not clear to me why one would buy a Fiat outside its natural habitat...Italy or if you insist, the EU.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[PJAvenger]

I like it.  Was curious to build my own, but that option not yet on the FCA Canada website.  Exploring through USA site, it says the autobox is "AISIN 6-Speed Automatic RWD Transmission".  Also one of the colours is Bianco Gelato - so the car is now vanilla ice cream!

[tooscoops]

i like it... don't know if i would choose it over a miata though... well, i *personally* would because i can probably get a better deal, but taking that away, it would be a coin toss...

actually no... i'd do the fiat, just because it's different.

[neil]

Is the autobox really a FCA part?  I have a hard time picturing a FWD transaxle from the Dart being used in a RWD roadster.

Probably just the core of the transmission, torque converter and the gearbox put into a new case.

Car and Driver says this:

The six-speed automatic is an Aisin unit, similar to the one that has been used in the MX-5 for several years.

And this link states the Dart 6 speed is a Powertech.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chrysler_transmissions

And this one says it's built by Hyundai.

http://www.dart-mouth.com/engines.html

This article says

used in the Dodge Dart, Fiat 500L and Fiat 500X.

[/b], but the X uses the ZF 9 speed.....

[KD]

I actually like the looks of the Mazda better.  This one looks good from all angles other than the front end where it has too much Chrysler dna.  Might look better in the flesh though. 

Long live the roadster!   

[SailFastSimon]

Is the autobox really a FCA part?  I have a hard time picturing a FWD transaxle from the Dart being used in a RWD roadster.

Probably just the core of the transmission, torque converter and the gearbox put into a new case.

Car and Driver says this:

The six-speed automatic is an Aisin unit, similar to the one that has been used in the MX-5 for several years.

And this link states the Dart 6 speed is a Powertech.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chrysler_transmissions

And this one says it's built by Hyundai.

http://www.dart-mouth.com/engines.html

This article says

used in the Dodge Dart, Fiat 500L and Fiat 500X.

[/b], but the X uses the ZF 9 speed.....

The automatic in the Fiat 124 is definitely an FCA-sourced Aisin unit.

And the Fiat presenters certainly said it's the same as used in the Dart and 500L, and they also mentioned another Fiat product when they made this statement. I was furiously scribbling notes and missed the last one, and when I asked for clarification the 500X was mentioned, but not by the same person as rattled off the initial list.

But yeah, the 500X autobox is a nine-speed, so that's an error -- I'm not sure how I missed that.

As for the Dart, it does appear that it uses (or at least used?) a Powertech unit, but I can only report what I hear, and this was from the horse's mouth so to speak. Possibly, as tpl mentioned, it's only the guts of the transmission that are the same, and for the Dart the guts are assembled by Powertech into a FWD case, while in the 124 they're assembled by Aisin into a RWD case?

At any rate, I've asked the editor to fix it for clarity, and to delete the two referenced vehicles whose transmissions are either uncertain or incorrect.

[Triple Bob]

I'd get this over the Mazda any day.

And where's a video of the sound, where are we, the 90's?

[JacobBlack]

I'd get this over the Mazda any day.

And where's a video of the sound, where are we, the 90's?

You ever tried to capture decent driving audio when solo (for our outlet)? #difficult
Having said that, it's something we're working on.

[Fobroader]

I'd get this over the Mazda any day.

And where's a video of the sound, where are we, the 90's?

You ever tried to capture decent driving audio when solo (for our outlet)? #difficult
Having said that, it's something we're working on.

Would a good quality GoPro with a suction cup mount be good enough?? I've seen some videos online filmed with GoPros and the sound is actually decent.

[JacobBlack]

This article says

used in the Dodge Dart, Fiat 500L and Fiat 500X.

[/b], but the X uses the ZF 9 speed.....

Yeah, this is wrong. We've updated the article.
Cheers!
#BestFactCheckersInTheWorld #lovethisforum

[hemusbull]

This Fiat doesn't convince me it is a successful reborn edition in terms sales like 500 or Mini. And I wonder 20 years from now this one will be higher priced on the vintage market than its sister Miata...But with my heart I should say it's a bella macchina! I want it now!

[Brig]

How come Simon gets to go to San Diego and drive a Fiat Spider, while James has to slum it around Ottawa in a Chevy Equinox?   

Seriously, do you guys draw straws, or is there a running sh*t list for the crappy gigs?   

[SailFastSimon]

I'd get this over the Mazda any day.

And where's a video of the sound, where are we, the 90's?

You ever tried to capture decent driving audio when solo (for our outlet)? #difficult
Having said that, it's something we're working on.

Would a good quality GoPro with a suction cup mount be good enough?? I've seen some videos online filmed with GoPros and the sound is actually decent.

Only if you remember to bring along the skeleton back, because GoPro's are pretty awful for sound when in the full water-proof case.

And Jacob, Andy and I will be arguing over who's responsible for the time suck that is processing/editing video and audio files.

[SailFastSimon]

How come Simon gets to go to San Diego and drive a Fiat Spider, while James has to slum it around Ottawa in a Chevy Equinox?   

Seriously, do you guys draw straws, or is there a running sh*t list for the crappy gigs?   

I'm just really good at Rock, Paper, Scissors. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

^ Uses actual rock. Hasn't lost yet. 

[johngenx]

Mazda for me.  Much prefer the shorter overhangs and overall look a lot more.  Just a personal preference.

Bonus for liking the Mazda better is no FCA parts.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I forget, are all trims stuck with the insipid screen on the dash?

[rrocket]

I've read a few reviews and it sounds like the Abarth is the only one that's "better" than the Miata from a sporting perspective.  The Classica and  Lusso are softies...more GT than sports car.

This sorta sums it up nicely IMO

"The stellar unity of the Miata is missing from the Classica. It doesn’t handle quite as well as I’d like and the MultiAir, like most modern turbo motors, would rather you skip the last thousand revs in favor of a short-shift strategy that rides the meat of the torque curve. The net effect is to undermine that jinba ittai just a bit. It doesn’t feel as special as the car from which it’s derived. As an actual, practical daily driver, however, it’s miles ahead. The NVH improvements reduce driver fatigue, and the turbo engine makes keeping up with traffic effortless. I would recommend the Classica over the Miata for anybody who doesn’t have an active racing license."

I like what the Abarth bring to the table.  But what I don't like is the styling.  Italian styling is why you'd consider the Fiat over the Mazda IMO.  But this is not a great looking, great styled Italian car.  At all.  I'd almost say it's a poor effort.  It's less attractive than the Miata IMO.

[SailFastSimon]

I forget, are all trims stuck with the insipid screen on the dash?

Yes, they all have it. The silver car towards the end of the photo gallery is a Classico: cloth seats, pod screen on dash.