5 Things You Need To Know About Driving A Fiat 124 Spider

Is the 124 Spider any good, and how does it compare to the MX-5 upon which it's based? We took the keys for a week to find out
5 Things You Need To Know About Driving A Fiat 124 Spider

Pros

Cons

The Fiat 124 Spider is a car that’s intrigued me since the moment it was revealed. Yes, it’s based on an MX-5 and even shares the same production line with the little Mazda roadster in Japan, but Fiat managed to create a product that looks entirely different, and thanks to the presence of a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, had the potential to feel very different too.

So how does this kinda sorta Italian drop-top work out in the real world? With the keys to this Urban White example for a week, I was able to find out.

Oh, and for the record, I really tried not to mention the MX-5 too much. And I failed miserably.

1. It’s not fast, but that doesn’t matter

5 Things You Need To Know About Driving A Fiat 124 Spider

In the UK, the only Fiat 124 Spider available is the 138bhp, 177lb ft version. If you want one that’s more powerful, you need to spend a lot more and get the Abarth 124 (which we’ll be testing next month - stay tuned!).

Fast the standard 124 is not: 0-62mph takes 7.5 seconds, and although the 124 uses a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, there isn’t really much in the way of mid-range thrust. Oh, and if you try and put your foot down under 2000rpm before the turbo wakes up, good luck making anything in the way of progress.

5 Things You Need To Know About Driving A Fiat 124 Spider

However, with performance cars across the board getting more and more powerful, it’s refreshing to drive something you can actually pin the throttle in and row through a few gears without pondering whether or not you’d be able to cope with prison food. What’s more, it makes a brilliantly rorty little noise, and is reasonably responsive for a turbo mill, provided you’re above 2000rpm. The six-speed manual gearbox has a gloriously short and sweet throw, too.

2. It’s softly sprung

5 Things You Need To Know About Driving A Fiat 124 Spider

The 124 has a noticeably softer setup compared to the MX-5, and that means it rolls a bit more. It’s unlikely to bother the majority of people who buy these things (in fact, they’ll probably appreciate the smoother ride), but it makes the 124 less of a serious sports car. The steering’s quick and accurate though, and the rear end is rarely bothered by the modest power which is sent its way. Get into the flow a little more, and you’ll find the 124 an easy car to make swift progress in, despite the lean.

3. The looks grow on you

5 Things You Need To Know About Driving A Fiat 124 Spider

When the 124 was first revealed, I really wasn’t a fan. Unlike the very compact-looking MX-5, the 124 Spider has comparatively massive front and rear overhangs. Its retro-inspired look is at odds with the very contemporary, sharply-styled Mazda, and that chrome windscreen surround is not something I’m fond of.

However, within a few days, I grew to enjoy looking back at the little Fiat wherever I parked it. It’s a little bland from the rear three-quarter view, but the front looks nicely distinctive with that big oval grille. Plus, big overhangs or not, it is still - in the grand scheme of things - a very compact car.

4. It’s not a particularly good cruiser

Badging aside, there isn't much in the cabin to differentiate the 124 from the MX-5
Badging aside, there isn't much in the cabin to differentiate the 124 from…

Just because the suspension’s soft (the boot’s bigger as well, by the way), don’t go thinking the 124 is a wafty cruise-mobile of a roadster. Because it isn’t. Wind noise with the roof up is high, and the seats aren’t particularly comfortable nor well positioned. The driver’s seat is too upright and doesn’t go back enough if you’re tall, and if you do slide it back as far as it’ll go, the back of the seat rubs on the roll hoop and makes the most irritating noise known to man. Although that’s not something you’ll notice on the road, because of that wind noise I mentioned a few sentences ago. Every cloud….

5. It’s one of the most joyous cars on sale right now

5 Things You Need To Know About Driving A Fiat 124 Spider

After my week with the 124 was up, I came to the conclusion that I’d rather have the slightly sharper, more modern-looking Mazda. But while the 124 didn’t satisfy me as a driver (I’m expecting the Abarth to be more geared towards my tastes), what it did do was make me happy.

5 Things You Need To Know About Driving A Fiat 124 Spider

Despite it being January at the time and flipping cold, I dropped the roof down at every given occasion, happily soaking in the outside world with a gormless smile smacked across my face. It’s rare for a car priced from around £20k and up to offer such a joy-filled experience.

There’s also the vulgar subject of vanity to think about. The majority of onlookers won’t know or care about the Mazda origins - to them, this is a cool little Italian sports car. And to an extent, they’re right.

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Comments

Anonymous

I still want a ND.

02/05/2017 - 09:47 |
48 | 6
Raregliscor1

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I also still want an ND. Mainly because of the oversteer and the natural aspiration.

02/05/2017 - 09:59 |
14 | 4
Fillmore (sleeperpooper)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I want an ND, but swap front and rear end kit with 124’s..

02/05/2017 - 12:23 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

It’s nicer than that mx-5

02/05/2017 - 09:52 |
6 | 6
RoyP

Unfortunately where I’m from its only has an automatic transmission…

02/05/2017 - 09:55 |
0 | 0
nobody 1

Looks like a small viper.

02/05/2017 - 09:59 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Why would you get an abarth 124 when for similar money you can get a much nicer looking, faster&better at cornering 2.0 ND mx-5 with bbr super 190 package?

02/05/2017 - 10:05 |
10 | 6
Jakob

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

MX-5 ND much better looking than the 124 Spider?
Dude what?

02/05/2017 - 10:20 |
14 | 10
675LT_ftw

Abarth please…

02/05/2017 - 10:13 |
10 | 0
k_badam
  1. It’s a ND with a different body
02/05/2017 - 10:24 |
0 | 6
DL🏁

I honestly don’t understand why people say there’s something wrong with the looks
Maybe there’s something wrong with me as well, but I find it very good looking
And in fact I very much prefer the looks of the 124 Spider over the looks of the ND MX-5
The MX-5 looks toy-ish, plasticy and… cheap
The 124 Spider looks balanced and elegant

02/05/2017 - 10:44 |
184 | 8

Although it has to be said that I think that Mazda’s naturally aspirated engines suit this car better, despite less power and worse sound
My dream combination would be 124 Coupe (I hope they’ll make one soon, because the rally car with hardtop looked awesome) with 2.0-litre skyactiv engine

02/05/2017 - 10:46 |
26 | 0

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder……’nough said

02/05/2017 - 14:12 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

6th thing: We need one

02/05/2017 - 10:47 |
0 | 0
Singer Porsche Boy

Having driven one, they are awesome! The way the bonnet looks from the driving seat is so cool plus that awesome short throw shifter!

02/05/2017 - 10:59 |
4 | 0