Fiat, which is the largest automobile maker in Italy, has been around since 1899. They have a long history of their vehicles featuring striking designs, and as their website states, their mission “is to re-think the traditional approach to urban mobility”. They do this in a way that combines cool cars with an affordable price tag without sacrificing quality and technology.
As fans of the Mazda MX-5 Miata may already know, the Fiat 124 Spider is not only modeled after the fourth generation of the iconic roadster but it is manufactured by Mazda for FCA. The platform, mechanics, and interior are all derived directly from the Miata. We’ll talk about what separates the Spider from its inspiration in a bit.
The Fiat 124 Spider is an incredibly awesome car that truly stands on its own septate from the Mazda Miata. This roadster has a great deal to offer, but what is its coolest feature? We explore that and more in this discussion of the Fiat 124 Spider.
The Coolest Feature Of The Fiat 124 Spider
With a car this size, it makes perfect sense to highlight the fuel economy first. Driving a small car like the Fiat 124 Spider almost guarantees you’ll achieve fantastic gas mileage. This is something to be excited about with the volatile prices of fuel around the world.
Drivers of the Fiat 124 Spider get an impressive 36 MPG on the highway and 25 in the city. This is roughly 3.4 gallons per 100 miles. Who wouldn’t brag about saving that much at the pump? The Fiat 124 Spider requires premium gasoline, so make sure you keep this in mind if you consider purchasing one.
What Else Is Cool About The Fiat 124 Spider?
The engine used in the Fiat 124 Spider is another cool aspect of the car. It comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that achieves either 160 or 164 HP, depending on which specific model you pick. The engine is 1.4-liter, which is small, but this is also a small car.
The Fiat 124 Spider is not the fastest car out there. It’s meant for normal driving and not pushing the pedal to the floor. This does not take away from the car’s value; it simply means it doesn’t have as broad of an appeal as the Mazda Miata or the Toyota 86. Specific crowds of people love this car, however.
One other cool thing about the Fiat 124 Spider is that you get just what you need in terms of technology. Fiat realizes that most people who buy these cars want a simpler approach to soaring the open roads. Yes, they want the basics in modern-day technology, but not necessarily all the bells and whistles.
The biggest example of that is the interior of the Fiat 124 Spider. Base models of the Spider have manual climate controls, and the more advanced trims have automatic climate control and heated seats. When it comes to technology in the Spider, the vehicle comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. There is also a center knob that can control the system.
One thing that should be mentioned is while Bluetooth and auxiliary audio imports work for the infotainment system, neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Audio is supported. This will be a turn-off for some people, but it’s not a huge loss in the grand scheme of things.
How Much Is A Fiat 124 Spider?
According to Car and Driver, the Fiat 124 Spider starts at about $26,885. There are three models of this car; the next level up is called the Lusso, and it's priced at $29,640. The highest-level model of the Spider is called the Abarth. It costs $30,885. This line of pricing makes the Fiat 124 Spider more appealing than both the Toyota GR 86 and the Nissan Z, which happen to be two of the main competitors for this roadster.
Should You Buy A Fiat 124 Spider?
Telling someone whether or not they should buy a certain car is not easy. This is because it always depends on the person’s needs. If you are in the market for a two-seater to explore the open roads at reasonable speeds, this might be the car for you. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles when it comes to technology in your car, there is also a great chance this might be a good option for you.
However, despite how cool this car is for some people, the Fiat 124 Spider is not the Mazda Miata. In fact, as of the end of 2020, future versions of this ride will not be sold on the North American market. There are several reasons this decision could have been made, but it does illustrate the fact that the Fiat 124 Spider has such a small pocket of the car market. Most people who want a car of this size choose one of its competitors because those cars somehow seem more complete than this one.
But still, we love the gas mileage this ride achieves. It is truly a great selling point these days, and hopefully, someday, the Fiat 124 Spider will dominate the roadster section of the car world.