RE: Fiat Panda 100HP: Catch it while you can
Discussion
I looked at these for the other half and ended up with a 2004 Yaris T-Sport.
Very happy with the T-Sport - excellent fit and finish, looks great, cam chain, lovely ride and handling (in the week I drive a healthy DC2 and a Clio Trophy before that), good steering, seating position, gearchange and is probably a bit quicker than a Panda 100HP.
No idea why the T-Sports never got the appreciation they deserved. Perhaps it was more the "Golf GTI" of warm hatches - good at everything but not exceptional in any one area.
That said, I suspect I would like the Panda too.
Very happy with the T-Sport - excellent fit and finish, looks great, cam chain, lovely ride and handling (in the week I drive a healthy DC2 and a Clio Trophy before that), good steering, seating position, gearchange and is probably a bit quicker than a Panda 100HP.
No idea why the T-Sports never got the appreciation they deserved. Perhaps it was more the "Golf GTI" of warm hatches - good at everything but not exceptional in any one area.
That said, I suspect I would like the Panda too.
I did like these when they came out, but opted for a Suzuki Ignis Sport instead. Same ugly duckling looks, brutal ride quality and slightly better performance than the Panda. From past ownership experience Suzuki build far more durable cars than Fiat. Over 6 years and 80k miles it's been a brilliant car. I still like the Panda, but you can get a good Ignis for £1500 so would suggest anyone that likes the Panda check out the Ignis too.
Arun_D said:
I have had mine for a year now and still absolutely adore it. Like a lot of people, including the article writer and my car's previous owner, it was bought as a general runabout to join my weekend toy, as running an Exige as daily was getting a chore after 3years. They seem to be a popular choice for this sort of prospective owner.
It's great affordable fun, in a (just) practical enough package, with a surprisingly high amount of standard kit (climate, Bluetooth etc). Mine also has the rare 'Pandamonium' pack that has been mentioned previously, comprising of red calipers, silver mirror caps and the side stripes.
That's lovely. But then again, I'm biased with that particular motor It's great affordable fun, in a (just) practical enough package, with a surprisingly high amount of standard kit (climate, Bluetooth etc). Mine also has the rare 'Pandamonium' pack that has been mentioned previously, comprising of red calipers, silver mirror caps and the side stripes.
Great to see you're still enjoying it Arun!
I bought mine almost a year ago, having spent the last ten years driving diesels. I actually part exchanged a 2.2 TDCi Mondeo for my Panda!
Took a bit of adjusting, particularly going over speed bumps. I nearly broke my bloomin neck the first time I went over one that never bothered me in the Mondeo. Now it doesn't bother me really, although I do avoid speedbumps if there is an alternative route.
Absolutely love the car and can see me keeping it for some time to come. I have a pushchair in the boot, and a baby seat in the back. I'm 6"3 with size 15 feet and I don't have the seat all the way back, so not sure where all this 'too small' comes from..
Took a bit of adjusting, particularly going over speed bumps. I nearly broke my bloomin neck the first time I went over one that never bothered me in the Mondeo. Now it doesn't bother me really, although I do avoid speedbumps if there is an alternative route.
Absolutely love the car and can see me keeping it for some time to come. I have a pushchair in the boot, and a baby seat in the back. I'm 6"3 with size 15 feet and I don't have the seat all the way back, so not sure where all this 'too small' comes from..
Had mine for 70000 now on 82000. The only fault has been the rear bump stops and the rear shocks, Now fitted with koni. My wife has a Abarth 500 SS which got 3.5 stars from EVO. I thought what have I got to loose as the Panda gets 4.5. No regrets but you need to be thick skinned as no one knows what it is.....however other drivers need a thick skin when they cannot keep up around corners.
I had one, switched from a Mk3 MX5 when my daughter arrived. I have to admit I started off loving it, and ended hating it. Incredibly hard ride being the main thing, but also poor quality interior (sorry, but important to me). As a B road car it was brilliant, very Mini or 295 like, but as an A road and town speed bump car (I was commuting 60 miles a day), bloody awful.
I'd still consider one as a weekend fun car, but I'm building a 205 race car at the moment (spiritual ancestor?)
I'd still consider one as a weekend fun car, but I'm building a 205 race car at the moment (spiritual ancestor?)
Great car! Had mine nearly a year. Fitted Koni Str-t shocks all round and a set of Toyo Proxes tyres and have improved the ride quality and the handling.
I have had loads of cars over the years and this once impresses me all the time. Considering it is a cheap car the quality is pretty good.
Most fun you can have with your trousers on for the money!
I have had loads of cars over the years and this once impresses me all the time. Considering it is a cheap car the quality is pretty good.
Most fun you can have with your trousers on for the money!
Hypermiracle said:
Thanks Will, the car has been absolutely great. I was going to say that it's the most legal fun i've had in a car, then remembered that out of all the cars that I have owned it is the ONLY one that i've managed to be rewarded with speeding points in my 14 years of driving!
It really brings out the devil in you, especially when there are a few islands en route! It's got character and is like a terrier, snapping at the heels of other more powerful cars; they just can't get rid of the sight of you.
I'll be sad to see it go.
Hi Mike,It really brings out the devil in you, especially when there are a few islands en route! It's got character and is like a terrier, snapping at the heels of other more powerful cars; they just can't get rid of the sight of you.
I'll be sad to see it go.
Glad you enjoyed it!
All the best,
Will
Terminator X said:
No offence but there is not enough money in the World to get me in one of those:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he6TL15pJtw
TX.
I think that's an unfair test. Any car under a tonne crashing against a car weighing over twice that is going to fair badly! The safety cell is strong, almost like a built in roll cage.. A longer or taller or stronger bonnet would help lower peak G forces in a crash, but it is what it is. I think a Smart For Two is safer than a nineties supermini. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he6TL15pJtw
TX.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff