2020 Fiat 124 Spider

If you grew up loving the Golden era of Italian racing, the name Abarth probably holds some meaning for you. If you're old enough to have watched TV in black and white, you may even remember the model we're reviewing here - the 124 Spider. 50 years on from the original, this retro convertible sports car that is based on the absolutely magnificent Mazda MX-5 Miata is a fun, rear-wheel-drive drop-top that adds its own Italian flair to a competent roadster. Whether that's a good or a bad thing is what we're here to find out. A 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot is paired with a six-speed manual as standard, or a six-speed auto of you're willing to spend a little extra. Output is rated at 160 horsepower with 184 lb-ft of torque, with the Abarth model - reviewed separately - adding four horses to the mix.

The base 124 Spider starts at $25,390 before a $1,495 destination charge and any other fees, taxes, and incentives. The mid-range model has a base price of $26,385 before fees, and the top-trim starts at $28,145. The automatic transmission adds $1,450 to the price of any model, and a fully loaded, top-trim Lusso will cost just under $35,000 will all the options.

While you may be forgiven for expecting the Fiat to be just as good as the Mazda in terms of chassis tuning and handling, the 124 Spider is markedly softer and less willing to change direction. It's not bad, as it turns in well and has a steering setup that provides good feedback and sharp responses, but compared to the MX-5, it's a disappointment.

The advantage this gives the little Italian is that it's supremely comfy for a sports car, and although body roll is slightly magnified compared to the Japanese car, the drive is far more relaxed and much less frantic than in the more fun-focused Mazda. Small imperfections are well-managed by the suspension, although the car's light weight does make its presence known when you meet up with larger undulations and bumps. Braking is acceptably good too, with the aforementioned low curb weight helping the sports car come to a stop with relative ease.

Overall, the 124 Spider is not a focused sports car like the MX-5 - a car that you can have real fun with on the track. If you're considering the Fiat over the Mazda, it may be because of its styling and its Italian heritage, and the 124 does help itself fit in with what less performance-oriented buyers will be looking for. From a driving perspective, it will impress most who have never explored the limits of their cars, but for the enthusiast, the firmer Mazda will be a better fit.

The 124 Spider will always live in the shadow of the faster, tauter, more enjoyable MX-5. It's not a particularly fast car and has a very small powerband, plus the automatic transmission is a shocker for a sports car. The trunk is bigger than the one in its Japanese rival, but the rest of the car is no more impressive than the MX-5. That said, for those who enjoy top-down motoring and want to save some cash, the 124 Spider is still the most affordable roadster in its class, and the engine's quirky characteristics could prove to be a fun novelty for those who are new to performance cars. The ride is also very good, and although this impacts handling, the car is nevertheless more agile than things like a BMW Z4, thanks to its lightweight construction and low center of gravity. Being the gearheads and fanboys that we are, we want you to choose a Miata. That doesn't make the 124 a terrible car, and it is ideal for those who just want a fun, open-top sportscar with a bit of zing.

Since the 124 Spider is so affordable and since the experience in this car is about maximizing comfort and style, we'd opt for the top Lusso trim. We'd avoid the over-eager automatic transmission and rather spend that money on the safety features contained in the Convenience Group package. We'd also add the enhanced adaptive headlights in the Visibility Group package and splash out a little more on the final package, thus upgrading the sound system and gifting the infotainment system with navigation. While this may seem a little excessive, all these add-ons make the 124 Spider far more usable and comfortable to live with, and the total cost still comes in below $35,000.

If you didn't know, now you know: the answer is always Miata. Even when compared with a more comfortable, more accommodating, and, arguably, more stylish Italian roadster that costs less, we feel that the driving experience in a Miata is worth every penny. It handles like a dream, and despite not being as plush as a Fiat 124 and featuring stiffer suspension, the experience is still comfortable when you want to relax. Combined with the fact that the Miata has a linear power curve that peaks higher than the Fiat's, the Mazda is by far the more engaging, fun-to-drive, and sporty sports car. Furthermore, you only lose out on $340 in base form, and the cargo space in the trunk is only reduced by 0.3 cubic feet versus the 124. Even if you're not a serious driver, give the Miata a go and see why we rate it with a Buzz score of 8.4 versus the 124 Spider's 7.4.

So you want a drop-top with a lot of quality bits and style? Maybe BMW can convince you to double the budget on your roadster and buy a Z4 sDrive30i for $49,700. Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-four, the rear-wheel-drive BMW produces 255 horses and 295 lb-ft of torque. Along with a 9.9 cubic-foot trunk and an impressively spacious cabin that is upholstered in faux leather, the Bimmer also boasts standard features like adaptive LED taillights, LED headlights, push-button start, 14-way power seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and forward-collision warning. You also get a 10.25-inch touchscreen that boasts Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and navigation, as well as a large digital driver display. It may be double the price of the base 124 at a starting price just shy of $50,000, but it more than makes up for that with power, quality, style, and numerous standard features. We'd opt for the Z4 if the budget allows.