The Fiat 124 Spider is a glorious anomaly — a short-lived collaboration between Fiat and Mazda that gave us a fun-to-drive roadster blending Italian design with Japanese engineering. And all for a fraction of the price of most sports cars.
Sold new between 2016 and 2020, the Fiat 124 Spider wasn’t around for long, so you may not be familiar with it. But you’re sure to know of — and maybe even have driven — a Mazda MX-5. Legendary for its simplicity, value, and pure driving appeal, it’s been one of the most popular affordable sports cars since it was launched back in 1989. Not everyone’s a fan of the Mazda’s cutesy looks, though, or its rather weedy engines. And that’s where the Fiat 124 Spider comes in: it’s essentially a Miata with an Italian makeover and a bit more power.
How so? Well, when developing the fourth-generation MX-5 that was introduced in 2015, Mazda partnered with Fiat to share some of the cost. The two cars come from the same factory in Hiroshima, Japan, and share a large percentage of parts. Externally, the two cars use the same roof, windscreen, door mirrors, door handles, roll bars, and side repeaters. That’s all, though, and they even have different-shaped fuel filler flaps. Inside, they look more or less identical (no bad thing), and the Fiat shares the Mazda’s simple cloth roof with its manual folding mechanism. Unlike the MX-5, the 124 Spider isn’t available with a folding metal roof (such as you get with the MX-5 RF).
While the rear-wheel-drive layout, wheelbase, and basic chassis are the same for the two cars, the steering and suspension tuning are distinct to each model. The drivetrain is the biggest mechanical difference, though, because the 124 Spider has a Fiat ‘Multiair’ turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine that gives more power and torque than the naturally aspirated engine in the MX-5.
Introduced to North America in summer 2016 for the 2017 model year, the 124 Spider’s design was influenced by the model of the same name that was sold between 1966 and 1985. To most eyes, it’s a very successful blend of modern and retro elements that skillfully avoids looking like an MX-5 with some bits stuck on it. It’s nearly 13 centimetres longer than an MX-5 and most of that is ahead of the front wheels along with a honeycomb grille, but there’s also a bulkier rear end that means the 124 has more trunk space than its Japanese relative.
As you might expect, the 124 Spider lineup didn’t change much during the short time it was on sale. The core 124 Spider trim levels were Classica, Lusso, and Abarth, with the latter a sportier variant with a touch more power and some aggressive styling details.
Our guide to the Fiat 124 Spider takes a look at its history, including which models are available, the best versions to buy, and how much you can expect to pay.
Fiat 124 Spider Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Fiat 124 Spider years are the best?
As is often the case, later versions of the Fiat 124 Spider tend to have fewer issues than the earlier models, although there’s not a huge variation considering that it was on sale for less than five years.
What are the worst Fiat 124 Spider years?
On the whole, the 124 Spider lives up to the promise of ‘Italian style, Japanese reliability,’ which isn’t surprising given that it shares so many parts with the Mazda MX-5. Earlier 2017 and 2018 model year cars seem to suffer from more issues, though, with owners noting problems with malfunctioning alarms and faulty seat belt retractors. All model years were subject to an airbag recall.
Is a used Fiat 124 Spider a good deal?
A used Fiat 124 Spider could be a great option if you’re looking for a fun and affordable open-top car. Interior space is tight, but it’s stylish and good to drive. It’s well worth considering if the Mazda MX-5 just isn’t your thing.
Fiat 124 Spider Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lots of fun to drive
- Affordable to buy and run
- Blends retro looks with modern tech
Cons:
- Small cabin
- Limited choice of models
- Noisy at speed
Fiat 124 Spider Generations
First Generation (2016-2020)
The return of the Fiat 124 nameplate in summer 2016 after a 30-year absence was something of a surprise, even if there was a precedent after the brand’s global success with the reborn Fiat 500 city car. The 124 Spider was something quite different, though, given that it was a car essentially developed by Mazda and built in Japan. Even so, the 124 Spider could claim to have an authentically Italian exterior and a Fiat engine under the hood.
Unsurprisingly, the 124 Spider’s marketing leaned heavily into its Italian background. The first 124 examples came in a limited-edition trim called Fiat 124 Spider Prima Edizione Lusso that featured Azzurro Italia (blue) paintwork and premium leather upholstery.
The core trim levels throughout the car’s time on sale were Classica, Lusso, and Abarth. Classica supplied the basics and, at launch, kept the MSRP just below the $35,000 mark (excluding destination charges and other fees). Standard features included 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, manual air conditioning, and fabric upholstery.
A $3,000 step up to Lusso trim added various cosmetic upgrades as well as features such as automatic headlights and wipers, fog lights, automatic climate control, SiriusXM radio, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed and heated seats, a rear-view camera, and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The Fiat 124 Spider Abarth model was a $1,500 upgrade over the Lusso that gave the car a much sportier character. As well as bespoke front and rear fascias for a more aggressive look, there were chassis tweaks with Bilstein sport suspension, a mechanical limited-slip differential, a front strut tower bar, and a sports exhaust. The Abarth also gained a Sport Mode selector that altered the responses of the steering, the stability control, and the optional automatic gearbox. Oh, and you got an extra four horsepower with the Abarth, bumping output to 164 hp, but with the same 184 lb-ft of torque as other trim levels.
A six-speed manual transmission was standard for all versions with a conventional six-speed automatic transmission available as an option. Steering wheel paddle shifters were available for Abarth models only. Fuel economy was good for a sporty car with a Natural Resources Canada rating of 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.7 highway, and 7.9 combined with the manual transmission and 9.3 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 8.0 combined from the automatic.
Things stayed much the same throughout the 124 Spider’s time on sale. Option packages were tweaked and new exterior colours added. From the 2019 model year onwards, Classica trim gained the seven-inch infotainment display and the rear-view camera.
Despite a very positive reaction to the car, the 124 Spider wasn’t a great sales success in Canada or worldwide. Production stopped in late 2020 with just over 41,000 produced in a run that spanned about four and a half years.
As a new car, the 124 Spider was one of the most affordable sports cars/convertibles around, and it remains decent value as a used car, though its relative scarcity in Canada has kept resale prices relatively high. Prices for early 124 Spider models start at about $22,000, while late, low-kilometre Lusso or Abarth models can top $30,000.
With so many parts shared with the Mazda MX-5, you can expect decent reliability from a 124 Spider but there are a few things to watch out for. Owner reports from carcomplaints.com suggest that faulty alarms and non-retracting seat belts can be an issue, especially with early cars. A recall issued in late 2024 affected all 124 Spiders sold in the US. A faulty control module that can cause the airbags to deploy with excessive force in a collision was identified; the fix (reprogramming the module) is carried out for free at a dealership.
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