On the surface, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis) had a great idea for a new lightweight 2-seat sports car. The 2012 co-development agreement with Mazda that led to the 2017–20 Fiat 124 Spider was originally intended to produce a new Alfa Romeo model. However, its CEO, the late Sergio Marchionne, nixed that plan, saying that on his watch, no Alfas would be produced outside of Italy. So, the prototype sports car with Japanese engineering and build quality paired with Italian design ultimately became a Fiat.
So far, so good, right? Pininfarina’s Tom Tjaarda-penned design for the 1966–85 Fiat 124 Sport Spider has always been admired, and the update for the new car did a great job of capturing the attitude of the original while updating the look. Put the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s rolling chassis under it and you’ve got a winner.
The new Fiat came with some exciting differences. Instead of Mazda’s naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine, Fiat provided a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder for the 124. At launch in late 2016, the Fiat engine was rated at 164 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, compared with the 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of the Mazda. The 6-speed manual transmission was still precise and refined as only Mazda could make it.
When these twins hit the market, they offered comparable real-world performance. Instrumented 0–60 mph times were reported at about 6.3 seconds for the Fiat version and 6.1 seconds for the Miata. Those few tenths were due to the extra avoirdupois of the Fiat, which ended up about 220 pounds heavier than the Mazda.
Still, apart from the bodywork, engine and softer suspension tuning, the Fiat 124 Spider was, in fact, a Miata. The Fiat was even built on the same production line in Hiroshima, Japan. They were alike enough for the new 124 Spider to earn the nickname “Fiata.”
A classic experience
Fiat’s trim levels were less club racing and more country club than with its counterpart. That’s fine, considering most Miatas are purchased by folks who do more wine-region tours than touring-car racing. Yet, it was noticeable enough that Jeremy Clarkson of “Top Gear” fame criticized the 124 saying, “You’d expect the Fiat, being Italian and all, to be sportier and more manic than the MX-5, but actually it’s quieter and less fun.” The next year, Fiat issued an Abarth version of the 124, boosting horsepower by just 4 ponies, but tightening up the suspension and giving the Abarth a limited-slip differential.
As a longtime Miata and vintage Fiat 124 Spider fan (I’ve owned both), I found the Fiat to be pleasant to drive and easier on the eyes than the fourth-generation Miata. The turbo-4 engine makes for a classic, rev-happy, small-displacement-momentum-car experience, much like my old 1.6-liter NA Miata — or my 1971 Fiat, for that matter. The Fiat’s more supple suspension with a dollop of body roll retained the 124’s lineage and brought a nostalgic smile to my face.
What went wrong?
It offered looks, performance, and quality, yet the Fiata was still a marketplace failure, selling a pittance compared to the Miata. It seems clear that the fatal flaw was not the car itself, but rather the badge on its nose.
Over four model years of the new 124, Fiat dealers sold a total of 15,778 Spiders in the U.S. and another 1,565 in Canada. The car did a little better in Europe, selling 23,978 units there despite Stellantis pulling the plug a full year before North America. Compare that to Mazda selling 56,760 Miatas in the U.S. over the same period.
The Fiat was almost the same price as the Miata, so there isn’t much else besides a poisoned brand name to account for the difference. The median age of a Miata buyer is over 60 years old, a demographic which recalls past Fiat 124s clearly. Though I loved my old Fiat, I have to admit my memories are checkered — and not like a flag.
Once bitten…
The ironic part is that the Fiat 124 Spider has generally been as rock solid as its Japanese production would suggest. Reliability statistics on the Fiat are comparable with the Miata, with most of the maintenance and repair items occurring in the shared parts of the car. According to NHTSA, the Fiat 124 Spider has had zero recalls and few complaints.
When new, the Fiat 124 Spider typically carried an MSRP between $27,000 and $31,000. Today, you can pick up a well-kept 124 for about $17,000, plus or minus 10% for options, condition and mileage. (This seems to work out to about $2,000 less than a comparable Miata.) Fiat Lusso (luxury) trim and Abarth performance models trend a little higher, but it’s easy to find one with fewer than 50,000 miles (sometimes far less) and the features you want. One of those must-have features is the manual transmission; don’t bother with the automatic, as they suck most of the joy and vigor right out of the car.
The bottom line is this: Just as the Miata is the best affordable “British” sports car ever made, the Fiata is the best affordable “Italian” sports car. Don’t let the past diminish future enjoyment of this truly affordable classic. ♥
