Can Buying a FIAT 124 Spider Grant You Miata Club Philippines Membership?

With the announcement that the FIAT 124 Spider is now available for order locally, there’s one press matter on the minds of sportscar nuts out there: does it grant you membership into Miata Club Philippines?

Established in 1997, the Miata Club Philippines has the distinction of being one of the most solid car clubs in the country. Their devolution to everything MX-5 (or if you prefer its American name, Miata) is a mirror to Mazda’s unrelenting commitment to keep its two-door, open-top sportscar as pure as possible. Of course, expect some pretty strict member requirements including the actual ownership of an MX-5—no “soon-to-be” or “previous” owners stragglers in this bunch.

But now that Petromax Enterprise offers the FIAT 124 Spider (which is essentially a fourth-generation MX-5 with a different engine and some styling differences), will going Italian grant you membership to the club?

We reached out to current Miata Club Philippines President Ding Nera and he said: “The FIAT 124 Spider is not eligible to be a MCP (Miata Club Philippines) member. However, the owner and the 124 Spider can be invited to attend the monthly meeting at the pleasure of the Club President.”

So, there you have it: you can be a subject of curiosity during their monthly meetings, but let it be reiterated that only true and bonafide Mazda MX-5s can become a member (by extension, if you happen to import a Mitsuoka Rock Star, it is not eligible as well). And while this sounds like a very strict requirement, it actually helps the quality of the club in check. It’s akin to a Subaru Club accepting a Toyota 86 into their fold just because it’s a Subaru underneath, or a BMW Club allowing the Toyota GR Supra to join because it’s basically a Z4 underneath.

CIao! The 2019 FIAT 124 Spider is Here!

In the market for a lightweight two-seater, open-top sportscar but find the Mazda MX-5 a bit too mainstream to your liking? Well, there’s always its Italian cousin, the FIAT 124 Spider.

Now available by order through Abarth/Alfa Romeo reseller Petromax Enterprise, the FIAT 124 Spider pays homage to the original 124 Spider which made its introduction nearly 50 years ago. What makes the modern 124 Spider different though is that it’s actually built by Mazda in Hiroshima (hence the nickname, “Fiata”).

While it shares it platform, mechanicals, interior, and soft top with the MX-5, the 124 Spider does offer its own unique front and rear clips, supposedly borrowing cues from the 1966 original such as the hexagonal upper grille, power domes on the hood, and sharp horizontal taillights. Styling aside, the modern day 124 Spider also differentiates itself from the MX-5 with its 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir engine. With that, this Italian Job makes less horsepower than the MX-5 (140 horsepower at 5,000 rpm), but more torque (240 Nm at 2,250 rpm). Petromax is pleased to offer both the 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic for orders.

Final specs and pricing are dependent on the exact spec desired by the customer, but it does come with features similar to that of the MX-5: a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bose speakers, keyless entry with push-button engine start/stop, heated seats, and a rear parking camera. Colors include: Rosso Passione (Solid Red), Bianco Gelato (Solid White), Nero Vesuvio (Black Metallic), Grigio Argento (Gray Metallic), Grigio Moda (Dark Gray Metallic) Bronzo Magnetico (Bronze Metallic), Azzurro Italia (Azure Metallic), and tri-coat Bianco Ghiaccio.

The 2019 FIAT 124 Spider is now available for viewing at the Petromax Enterprise showroom located at 102 Bonaventure Plaza, Connecticut corner Ortigas Avenue, Barangay Greenhills, San Juan City. Phone numbers are +63 2 8243 9769 or +63 917 326 8548.