Panda 100hp - Any owners/experiences?
Discussion
Not for me, for my mother who has rather strict criteria when it comes to cars... has to be 5 doors, has to be cheap to run, look quite sporty, easy to get in an out, just as quick/economical as her current 1.4 16v Clio. She's not interested in the likes of the new Clio, Corsa or Fiesta for reasons that only make sense to her however she was rather taken by the Mazda 2 Sport, but not the £10k asking price for a 59 model in a local dealer.
But, she's just back from her holidays where she had a Panda 4x4 for a few days and seems to have decided she liked it however wasn't taken with the bargain basement styling not rather low spec inside. Hence, the little 100hp seems to tick quite a few boxes for her and having found a rather nice 3yr example with 20k for a shade over £5000, the price is well within budget too.
However, I will hold my hands up and say I have never been in a Panda and nor do I know what they're like in terms of reliability, common fault issues, repair costs, running costs and what they're like to live with on a daily basis? Reviews on line seem to be limited to new roadtests only. So, if anybody has or had a 100hp or has had any experience of them, I'd be very grateful to hear your thoughts be it good or bad before she toddles off to look at one this week.
Thanks in advance
But, she's just back from her holidays where she had a Panda 4x4 for a few days and seems to have decided she liked it however wasn't taken with the bargain basement styling not rather low spec inside. Hence, the little 100hp seems to tick quite a few boxes for her and having found a rather nice 3yr example with 20k for a shade over £5000, the price is well within budget too.
However, I will hold my hands up and say I have never been in a Panda and nor do I know what they're like in terms of reliability, common fault issues, repair costs, running costs and what they're like to live with on a daily basis? Reviews on line seem to be limited to new roadtests only. So, if anybody has or had a 100hp or has had any experience of them, I'd be very grateful to hear your thoughts be it good or bad before she toddles off to look at one this week.
Thanks in advance
I've had my 100HP for about 16 months, so far it seems like a great little car, dealer oil services are about £120, but the oil filter can be purchased from the dealer for about £30, or Euro car parts for a tad less. I bought mine on a 10 plate, and have covered 17000 miles so far. The only real niggle that I have found so far is the CD player has stopped ejecting CDs. To actually eject the CD I have to mildly bash the top of the mouth to get any CDs out.
The standard kit is very good for such as small cheap 'city' car, Bluetooth enabled (depending on the date of registration for some of the 100HPs), MP3 CD Player, so can read a 700Mb CD in MP3 format, totaling up to around 150 tracks. The radio is quite good, and the controls on the steering wheel help a lot, with volume, track and telephone answer buttons. The Bluetooth enables stereo has voice recognition software to say the name of the person you want to call, such as 'John Doe'.
The seats are comfortable for longish journeys although the suspension may not be. Mine came with ABS as standard, as they all do these days, but no ESP.
The mpg is relatively good as long as you are not too lead-footed, offering around 45 to the gallon on longer trips, around 20 miles each, with the sport mode off. Sport mode is quite good as it reduces the ridiculously loose feeling in the steering and can give better acceleration.
Things to look out for would be things like chips on the fog light panels or the fog lights, any bonnet chips, and also tyre wear, as they can get quite lairy on the corners and roundabouts, thus tyre wear on something like this could be an issue. I've got Goodyear Eagle F1s up front and Toyo Proxes at the rear. The Eagle F1s cost around £100 for a pair and have lasted for around 5000 and still have loads of tread left as I have gotten used to the car more. The Toyos are taking their time to wear out as well, with about 7000-10000 miles on them with about 4-5mm left.
If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask
Ayman
The standard kit is very good for such as small cheap 'city' car, Bluetooth enabled (depending on the date of registration for some of the 100HPs), MP3 CD Player, so can read a 700Mb CD in MP3 format, totaling up to around 150 tracks. The radio is quite good, and the controls on the steering wheel help a lot, with volume, track and telephone answer buttons. The Bluetooth enables stereo has voice recognition software to say the name of the person you want to call, such as 'John Doe'.
