2017 Fiat 124 Spider vs Mazda Miata MX-5 vs MINI Cooper vs VW Beetle Convertible Mashup Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- ( www.TFLcar.com ) 2017 Fiat 124 Spider vs Mazda Miata MX-5 vs MINI Cooper vs VW Beetle Convertible Mashup Review.
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The italians always make the best looking car... but miata is miata
this is like 2 apples against 2 oranges, the miata and fiat are good rivals, the cooper and beetle are good rivals, but miata vs cooper or fiat vs beetle is apple vs orange.
These are the kind of reviews one is looking for !!
miata is always the answer
VW Beetle 00:14.81
Mini Cooper 00:15.63
I'd go with the MX5 by a small margin.
You don't get the low-end torque, but you do get the more responsive engine without the turbo lag. And it's noticeably lighter, which is important for the feel of the car when you go carve some corners.
I do like the look of the 124 though. I suppose you can't really go wrong either way.
the only time i've seen fiat get some love in the comment sections lol
I like the the fiat more than the Miata because of the exterior styling since the interior is the the same
I have a 2014 Beetle convertible with a 6Speed Auto. I had a 2008 Mini Cooper S hard top that I recently traded for a Jeep Renegade and I hated the ride of the Mini. It was super tight and so much torque steer and every little bump shook the steering wheel, it wasn't great at all, especially between 40 and 50 hitting bumps in the road. It was super fun to drive, but the ride quality in the long term was super poor. I prefer the "floaty" as your said, driving dynamics of the Beetle, it absorbs road imperfections better, and feels more planted. The standard HP is also better than the MINI by about 50HP for the same price, so it feels faster, more space (passenger and cargo) and more standard features (bluetooth audio streaming, heated seats and mirrors) that MINI nickles and dimes you for. I don't think I'd ever own another MINI after owning mine, it was a mechanical disaster and didn't give me much hope for new ones.
The Multiair turbo has an awesome mid-range punch. 3000-5000rpm. Below or above that and its not so great.
From my experience tuning it only slightly helped the top-end and just made the mid-range even crazier.
You said at 1:22 that the Beetle has dual clutch transmission, this is not true, the 1.8T only gets either 5-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic. I know because I've driven one.
Daniel Senti the 2.0 beetles have DSG, so he probably got them mixed up
I haven't driven the 124, but I drove the others, and hands down the most fun, best looking and handling car ever was the MX-5 ND. I am 6'3" and fit into it, and love the ability to take the top down at a stop sign and watch others around me go...wow.
The gas milage is really a bonus. I am getting over 36 and sometimes 38+ mpg on the highway(75+mph), around 32 to 33 in town. Zoom Zoom!
Anyone bashing the FIAT 124, remember that it was a whopping 3 seconds quicker than the Miata in Car and Drivers Lightning Lap. Torque matters.
Love both of your Fast Lane channels. Figured I would provide some additional VW information. Currently in the US there is no vehicles with 1.8t engines that have DSG dual clutch transmission right now. The are mated to Triptronic transmission that has a torque convertor. The upcoming 2017 VW Golf Sportwagen Alltrack will be the first 1.8t car in the US to have a DSG dual clutch transmission. I hope you all get to provide a review in the coming months on it. :)
Roman,
Interesting mash-up, something here for everyone. A couple of points, though. The VW Beetle 1.8TSI has a conventional six-speed automatic, not a DSG and a coupé is a hard-top, not a convertible as used in your reference.
Love car Fiat 124 Spider,The Italian Style
Great video. The Beetle has a regular tiptronic and not a DSG. None of the 1.8T VW cars are mated to the DSG.
Well done and a great vid! But, Spider and MX are Roadsters not coupes. Sorry to be a nudge. Thanks for a terrific review. I want ALL of these cars!
I’m trying to decide between the Cooper and the Beetle. I like the pep of the Cooper and the smoothness of the Beetle. Any thoughts?
PLEASE DO MORE UNPOPULAR CARS LIKE THIS! (The typical TH-cam always focus on the typical topics, like new demon, aventador , etc etc)
FIAT is much more stylish and fun. Italian cars are the sexiest.
Great show guys! Renault Twingo/Smart forfour has their engine on the back, so why can't Volkswagen do the right thing and place a smaller displacement but turbocharged engine on the back of the Beetle before it bows out in 2018?
Mazda Miata sounds and revs better. It'll be the best pick. Reason people would buy a Fiat 124 is because it's different. Do think Fiat did a great job in setting their car apart with it's looks/specs against the Mazda.
