Why You Should Buy The Least Popular Car In The Country

Every car manufacturer dreams of outselling the Ford F-150. It’s a truck that proudly boasts the accolade of America’s best selling vehicle for 42 years running and, before 2009, hadn’t seen yearly sales dip under a half-million units since 1992. But what about the other side of the spectrum, the least popular car in America? Well, according to a study by the Detroit News from earlier this year, that unwanted title belongs to the Fiat 124 Spider. And, based on a recent report from Autocar, the Italian roadster’s days are numbered. Those are two very legitimate reasons to avoid the 124 altogether, but it’s secretly one of the best bargain cars available today and you should actually consider buying one before it’s too late. 

It’s no secret Fiat doesn’t have the best of comeback stories since returning Stateside. Just take a look at the rest of the top ten least popular cars in 2018, according to the Detroit News, and you’ll see more than half of the list belongs to FCA. Talking with Autocar, Fiat CEO Olivier François said he’s looking to change that and refocus the brand’s energy. “Fiat has a double mission. Urban mobility is core today, but at the same time, it means family transportation.” François continued, “For our future product plan, we need the right balance between the two dimensions: the Fiat 500 family and family transportation. There will be no big cars, no premium cars, no sporty cars because they have no legitimacy.” The only way traditional non-sports car companies can justify making a fun sports car is with high sales from other cars like SUVs and crossovers. And until those profits start pouring in, Fiat can’t justify a two-seat convertible, at all.  

However, the 124 Spider was able to sneak into existence through a collaboration with Mazda by sharing the same platform designed for the MX-5, one of the most finely-balanced cars of the modern age. The joint venture helped cut costs for both parties involved, making a better case for the impractical two-seater. To help set it apart, the 124 uses its own engine, the 1.4-liter turbocharged motor, which gives the Italian more torque down low than the MX-5, providing better grunt out of tight corners. The Fiat also has softer tuned suspension, which some might see as a knock against it compared to the Mazda, but around town, the more relaxed setup is a blessing. The differences between the two cars are enough to give them two different distinct personalities, but the bang-for-buck factor still ranks among the best, no matter which badge you prefer.  

If it’s true the Fiat roadster’s end is near, like any other vehicle reaching the tail end of its lifespan, dealerships will be looking to offload the two-seater as fast as possible. They’ll want to make room for the hot-ticket crossovers François hinted are in the pipeline and that means incentives and price drops are on the way. Factor in the 124 Spider’s lack of popularity and inability to leave dealership lots fast enough and you could be looking at one hell of a deal for one of the most entertaining cars currently on sale.

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