The seats are comfortable for longish journeys although the suspension may not be. Mine came with ABS as standard, as they all do these days, but no ESP.
The mpg is relatively good as long as you are not too lead-footed, offering around 45 to the gallon on longer trips, around 20 miles each, with the sport mode off. Sport mode is quite good as it reduces the ridiculously loose feeling in the steering and can give better acceleration.
Things to look out for would be things like chips on the fog light panels or the fog lights, any bonnet chips, and also tyre wear, as they can get quite lairy on the corners and roundabouts, thus tyre wear on something like this could be an issue. I've got Goodyear Eagle F1s up front and Toyo Proxes at the rear. The Eagle F1s cost around £100 for a pair and have lasted for around 5000 and still have loads of tread left as I have gotten used to the car more. The Toyos are taking their time to wear out as well, with about 7000-10000 miles on them with about 4-5mm left.
If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask
Ayman
I forgot to mention, that they are quite rare cars, in terms of seeing other Pandas out on the road. Your mother should be fine with the suspension set up, as a neighbour of mine was so delighted with the way the car looked, and sounded, that just on an off chance of talking to him; he went and bought one for his wife a couple of days later in the lovely metallic blue with the large mirrors. It's beautiful. Oh and she is about 65-70 and still rocking about in it, bloody fantastic.
Get your mother to test drive one first, the ride is a bit choppy/bouncy for some.
I got mine last September brand new as most of them are the basic (very good)spec ie no options I got skydome and side airbags. My intention was to use it as a school run car but I use it all the time, it's been abroad a few times and I'm taking it to the ring next month. I've covered 22300 miles with it's first service at 12000 costing £150. It's used no oil and over that mileage I've averaged 39.8mpg and I drive it briskly most of the time.
It can take four adults quite comfortably but you wouldn't want to go any major distance as it's quite small inside.
Warranty claims nil but will be a new gear knob as the leather has split on the gaiter.
Search for the sunroof option'd cars as it's quite dark inside without. The 100hp only has 4seatbelts as well. Not sure on the rest of the range. Cheers.
I got mine last September brand new as most of them are the basic (very good)spec ie no options I got skydome and side airbags. My intention was to use it as a school run car but I use it all the time, it's been abroad a few times and I'm taking it to the ring next month. I've covered 22300 miles with it's first service at 12000 costing £150. It's used no oil and over that mileage I've averaged 39.8mpg and I drive it briskly most of the time.
It can take four adults quite comfortably but you wouldn't want to go any major distance as it's quite small inside.
Warranty claims nil but will be a new gear knob as the leather has split on the gaiter.
Search for the sunroof option'd cars as it's quite dark inside without. The 100hp only has 4seatbelts as well. Not sure on the rest of the range. Cheers.
I asked the dealer (Perrys) how much they would charge to install a fifth seat belt, as they have done them before, they said it would be about £120 to £200. The technician said he would have to cut into the seat and everything, and they would make it look as good as possible but it would still be quite messy with the lap belt just floating around. So I went and bought a BMW 5 series with 5 seats 
. MPG with hard driving can return about 32 to 35 average around the town and 38-40 on long journeys. The boot is large enough to fit two pieces of luggage, not full suitcases but hand baggage sized trolley cases. and can be stood up with the parcel shelf cover tucked away behind them.
Depending on how tall your mother is the rear legroom can be alright, but mine is practically a 3 seater as the seat behind the driver's seat is nearly unusable as I, being 6ft2" have to have the seat either fully or nearly all the way back :/.
. MPG with hard driving can return about 32 to 35 average around the town and 38-40 on long journeys. The boot is large enough to fit two pieces of luggage, not full suitcases but hand baggage sized trolley cases. and can be stood up with the parcel shelf cover tucked away behind them. Depending on how tall your mother is the rear legroom can be alright, but mine is practically a 3 seater as the seat behind the driver's seat is nearly unusable as I, being 6ft2" have to have the seat either fully or nearly all the way back :/.
