Here at Jalopnik, we love the Mazda Miata. It’s the answer to all of life’s problems, and if you’ve never driven one, you’re missing out. Sure, the Miata has its flaws, but it’s still a perfect car, and we’re all lucky to be alive at a time when we can experience all four generations at the same time. With all that said, though, what if the thing that’s been missing in your life is a different kind of red convertible? Perhaps even a worse convertible? Maybe what you really need is this 1996 Fiat Barchetta.
The big downside here, of course, is that the Barchetta is front-wheel drive and therefore slower around a track. If all you care about is lap times, then this isn’t the car for you, but then again, neither is the Miata. But everybody and their brother wants a Miata, which keeps prices high. They aren’t looking to buy a Fiat Barchetta, though, and that just means this is your opportunity to get a cute little red convertible on the cheap. Even the seller doesn’t appear to expect to get much for it based on the parking lot phone photos they included in the listing and the lack of a reserve.
While the Barchetta is front-wheel drive and only makes 130 horsepower, the design looks fantastic, and there’s a certain appeal to owning a car few other people in the country have seen, much less driven. Plus, you get a manual transmission for a little extra fun and actual knobs and buttons. These cars were never sold in the U.S., and yet, this one is still left-hand drive. That isn’t the rarest thing in the world, but it’s nice to know you won’t have to learn how to drive on the other side of the car or reverse through drive-thrus.
Will it be easy to get parts for an old Fiat that was never sold here? Probably not. But that will just make driving your new-to-you Barchetta when it runs a more special experience. Every time you drop the top and take this thing out for a spin, you’re going to enjoy your life a little more, and who wouldn’t want more joy in their life? You deserve some more joy in your life.
