Fiat Panda 100HP - do I really want one?

[gtidriver]

I bought one in white with the sunroof and its on its way to me as i type,cant drive it till tomorrow though.Very excited.

[Papa Hotel]

Well I'm sold on the idea, I think it strikes an almost perfect balance between being small, holding stuff, being cheap and being fun.

Now... The wife.

[Lennaldo]

I'm sure you won't regret getting one, I had one from brand new for 2 years and it was great. It has all the makings of a great hot hatch except it could do with a touch more power. Though having said that the engine it has got suits the car down to the ground, in that it just begs to be revved. I still miss it now even though I've got the TVR!.

[Steve_F]

Papa Hotel said:

Now... The wife.

You're trading her in for the Panda??? How much are you hoping to get?

[sportwagen]

If the roads are crap around where you live/work be careful, the ride is very firm indeed.

[Chris71]

sportwagen said:

If the roads are crap around where you live/work be careful, the ride is very firm indeed.

And yet curiously bouncy at the same time...

They do have a rather strange ride, which you may or may not get on with, so it's worth going into the test drive with an open mind.

I'd say pros were:

• Surprising amount of boot space for its exterior dimensions (with the seats folded you can get a couple of bikes in there)
• Powertrain is reasonably quiet in 6th on the motorway
• Enough toys (bluetooth, decent stereo, air con etc.) to keep you entertained
• Good fun to fling around
• Economical and feels faster than it is
• Very safe (if that's a concern)

Cons:

• Curious ride
• Not the best looking interior
• Perhaps a little gutless on the motorway
• Still a distinctly small car if space is an issue

I looked at buying one myself and I've spent plenty of time in a mate's 100HP (much of it behind the wheel). Did a good job of snapping at the heels of far more exotic machinery over twisty B-roads on a PH hoon a while back!

Probably quite good value now. Although I really didn't get on with the ride the main thing that prevented me from buying one was that I'd have been looking at a new or nearly new dealer car back then. Now there are plenty on the used market it must be quite an appealing proposition.

Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 31st August 13:33

[Papa Hotel]

Steve_F said:

Papa Hotel said:

Now... The wife.

You're trading her in for the Panda??? How much are you hoping to get?

I was hoping to use her as full payment for the optional Pandamonium kit.

[Luke.]

Papa Hotel said:

Steve_F said:

Papa Hotel said:

Now... The wife.

You're trading her in for the Panda??? How much are you hoping to get?

I was hoping to use her as full payment for the optional Pandamonium kit.

Did you get one in the end?

I'm in a similar boat. Baby on the way and debating whether to sell the Boxster or not. This could mean I could have both

[Papa Hotel]

Luke. said:

Papa Hotel said:

Steve_F said:

Papa Hotel said:

Now... The wife.

You're trading her in for the Panda??? How much are you hoping to get?

I was hoping to use her as full payment for the optional Pandamonium kit.

Did you get one in the end?

I'm in a similar boat. Baby on the way and debating whether to sell the Boxster or not. This could mean I could have both

Yes, picked it up last Monday, I'll be sticking it in Readers' Cars when u get some pics. Actually off to Loch Ness for the weekend now, a practice for the NI trips. Glad to say it has swallowed everything!

[dylan0451]

Hi PH!

good purchase, only experience is driving the old ones but they were quite a capable car.

looking to move to edinburgh in the next month or so, what are the winters like?!

[hotmelt]

Congrats!

[Luke.]

Papa Hotel said:

Yes, picked it up last Monday, I'll be sticking it in Readers' Cars when u get some pics. Actually off to Loch Ness for the weekend now, a practice for the NI trips. Glad to say it has swallowed everything!

How did you find the buggy in the boot?

[243]

Chris71 said:

I'd say pros were:

• Very safe (if that's a concern)

Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 31st August 13:33

I wouldn't class euro NCAP 3 star as very safe.

[Papa Hotel]

Luke. said:

How did you find the buggy in the boot?

Fine. We have a Babystyle Oyster, it fits no problem.

We also have a Maclaren stroller, it doesn't fold down so cleverly so I either stick it upright behind my seat or fold the back seat forwards and have it sticking through from the boot. A more elegant solution would be to buy a car with a wider boot but really, it's fine.

[Luke.]

Papa Hotel said:

Fine. We have a Babystyle Oyster, it fits no problem.

We also have a Maclaren stroller, it doesn't fold down so cleverly so I either stick it upright behind my seat or fold the back seat forwards and have it sticking through from the boot. A more elegant solution would be to buy a car with a wider boot but really, it's fine.

Thanks, that's really useful.

[CO2000]

Papa Hotel said:

Luke. said:

How did you find the buggy in the boot?

Fine. We have a Babystyle Oyster, it fits no problem.

We also have a Maclaren stroller, it doesn't fold down so cleverly so I either stick it upright behind my seat or fold the back seat forwards and have it sticking through from the boot. A more elegant solution would be to buy a car with a wider boot but really, it's fine.

Has it got a trim panel on the side of the boot that can be removed to let a wide load in ? we remove one in our Mini to let a buggy fit.