I've a blue one and average about 42mpg, not loads of space in the back if the drivers tall, but a good boot. I've only had it 3 months and nothings gone wrong. Again ride is the main issue but I just got used to it, though it is my only car. Sounds great and amusingly quick for what it is. Lots of character and rare, had a panda 4x4 owner cheerfully wave!
wonderful cars.I still miss mine more than any other car I've owned and for the fun per pound its unbeatable.I'd have another in a heartbeat and almost bought another a couple of weeks ago simply to have one even though I have no possible sane use for it.
I got 40 mpg without trying,it was faultless and easy to live with.As has been said the ride is a bit harsh but nothing too bad.Other than that there is nothing I can criticise except they don't make them anymore.
I got 40 mpg without trying,it was faultless and easy to live with.As has been said the ride is a bit harsh but nothing too bad.Other than that there is nothing I can criticise except they don't make them anymore.
Sold mine a few weeks ago - a fabulous little car to drive but it's one big con out-weighed it's many, many pro's.
The suspension is VERY firm, after owning it for only a month, and having a pretty poorly maintained raods locally I simply couldn't drive it any more.
My advice, take one for a reasonably good test drive over mixed roads. Make sure you can live with the ride quality. If you can, then it is a very rewarding car, nippy, good set of toys onboard, surprisingly roomy.
The suspension is VERY firm, after owning it for only a month, and having a pretty poorly maintained raods locally I simply couldn't drive it any more.
My advice, take one for a reasonably good test drive over mixed roads. Make sure you can live with the ride quality. If you can, then it is a very rewarding car, nippy, good set of toys onboard, surprisingly roomy.
I like mine a lot but the ride is choppy to say the least. The only way to tell if your mum will like it is a test drive I guess.
'Common' faults seem to be minor electrical glitches involving the CD player / bluetooth / steering wheel button controls so check that all works fine. The rear shock absorbers are also susceptible to worn bushes which is probably down to all the work they have to do thanks to the super stiff rear springs but they are only £30 or so from Euro Car Parts IIRC and easy to replace.
'Common' faults seem to be minor electrical glitches involving the CD player / bluetooth / steering wheel button controls so check that all works fine. The rear shock absorbers are also susceptible to worn bushes which is probably down to all the work they have to do thanks to the super stiff rear springs but they are only £30 or so from Euro Car Parts IIRC and easy to replace.
Thanks very much chaps, it's much appreciated.
Unfortunately the wind has been taken out her sails as the car she was all set to go off and view this morning has since been sold and there appear to be no others for sale locally (she's not the sort of person who embarks on roadtrips to buy, more of an inpromptu "oooh, that's nice, I'll have it... type of person) so the hunt continues or as seems to be the case, the waiting continues.
Certainly food for thought and good to get an owners view rather, the firm ride seems to be cropping up alot so the advice to test drive one over mixed conditions will certainly be taken on board.
Again, appreciated. Now, back to the classifieds...
Unfortunately the wind has been taken out her sails as the car she was all set to go off and view this morning has since been sold and there appear to be no others for sale locally (she's not the sort of person who embarks on roadtrips to buy, more of an inpromptu "oooh, that's nice, I'll have it... type of person) so the hunt continues or as seems to be the case, the waiting continues.
Certainly food for thought and good to get an owners view rather, the firm ride seems to be cropping up alot so the advice to test drive one over mixed conditions will certainly be taken on board.
Again, appreciated. Now, back to the classifieds...
Quick update...
I found another Panda 100hp for sale in a dealership about an hour away, over the budget and the wrong colour (white) but after some delibertaion, it was decided we'd go up and have a look if only to kick its tyres and at least then she'd get the chance to sit in it and so on.
So, arrived... she immediately dimissed it as the wrong colour and far too dear. 30 minutes of fiddling with switches, buttons, getting in the back, opening the boot several times, pointing out that her bike carrier wouldn't fit and that why did it have chicken wire in the bumpers.
The salesman, give him his due... patience of a saint even though she'd catagorically stated it wasn't for her, offered her a test drive. So, we went for lunch, came back and she decided that a black one would look too much like a van on the grounds they have smoked rear windows and she also decided that she actually liked it. Seems it was sat smiling at her in the showroom.
Test drive... I drove first. Nothing like I've driven before aside for the pro-karts at the National Pro Kart Centre. Bouncy ride indeed and quite intrusive road noise at speed but eager little engine, go kart handling and remarkably well palnted for such a little car. I was smiling. After 15 mins of arguing she finally accepted she should have a shot as her driving style and her needs vary massively to mine.
Her turn... seems she's been watching the rallying as this little Panda gotr hurled down a country road with alarming enthusiasm. Short motorway run (6th gear, thumbs up there too) and it was back at the dealer. So, too dear and the wrong colour and not a Clio... so, she sat down and asked what they'd give her for her Clio as a trade in.
So, to cut a long story short... the latest addition to the household is "Lola" the Panda, which was quickly dimissed and "she" is now called "Lola the Kung Fu Panda" and she has absolutely fallen in love with it already. Seems it's the sort of little car that she imagines walking out in the morning to and it'll be sat tail wagging, digging holes in the grass and chasing the neighbours cats.
It arrives on Sunday and I have to say, I'm almost as delighted as her. What an awesome little car!
So, thanks to all those who gave their views, fingers crossed it doesn't pee on the carpet or chew her slippers!
Cheers
I found another Panda 100hp for sale in a dealership about an hour away, over the budget and the wrong colour (white) but after some delibertaion, it was decided we'd go up and have a look if only to kick its tyres and at least then she'd get the chance to sit in it and so on.
So, arrived... she immediately dimissed it as the wrong colour and far too dear. 30 minutes of fiddling with switches, buttons, getting in the back, opening the boot several times, pointing out that her bike carrier wouldn't fit and that why did it have chicken wire in the bumpers.
The salesman, give him his due... patience of a saint even though she'd catagorically stated it wasn't for her, offered her a test drive. So, we went for lunch, came back and she decided that a black one would look too much like a van on the grounds they have smoked rear windows and she also decided that she actually liked it. Seems it was sat smiling at her in the showroom.
Test drive... I drove first. Nothing like I've driven before aside for the pro-karts at the National Pro Kart Centre. Bouncy ride indeed and quite intrusive road noise at speed but eager little engine, go kart handling and remarkably well palnted for such a little car. I was smiling. After 15 mins of arguing she finally accepted she should have a shot as her driving style and her needs vary massively to mine.
Her turn... seems she's been watching the rallying as this little Panda gotr hurled down a country road with alarming enthusiasm. Short motorway run (6th gear, thumbs up there too) and it was back at the dealer. So, too dear and the wrong colour and not a Clio... so, she sat down and asked what they'd give her for her Clio as a trade in.
So, to cut a long story short... the latest addition to the household is "Lola" the Panda, which was quickly dimissed and "she" is now called "Lola the Kung Fu Panda" and she has absolutely fallen in love with it already. Seems it's the sort of little car that she imagines walking out in the morning to and it'll be sat tail wagging, digging holes in the grass and chasing the neighbours cats.
It arrives on Sunday and I have to say, I'm almost as delighted as her. What an awesome little car!
So, thanks to all those who gave their views, fingers crossed it doesn't pee on the carpet or chew her slippers!
Cheers
Thanks chaps
It's always difficult being resident 'advisor' when it comes to these sort of things as I have a totally different criteria when it comes to buying cars regardless of budget so putting myself into her shoes, not easy. It's like any purchase, do you start with the best and then say "I don't want that, I don't need that" or start at the bottom and say "I want that, need that" and work up. Again, there are numerous cars that fitted her budget and needs but despite her age, she does prefer to have something with a bit of spec and style... she's certainly not ready to invest in a base model Micra and join the Doris and Betty crew.
