Shootout: the Fiat Abarth 124 Spider versus Mazda MX5 - what would you choose?

Wow this is going back in time! It was 2016 when the Fiat brought out the 124 Spider and I was reviewing cars for a local TV channel at the time, Ignition. There is no way you can review the Fiat without comparing it with the benchmark - the iconic MX5 - especially when you consider that the 124 Spider is well essentially a MX5! Luckily my work colleague, Brenwin Naidoo, had Japan in his corner (garage) at the time, making for a really fun shootout. They certainly not identical twins visually but would the turbo versus naturally aspirated change the DNA too?

Buy a USED Abarth 124 Spider? Or stick with a Mazda MX-5/Miata?
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Buy a USED Abarth 124 Spider? Or stick with a Mazda MX-5/Miata?

Honda S2000 vs. Mazda Miata RF vs. Abarth 124 Spider | Budget Roadster Shootout
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Honda S2000 vs. Mazda Miata RF vs. Abarth 124 Spider | Budget Roadster Shootout

Fiat 124 vs 86 vs MX5 - Affordable Sports Cars | Everyday Driver TV Season 2
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Fiat 124 vs 86 vs MX5 - Affordable Sports Cars | Everyday Driver TV Season 2

Richard Hammond Falls in Love With The Fiat Abarth 124 Spider | The Grand Tour
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Richard Hammond Falls in Love With The Fiat Abarth 124 Spider | The Grand Tour

FIAT 124 Spider Buyers Guide (2016-2020) Plus Abarth 124 - Avoid buying a broken 124 Spider
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FIAT 124 Spider Buyers Guide (2016-2020) Plus Abarth 124 - Avoid buying a broken 124 Spider

FIAT 124 Spider vs.Dyno - MultiAir MAGIC! (The dyno LOST)
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FIAT 124 Spider vs.Dyno - MultiAir MAGIC! (The dyno LOST)

The Fiat 124 Abarth Isn't a Better Mazda Miata
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The Fiat 124 Abarth Isn't a Better Mazda Miata

Fiat 124 Spider vs Abarth 124 Spider FULL REVIEW test driven comparison all-new neu 2017 & vintage
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Fiat 124 Spider vs Abarth 124 Spider FULL REVIEW test driven comparison all-new neu 2017 & vintage

Styled in Italy, Built in Japan: How Did FIAT Get The Abarth 124 Spider so WRONG?
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Styled in Italy, Built in Japan: How Did FIAT Get The Abarth 124 Spider so WRONG?

Mazda MX-5 vs Fiat 124 Spider: can Fiat out-Mazda the Mazda?
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Mazda MX-5 vs Fiat 124 Spider: can Fiat out-Mazda the Mazda?

SPORTS CAR MEGA TEST: Fiat 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 v Ford Fiesta ST v Renaultsport Clio v DS3
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SPORTS CAR MEGA TEST: Fiat 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 v Ford Fiesta ST v Renaultsport Clio v DS3

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF vs. 2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth Comparison Review | Edmunds
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2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF vs. 2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth Comparison Review | Edmunds

ND Miata & Fiat 124 Spider Drivetrain Comparison
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ND Miata & Fiat 124 Spider Drivetrain Comparison

Is an MX-5 NB still worth it in 2026? The hard truth.
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Is an MX-5 NB still worth it in 2026? The hard truth.

ND2 Mazda Miata vs Fiat 124 Spider Abarth | Race & Pulls
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ND2 Mazda Miata vs Fiat 124 Spider Abarth | Race & Pulls

Should you buy a USED Mazda NC MX-5? - What goes WRONG?
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Should you buy a USED Mazda NC MX-5? - What goes WRONG?

Mazda MX5 after 1 year and 11,000 miles - Likes, dislikes, problems and costs
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Mazda MX5 after 1 year and 11,000 miles - Likes, dislikes, problems and costs

What's Faster: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth or Mazda Miata MX-5?
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What's Faster: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth or Mazda Miata MX-5?

ABARTH 124 SPIDER, BETTER THAN THE MX5?
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ABARTH 124 SPIDER, BETTER THAN THE MX5?

Should You Buy an Abarth 124 Spider? (Test Drive & Review)
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Should You Buy an Abarth 124 Spider? (Test Drive & Review)