Giovanni - 2018 Fiat 124 Spider Lusso
Discussion
Coming to the end of my PCP on my civic so had to make a decision.
Pushed by the wife to get something sportier and a reduction in office attendance to 3 days per week I decided I could let go of a diesel for fuel economy.
The beauty of having a VW Transporter based camper is i didn't really need anything too practical. I initially tried to man maths my way into a Toyota GT86 but this fell flat as soon as i drove one, on a smooth road it was great but on anything other than new tarmac the ride was unbearable. a bit of light research revealed the 124 was softer than a gt86 and mx5 so was the logical next step. I found a few cars locally, discounted the Classica trim and there were 2 options, a red anniversary edition which essentially gave me a plaque and a newer, lower mileage grey Lusso i bought.
It's a March 2018 car, has done 19k miles with full service history and has seemingly been shipped round the dealer group i bought it from through late autumn/winter as it did less than 1000 miles in 2021.
He's been named Giovanni by my wife after her favorite strictly come dancing pro.
I have no real plans but I'd like to retrofit apple carplay at some point.
I would like some cupholders but at ~£150 for the pair I'll live without.
Pushed by the wife to get something sportier and a reduction in office attendance to 3 days per week I decided I could let go of a diesel for fuel economy.
The beauty of having a VW Transporter based camper is i didn't really need anything too practical. I initially tried to man maths my way into a Toyota GT86 but this fell flat as soon as i drove one, on a smooth road it was great but on anything other than new tarmac the ride was unbearable. a bit of light research revealed the 124 was softer than a gt86 and mx5 so was the logical next step. I found a few cars locally, discounted the Classica trim and there were 2 options, a red anniversary edition which essentially gave me a plaque and a newer, lower mileage grey Lusso i bought.
It's a March 2018 car, has done 19k miles with full service history and has seemingly been shipped round the dealer group i bought it from through late autumn/winter as it did less than 1000 miles in 2021.
He's been named Giovanni by my wife after her favorite strictly come dancing pro.
I have no real plans but I'd like to retrofit apple carplay at some point.
I would like some cupholders but at ~£150 for the pair I'll live without.
Small update, I've modified the car.
noticed a lot of rear hum at speed and seacrhed owners groups, to find its a common issue as the boot floor is single skin with no sound proofing.
£10 of sound deadening to the sides and base of the recess in the boot floor has made a massive difference.
I'm getting old, I just modified my car make it quieter!
noticed a lot of rear hum at speed and seacrhed owners groups, to find its a common issue as the boot floor is single skin with no sound proofing.
£10 of sound deadening to the sides and base of the recess in the boot floor has made a massive difference.
I'm getting old, I just modified my car make it quieter!
Minor update following MOT, only done 5100 miles in the last 12 months.
Costs for the year are a service and 4 New tyres, Kumho PS71 all round to replace the cracking factory Bridgestone S001s
No issues with the car, not used a drop of oil which they can be known to. The average fuel economy reports 39mpg, In the 21 months I've had the car this keeps climbing so i don't think its ever been reset.
Big service coming up for 6 years old, belts to be done and the brake disks are showing a little corrosion on the inner faces so that will be disks and pads all round aswell.
no plans to change it
Costs for the year are a service and 4 New tyres, Kumho PS71 all round to replace the cracking factory Bridgestone S001s
No issues with the car, not used a drop of oil which they can be known to. The average fuel economy reports 39mpg, In the 21 months I've had the car this keeps climbing so i don't think its ever been reset.
Big service coming up for 6 years old, belts to be done and the brake disks are showing a little corrosion on the inner faces so that will be disks and pads all round aswell.
no plans to change it
Brakes didnt manage to make it to service developed a grinding from front left.
Ordered front disks and pads up to cover all bases and on removal found the inner pad had no friction material left and the disk scored so replaced the lot.
Caliper and sliders fine, no grabbing or sticking so perhaps the material broke up rather than being worn down, other 3 pads were only ~50% worn.
Good new is parts for a 124/mx5 are cheap.
Ordered front disks and pads up to cover all bases and on removal found the inner pad had no friction material left and the disk scored so replaced the lot.
Caliper and sliders fine, no grabbing or sticking so perhaps the material broke up rather than being worn down, other 3 pads were only ~50% worn.
Good new is parts for a 124/mx5 are cheap.
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