Panda 100hp Big Enough for a Young Family?
Discussion
Ved said:
I would also never use anything other than a rear facing ISOfix seat and that means a 5 door with a lot of space in the rear and even then you're only good for the first year. Rear facing seats are massive so kiss goodbye to anyone using the passenger seat in small cars.
Sorry, but that's nonsense.As I said - MK2 Clio 172 - no issues at all with a rear facing ISOFix seat (Recaro Young Profi Plus) or the front facing replacement (Recaro Young Sport).
No issues with anyone in the front either.
Same in our E46 5 door, which is not a big car. In fact, it feels like there's more room in the Clio.
Main pain with the clio is we couldn't fit our pram thing (Quinny Buzz) in the boot without removing the parcel shelf. That now stays in the E46, and we have a Maclaren Techno that fits in the Clio no worries.
FD3Si said:
Sorry, but that's nonsense.
As I said - MK2 Clio 172 - no issues at all with a rear facing ISOFix seat (Recaro Young Profi Plus) or the front facing replacement (Recaro Young Sport).
No issues with anyone in the front either.
Same in our E46 5 door, which is not a big car. In fact, it feels like there's more room in the Clio.
Main pain with the clio is we couldn't fit our pram thing (Quinny Buzz) in the boot without removing the parcel shelf. That now stays in the E46, and we have a Maclaren Techno that fits in the Clio no worries.
That is the smallest entry rear facer and the same size as I have with my Concord. My point made earlier is that the ones you will need to go for afterwards when your child outgrows it (which it will do well before 15 months) will mean a larger seat. A larger seat will not fit in a Clio. As I said - MK2 Clio 172 - no issues at all with a rear facing ISOFix seat (Recaro Young Profi Plus) or the front facing replacement (Recaro Young Sport).
No issues with anyone in the front either.
Same in our E46 5 door, which is not a big car. In fact, it feels like there's more room in the Clio.
Main pain with the clio is we couldn't fit our pram thing (Quinny Buzz) in the boot without removing the parcel shelf. That now stays in the E46, and we have a Maclaren Techno that fits in the Clio no worries.
It's from experience with a much bigger car.
My Forester has no issues with the first size of car seat but the ones for up to four years will simply not allow a passenger of anything taller than 5'8" or so on the front seat.
So my point to the OP it to think hard about the car for the next 3 years not the next 12 months.
So no. Not nonsense at all, sir, just good advice.
Ved said:
That is the smallest entry rear facer and the same size as I have with my Concord. My point made earlier is that the ones you will need to go for afterwards when your child outgrows it (which it will do well before 15 months) will mean a larger seat. A larger seat will not fit in a Clio.
It's from experience with a much bigger car.
My Forester has no issues with the first size of car seat but the ones for up to four years will simply not allow a passenger of anything taller than 5'8" or so on the front seat.
So my point to the OP it to think hard about the car for the next 3 years not the next 12 months.
So no. Not nonsense at all, sir, just good advice.
Did you miss the bit about us now using the next size up? Our little one is now 21 month and in a Recaro Young Sport which is a Grp 1-3 seat. No problems.It's from experience with a much bigger car.
My Forester has no issues with the first size of car seat but the ones for up to four years will simply not allow a passenger of anything taller than 5'8" or so on the front seat.
So my point to the OP it to think hard about the car for the next 3 years not the next 12 months.
So no. Not nonsense at all, sir, just good advice.
Not wanting to be petty, but you said an ISOFix seat wouldn't fit. My point is that it does if you choose the right one.
We are now nearly 2 years in with our Clio with no issues. Granted, if my other half was 6ft or so we'd have issues, but all I was trying to get across is that it's not a categorical 'no' in a small car. The right pram and seat, and a sensible approach, and even smallish cars have no issues
OP, I would suggest waiting until you know what you are having. No good getting a small car and then find out you're having twins (or triplets! 
) that could influence your decision.
Many people, of course, handle kids with small cars and that's fine, however it makes life easier with a larger car that you can just chuck things in rather than having to spend extra time on creative car packing!
) that could influence your decision.Many people, of course, handle kids with small cars and that's fine, however it makes life easier with a larger car that you can just chuck things in rather than having to spend extra time on creative car packing!
I have one of those seats that spins round for easy access (non-isofix) in my panda 100hp and with it in I find that at my huge height of 5'7" I am cramped in the front seat.
