Panda 100hp Big Enough for a Young Family?
Discussion
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 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?
Have you considered a Grande Punto T-Jet?
1.4 Turbo, around 120hp.
35 mpg all day.
Available in 5 doors, but rare as rocking horse poo.
can seat 5. Recently went on a 200 mile round trip 4 up with a boot full with no problems. I have my seat quite far back, but still has ample leg room.
1.4 Turbo, around 120hp.
35 mpg all day.
Available in 5 doors, but rare as rocking horse poo.
can seat 5. Recently went on a 200 mile round trip 4 up with a boot full with no problems. I have my seat quite far back, but still has ample leg room.
Ved said:
It all depends on the pram and car seat. If it's rear facing then forget it. With our rear facing travel seat (the thing that goes on the stroller) the passenger seat is just about comfortable, and that's in a Forester.
4k will get you a very good Fos, if that helps
Our rear facing car seat fits fine in the front seat of a 1984 Mini, and the wheels bit goes on the back seat. The pram part fits in the boot. We've got a roof rack if more space is needed. The seat's a Britax something or other. The new Recaro Young Sport front facing seat fits OK too.4k will get you a very good Fos, if that helps
Many families 'managed' very well with small cars in the past. I'd have thought a Panda would be fine for what you want to do, although of course it's easier with a bigger car just to throw in all the detritus that babies seem to attract these days.
One of my mates wives runs a Panda 100hp with a maxi-cosi cabriofix in the back and it's fine, although it's a second car and not used for holidays etc. and there's only 3 of them at the moment. I think when number 2 comes along they'll have to get something bigger.
Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 30th December 12:39
Thanks for the replies guys
5 doors does seem to be a bit of a must, plus I have always found a hatchback more useful than a boot. It's a shame that the current Civic Type R isn't 5 door....although I do wonder how much a struggle a 3 door would be as that would be the 2nd car on the wish list (granted completely different to the panda lol)....and no I can't afford the new 2015 model sadly
5 doors does seem to be a bit of a must, plus I have always found a hatchback more useful than a boot. It's a shame that the current Civic Type R isn't 5 door....although I do wonder how much a struggle a 3 door would be as that would be the 2nd car on the wish list (granted completely different to the panda lol)....and no I can't afford the new 2015 model sadly
I'd say it'll be a struggle. Yes, in the old days it was possible to sling a whole family in a Mini, but babies have so much stuff these days that it'll be a bit too much of a squeeze if it's you, OH, baby and some shopping.
The Grande Punto is a good shout - a friend of mine got one just after his baby arrived and that's suited them just fine.
The Grande Punto is a good shout - a friend of mine got one just after his baby arrived and that's suited them just fine.
Absolutely yes, providing you are slensible with car seat and pram/buggy choices.
My wife had a 3dr Corsa C from my sons birthup until just before his 5th birthday, then bought a Fiat 500!
Of course, a larger car would make it easier, but a smaller car is doable for sure as long as you are sensible.
My wife had a 3dr Corsa C from my sons birthup until just before his 5th birthday, then bought a Fiat 500!
Of course, a larger car would make it easier, but a smaller car is doable for sure as long as you are sensible.
It largely depends on what kind of parents you plan on being - if you're going to be buying every gadget under the sun and a huge travel system then you'll struggle. If you're happy to leave the house with a small pram and a a satchel with a few nappies, clothes & wipes in, you'll probably manage fine.
As others have said, the baby will need a rear-facing seat initially so check that yours will fit in a Panda and still leave sufficient legroom for the occupant of the seat in front.
As others have said, the baby will need a rear-facing seat initially so check that yours will fit in a Panda and still leave sufficient legroom for the occupant of the seat in front.
I've got a panda and 3 little ones. When we had one baby, the car seat went on the passenger seat but the pram had to go on the back seat couldn't get it to fit , the boot is pretty small. The pram was a M+P Sola so not particularly big. Managed to get 3 babies in seats in once but only just , very limited legroom for the passenger seat because it was so far forward. If you do get one though do a readers cars thread I'm thinking of getting one next year.
Answer is simple really.
Do you know anyone with a young family?
Ask them to come along to your favourite car dealership - and bring all of the stuff they need to visit the inlaws.
eg Buggy, luggage, etc etc etc
A friend tried this - and ended up not buying the Focus they were keen on - but a Mondeo. ( The stuff wouldn't fit in the Focus )
Babies & young kids need an inordinate amount of stuff.
Do you know anyone with a young family?
Ask them to come along to your favourite car dealership - and bring all of the stuff they need to visit the inlaws.
eg Buggy, luggage, etc etc etc
A friend tried this - and ended up not buying the Focus they were keen on - but a Mondeo. ( The stuff wouldn't fit in the Focus )
Babies & young kids need an inordinate amount of stuff.
People will come along recommending a small van soon seems to happen in these threads...
Mum had an old Fiesta when I was a child on a B reg cost £50 fit all of your stuff in with ease. A panda 100hp will be fine for 1 kid I would say but if had 2 children would need something Golf sized for the bigger boot etc...
