Panda 100HP Questions
Discussion
I'm recently back from Italy, where I hired a boggo nuovo Panda (1.2 petrol) for a trip down to Sant'Agata Bolognese and Maranello 
Thought it was an excellent little car, well built and much more refined on the autostrade than I imagined.
I quite like the look of the 100HP version, and know they've had great reviews - other than the issue of the bouncy ride. Are there any aftermarket springs/modifications available that solve this issue? Roads round where I live aren't great (are they anywhere?!) and I don't fancy boinging along too much.
Also, as an aside, would any of the wheels available for the 500 fit the Panda?
Cheers.
Thought it was an excellent little car, well built and much more refined on the autostrade than I imagined.I quite like the look of the 100HP version, and know they've had great reviews - other than the issue of the bouncy ride. Are there any aftermarket springs/modifications available that solve this issue? Roads round where I live aren't great (are they anywhere?!) and I don't fancy boinging along too much.
Also, as an aside, would any of the wheels available for the 500 fit the Panda?
Cheers.
Wrote this a month in to my ownership
I've always like small Fiats. I was hankering after a Cinquecento Sporting when I first passed my test, around 11 years ago, but after my Dad applied 'the knock test' to the front wings, he said I should be piloting something with a bit more heft, and a Mk3 Astra became my College wheels.
Fast forward a number of years and with a mortgage, sudden jump in petrol and heating costs, and a sick M3 Evo (the dredded Vanos!), I decided to take a loan and grab a slice of 'economy' motoring to replace the M3.
To be fair, I could have gone for something like a Focus tdi, or back to the Honda stable whilst reminising my beloved Integra R, but there was something about this funky little Panda that kept my eye, and triggered a desire to own one. Maybe it was the chunky good looks, the fact that it is fun to hustle around, or that with an out lay of £7000 for this 5000 mile example, I could halve my fuel costs, halve my insurance, reduce my tax, service costs, and have a laugh at the same time. I also liked the fact that it is much rarer than it's competitors like the mini one. I'd certainly never seen one on the road.
After picking up the car in the early evening, I went on a 120 mile drive later that night, ending up at the top end of the Peak District. With 'sport' illuminated on the dash, the steering feel heavier, and the throttle giving a more instant response, I concluded that the Panda was a good laugh when out for a play, and was satisfying to drive too. You have to extract every last bit of power, and conserve energy by scooting around corners and reading the road. This is the driving I love, and although the M3 was entertaining on these rollercoaster roads, it was somehow too easy, and you could find yourself going too fast. A squirt of the throttle opening up those 6 large butterfly throttle bodies, a roar of induction, and you were down the road swiftly, and the big Pilot Sports give huge grip.
The Panda copes well in and around town, darting in and out of traffic, and the slick 6-speed box is nice and direct, providing ratios that allow needed nippness around city centres. The only hole in it's armour really is the ride. It's firm. Broken surfaces rumble through the structure, manhole covers crash the suspension, and quicker roads containing bumps will have you feeling sympathy for the bump stops. But I don't mind that too much, it's part of the character of the car, and I can trade in the bouncing around, for the Panda's ability to please when the roads get quick and twisty, and the frugalness of the commute.
I recently took 3 extra passengers and their luggage (2 girls btw) down to Newquay, Cornwall for a surfing weekend. The little Fiat coped brilliantly. It was frugal on the motorway delivering around 35mpg at 80mph, never really feeling underpowered, and swallowed all the luggage that was asked of it. The standard MP3 player meant that my mix cd accompanied us all the way there and part of the way back too.
Of course I do miss the stonk and rwd action of the bahnstormer, but the chance to drive the other cars in the family more than make up for this. Once I sell the M3, there is room for something a bit more specialised, maybe even something of the two wheeled variety.
To sum up:
+ Fun, practical and cheap to run warmhatch
- Likes to pogo, thrash needed to dash
Now swapped for an S2000, but enjoyed owning the Panda for 6months.
I've always like small Fiats. I was hankering after a Cinquecento Sporting when I first passed my test, around 11 years ago, but after my Dad applied 'the knock test' to the front wings, he said I should be piloting something with a bit more heft, and a Mk3 Astra became my College wheels.