You can get a buggy in the boot but not a travel system, I would echo others and say that as a second/occasional car its fine, but if you have all the new born clutter and are hacking round seeing family etc then its too small.
Its also bouncy (beware car sickness) but on the plus side the rear windows are great for the kids to see out of as it doesn't have a silly high waistline (like my wife's car).
I guess it depends on what you do your 3k miles a year for as to what size car you'll need for what you are carrying.
You can get a buggy in the boot but not a travel system, I would echo others and say that as a second/occasional car its fine, but if you have all the new born clutter and are hacking round seeing family etc then its too small.
Its also bouncy (beware car sickness
) but on the plus side the rear windows are great for the kids to see out of as it doesn't have a silly high waistline (like my wife's car).I guess it depends on what you do your 3k miles a year for as to what size car you'll need for what you are carrying.
FD3Si said:
Did you miss the bit about us now using the next size up? Our little one is now 21 month and in a Recaro Young Sport which is a Grp 1-3 seat. No problems.
Not wanting to be petty, but you said an ISOFix seat wouldn't fit. My point is that it does if you choose the right one.
We are now nearly 2 years in with our Clio with no issues. Granted, if my other half was 6ft or so we'd have issues, but all I was trying to get across is that it's not a categorical 'no' in a small car. The right pram and seat, and a sensible approach, and even smallish cars have no issues
I'll clarfy, sorry writing this on the phone, I've been talking about rear facing seats. I wouldn't use a front facer which is why I mentioned it and if OP is starting a fresh then a rear facer from 12 months on will be a very tight fit and mean a front seat may be useless. Not wanting to be petty, but you said an ISOFix seat wouldn't fit. My point is that it does if you choose the right one.
We are now nearly 2 years in with our Clio with no issues. Granted, if my other half was 6ft or so we'd have issues, but all I was trying to get across is that it's not a categorical 'no' in a small car. The right pram and seat, and a sensible approach, and even smallish cars have no issues
With you going to a front facing illustrates how hard it is to juggle safety and practicality. It's an easier purchase, and the Recaros are very good, but I'd like to stay RF although I'm rapidly running out of cars that'll take one. Even the new C and E are looking like they're off the menu.
Edited by Ved on Wednesday 31st December 09:41
Thanks for the replies guys, some good ideas. Quite like the thought of the Fiesta ST, could probably live with 3 doors. No idea when we will have a little one fingers crossed will be 2015 so at theo just trying to think ahead. The best plan will be to get the MG leak free and run that up till the point we know what's going on.
God if its twins or more I think I will convince the wife to remortgage and get a defender....just to be safe
God if its twins or more I think I will convince the wife to remortgage and get a defender....just to be safe
Willy Nilly said:
how many little ones die per year, how many of those die in RTA's and how many of those wouldn't have died if they were in some fancy seating system?
Do you have kids?I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here as it sounds akin to the excuses people used for not wearing a seatbelt. It's highly unlikely you're going to be in an accident so why worry.
"Independent studies of real traffic accidents carried out by Volvo and Folksam show that your child, up to the age of 4 years, has a 5 times greater chance of surviving and/or avoiding serious injury if sitting rear facing rather than forward facing in the car. Traffic accident studies from Volvo show that amongst children sitting rear facing in the age group 0-4 years, only 8% was injured and needed medical assistance. For children sitting forward facing in the same age group, 40% of the children needed medical assistance.
Independent studies* of real traffic accidents show that your child, up to the age of 4 years, has a 5 times greater chance of surviving and/or avoiding serious injury if sitting rear facing rather than forward facing in the car.
- Source Volvo and Folksam"
As an owner on a 100HP with a little one myself I wouldn't really advise it as a family car. Ours is a low owner 58 plate with full history and 50K on the clock. It drives great as a fun car and was bought as a station car mainly for me to get to work.
It gets used rarely as a family car, the main reasons being its a bloody harsh suspension setup as standard, rear space is OK, but if your near or over 6 foot tall any rear passenger behind you or child seat has pretty limited space. The boot is OK and both our buggy and travel system pram fit fine but there is little room for anything else with either in it.
Easily achieves 30MPG no matter how hard I drive it and that's mainly stop start traffic. On a run 40MPGH is pretty much standard, also its a small tank so not got a huge range.