How she'll fare with the Panda... well, fingers crossed as her Clio has been a superb little car for the past 10 years and to date has cost sub £500 in repairs since she bought it. Ironically, it's actually away to have the cambelt done as the tensioner collapsed but then again, as of this morning she wasn't buying a new car. Granted, the one she's bought is more than she was willing to spend but it's also got over 2yrs warranty left, has done 2,000 miles and is utterly immaculate plus there's the peace of mind that comes with buying from a dealer. She's old, she's not interested in private sales... she likes to be offered a coffee, she likes to be fussed over.
On that note, I have to say... Arnold Clark, love them or hate thenm, the chaps in Perth were absolutely brilliant today, customer care and satisfaction of the highest order. In fact, they were a little understaffed due to holidays/training and thus weren't able to get a slaesman to accompany us on the test drive immediately so their service courtesy driver offered to stay back after his shift finished to come with us and ensure she had plenty time to test the car. Credit where credit is due, fantastic service from the whole team today so again, another little reassuring element.
From here, given she drives a 7 mile commute every day and generally spends her time running around the doors, the long distance refinement won't be an issue for her though she's yet to hit cobbles in it yet but she's quite used to firm suspension as the majority of my cars have all been uprated. She just thinks it's "sporty" and likens it to wearing her trainers. The small boot, well if it discourages her from carting 10 tons of crap about with her like she does just now, it's a bonus!
Anyways, enough twittering for one evening but in short, I have to say I'm very very impressed with the car both in terms of build quality, the running costs, it's grin factor and it's equipment level. It had me grinning from ear to ear and I suppose that's what a little supermini should do, it should be good fun to live with on daily basis.
The only problem I forsee is that I may be looking for an excuse to borrow it more often than her Clio...!
Cheers and again, thanks to those shared their knowledge/experiences. It was invaluable today.
Davie
It's always difficult being resident 'advisor' when it comes to these sort of things as I have a totally different criteria when it comes to buying cars regardless of budget so putting myself into her shoes, not easy. It's like any purchase, do you start with the best and then say "I don't want that, I don't need that" or start at the bottom and say "I want that, need that" and work up. Again, there are numerous cars that fitted her budget and needs but despite her age, she does prefer to have something with a bit of spec and style... she's certainly not ready to invest in a base model Micra and join the Doris and Betty crew.
How she'll fare with the Panda... well, fingers crossed as her Clio has been a superb little car for the past 10 years and to date has cost sub £500 in repairs since she bought it. Ironically, it's actually away to have the cambelt done as the tensioner collapsed but then again, as of this morning she wasn't buying a new car. Granted, the one she's bought is more than she was willing to spend but it's also got over 2yrs warranty left, has done 2,000 miles and is utterly immaculate plus there's the peace of mind that comes with buying from a dealer. She's old, she's not interested in private sales... she likes to be offered a coffee, she likes to be fussed over.
On that note, I have to say... Arnold Clark, love them or hate thenm, the chaps in Perth were absolutely brilliant today, customer care and satisfaction of the highest order. In fact, they were a little understaffed due to holidays/training and thus weren't able to get a slaesman to accompany us on the test drive immediately so their service courtesy driver offered to stay back after his shift finished to come with us and ensure she had plenty time to test the car. Credit where credit is due, fantastic service from the whole team today so again, another little reassuring element.
From here, given she drives a 7 mile commute every day and generally spends her time running around the doors, the long distance refinement won't be an issue for her though she's yet to hit cobbles in it yet but she's quite used to firm suspension as the majority of my cars have all been uprated. She just thinks it's "sporty" and likens it to wearing her trainers. The small boot, well if it discourages her from carting 10 tons of crap about with her like she does just now, it's a bonus!
Anyways, enough twittering for one evening but in short, I have to say I'm very very impressed with the car both in terms of build quality, the running costs, it's grin factor and it's equipment level. It had me grinning from ear to ear and I suppose that's what a little supermini should do, it should be good fun to live with on daily basis.
The only problem I forsee is that I may be looking for an excuse to borrow it more often than her Clio...!
Cheers and again, thanks to those shared their knowledge/experiences. It was invaluable today.
Davie
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