Steal Of A Deal? Fiat's More Powerful 124 Spider Undercuts The Miata In Price

I do not know how Mazda let Fiat get away with this one. So the two companies worked out a deal where the fantastic new Miata would form the basis of the new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, but we always assumed the turbocharged Italian roadster would command a much higher price to keep them from competing.

That is not the case! It turns out that the 124 Spider starts at $24,995 for the base Classica model, moves up to $27,495 for the mid-range Lusso, and tops out at $28,195 for the Abarth version. Those prices don’t include the $995 destination fee.

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Yonder7 - 4/29/2016 2:38:38 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, but the money that you'll save will be a waste on repairs that won't fix anything...Reliability on any Italian car is just crap, that includes the luxury brands.

MDarringer - 4/29/2016 4:29:38 PM

+3 Boost

You do know this is built by Mazda, right? The only Italian thing on it is the engine.

Airliner - 5/1/2016 3:20:36 PM

+1 Boost

Engine & Transmission are both FIAT Products.

PUGPROUD - 4/29/2016 4:14:30 PM

0 Boost

Mazda must have missed this in negotiations !

MDarringer - 4/29/2016 4:30:02 PM

-1 Boost

Or FCA is purposefully losing money to move product...

MrEE - 4/29/2016 6:42:54 PM

+2 Boost

The drive train is where you risk spending $1000's out of warranty.

MDarringer - 4/29/2016 7:36:07 PM

0 Boost

Granted and the Fiat engine does not give any real power advantage. Mazda has a 2.5 4 cylinder that puts out 184hp and 185 lb/ft torque. THAT should be the base engine on both cars with a turbo version for the Mazda and the Giulia's V6 for the Fiat.

mini22 - 4/29/2016 8:44:45 PM

+3 Boost

As they stand right now the Fiat does have a power and torque advantage. However that is offset by the 100 LBS of extra weight in the Fiat. Also let me set your minds at rest. That turbo 1.4 engine is very reliable. Further the tuning possibilities are fantastic. You can get a very reliable 225 HP out of that engine. Further the Fiat is tuned to have less body roll while cornering even in the base car compared to the Miata. It's steering is a bit heavier yet quicker than the Miata's. The engine noise in the Abarth will be great. I look forward to driving one.

MDarringer - 4/30/2016 8:01:03 AM

-1 Boost

5-10 horsepower is NOT a power advantage.

valhallakey - 4/30/2016 9:53:49 AM

+2 Boost

Definitely the Fiat. More and broader spread of torque 184 vs 148. Better styling in my opinion. Easier tun ability. I have read the suspension and steering are tuned better...would have to drive them both to validate that. Overall I think the nod goes to the Fiat.

mini22 - 4/30/2016 4:20:05 PM

+3 Boost

Darringer-You right but 36 extra LBS of torque at a lower RPM definitely IS a power advantage even in a heavier car. Further acceleration is usually more torque related than horsepower off the line. Mazda's torque does not come into play until much much higher in the rev band. But again the turbo 1.4 is so tunable with simple mods for not a lot of money. When I had my 2013 Abarth I was getting over 200 HP with a Unichip add on. There is an ECU flash available now for the 1.4 that will yield about 235 HP and 240 LBs of Torque. This will end up being a pretty quick car. Goodwin Racing has some aftermarket stuff available for the ND Miata as well. However the results will not be as good as what you can get with a turbo motor. But aside from the power the 1.4 multiair in the 124 will sound much better than the 2.0 in the Mazda.

MDarringer - 4/30/2016 4:47:14 PM

-1 Boost

So we're going to use ricer tricks to get real power? Oh wait. This is Fiat. Are they therefore linguini tricks?

The truth of a blown engine is that it inevitably becomes a blown engine.

mini22 - 5/2/2016 11:01:29 AM

+1 Boost

Actually this engine is offered in Europe with 190 HP now. So there no real trick to it. Otherwise these engines are fairly bullet proof. Regarding Mazda I don't know why they will not offer the Miata with the 2.5. Not only that but Mazda does not intend to ever turbocharge the 2.0 either.