Interior quality is OK, but the steering wheel and gear stick \ surround can get tatty quickly. Also the seat material is not rubust enough for the daily abuse an older child will give it, the material is also hard to get and expensive to replace.
A few pics:
So for day to day family ferrying we use a 2002 SAAB 9-5 aero instead, it was a complete bargain at £1150 18 months ago, 1 previous owner, full SAAB history, 99K miles, HK audio system, electric everything and other than the usual service items and consumables the only bill it has thrown us was for a failed caliper. A good cheap and safe family carrier all round.
It gets used rarely as a family car, the main reasons being its a bloody harsh suspension setup as standard, rear space is OK, but if your near or over 6 foot tall any rear passenger behind you or child seat has pretty limited space. The boot is OK and both our buggy and travel system pram fit fine but there is little room for anything else with either in it.
Easily achieves 30MPG no matter how hard I drive it and that's mainly stop start traffic. On a run 40MPGH is pretty much standard, also its a small tank so not got a huge range.
Interior quality is OK, but the steering wheel and gear stick \ surround can get tatty quickly. Also the seat material is not rubust enough for the daily abuse an older child will give it, the material is also hard to get and expensive to replace.
A few pics:
So for day to day family ferrying we use a 2002 SAAB 9-5 aero instead, it was a complete bargain at £1150 18 months ago, 1 previous owner, full SAAB history, 99K miles, HK audio system, electric everything and other than the usual service items and consumables the only bill it has thrown us was for a failed caliper. A good cheap and safe family carrier all round.
Daston said:
Thanks for the replies guys, some good ideas. Quite like the thought of the Fiesta ST, could probably live with 3 doors. No idea when we will have a little one fingers crossed will be 2015 so at theo just trying to think ahead. The best plan will be to get the MG leak free and run that up till the point we know what's going on.
God if its twins or more I think I will convince the wife to remortgage and get a defender....just to be safe
Trust me on this, if you buy a 3-door car you will wish that you hadn't..We had a 3-door Civic Type R when my first child was born, getting the wee fella in and out of the back from the front door was a pain. Especially in a car park when you can't get the doors fully opened. It was enough for us to swap the Civic (which we liked otherwise) for a Golf Gti (which we didn't).God if its twins or more I think I will convince the wife to remortgage and get a defender....just to be safe
Edited by Wild Rumpus on Wednesday 31st December 10:56
Ved said:
Do you have kids?
I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here as it sounds akin to the excuses people used for not wearing a seatbelt. It's highly unlikely you're going to be in an accident so why worry.
"Independent studies of real traffic accidents carried out by Volvo and Folksam show that your child, up to the age of 4 years, has a 5 times greater chance of surviving and/or avoiding serious injury if sitting rear facing rather than forward facing in the car. Traffic accident studies from Volvo show that amongst children sitting rear facing in the age group 0-4 years, only 8% was injured and needed medical assistance. For children sitting forward facing in the same age group, 40% of the children needed medical assistance.
Independent studies* of real traffic accidents show that your child, up to the age of 4 years, has a 5 times greater chance of surviving and/or avoiding serious injury if sitting rear facing rather than forward facing in the car.
No I don't have kids.I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here as it sounds akin to the excuses people used for not wearing a seatbelt. It's highly unlikely you're going to be in an accident so why worry.
"Independent studies of real traffic accidents carried out by Volvo and Folksam show that your child, up to the age of 4 years, has a 5 times greater chance of surviving and/or avoiding serious injury if sitting rear facing rather than forward facing in the car. Traffic accident studies from Volvo show that amongst children sitting rear facing in the age group 0-4 years, only 8% was injured and needed medical assistance. For children sitting forward facing in the same age group, 40% of the children needed medical assistance.
Independent studies* of real traffic accidents show that your child, up to the age of 4 years, has a 5 times greater chance of surviving and/or avoiding serious injury if sitting rear facing rather than forward facing in the car.
- Source Volvo and Folksam"
Study by Volvo that trades on safety finds Volvos dead safe shocker
Website flogging child seats finds safety benefit in child seats shocker.
I'll ask again. How many children die each year, how many of those in RTA's as vehicle occupants and how many of those wouldn't have died if they were in fancy child seats? And I'll have independent figures thanks, just the cold, hard facts.
IIRC there was a chapter on child seats in Superfreakonomics and they found there was very little difference in KSI's, but it's a while since I read it.
People turn into risk averse idiots when children come along, spending they're whole life thinking of the children instead of, err, thinking. I'm not saying that we should go back to slinging the kids in the back of a MKI Escort van with no seats, but it seems to me that the current fashion of having expensive push chairs and car seats has had the knock on effect that a small person can no longer fit in a small car, so mummy and daddy now have to have a massive car that makes it more difficult to park and get in and out of because of the "safety" s
te. We've had a 100HP for a year and now have a four month old - the Panda is my wife's car and for her and Eric, it's perfect. The boot is large enough for his pram base (though we chose a relatively small Uppababy Cruz to fit in the boot, though it has other benefits elsewhere of getting around shops, cafes etc. better than a wider wheelbase pram) and using an old sheet to cover the muddy wheels, you can fit shopping or a few bags around it. The pram itself fits on the back seat next to the rear facing car seat and his nappy bag goes in the footwell behind the passenger seat.
The ride is hard, but he doesn't seem to mind and ours has the panoramic roof and tinted rear windows, he loves looking up back through the glass in the roof, plus the windows are big so even at four months, he can look out of the window.
We also use it on day trips when it is the three of us and have used it on short weekend trips when we need only take small bags. Longer trips to see the in laws mean we have to take some stuff, so we use our Octavia estate. The only issue we had on one trip was when the little one got a bit upset and my wife had to sit in the back with him. We didn't want to move his seat from the rear passenger side, so my wife had to sit behind me. I'm 6'3'', so there wasn't much room behind me, even though I pulled my seat forwards a bit. Otherwise, I find the Panda really roomy for a car of its size and have done trips to Scotland in comfort.
We could have bought something bigger, but the Panda is such a fun little car and is perfect for my other half - the visibility is good and it has parking sensors, there have been several times when we've been able to fit in spaces that others couldn't fit in. Plus in car parks, it is so small we can use the normal spaces with no issue rather than rely on getting a P&C space to get the little one in and out easily. The turning circle is ridiculously crap, but having had Fiat Coupes and Alfa Spiders, we're used to that.
If you are only doing 3k a year max, I would consider it. I think with two small children, you'd struggle.
The ride is hard, but he doesn't seem to mind and ours has the panoramic roof and tinted rear windows, he loves looking up back through the glass in the roof, plus the windows are big so even at four months, he can look out of the window.
We also use it on day trips when it is the three of us and have used it on short weekend trips when we need only take small bags. Longer trips to see the in laws mean we have to take some stuff, so we use our Octavia estate. The only issue we had on one trip was when the little one got a bit upset and my wife had to sit in the back with him. We didn't want to move his seat from the rear passenger side, so my wife had to sit behind me. I'm 6'3'', so there wasn't much room behind me, even though I pulled my seat forwards a bit. Otherwise, I find the Panda really roomy for a car of its size and have done trips to Scotland in comfort.
We could have bought something bigger, but the Panda is such a fun little car and is perfect for my other half - the visibility is good and it has parking sensors, there have been several times when we've been able to fit in spaces that others couldn't fit in. Plus in car parks, it is so small we can use the normal spaces with no issue rather than rely on getting a P&C space to get the little one in and out easily. The turning circle is ridiculously crap, but having had Fiat Coupes and Alfa Spiders, we're used to that.
If you are only doing 3k a year max, I would consider it. I think with two small children, you'd struggle.
I've read through the thread and I can't see why you want a Panda? Sure, you could get by with one at a push, but for the same money there will be lots of more practical cars that are just as much fun.
You can manage with one reasonable family car (e.g. a Golf). It does not need to be a Meriva / Picasso or some other horrible mummy-van, although the reason that these are popular is that they make loading a tad easier without having to duck under the roof.
You can manage with one reasonable family car (e.g. a Golf). It does not need to be a Meriva / Picasso or some other horrible mummy-van, although the reason that these are popular is that they make loading a tad easier without having to duck under the roof.
Willy Nilly said:
No I don't have kids.
Study by Volvo that trades on safety finds Volvos dead safe shocker
Website flogging child seats finds safety benefit in child seats shocker.
Is a report from Volvo and Folksam not sufficiently independent? Neither of them sell rear facing seats as far as I know. Not quite sure what your issue is with rear facing seats either, they seem to offer obvious benefit with little downside.Study by Volvo that trades on safety finds Volvos dead safe shocker
Website flogging child seats finds safety benefit in child seats shocker.
Daston said:
Hey Guys,
I currently have an MG ZS 180 which is a great car but tis a bit thirsty and has a few niggles (like letting rain water in).
I am thinking swaping it in for something newer around the 3-4k mark in the new year.
I am very tempted by the Panda 100hp, I like its quirky looks and sounds like it'll make a good fun run around.
Now here's the issue, we are looking to start a family asap and not sure a little super mini would be the best choice. We don't do many miles and walk to work probably no more than 3k a year if that.
Any thoughts?
I recently had a Panda rental, it was the newer/facelift model, quite new and wasn't too bad to drive. I currently have an MG ZS 180 which is a great car but tis a bit thirsty and has a few niggles (like letting rain water in).
I am thinking swaping it in for something newer around the 3-4k mark in the new year.
I am very tempted by the Panda 100hp, I like its quirky looks and sounds like it'll make a good fun run around.
Now here's the issue, we are looking to start a family asap and not sure a little super mini would be the best choice. We don't do many miles and walk to work probably no more than 3k a year if that.
Any thoughts?
However my main concern with the Panda if you're thinking about starting a family is the crash protection aspect. Personally I would think hard about putting my newborn in the back seat of any small supermini.
For £3-4k you can get something like a V50 which has the added bonus of easily fitting all family luggage in the boot and baby safely in the middle bit. Certainly something I would consider until the newborn is at least of an age where they're less "delicate".
Sorry if this has already been suggested, I didn't read the entire thread.
After singing the virtues of the xc70, I'm considering a panda...
We've now got two children. It would be my car as the wife has a 207sw. Would I be total mental to get a panda?
Often it's just me in the car, sometimes me and one of the kids (4yo and 6w) or both of them. If all 4 of us go out together we'd use her car.
Have a big 3 wheel buggy and 3 dogs too. Mostly we'd use her car but occasionally I might take any combination of kids/dogs in my car.
Mental?
We've now got two children. It would be my car as the wife has a 207sw. Would I be total mental to get a panda?
Often it's just me in the car, sometimes me and one of the kids (4yo and 6w) or both of them. If all 4 of us go out together we'd use her car.
Have a big 3 wheel buggy and 3 dogs too. Mostly we'd use her car but occasionally I might take any combination of kids/dogs in my car.
Mental?
I own one and have had it for around six months.
Plenty of space for two rear passangers and excellent headroom. Boot is woeful though.
I would say no. Also I agree the car is fun and Chuckable, but it has its gremlins such as oil drinking, road noise and other road users always want to overtake despite it being nippy.
I think it works well for a station / city car for me. But that's about it
Also the suspension is rock hard, I'm talking solid. And I had a lowered Z4M and M3 and I would say the Panda is firmer.
I have some coupe bumpstops waiting and I am still dithering about changing the rear dampers.
Thanks
EDIT the build quality when you shut the door and hear the thunk is on par with a more premium brand.
Easy to work on also.
Plenty of space for two rear passangers and excellent headroom. Boot is woeful though.
I would say no. Also I agree the car is fun and Chuckable, but it has its gremlins such as oil drinking, road noise and other road users always want to overtake despite it being nippy.
I think it works well for a station / city car for me. But that's about it
Also the suspension is rock hard, I'm talking solid. And I had a lowered Z4M and M3 and I would say the Panda is firmer.
I have some coupe bumpstops waiting and I am still dithering about changing the rear dampers.
Thanks
EDIT the build quality when you shut the door and hear the thunk is on par with a more premium brand.
Easy to work on also.
S10GTA said:
I'm considering a panda...
We've now got two children.... a big 3 wheel buggy and 3 dogs too. Mostly we'd use her car but occasionally I might take any combination of kids/dogs in my car.
3 chihuahuas might be doable. Massive pram will fill the boot if it fits at all. So it rather depends on the combination of kids/dogs you're thinking of.We've now got two children.... a big 3 wheel buggy and 3 dogs too. Mostly we'd use her car but occasionally I might take any combination of kids/dogs in my car.
Edited by TheInternet on Thursday 29th June 07:57
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