This Fiat 124 Spider Is Listed for $13,499 and Might Be the Deal of the Year

This Miata-based Italian roadster looks like a bargain at $13,499, but the seller’s track record is the catch that changes the whole picture.

Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog
2017 Fiat 124 Spider

2017 Fiat 124 Spider

ebay
Get Autoblog in your Google feed

A 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Classica, the Italian-styled, Miata-based turbo roadster, this red example shows 58,004 miles and is offered at auction with a current bid of $13,499 and the reserve not yet met. On paper, the price looks strong for a car that costs nearly $26,000 new. The catch, and it is a significant one, is the seller, which is where this story gets complicated.

2017 Fiat 124 Spider
2017 Fiat 124 Spider

eBay

What it’s worth right now

On the numbers, the price is genuinely appealing. For a 2017 124 Spider Classica, Kelley Blue Book lists a current resale value around $11,900, but that sits well below what these actually ask in the retail market, where TrueCar shows Classicas averaging about $16,466, CarGurus puts recent model year 124 Spiders near $17,946, and Cars.com reports a nationwide average of $15,631. The Classica originally stickered at $25,990. Against the retail comps, a $13,499 bid on a clean, 58,000-mile example is below typical asking money and represents real value, which is what makes the headline plausible. That said, the reserve has not been met, so the seller clearly wants more than the current bid, and the mileage is slightly above average, so the deal is good rather than a giveaway. The car’s value case is legitimate. The transaction risk is the problem.

2017 Fiat 124 Spider
2017 Fiat 124 Spider

eBay

Condition and details

Here is where caution takes over. The car is finished in red over black, listed as a Classica, though the seller’s own description confusingly refers to it as a Lusso, and it is described as certified pre-owned despite being a private seller listing, which is a contradiction since CPO status comes from manufacturer franchised dealers, not private parties. More seriously, the seller’s feedback sits at 76.2 percent positive, with numerous recent buyers reporting receiving items completely different from what was advertised, damaged goods, counterfeit products, and unresponsive communication on unrelated electronics sales. A $1,000 deposit is required. None of this describes the car’s mechanical condition, which may be perfectly fine, but it does mean a buyer should treat this listing with a high degree of skepticism, insist on eBay’s Vehicle Purchase Protection, verify the VIN and the 49 record history report independently, and arrange a third-party inspection before sending any money. Still, the car could be a great buy.

The offer

SpecificationDetail
MakeFiat
Model124 Spider Classica
Year2017
Mileage58,004 miles
Engine1.4 liter MultiAir turbocharged inline four
Power160 hp and 184 lb.ft of torque
TransmissionSix-speed automatic
Drive typeRear wheel drive
Exterior colorRed
Interior colorBlack
Current bid$13,499, reserve not met

Interested in this 2017 Fiat 124 Spider? View the listing here.

What makes the 124 Spider unique

The Fiat 124 Spider revived a storied name for the 2017 model year, and it is a fascinating car in that it is built on the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata platform, assembled in the same Hiroshima factory, yet powered by Fiat’s own 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged four rather than the Mazda engine. That gives it a different character from the Miata, with more low-end torque and a softer, more touring-oriented ride that suits its Italian grand touring styling by way of the original 1966 124 Sport Spider.

2017 Fiat 124 Spider
2017 Fiat 124 Spider

eBay

U.S. News named it the 2017 Best Sports Car for the Money, and owners rate it highly for fun and reliability, the latter helped considerably by its Mazda underpinnings. The Classica is the base trim, but it still delivers the core roadster experience, and the 124 Spider’s blend of Italian looks and Japanese engineering has made it a quietly appealing used buy.

My take

Taken purely as a car and a price, this is a strong deal, and the 124 Spider is a genuinely fun, reliable, and stylish roadster that deserves more attention than it gets, so at $13,499, the value is real, and fair value sits around $13,000 to $16,000 for a clean Classica at this mileage. If everything checks out, it earns the headline. The enormous asterisk is the seller, whose feedback history includes repeated, specific complaints about misrepresented and counterfeit items on electronics sales, which is exactly the kind of track record that should make any buyer proceed with maximum caution on a five-figure vehicle purchase. My honest advice is this: chase the car, because the model and the price are right, but do not let the deal rush you past the due diligence. Use eBay’s buyer protections, verify everything independently, insist on an inspection, and be prepared to walk away. A good price on the right car is only a deal if the transaction is real.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.

Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

About the author

Kyle Edward

Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog

Kyle Edward is an automotive journalist and photographer with over 15 years of experience. A native of the Detroit area, his work has been featured in premier lifestyle and business publications including Men’s Journal, Forbes, and Robb Report. He specializes in the intersection of automotive culture, travel, and adventure, drawing on a lifelong passion to bring a sense of excitement and discovery to his writing and photography for Autoblog.