DRIVEN: Fiat 124 Spider - Is There Room In The Market For An Upscale MX-5?

Fiat is heading back to the future with the latest addition to its line-up. Exactly half a century after it launched its iconic 124 Spider sportscar, the Italian brand has resurrected the name for an all-new two-seater roadster.

The sixties original remained in production for nearly two decades, so the new 124 Spider has a lot to live up to. It certainly has to do better than Fiat’s last effort at a drop-top sportscar: the Barchetta. Launched in 1995, it boasted gorgeous looks but was hobbled by its front-wheel drive chassis and a left-hand drive only layout. As a result, sales were slow, and it disappeared from British dealers a decade later.

Read Article

kussimek - 2/16/2016 4:26:17 PM

+1 Boost

I think the Miata looks so much better than this car, and why pay more for a Fiat badge, the Miata will most likely have a better resale too!

runninglogan1 - 2/16/2016 7:09:28 PM

+1 Boost

Not a very pretty car. The Italian engine has to go and sound great for there to be any reason to pick this over an MX-5.

Sciros - 2/16/2016 7:14:14 PM

+1 Boost

I saw it in Detroit and was thoroughly unimpressed. The Mazda probably looks better and neither actually excite me at all. The way they were touting "MORE POWER" with the Fiat compared to the Mazda was just stupid to me considering it's still less than the BRZ and FR-S twins.

MDarringer - 2/16/2016 8:01:52 PM

-4 Boost

The Miata is ugly. This is uglier.

PUGPROUD - 2/16/2016 8:20:56 PM

+3 Boost

Have owned 79 cars two of which were Miatas...great cars. They handle, they are reliable, they are inexpensive to own and service, can be parked anywhere worry free, get great gas mileage, easy to personalize at little cost and fun to drive. The one car I owned that I let everyone borrow any time and never worried about. More than I can say for most other cars I owned. You may not like the looks but the ownership and driving experience hard to beat. If I were in the market now I would go for the MX-5 which gives you entry into a cult following and leave the Fiat for those more interested in styling than driving.

MDarringer - 2/16/2016 9:04:15 PM

-10 Boost

Miatas are to "rainbow" and underpowered for me.

mini22 - 2/17/2016 12:01:48 PM

+5 Boost

Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have not seen this car in person so it is hard to comment. From the photos it looks good. I did see a Miata finally in the flesh. It also looks good. So if you take 2 similar appealing cars visually to determine which is better you would have to drive them. From what I am reading the Fiat seems to be the better driving car with less body roll, meatier steering, and more accessible straight line performance. Also while the interior is virtually identical Fiat has dressed it up slightly better. The Fiat offer a slightly larger trunk. Also keep in mind this is the Euro version with the lower horsepower engine then what we are getting. So when you add all this up the 124 appears to be the better car to own and drive.