MPG and running costs
While the engine itself is a Fiat unit, the remaining components are all Mazda, and built in the same factory as the MX-5 – so there’s no need to worry about stereotypical Italian reliability plaguing the 124 Spider – and servicing and repair costs should be reasonable too.
The Fiat returns a claimed 44.1mpg – again, a number that sits neatly in between the 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre models of the Mazda MX-5. The former returns 47.1mpg while the larger-engined car manages 40.9mpg. The slightly higher weight of the 124 Spider means you may spend a little more on consumables like tyres and brake pads over the MX-5, but the difference will be minimal.
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The 124 Spider’s 148g/km will attract a first-year road tax bill of £200, followed thereafter by the standard rate of £140 a year.
