Dull car alert - Fiat Panda
Discussion
Alright, I have been hounded for months to take some pictures of my car and put them on here. I eventually remembered to take some when there was some daylight, the only problems being that I forgot to take my car keys outside with me, and my camera was pretty much out of battery. I couldn't be bothered to go and fetch the keys, so I took some pictures through the windows instead 
(Edit - turns out the file size of the pictures through the windows are too big, so I will add them later. A lucky escape for you all )
Right so here is the Beast, the Italian Stallion, the Weapon... etc etc. Bear in mind that it is my first car so cheap running costs and cheap insurance are the order of the day here.
It was the poor mans version of an epic barn find, the only differences were that it wasn't a find (family friend selling it) and it wasn't in a barn. It was on a drive. Buuuuut it had only done 300 miles in the last 3 years since the previous owner bought it, so it was a bit creaky and crusty, and a low milage car considering its age.
The was a bit of rust on the rear suspension which we tidied up, and the rear tyres were split and had chunks missing so we got them replaced. Once the car had a good clean and a few runs, it was just hunky-dory.
So here's the pics. Brace yourselves, this is a truly beautiful motor vehicle.
The eagle-eyed viewer may spot that the two front seats are different colours. The cretin who originally bought this car specced some baby blue seats for it, which are possibly the most horrific things on earth. I got some custom-fit seat covers to cover up the ongoing tragedy within, but I have only put one in so far. The covers are black with red piping, not particularly hideous but they are only to disguise the horror. I will order the same covers for the rear seats when I can be bothered.
That's about it for now, feel free to tell me how this doesn't belong on PH
(Edit - turns out the file size of the pictures through the windows are too big, so I will add them later. A lucky escape for you all )Right so here is the Beast, the Italian Stallion, the Weapon... etc etc. Bear in mind that it is my first car so cheap running costs and cheap insurance are the order of the day here.
It was the poor mans version of an epic barn find, the only differences were that it wasn't a find (family friend selling it) and it wasn't in a barn. It was on a drive. Buuuuut it had only done 300 miles in the last 3 years since the previous owner bought it, so it was a bit creaky and crusty, and a low milage car considering its age.
The was a bit of rust on the rear suspension which we tidied up, and the rear tyres were split and had chunks missing so we got them replaced. Once the car had a good clean and a few runs, it was just hunky-dory.
So here's the pics. Brace yourselves, this is a truly beautiful motor vehicle.
The eagle-eyed viewer may spot that the two front seats are different colours. The cretin who originally bought this car specced some baby blue seats for it, which are possibly the most horrific things on earth. I got some custom-fit seat covers to cover up the ongoing tragedy within, but I have only put one in so far. The covers are black with red piping, not particularly hideous but they are only to disguise the horror. I will order the same covers for the rear seats when I can be bothered.
That's about it for now, feel free to tell me how this doesn't belong on PH
Edited by Norbury90 on Monday 2nd January 20:50
Plenty of people on PH have Pandas, though the 100HP is obviously favoured more.
I have A MultiJet diesel - it's a genuinely great little car. It's surprising what progress you can make in one when using the torque available, and it never does less than 55mpg on a tank, and most of my driving is pretty stop start urban stuff.
mine will need a clutch soon, and I'll likely be fitting an uprated one and then having it re-mapped.
Should be quite entertaining then, might even go to some meets!
I have A MultiJet diesel - it's a genuinely great little car. It's surprising what progress you can make in one when using the torque available, and it never does less than 55mpg on a tank, and most of my driving is pretty stop start urban stuff.
mine will need a clutch soon, and I'll likely be fitting an uprated one and then having it re-mapped.
Should be quite entertaining then, might even go to some meets!
morgrp said:
Best car fiat has made for years and years - simple, cheap, characterful, well specced and very practical for the size - i followed a very handsome silver panda 100hp back from Cromer last night with a ph sticker in the window - nice motor if you're reading this!
Disagree with that. I had a 2001 Fiat Punto Sporting for 4 years and it was a great little car. Fanatastic looking and didn't put a foot wrong in that time. I like the Fiat Panda. Others do too, so my response to the OP's dumbing it down is to stop and enjoy the motoring freedom that a car brings
jamiebae said:
You think the blue seats are bad!? The only other choice at the time was mustard yellow! I had one of the first ones brand new in 2004 and ran it for 4 years and 45k between me and my OH without a single problem. Great cars, and I prefer them to the 500 we replaced it with actually.
Ah, I was not aware of this. I have seen other colours on other Pandas, but never realised that they were only introduced later. What were Fiat thinking?? Jesus. My car is an 04 also and has done 36k so hopefully will be good for a while yet!Thanks for your support chaps
Norbury90 said:
Ah, I was not aware of this. I have seen other colours on other Pandas, but never realised that they were only introduced later. What were Fiat thinking?? Jesus. My car is an 04 also and has done 36k so hopefully will be good for a while yet!
Thanks for your support chaps
Early Dynamics had the option of blue or mustard trim, nothing else, and the base spec Active had cloth designed to look like it had water droplets on it, also in blue or yellow. Colourful interiors are popular in Europe and they obviously didn't pay too much attention to the UK market when deciding what to offer!Thanks for your support chaps
I have a 4x4 in the same colour....just bought it for the snow but it's really grown on me and I reckon it could be the new daily driver for the next year or two....fantastic little car....could just do with another gear for long motorway journeys....mechanical sympathy has me sticking to 4k rpm which is about 75.
Norbury90 said:
Ah, I was not aware of this. I have seen other colours on other Pandas, but never realised that they were only introduced later. What were Fiat thinking?? Jesus. My car is an 04 also and has done 36k so hopefully will be good for a while yet!
Thanks for your support chaps
It could be much worse - this is what I had:Thanks for your support chaps
I had the same view as you when I first got the car but over two years I definitely warmed to it.
Considering I am already bored of the car I have had for three months it must have had some charm!
Just remember to keep the revs up - you wont go any faster but it will somehow feel in keeping with the car!
Oh and good look if you need to change a headlight...
Skylinecrazy said:
You finally have a car 
looks clean mate and as you know there's not much we can do at our age with insurance costs!
Get your arse to Oulton soon!
(I know it's January)
Oh yes mate the car is clean as a whistle, it just had a few niggles associated with it being stood for 3 years. The front tyres are shot at the moment so will need to get them sorted at some point too. looks clean mate and as you know there's not much we can do at our age with insurance costs!Get your arse to Oulton soon!
(I know it's January)
Will get to Oulton when the is something decent on... BTCC...
That yellow colour is ghastly, i'm almost pleased to have the blue!!
FG, a Cortina might not be great but I wouldn't mind a Dodge Viper! Will have to see what I can scrape together in a few years
Bought one of mine a Panda as their first car and actually I absolutely love bombing around in out, and I'll admit to being very lucky and having a few more conventional 'nicer' choices in the drive. Great first car, treat it well though as we rag ours down the drive far too fast and generally put it through its paces and it is beginning to show some signs of ageing.
Targarama said:
Tiny city cars are one of the best kept secrets in motoring. While Tiff and Jeremy harp on about AMG M5s they forget that you have to be doing 100mph before you have any fun. You can have a right laugh in a city car at 30mph.
See my profile for evidence
I have no idea how people manage to get 40mpg out of 100HPs, I struggle to ever see 40mpg and mine is the 1.1! Perhaps it has something to do with my driving style... i'm going to need some new front tyres before long...See my profile for evidence
PS. Nice car!!
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