Cars And Track Staff
If you’re looking for a modern roadster that turns heads without draining your bank account, you’ve probably looked at the Mazda MX-5 Miata. It’s the obvious choice—the “safe” choice. But what if I told you there’s a car built in the same Japanese factory, sharing the same bones, but with a punchier Italian heart and a much more exotic soundtrack?
Enter the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. While it was often overlooked when new, it has quietly become one of the most compelling bargains on the used market in 2026. Here is why this “Fiata” belongs in your garage.
- The “Fiata” Pedigree: Best of Both Worlds
The 124 Spider was a collaboration between Fiat and Mazda. It uses the legendary ND Miata chassis, meaning you get world-class handling, a lightning-fast manual soft top, and Japanese build quality in the interior.
However, the Abarth trim replaces the Miata’s naturally aspirated engine with a 1.4L MultiAir Turbo.
- A Serious Price Advantage
In today’s market, a used 124 Spider Abarth is often priced lower than a comparable Miata. Because Fiat pulled out of the US market, depreciation hit these cars harder, creating a massive opportunity for savvy buyers.
The 124 Spider had a short production run (2017–2020), with only about 41,000 units produced worldwide. Compare that to the hundreds of thousands of Miatas on the road. The Abarth trim, with its aggressive styling, scorpion badges, and optional matte black “Heritage” hood, is already becoming a “future classic.”
What to Look Out For (The “Reality Check”)
It’s not all sunshine and open-top cruising; being a “bargain” comes with a few quirks:- The “MultiAir” Maintenance: That Italian engine is robust (iron block!), but it is sensitive to oil quality. Ensure the previous owner used the exact 5W-40 spec and changed it every 5k miles.
- The Infotainment: It uses the older Mazda system, which can feel a bit dated, though many owners easily retrofit Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- Parts Availability: Body panels are unique to Fiat, so if you get into a fender bender, parts can take longer to source than Mazda parts.
The Verdict
The Fiat 124 Spider Abarth is for the driver who wants the reliability of a Mazda but the soul and theater of an Italian exotic. At current prices, you’re getting a turbocharged, Brembo-shod, limited-slip-diff-equipped roadster for the price of a used Corolla.
