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If you want a modern roadster today, the conversation is dominated by the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Japanese brand’s quaint, British-inspired roadster has been a constant presence for over three decades, and it has been so excellent across four generations that it has become the catch-all answer when someone wants something fun. But what if you like the idea of the Miata, but not the Miata itself? Something like a Miata, heck, even something that shares the same mechanicals, but takes the styling and driving experience in a new direction? Well, you turn to the Fiat 124 Spider, of course.

Thanks to a partnership forged in the early 2010s, the two companies created their own roadsters on the same platform, similar to what Toyota and others are doing these days. This lesser-known sibling offers fun, drop-top thrills in a tidy Italian body, yet it’s completely flown under the radar since it was discontinued in 2020. Even better, it’s a bona fide steal in 2025, and could be your perfect avenue to summer fun without drinking the Miata Kool-Aid.

Built In Japan, Styled In Italy

While the Fiat 124 Spider shares much of its DNA with the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, Fiat did much more than just change its face. The company was celebrating 50 years of the famed Fiat 124 Sport Spider, and knew if it was going to bring a roadster to market with the same name, it needed to follow closely in the car’s footsteps.

The 1960s and 1970s roadster was taut and lithe, with a welcoming, friendly face, power domes on the hood, a rear with a long, flat deck, and gorgeous pastel colors that had you dreaming of driving up and down the Amalfi Coast. It was excellent, and the company worked hard to capture the spirit of this original.

Looking at them back to back, it’s obvious the company took characteristics wholesale, like the large headlights pushed to the corners, the rectangular diamond grille, bulges on the hood, and the long rear deck. It even features the same sculpting of the lower doors and rocker panels, but stops short of offering the same Kammback-like rear end. It’s a very faithful recreation, and more importantly, there was no mistaking it for the Miata. Until you know of the car’s provenance, that is.

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This car may wear a tailored Italian suit, but it was built on Mazda’s own assembly lines in Hiroshima, Japan. Underneath, it utilizes the same Skyactiv architecture, too, but Fiat engineers came up with unique tuning for its suspension and steering to ensure a driving experience that was its own. It’s longer than the Miata (5.5 inches longer, though they share the same wheelbase), and heavier (about 193 lbs), and it also has better sound insulation, too.

On the inside, besides a slightly nicer steering wheel and seats, it’s rather basic Miata fare, which isn’t too big of a deal since Mazda created a tidy, sleek interior without too much to get lost in. The result is that the Fiat 124 leans closer to a grand tourer, with an overall more comfortable, composed ride, but it still has the moves to keep up with the Miata, especially when you factor in the unique powertrain.

Turbocharged Italian Power

In an effort to further differentiate the vehicle (or perhaps because Mazda wasn’t willing to give up more of its tech), Fiat decided to offer the roadster with the 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir inline-four. This was an engine used across many Fiat Chrysler models of the time, and it offered a decidedly different character than the high-revving, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant in the Miata.

When it debuted, it was a winner, because it not only offered more horsepower than the Mazda – 160 hp to 155 hp – but significantly more torque, 184 lb-ft to 148 lb-ft, and much lower in the rev range, too. The result was a vehicle that punched much harder than the Miata, until the Japanese brand decided to rectify that problem with a power bump to its own car in 2019.

While both send their power to the rear wheels, they do so slightly differently, at least if you choose the manual. To handle the increase in torque, the Fiat used the 6-speed manual out from the previous-generation NC Miata, leading to a manual transmission with a notchier feel. Whether you prefer it to the ND Miata’s is a matter of taste, but it still offers a very satisfying driving experience, as long as you keep the turbo spooled up.

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That, and the added weight, are the main drawbacks of the vehicle. While the power comes on lower, it comes on with an old-school surge that makes quick sprints difficult. Once you’re up to speed, however, things significantly improve, as the added NVH enhancements and further composed ride create a roadster that’s flatter in the curves, but ready to be coaxed into a drift when traction control is turned off.

The Abarth Model Turns Up The Heat

Abarth then took the regular 124 Spider, sprinkled it with some Calabrian chilis, dressed it in a sharper Armani suit, and insisted on a couple of glasses of Grappa before sending it charging up to Milan. It’s hotter and more aggressive than the regular 124, but the base car’s character is still there.

The company outfitted it with a Bilstein suspension at all four corners, added a mechanical limited-slip differential on manual models, a front-strut tower bar, and even gave it a freer-flowing quad-tip exhaust that found four more horsepower along the way. Put the car into its unique Sport Mode, and you’re immediately greeted with a louder bark, but you’ll only really notice it with the top down. Options came in the form of four-corner Brembo brakes ($1,495) and some rather excellent Recaro seats ($1,195).

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In the looks department, the car is a rather drastic change, especially when optioned with the $1,995 matte black hood and trunk. A more aggressive front and rear bumper informs you the car means business, as does the massive Abarth emblem on the hood, but we’re particularly fond of the 17-inch Gun Metal aluminum wheels. Inside, some black bits and bobbles give it a sportier air, too, but this is much more about the stares you’ll get from passersby.

The result is a vehicle that pulls slightly harder than the regular 124, but more importantly, tackles curves with much more zest. It’s still not as sharp as a Miata with the Club trim, which it closely mimics, but it does sway the needle closer to sports car from GT. We prefer the car without the black stripe, because that gives off the impression that the car is a little sportier than it is.

An Affordable Future Classic

The 124 Spider was a valiant effort all around and proved that Fiat could still produce a roadster that was unique to itself, but there was no getting around the Miata lurking in the shadows. That’s a roadster that has decades of recent relevance, plus exquisite driving manners and a price that was about $4,500 cheaper than the Fiat’s across the board. The 124 was unique, but not enough to stick around, which is why it only lasted four years, from 2017 to 2020.

Numbers were relatively low during this period, with the company only managing to move 15,778, so today it’s a relatively rare sight on the roads. However, you can still find plenty for sale all across the country, and they present great value for anyone looking for a flashy, fun sports car.

Looking at current examples found on AutoTempest, you can see plenty of extremely low-mileage examples for sale for around $22,000, with Abarth models going for around $25,000. This is only a small portion of the roadsters currently for sale all across the country, and most of them have been meticulously maintained by their owners, who appreciate the craftsmanship of the models.

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A base Miata Sport will run you $29,530 before taxes and fees, while a Miata RF Grand Touring costs $37,550. This makes the Fiat 124 a relative bargain in comparison, one that offers similar thrills with a more exclusive badge. Given its rarity and styling, we also have a feeling values will increase in the coming years, so it’d be wise to consider the model while values are currently low.

For your money, you’ll receive the perfect car for weekend road-trips or spirited back-road drives; a distinctive Italian convertible with a Japanese soul.

Sources: Fiat, Mazda