Panda Twin Air
Discussion
Given the cost of diesel and the size of a Mondeo estate I’m toying with the idea of a cheap run around. I did put a deposit on an Ami but have decided it’s a little too compromised
So playing the autotrader game and looking at small cars the VW up was going to be the idea choice but maybe the character of a twin air Panda might be more fun. Or I can go all sensible and get an i10
For those of you that have or own a panda twin what do you think to it
Oh and the ones I’ve seen are way over 100k on the clock so must be reasonably reliable.
So playing the autotrader game and looking at small cars the VW up was going to be the idea choice but maybe the character of a twin air Panda might be more fun. Or I can go all sensible and get an i10
For those of you that have or own a panda twin what do you think to it
Oh and the ones I’ve seen are way over 100k on the clock so must be reasonably reliable.
stevemcs said:
Given the cost of diesel and the size of a Mondeo estate I’m toying with the idea of a cheap run around. I did put a deposit on an Ami but have decided it’s a little too compromised
So playing the autotrader game and looking at small cars the VW up was going to be the idea choice but maybe the character of a twin air Panda might be more fun. Or I can go all sensible and get an i10
For those of you that have or own a panda twin what do you think to it
Oh and the ones I’ve seen are way over 100k on the clock so must be reasonably reliable.
Having had a Punto courtesy car with this engine, it was fun, but long-geared and there was little below 2000rpm. I don't know how economical they are in real use.So playing the autotrader game and looking at small cars the VW up was going to be the idea choice but maybe the character of a twin air Panda might be more fun. Or I can go all sensible and get an i10
For those of you that have or own a panda twin what do you think to it
Oh and the ones I’ve seen are way over 100k on the clock so must be reasonably reliable.
My sister bought a Twinair 500 last year because she wanted a 500 that sounded like a real 500.
She really likes it. I've only driven it once but it definitely needs some revs to get going so I'm not sure how economical it would be although it was great fun!
No idea what mog she is getting, but it wouldn't mean much anyway as she lives in a London Borough so it's all short stop/start trips.
She really likes it. I've only driven it once but it definitely needs some revs to get going so I'm not sure how economical it would be although it was great fun!
No idea what mog she is getting, but it wouldn't mean much anyway as she lives in a London Borough so it's all short stop/start trips.
I prefer them in a Mito.Caddyshack said:
You can buy a lot of diesel for the modeo for the cost of the panda and insurance etc.
I know, but around town it averages 24mpg …. But it’s not all about saving money, I also have 10years ncb I need to use on something, around here parking spaces are so small the Mondeo only just fits.Then again I have been looking at Fiesta ST/Zetec S, although it needs to be a MK6
I've got the 105hp version in a Mito. They take a bit of getting used to and they drive a little bit like a diesel,but you can make good progress.
I average 40-42 to the gallon commuting 9 miles each way on country lanes. Not particularly trying at that either. It will get into the low 50s on a long run.
They need a particular oil, and watch out for weak clutches.
I average 40-42 to the gallon commuting 9 miles each way on country lanes. Not particularly trying at that either. It will get into the low 50s on a long run.
They need a particular oil, and watch out for weak clutches.
Edited by WelshPetrolhead on Sunday 20th November 23:16
I've had a Panda 1.2 of the current gen and a 1.0 60ps UP with around the same power.
The Up is a bit nicer inside and feels a bit better screwed together but the panda is more fun and quirky.
Up is quite rolly around the corners where the Panda despite it's taller dimensions cornered flatter.
Theres always the Panda 100hp of the prev gen if you want something with a bit more go (had one as my first car for 4 years and it was fantastic).
The Up is a bit nicer inside and feels a bit better screwed together but the panda is more fun and quirky.
Up is quite rolly around the corners where the Panda despite it's taller dimensions cornered flatter.
Theres always the Panda 100hp of the prev gen if you want something with a bit more go (had one as my first car for 4 years and it was fantastic).
I had a 4x4 twinair in green, really enjoyed it the engine has character but shame 1st gear is low and it doesn't seem to rev out like a twin should. I average 40mpg and don't even think about using the eco button!
Once past first few gears it was fun keeping it fizzing, unfortunately it was slow off the line so was regular occurrence to get taken at the lights only for them to slow you down for the rest of the journey
Once past first few gears it was fun keeping it fizzing, unfortunately it was slow off the line so was regular occurrence to get taken at the lights only for them to slow you down for the rest of the journey
I have a Panda 4x4 Twin Air and it is an odd engine. 85hp and 140NM it feels faster than you think it should be, the torque when it boosts is impressive. The gearing is well spread, considering the short first gear. It’s very comfortable on the motorway.
However, it isn’t economical - it does about 34-40 mpg, with 40 being an effort. For such a small engine and compared to the book figure, it is poor. It seems to do better on a long run, with 47 being the best I’ve had.
Mine is quite rough too, when it comes on boost, around peak torque, 1900 rpm, it is very unrefined, it makes getting peak efficiency very uncomfortable.
However, it isn’t economical - it does about 34-40 mpg, with 40 being an effort. For such a small engine and compared to the book figure, it is poor. It seems to do better on a long run, with 47 being the best I’ve had.
Mine is quite rough too, when it comes on boost, around peak torque, 1900 rpm, it is very unrefined, it makes getting peak efficiency very uncomfortable.
I'm on my second Panda Cross 4x4 Twinair. I recently traded exactly the same car for this one as it's a keeper and one of the last batch. They are a brilliant engine with character and a great sound. As far as economy is concerned, I get around 48mpg without any issue on a 30 mile each way single carriageway A/B road commute and a bit less on motorways at a 70 mph run.
I'm keeping this one until I'm dead and can't imagine being without it. If it was the Panda or the M4 then bye bye M4. If I could have only 1 car in future, then I'd keep the Panda.
As you can tell I love them. I still miss my old 100HP but recently bought an Abarth 595 also to keep.
I'm keeping this one until I'm dead and can't imagine being without it. If it was the Panda or the M4 then bye bye M4. If I could have only 1 car in future, then I'd keep the Panda.
As you can tell I love them. I still miss my old 100HP but recently bought an Abarth 595 also to keep.
roscopervis said:
I have a Panda 4x4 Twin Air and it is an odd engine. 85hp and 140NM it feels faster than you think it should be, the torque when it boosts is impressive. The gearing is well spread, considering the short first gear. It’s very comfortable on the motorway.
However, it isn’t economical - it does about 34-40 mpg, with 40 being an effort. For such a small engine and compared to the book figure, it is poor. It seems to do better on a long run, with 47 being the best I’ve had.
Mine is quite rough too, when it comes on boost, around peak torque, 1900 rpm, it is very unrefined, it makes getting peak efficiency very uncomfortable.
That really is bad fuel consumption for a small engine. Our 140hp cooper 2.0 turbo diesel does 48 mpg however hard you drive it…that is a heavy car and lots more power.However, it isn’t economical - it does about 34-40 mpg, with 40 being an effort. For such a small engine and compared to the book figure, it is poor. It seems to do better on a long run, with 47 being the best I’ve had.
Mine is quite rough too, when it comes on boost, around peak torque, 1900 rpm, it is very unrefined, it makes getting peak efficiency very uncomfortable.
Recently bought a 4x4 Twin Air. It's a likable little car in a simple, chunky charming kind of way. I'm not totally convinced by the engine though. I find it a bit diesel like for my tastes. It has a narrow power band and doesn't really like revs so I tend to drive it very much in the 2-4k kind of range even when 'making progress'. I don't really know what I should have expected but for some reason I thought it was going to be a bit more thrashy. In all honesty I haven't really driven many other cars like this so I've no idea when this sits in the admirable small engine department.
Fuel economy is highly unremarkable. 35mpg on our 7 mile hilly school run. Can eek closer to 50mpg out of it on a longer run which isn't terrible but certainly nothing special. £30 per year tax is most welcome though.
Fuel economy is highly unremarkable. 35mpg on our 7 mile hilly school run. Can eek closer to 50mpg out of it on a longer run which isn't terrible but certainly nothing special. £30 per year tax is most welcome though.
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