FIAT 124 Spider vs Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang returns for a final tour as its primary rivals head to retirement. This seventh-generation pony car is based on its predecessor but receives numerous upgrades that significantly improve its interior and technology. For fun on a budget, it's difficult to beat a Mustang, and this newest version continues the tradition with a healthy dose of nostalgia.

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A subset of the automotive community insists the answer to every type of “what car should I get?” question is “Mazda Miata.” This passionate response stems from the fact that the Miata is reliable, inexpensive, efficient, and one of the best-handling cars on the market. And despite this, its small size and plucky, upbeat looks have unfairly earned the Miata a reputation as soft or “a hairdresser’s car.”

Truth be told, the Miata is a car I've enjoyed driving. Maybe those stigmas nipped at the back of mind. The Miata also feels underpowered at times. If only there was a car that had all the attributes of the Miata but in a package that had more muscular looks and a stronger engine. The answer is so perfect that it is exactly those things, and it is called the Fiat 124 Spider—recalling an iconic sports car model originally sold from 1966 to 1985 that's been brought back to life for the 2017 model year.