595 Comp to a Panda Cross - madness?
Discussion
Confession: I've an unhealthy obsession with the Panda 4x4 and laterally the Panda Cross. 
I've owned my 595 Comp for 2.5yrs for new and have thoroughly enjoyed it, recently the lack of CV19 induced use and the jarring ride when I do use are making my cast my eye elsewhere.
Which has led me to revisit something I've long lusted after..
Would this be a ridiculous idea of epic, financially ruinous proportions?
My commute, such as it is, is 25miles ea. way of A-road, with very little opportunity to overtake on a surface that is far from ideal.
As my wife pointed out, on the rare occasion I go for a 'proper' drive I can always hire a car as a treat.
I've owned my 595 Comp for 2.5yrs for new and have thoroughly enjoyed it, recently the lack of CV19 induced use and the jarring ride when I do use are making my cast my eye elsewhere.
Which has led me to revisit something I've long lusted after..
Would this be a ridiculous idea of epic, financially ruinous proportions?
My commute, such as it is, is 25miles ea. way of A-road, with very little opportunity to overtake on a surface that is far from ideal.
As my wife pointed out, on the rare occasion I go for a 'proper' drive I can always hire a car as a treat.
TheFungle said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Possibly. However, I'd argue that I've enjoyed the sense of occasion that owning a 595 gives but not necessarily it's ability as a drivers car, I don't think it's a model I'd re-visit but would look but on it with fondness.
We've been looking at adding a practical and small car for going into town or for city trips. The Abarth is one we're considering. I do like the Comp but feel the Turismo seats and the softer suspension might be a bit more civilised. We'd like something that can zoom around a busy city centre, that can take advantage of small parking spaces but can also cope with longer motorway trips. We'd like to try to make the 'getting there' enjoyable.
I can imagine the Panda would be much more practical but the two are, perhaps, chalk and cheese, being very task specific cars serving very different niches? We wrote the Panda off, and most of the other small cars for that matter, as being too 'granny' for our needs, whether that's a little unfair?
My wife had a panda 4x4 and I used to take it for 4wd drift in the snow. It was epic! Not too much power, skinny tyres...
Otherwise, the car was really slow (0-60 is over 12s!!!), noisy (she had the twin air - the diesel is even worse), hopeless on motorway (top speed is around 100mph, it is not designed to do 60mph+ for long), the ride is comfortable but not great (it still crashes on potholes), the handling is poor (it is fairly high and narrow), the seats are not that comfortable, the mpg is poor (42mpg-mainly B roads).
This car is designed to be driven in harsh condition for less than 20miles. I would not recommend it unless you live in the highlands or somewhere really remote with snow/mud.
Otherwise, the car was really slow (0-60 is over 12s!!!), noisy (she had the twin air - the diesel is even worse), hopeless on motorway (top speed is around 100mph, it is not designed to do 60mph+ for long), the ride is comfortable but not great (it still crashes on potholes), the handling is poor (it is fairly high and narrow), the seats are not that comfortable, the mpg is poor (42mpg-mainly B roads).
This car is designed to be driven in harsh condition for less than 20miles. I would not recommend it unless you live in the highlands or somewhere really remote with snow/mud.
Edited by paddy1970 on Tuesday 11th August 16:15
caterhamboy said:
Have you thought about a mito, we picked up a 16 plate twinair for 7k last yr with low mileage. Can honestly say i'm quiet taken with it.
Get 45 mpg and is full of character. It is flawed is someways but is good fun to punt along at speed limits.
TBH if I don't go for a ridiculous Panda I'll be looking at a wide range of cars inc. Ford Puma, 306 XSi and an ND MX-5.Get 45 mpg and is full of character. It is flawed is someways but is good fun to punt along at speed limits.
I'm definitely in a 'WTF car next' phase at the moment
TheFungle said:
Great point.
I'm not overly fond of the 124's looks and most reports of it's handling would suggest that the ND would suit me more.
I'm not overly fond of the 124's looks and most reports of it's handling would suggest that the ND would suit me more.
Thanks - it was only a suggestion. Though having tried (i.e test-driven) some new ND MX5s, both hard & soft-topped, but failed to like either of them before buying the Abarth, my quest concluded differently.
Whilst I did like the NC better, and Questions of Beauty will always remain In The Eye of the Beholder, I've heard vulgar Americans refer to an ND as 'The Cockroach'....
CostaBrava1972 said:
TheFungle said:
Great point.
I'm not overly fond of the 124's looks and most reports of it's handling would suggest that the ND would suit me more.
I'm not overly fond of the 124's looks and most reports of it's handling would suggest that the ND would suit me more.
Thanks - it was only a suggestion. Though having tried (i.e test-driven) some new ND MX5s, both hard & soft-topped, but failed to like either of them before buying the Abarth, my quest concluded differently.
Whilst I did like the NC better, and Questions of Beauty will always remain In The Eye of the Beholder, I've heard vulgar Americans refer to an ND as 'The Cockroach'....
The 124 is a car that I <should> like and I would argue it's the natural continuation of the NC and that it's the ND that looks 'different'.
I did test drive an ND recently and really enjoyed it as it reminded me in a positive way of my NC. As you can tell I'm in car quandary right now.
Squadrone Rosso said:
Panda Cross coped easily with 220 mile trips to Croydon. Zero issue with the speed & quiet enough.
Only the small fuel tank let it down.
Easily as accomplished as my 595. Twinair was a belting little engine.
At OP, any update?
I had an enjoyable test drive, I love the Twin Air engine and I have to say, the supple suspension was more enjoyable than the Comp over my commute road which I test drove. Only the small fuel tank let it down.
Easily as accomplished as my 595. Twinair was a belting little engine.
At OP, any update?
But....and isn't there always a but, whilst the seats are more comfortable and the driving position suits, I've a fairly major concern at the (complete) lack of lumber support. Without a ridiculous length test drive there is no real way of knowing how much of an issue that would be for me.
I really, really want this car to work for me but not at the expense of comfort and the subsequent financial ruin!
Interestingly, the finance on a Comp is far, far more competitive than on the Panda, poor future values are a real handicap.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff