Mid / rear engine flops...

[Timco]

Originally Posted by leftfield6

Yeah, I'm not sure what you are referring to as a "flop"??

I've owned both a 1st Gen MR2 and actually multiple X1/9s. The X1/9 was on the market for 13 years, so it obviously had some success. And the 1st Gen MR2 was an outstanding car for the 1980s. Well balanced, dependable, well built, great in the curves.

I'm not seeing a flop here.

Well, can't edit titles.

I figured the Boxster was 18 years of 986 and still made today. That's a winning design that is still in demand. 13 years is a good run but with all production gone, parts still around for any of those? In 10 years? Is about 10 years of production the marker for a good run?

I had a Pinto wagon in high school. Then moms friend parked a Fiero in front of our house and I wanted it bad. She was even selling. Worked payments out to be $72-mo but for my first job at $3.15/hr or something close, that was a decent payment plus insurance. Then in front of my own home, smoke started pouring out the engine bay and the FD was called. Doused that tiny car with water then open hood and wet it down and pull batt. Electrical fire. I was never so pleased to have a Pinto.

[paulofto]

I had a 78 X1/9 from 79 to 85 and it was my daily driver in Edmonton. Bitter winters and all, the little Fiat was a fun car. Never a problem with rust but the electricals were sometimes an adventure. I did all my own work including clutch and transmission stuff and did a little auto crossing up at the old Edmonton Speedway (now long gone). The only thing it lacked was HP but it handled like a slot car. I wish I still had it.

[leftfield6]

Originally Posted by Timco

Well, can't edit titles.
13 years is a good run but with all production gone, parts still around for any of those? In 10 years? Is about 10 years of production the marker for a good run?

Still a few specialty retailers and shops providing parts and service for the "old" Fiat family of cars, The 124 Spider series and the Bertone (X1/9) series were the most popular Fiats, so many parts are still available.

Midwest Bayless in Ohio even offers a conversion kit to put an Acura K20 engine in an X1/9. 210 HP = 0-100 in 14 seconds.

Youtube clip