Do a Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ vs Mazda Miata 2.0/Fiat 124.
I wonder what it would be like, when you tune the beetle with stage 2 tuning chip, brakes, suspension, and exhaust just like other volkswagens nowadays. I bet it'll be as fun as the other cars.
I sometimes get the impression half of the commenters don't listen to what is said on the video, and the other half don't understand what is said on the video‼️😯😯😯
MrKeyboardCommando It's a sad reflection of the times we live in. People don't listen, they don't read things and they don't look where they're going. They are usually too busy typing on their mobile phone to pay attention to those around them on the roads and pavements. The number of people who struggle to put a coherent sentence together or can't spell is worrying. And despite the immediacy of having the internet to confirm facts beforehand, still people post so much erroneous information online.
Which car is more reliable between the Volkswagen Beetle or the Mini Cooper? I’m trying to see which one to buy for my first car
It is easy to see that Mazda took a good look at the convertible top on the historic Fiat 124 of old and made it better but they both could raise and lower the roof without leaving the car. It is nice to have all that power, my 1980 Fiat 124 (2000) only had 102HP.
The sensible person, will go with the Mazda, for their legendary reliability.
Sadly the 124 Spider is no longer in production, and the Mini has questionable reliability issues, with very costly maintenance.
The Beetle, is just an open topped Golf with styling package.
Great video as always! I'm 6'5 in height, so I probably couldn't fit in any of these. I recently test drive a Mini Countryman and a VW Golf Sportswagen and could barely fit in either. So I probably wouldn't be purchasing any of these vehicles. None the less it was a great video to watch! Can't wait for your next TFL car video! Is the buckle on the Dalton still there? I WANT IT!
You could probably fit, if you let the top down. Unless you have long legs like me.
Hell if Jeremy Clarkson can fit in a Peel P50, you could probably fit in a Fiat 124 spider..
I really want an unbiased person like this guy bite through the sour apple and decide which car is better overall and why.
You make a video comparing cars
Yet you don't have a display of the prices said and you make the audience count the roof tops opening and closing times...
"And For that reason I'm out" - Kevin "Mr. Right" O'leary
15:32 "I'm just dying" that sounded like Arnold Swartzenegger XD
When are you reviewing the new 2016 Infiniti Q50 3.0 twin turbo charger?
+MM 754 as soon as we can get our hands on one
What cameras are you using ? Awesome picture !
I see this trend every time. Almost every reviewer does this: what was the only car the reviewer smiled and seemed to have fun while driving? Still, people don't pick the Mazdas... Why?
Are you guys going to be able to do an Abarth 124 vs Club Miata? Or at least an Abarth 124 review?
I drove both and the mini has so much better handling even if fwd, and the Miata cannot hold a 6foot male comfortably.
Don't understand why most or more people prefer the Miata, the handling is crisp and sharp on the mini and I've driven f12 and 911 turbo s
Don't get it at all, just me I guess I feel dumb to be on the minority of this one considering the mini is head and shoulders more roomy and much more fun, even if it's a bit slower.
I had a 2010 and a 2012 Miata hard top convertibles and they had their positives. But for me more negitives. Currently I have the 2014 VW 1.8 convertible. Not as pretty as the mazdas. But infinitely more comfortable faster and relaxing to drive. Next for me will be a mustang 5.0 convertible
Which one would you buy if you lived in San Diego
That beetle doesn't has a DSG. It use the Toyota 6speeds.
Enjoyed the review. I suppose the turboed engines would be way more tunable than the NA potentially making the Fiat more interesting. Abarth parts coming?
The Fiat is nice, but you want the Abarth version. It's mental.
Nice review. However it's sad that FCA didn't provide the convertible versions of the Mustang and the Camaro sice they are way more appealing alternatives to the RWD Miata/124 than the Beetle.
Please throw a NC MX-5 into the mix when you compare the MX-5 ND to the Fiat 124. I have a feeling no one is using it for a comparison for a reason
Good job on the comparison
Mazda really needs to bring back a revised Rx-7. Sad to say their sportiest car has 155 hp and 148 ft lbs of torque.
Did you pick when the adds would be? I got one between each car. Is that a thing now?
Add is short for addition. Ad is short for advertisement.
Very good reviews but in my op you cant compare cabriolet with a roadster
9:15 you going senile? Its called naturally aspirated, not normally aspirated. and fiat provided a mazda test car? *scratches head* and dude, you have to let go of the hood from a little bit of height for it to close. you shouldn't rest it and then push on the hood, that is more damaging than a drop from a few inches.
