Panda 100HP vs Suzuki Swift Sport

[Arun_D]

CaptainMorgan said:

I've owned a Panda 100 for a month or two now, it's a total riot to drive, I've not driven anything as fun for the running costs. Yes the suspension is very hard but it wouldnt be the car it is without the stiff ride, bluetooth connectivity and climate control are nice little touches but I like how simple it is. They're well made and throw up very few issues, consumables are pennies and they seem to take abuse well, being light hard driving doesnt muller brakes and tyres too quickly. I get around 40mpg on shortish trips, they do seem a bit costly compared to the bargain they were new but get a tidy one and look after it you'll not loose anything on one I reckon.

Very much this. Although I must say, in the last couple weeks the heating has packed up in mine. Just what I need going in to winter. From what I've read, the components linking the temperature control actuator to the heater flap are prone to failure, and it's not pretty accessing them.

Otherwise, it's great fun to live with.

[Simbu]

I was in your position about 6 months ago. We ended up with an R53 Mini Cooper S. It's a great steer, quicker than the Swift or the Panda, the supercharger whine is extremely addictive, exhaust is a bit poppy.

It probably costs a bit more to keep running in terms of parts than the other cars you've looked at. If you get one, ditch the runflats. The hype about changing them is true. Try to find one with the chili pack at least and has had the power steering pump replaced (£400 part and a known weak point).

We got ours after my mx5 became too lacking in space. I still miss the Mazda sometimes, but the Mini does make me smile.

[2gins]

I've never driven the Suzuki but it is on my mental shortlist of possible cheap runabouts should it be needed. I have been out in the Panda, on a training drive with a fast road instructor as part of a supercar hire deal. It was a few years ago and I can't recall exactly the feel but do remember what the bloke said about it. He said, it's a car that doesn't flatter your driving and shows up all your flaws, so it's tricky to really carry speed but very rewarding when it comes together. I remember being 4 up flying around the Buckinghamshire b-roads, it was almost more fun than the F355 that followed.

[rallycross]

Mini Cooper standard model ideally on the smaller 15 inch wheels is worth considering alongside these two, gokart handling with chuckability especially with the smaller wheels,125 bhp /'125 mph is plenty enough to be fun and 40 + mpg. For your budget you might just find a facelift model 2006 onwards with the 6 speed g/box if it's done a few miles.

[lord trumpton]

With regard to the Mini Coopers and JCW etc - Ive driven quite a few and they do drive well - the earlier SC ones are a more raw experience. I do have issues with the Mini though - they are a bit of a clitoris car; every has got one

[rossmc88]

I ended up getting a panda and it's great. Drove it 400 miles back up to Scotland and the ride isn't as bad as people are saying. Mines has had the rear shocks replaced so that probably helps. Speed bumps aren't a problem, the panda is so small you can drive in between them.

The steering wheel is peeling a bit and the gear knob looks worn, so I need to think of a way to fix them, it's really letting the car down when the rest of it is so nice. I've read that I can repaint the top bit of the knob but I don't know what to do with the steering wheel

[Ghost91]

rossmc88 said:

I ended up getting a panda and it's great. Drove it 400 miles back up to Scotland and the ride isn't as bad as people are saying. Mines has had the rear shocks replaced so that probably helps. Speed bumps aren't a problem, the panda is so small you can drive in between them.

The steering wheel is peeling a bit and the gear knob looks worn, so I need to think of a way to fix them, it's really letting the car down when the rest of it is so nice. I've read that I can repaint the top bit of the knob but I don't know what to do with the steering wheel

There's a really helpful and friendly owners group on facebook, if you have facebook.

Worth joining and asking questions on there as there are some proper 100hp nutters on there and they'll give decent advice.

Enjoy :-)

[drivingaddict]

Ghost91 said:

There's a really helpful and friendly owners group on facebook, if you have facebook.

Worth joining and asking questions on there as there are some proper 100hp nutters on there and they'll give decent advice.

Enjoy :-)

Do you have a link or could you advice on what to search for? Thanks in advance.

[Ghost91]

drivingaddict said:

Do you have a link or could you advice on what to search for? Thanks in advance.

Tap in FIAT PANDA UK PAGE

And you should find it

[drivingaddict]

Ghost91 said:

Tap in FIAT PANDA UK PAGE

And you should find it

Nice, thanks. The other one "Fiat Panda 100 HP" seems to have a decent following as well. I'm not an owner but I definitely will become one sooner or later. It's a mystery to me why I like it so much, I'm not a hot (warm) hatch kind of guy, usually. Cool cars.

[rossmc88]

Ghost91 said:

Tap in FIAT PANDA UK PAGE

And you should find it

I'm not getting anything coming up when I search that

[Ghost91]

rossmc88 said:

I'm not getting anything coming up when I search that

I don't know then... It's definitely there

[Krikkit]

cheddar said:

rossmc88 said:

Was just a standard 1.2 clio but it had electrical issues and the head gasket went at 60k

Had a spin in a 172 clio but never floated my boat, didn't like the interior or driving position

Yep, seat's a bit high, can be changed with a little spannering.

I do love the Fiat 100hp too and I'd take one anyday over the Suzuki

I always wonder if the reason everyone says the seats are too high is because the seat adjuster is wound up to max - when I drove mine for the first time I thought it was mad, once I'd adjusted the seat base back down again you sit in a perfectly normal position for a hatchback, and the seat is extremely comfortable. The pedals are a bit of an odd angle, but there's not much you can do about that!

[rossmc88]

Ghost91 said:

I don't know then... It's definitely there

Sorry I was trying to find it through a google search as I don't have facebook

Need to figure out if a Fiat 500 wheel will fit on a Panda 100 HP