Fast forward a number of years and with a mortgage, sudden jump in petrol and heating costs, and a sick M3 Evo (the dredded Vanos!), I decided to take a loan and grab a slice of 'economy' motoring to replace the M3.
To be fair, I could have gone for something like a Focus tdi, or back to the Honda stable whilst reminising my beloved Integra R, but there was something about this funky little Panda that kept my eye, and triggered a desire to own one. Maybe it was the chunky good looks, the fact that it is fun to hustle around, or that with an out lay of £7000 for this 5000 mile example, I could halve my fuel costs, halve my insurance, reduce my tax, service costs, and have a laugh at the same time. I also liked the fact that it is much rarer than it's competitors like the mini one. I'd certainly never seen one on the road.
After picking up the car in the early evening, I went on a 120 mile drive later that night, ending up at the top end of the Peak District. With 'sport' illuminated on the dash, the steering feel heavier, and the throttle giving a more instant response, I concluded that the Panda was a good laugh when out for a play, and was satisfying to drive too. You have to extract every last bit of power, and conserve energy by scooting around corners and reading the road. This is the driving I love, and although the M3 was entertaining on these rollercoaster roads, it was somehow too easy, and you could find yourself going too fast. A squirt of the throttle opening up those 6 large butterfly throttle bodies, a roar of induction, and you were down the road swiftly, and the big Pilot Sports give huge grip.
The Panda copes well in and around town, darting in and out of traffic, and the slick 6-speed box is nice and direct, providing ratios that allow needed nippness around city centres. The only hole in it's armour really is the ride. It's firm. Broken surfaces rumble through the structure, manhole covers crash the suspension, and quicker roads containing bumps will have you feeling sympathy for the bump stops. But I don't mind that too much, it's part of the character of the car, and I can trade in the bouncing around, for the Panda's ability to please when the roads get quick and twisty, and the frugalness of the commute.
I recently took 3 extra passengers and their luggage (2 girls btw) down to Newquay, Cornwall for a surfing weekend. The little Fiat coped brilliantly. It was frugal on the motorway delivering around 35mpg at 80mph, never really feeling underpowered, and swallowed all the luggage that was asked of it. The standard MP3 player meant that my mix cd accompanied us all the way there and part of the way back too.
Of course I do miss the stonk and rwd action of the bahnstormer, but the chance to drive the other cars in the family more than make up for this. Once I sell the M3, there is room for something a bit more specialised, maybe even something of the two wheeled variety.
To sum up:
+ Fun, practical and cheap to run warmhatch
- Likes to pogo, thrash needed to dash
Now swapped for an S2000, but enjoyed owning the Panda for 6months.
The problem is the wheel travel. It doesn't take much at all to have it on the bumpstops, so I think it'd be even worse with stiffer springs. Possibly some progressive stops may help.
EVO mag had a Panda 100hp as a long termer. Have a look at Meaden's reports on EVO.co.uk and seach 'fiat panda'. A few months later they had one on test fitted with Cobra springs IIRC. They said it was no better, but more crashy.
Its an infectious little car, the Panda. If you like revvy small cars that corner on rails and have the potential to show up more powerful machinery, whilst being able to drive them at 10/10ths without going far too fast, then grab a test drive!
EVO mag had a Panda 100hp as a long termer. Have a look at Meaden's reports on EVO.co.uk and seach 'fiat panda'. A few months later they had one on test fitted with Cobra springs IIRC. They said it was no better, but more crashy.
Its an infectious little car, the Panda. If you like revvy small cars that corner on rails and have the potential to show up more powerful machinery, whilst being able to drive them at 10/10ths without going far too fast, then grab a test drive!
Edited by joesnow on Thursday 10th September 10:22
I've had my 100HP for about 18 months now, and it's just clicked over 32,000 miles. I have to say that it feels solid, well built and sturdy. The ride is a bit firm, but I've never found it a problem, except going over those horrible 'sharp' speed bumps! It handles well and is nicely predictable. It's comfy, quiet(ish), good spec for the money and it's huge fun. There's also a suprising amount of room for rear passengers.
Mine does burn a bit of oil - nothing serious - but something it's worth keeping an eye on if you get one.
Mine does burn a bit of oil - nothing serious - but something it's worth keeping an eye on if you get one.
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