DumbDuck44 Are *you* going senile? It can be (and is) called either of these. Just because you don't recognise it, doesn't mean a lot of the other 7 billion people on the planet might not. It's really sad that some people just assume they are the centre of the universe and nobody else exists.
So ultimately you mean to say if i love Japanese, go for the Mazda
If I love Italian go for the Fiat
And if i love British go for the Mini.
Are you effin kidding me? That made no sense at all.. We wanted to know which out of the four would you prefer as an overall package of dynamics, power and efficiency. And what you give us is an united nations diplomatic pop tart. Thumbs down mate. Poor review.
Miata? More reliable and more fun then those other fwd cars.
Where are people getting the idea that the Fiat is less reliable than the Mazda? The only differences is the engine and transmission. The Fiat engine has already proven to be a reliable engine. Mazda on the other hand is having transmission issues and the new transmission is very fragile compared to the last generation. So I hope you don't intend to autocross or race your Mazda.
+777PharmD777 i'd choose the fiat. I just feel turbos are the future. A 1.4T that gives you the power of a 2.0 without compromising on efficiency. Secondly fiat has better interior quality. The Mazda has body coloured interior door panels while the Fiat has soft touch plastics. The fiat looks more premium too and how can you forget the tasty Abarth around the corner ;)
Yes, but can Nathan fit in the trunk?
Fiat Chrysler is cheating in this test, because the manual Beetle and Mini are both fun vehicles, and thus made their testing one sided biased, and thus play favoritism. It is not fair and Fiat needs to admit their fault.
at one point you said the fiat was an automatic then you said it was a manual. which is it?
Two different cars. One was black, one was silver.
if you were buying for a 16 year old female new driver which one would any of you guys get?
The Fiat has a nicer exterior and interior, it also has more of that old school sports car vibe to it. In the real world however, the Miata walks all over it. I guarantee the Miata will be more reliable, it's almost .7 seconds quicker to 60 mph(car and driver) than the Fiat, AND handles better. I suspect that the Fiat Turbo is to blame due to the "peaky" engine it has. Tuning potential is another matter, I suspect that the Fiat Abarth would be the better tuner due to the older, heavier last generation Miata gearbox and the Turbo. P.S I am comparing the Miata to the Fiat 124 ABARTH. I'd love to see you guys compare the two a mile above sea level!
Ye Gods, the world's gone crazy; I actually like all four of these cars‼️ 😳😳😳
you're in San Diego ?!? ☺☺☺
Mini
is it alex on auto @ 18:51?
Yang Cao looks like him.
"It's Fiata"
"It's 95% based on a miata platform"
"If you like italian cars so buy 124"
WTF dude? You admitted that spider is an almost a japanese car and then you called it an italian.
Miata all the way. The best looking convertible
The Beetle shouldn't even be in this test. The Mini should be the Roadster version not the Cabriolet. Should have just left it Fiat vs Mazda.
How tall are you? Down the line, I want to pick up an abarth 124
Its Fiat not Abarth
over here where i life we have Abarth on the papers. not Fiat
pietje bell OK I live in the UK and we have Fiat. Although you can still find Abarths
The Fiat is the best
Yeah
Jurgen DX mazda is best
Jurgen DX nope. its mx5
is the miata sold in europe
yes
yes in europe it is called MX5
It's not Fiata. It's actually Miat MX-124.
Full led & laser, infotainment & more on audi is FIAT (MAGNETI MARELLI) well? FIaudi???? Bentley is assembled by FIAT (CO.MA.U) well? FIAntley???? HAHAHHAHAHA
how many American cars are built in Mexico, Canada, Korea .... like Apple or Nike?
Car companies have been doing this for a long time. nothing new. i think its really childish to pick on FIAT like some kind of silly middle aged cyberbully for using mazda platform when other car companies have done the same throughout the years. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury used Volvo platform to build cars. Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler used Mitsubishi platform to build cars, and the list goes on.
To be precise, FCA and Mazda have developed this platform together since 2013.
MX-5 is amazing affordable sports car!
fiat should have had a 500c abarth there for you all as well. It comes in around same price as 124.
The Fiat is the perfect Fiat, as it wasn't built by Fiat (Fix It Again Tomorrow).
Thought the Fiat was an automatic, yet you're shifting???
14:23
yes 5 times in red light..
There were multiple cars there. The first one he sat in was a black automatic, the one he test drove was a silver manual, obviously.
Sheesh 1.4 turbo? How long will that last?
awesome reviews.
The Fiat is better looking and have Mazda technology
It's uglier with Mazda's older shittier parts in it
And I like the Maserati rear lights.
Basically a fiata vs. miata review
Great comparisons but needless to say I'm biased and maintain that the MX-5 beats all of the competition!
9:25 Fiat provided the Mazda Miata?? I think you meant Mazda provided the Miata
I think he meant Mazda provided the Fiat since the 124 is built alongside the Miata in Hiroshima.
I want to see 4 adults in either the VW or Mini.
I'll probably never drive anything other than a Miata for the rest of my life. The only question is will I eventually move over to an automatic transmission due to the insane traffic in the SF Bay Area.
Too hard to count time yourself and overlay the video?
What happened to Emmie Hall?
Think she went to CNET.
*Emme
Miata is obviously the most fun, but I don't think I could get past the image problem.
What image problem??
+madridtillidie feminine?
ask a hairdresser.
+Jeff K - Then you're not a car guy, or you have a tiny pein.
I've been calling for a 300hp 30/70 - F/R split AWD Mini for years... WHY WON'T THEY MAKE IT?
Should have used the r-line , dune, or GSR versions of the beetle.
Sounds like the 124 was build for the older crowd.
I don't like pasta, I don't like sushi and I also don't like German potatoes:-(
What should I do?
Buy a Mustang! XD
Buy a HAmburger
in Europe they are using a fiat gearbox?
No.
I got 12 seconds for mini in the top race, but the beetle won by 3 seconds
The mini was faster I think
Fiat 124 + Mazda Miata=Subaru BRZ + Scion FRS
Well, not *quite*, since they're a tad more different than the Toyobaru siblings (engines, gearbox, diff(?), exterior, suspension)… but yeah.
the fiata is a better miata, specifically the abarth
remember that all stock turbo engines have tuning potential, and this one is no different, 200 wheel horsepower is easily achievable in the 500 abarth with just a chiptune, and 200 wheel horsepower in an ND miata chassis is basically magical
Buy a new Miata. Get a used 124. Fiats depreciate much more quickly than mazdas, especially the Miata. It will be worth more when you sell a Miata, and you will get a 124 used for much cheaper than a similarly used Miata.
I agree in most cases, but don't forget the retro appeal that the fiat has. the name 124 spider strikes a chord with many enthusiasts and just like how the fiat 500's hold their value quite well, this one might hold it quite good. For now it's speculation, so I'm not disagreeing xD
+Timothy Mai agreed. I plan on waiting a year or two after the fiata releases because of that depreciation
+Michael Kenis the 500 change hold its value whatsoever. a new abarth is roughly 17k without taxes, etc. a year old one is 14k off the lot. Big difference. fiats depreciate like crazy. sad but true :(
ok, checked it and you're right...even the 500 hardly keeps it's value. I knew fiat was bad at resale value, but I had thought the more special niche models did better, guess I was wrong. On that note though, time to look for an Abarth 500 esesse
Id go for the Abarth 500c, its cheaper and more powerful and radical.
Moreira Da Lima The Abarth 500 is terrible to drive. The steering seems to be connected to the wheels by an elastic band and the manual gear shift mechanism is vague and rubbery too. As for the ride... it's like being on a pogo stick or space hopper. Absolutely ruins the car. Looks and sounds ok, but positively awful as a driver's car.
fiat is the best
when youre grossly overweight...laughing aint a way out.
Any way FCA could shoe horn a 4C engine in the 124?
ur at Qualcomm? I've Ben there
+Dylan Thomas yes
+The Fast Lane Car cool
I'd consider the 124. It's built in Japan buy japanese.
I didn't know you lived in San Diego.
mini you can't compare it with VW beetle because vw is a 4 cyl 2.0 or 1.8 / and Mini Cooper it's a non S ,so it comes with 3 cyl 1.5
engine
MX-5 is actually $32k+ with the Brembo package.... not $28k
The 1.8 beetle is a shit weak car. This should have been with the 2.0 R-line. Also, I'm not a Mini fan, but the John Cooper Works Mini comes in a top down version too if I'm correct.
Wait, you guys were driving for most fun convertible and didn't even drive a Cooper S?
He needs to learn how to properly open a door and not scratch the paint. Always open a car door underhanded. Your fingers should come up under the handle. Much less chance of rings scratching the paint.