Article by:
Dave VanderWerp
Any discussion of the two-seat Fiat 124 Spider convertible—a revival of the 124 nameplate from the 1960s and 70s—turns inevitably to comparing and contrasting it with the Mazda MX-5 Miata on which it's based. The 124 sets itself apart with styling cues plucked from the original version, making for a substantially different exterior appearance than the Miata. From behind the wheel, the Fiat is a more relaxed take on the Mazda, with a welcome reduction in interior noise due to extra sound-deadening measures, higher-quality materials inside, a more powerful turbo engine, and slightly more trunk space. However, the engine lacks responsiveness, and despite the extra power, is actually slower than the Miata. And make sure you fit, because, like the Miata, the 124's cabin is quite compact. Overall, it's a very good small roadster that lives in the shadow of the even better Miata. Read the full article here.
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