I would consider a Fiesta ST 2.0 as are a bigger car and still fun to drive and also have a much bigger boot which is the main weakness of the Panda as interior space wise it is not bad. I would guess if went for the panda and had the 1 kid could spill the extra crap onto the spare back seat.
Mum had an old Fiesta when I was a child on a B reg cost £50 fit all of your stuff in with ease. A panda 100hp will be fine for 1 kid I would say but if had 2 children would need something Golf sized for the bigger boot etc...
I would consider a Fiesta ST 2.0 as are a bigger car and still fun to drive and also have a much bigger boot which is the main weakness of the Panda as interior space wise it is not bad. I would guess if went for the panda and had the 1 kid could spill the extra crap onto the spare back seat.
R2T2 said:
Have you considered a Grande Punto T-Jet?
1.4 Turbo, around 120hp.
35 mpg all day.
Available in 5 doors, but rare as rocking horse poo.
can seat 5. Recently went on a 200 mile round trip 4 up with a boot full with no problems. I have my seat quite far back, but still has ample leg room.
35mpg? Thats not so good. My old A6 Avant TDI. 45mpg all day and considerably more space than the Punto. And you can probably get a decent one for under £2k.1.4 Turbo, around 120hp.
35 mpg all day.
Available in 5 doors, but rare as rocking horse poo.
can seat 5. Recently went on a 200 mile round trip 4 up with a boot full with no problems. I have my seat quite far back, but still has ample leg room.
Did a trip up to scotland and back in it with toddler, 1 older kid and the partner. Honestly, the amount of crud that you have to carry with a toddler/baby around is mildly insane
We have a Suzuki Swift and manage fine. For longer trips we take my BMW.
If it's going to be the only car then I would suggest something a bit bigger though. I like my e46 and can imagine the saloon versions being a bit more practical in getting kids in the back, so perhaps a 2 litre diesel variant?
If it's going to be the only car then I would suggest something a bit bigger though. I like my e46 and can imagine the saloon versions being a bit more practical in getting kids in the back, so perhaps a 2 litre diesel variant?
Bonefish Blues said:
No.
Life would be a needless struggle, I'd say - it's a mini mini not a supermini, I'd say.
This. I convinced myself I could get live with whatever I had. Mine is 2 now, and in that time I've had a C4 VTS and a Xsara VTS. I survived, but eventually went and got a XC70 in the end and it has made life so much easier. Pushchair lives in the car all the time but I can still get the dogs in too. 5 doors makes things so much easier, and we can do other things too, like shopping, tip runs etc. We can also chuck bikes in/on with ease.Life would be a needless struggle, I'd say - it's a mini mini not a supermini, I'd say.
Comfort and safety (with a good stereo) are now much more important requirements than anything else.
greggy50 said:
People will come along recommending a small van soon seems to happen in these threads...
Mum had an old Fiesta when I was a child on a B reg cost £50 fit all of your stuff in with ease. A panda 100hp will be fine for 1 kid I would say but if had 2 children would need something Golf sized for the bigger boot etc...
I would consider a Fiesta ST 2.0 as are a bigger car and still fun to drive and also have a much bigger boot which is the main weakness of the Panda as interior space wise it is not bad. I would guess if went for the panda and had the 1 kid could spill the extra crap onto the spare back seat.
Gregg, do you have children? I ask because child seats (or lack of) and buggies from the past are much smaller than those available today so saying what type of cars parents managed with in the past is of little use nowadays. Mum had an old Fiesta when I was a child on a B reg cost £50 fit all of your stuff in with ease. A panda 100hp will be fine for 1 kid I would say but if had 2 children would need something Golf sized for the bigger boot etc...
I would consider a Fiesta ST 2.0 as are a bigger car and still fun to drive and also have a much bigger boot which is the main weakness of the Panda as interior space wise it is not bad. I would guess if went for the panda and had the 1 kid could spill the extra crap onto the spare back seat.
My advice is that a small family could manage with a panda, but it would be a struggle if you wanted to go on holiday or perhaps do a big supermarket shop. Why make life more difficult than it has to be, a larger car would be better suited to family duties.
Edited by jkh112 on Tuesday 30th December 14:04
S10GTA said:
Bonefish Blues said:
No.
Life would be a needless struggle, I'd say - it's a mini mini not a supermini, I'd say.
This. I convinced myself I could get live with whatever I had. Mine is 2 now, and in that time I've had a C4 VTS and a Xsara VTS. I survived, but eventually went and got a XC70 in the end and it has made life so much easier. Pushchair lives in the car all the time but I can still get the dogs in too. 5 doors makes things so much easier, and we can do other things too, like shopping, tip runs etc. We can also chuck bikes in/on with ease.Life would be a needless struggle, I'd say - it's a mini mini not a supermini, I'd say.
Comfort and safety (with a good stereo) are now much more important requirements than anything else.
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