RE: Fiat Panda 100HP: Catch it while you can
Discussion
The build quality is light years away from Fiats of yore, and they really don't rust now. However all major functions like the clutch, gearbox, suspension springs and most especially the cooling system are made of chocolate. The first owner will think they drive great, which they do, but they'll start to fall to bits after say two or three years and you'll be lucky to get scrap money for one.........Ask me how I know !!
skyrover said:
Have you ever been to the US?
Firstly, no you wouldn't
Secondly, no you couldn't... it does not meet US import reg's/safety standards/emission standards
Yes, I lived in Austin, Houston and San Francisco.Firstly, no you wouldn't
Secondly, no you couldn't... it does not meet US import reg's/safety standards/emission standards
And yes, I know, hence the "I'd love to" knowing I couldn't.
I thought there was a homologation rule thrown in there too? That's why some of the classic Mini's were seized and crushed etc?
TheJimi said:
Out of interest, and further to my post above, how many of you own a 100HP as your only car?
Only car, and it's used to commute 110 miles a day. It's a really practical car, but still fun and quirky.Has anyone driven one with the bigger mirrors? That's a small niggle I find with mine, they're cute, but just a little too small?
Edited by Cra5h on Thursday 22 January 16:14
TheJimi said:
Out of interest, and further to my post above, how many of you own a 100HP as your only car?
If it's NOT your only car, would you have it as such?
Yes, has been my only car for five years and 85k miles. Has conquered my long daily commute (110 miles). If it's NOT your only car, would you have it as such?
Only failure of a non-wearing part was a clutch slave cylinder - and that gave me plenty of warning. Oh, and a new battery a couple of months ago.
vrooom said:
How hard are they, suspesion wise, compared to MR2 mk3 ??
HARD.Swapped the car mentioned in this article as an example in the classifieds (WN56 CWT) for a Mk3 MR2 circa 18 months ago. the '2 was an S Class in terms of ride quality compared to the panda.
Panda is great fun though and the ride settles down with speed....
Edited by smith94 on Thursday 22 January 16:41
Edited by smith94 on Thursday 22 January 16:42
My car
http://www.evo.co.uk/renault/twingo/14152/fiat-pan...
Probably for sale actually. (Pandamonium)
As someone mentioned earlier, Poland build results in excellent quality. I haven't had a single rattle or squeak other than from passengers.
http://www.evo.co.uk/renault/twingo/14152/fiat-pan...
Probably for sale actually. (Pandamonium)
As someone mentioned earlier, Poland build results in excellent quality. I haven't had a single rattle or squeak other than from passengers.
Edited by MarkBT52 on Thursday 22 January 17:11
Have been tempted by these a few times, quite like the styling and have experience of the drive-train in my old Stilo. Albeit in the 1242cc guise.
Loved being revved and sounded great after I'd done the exhaust and induction. Would be a laugh I imagine in a car weighing 100kg or so less
Loved being revved and sounded great after I'd done the exhaust and induction. Would be a laugh I imagine in a car weighing 100kg or so less
I know these are sporty, pretty reliable, the gearbox is nicely positioned and changes well. Also the engine revs nicely, it's light, it's cheap to insure, buy and fuel.
However there's a feeling of more understeer than I expected. The ride and steering are best described as ok. The tall and chunky looks, give a clue how it feels over bumpy and/or cambered B roads. Also those looks, especially with the tinted windows, aren't for me. If the 100hp was a better car I wouldn't mind the looks.
Overall I'd almost prefer a 1.2 Panda. Plus if you can afford to buy a 100hp, you can afford to buy a better supermini for the same price, that's only a bit older.
I know these are a bit of a 'cult' warm hatch like the similar Ignis Sport, and some people really love them. Also cornering on two wheels on a track, looks good fun.
However there's a feeling of more understeer than I expected. The ride and steering are best described as ok. The tall and chunky looks, give a clue how it feels over bumpy and/or cambered B roads. Also those looks, especially with the tinted windows, aren't for me. If the 100hp was a better car I wouldn't mind the looks.
Overall I'd almost prefer a 1.2 Panda. Plus if you can afford to buy a 100hp, you can afford to buy a better supermini for the same price, that's only a bit older.
I know these are a bit of a 'cult' warm hatch like the similar Ignis Sport, and some people really love them. Also cornering on two wheels on a track, looks good fun.
Ran one for six months as my daily driver.
Was fun, but did get tiresome after a while. The ride is as rock-hard as people say, although given how small it is, you can dodge around the worst of the potholes to an extent!
I don't think mine had been particularly well looked after by previous owner. It used a lot of oil, randomly leaked coolant and knackered both rear bump stops in a short space of time. The electric power steering would occasionally fail too; not amusing. Turning it off and on again would usually solve it, but there was always the feeling that it was about to fail completely at some point. Fuel consumption averaged about 35 mpg.
The 100HP obviously feels a lot quicker than it is - that's part of the appeal - and does corner hilariously. It's just the above outweighed those positives for me.
Was fun, but did get tiresome after a while. The ride is as rock-hard as people say, although given how small it is, you can dodge around the worst of the potholes to an extent!
I don't think mine had been particularly well looked after by previous owner. It used a lot of oil, randomly leaked coolant and knackered both rear bump stops in a short space of time. The electric power steering would occasionally fail too; not amusing. Turning it off and on again would usually solve it, but there was always the feeling that it was about to fail completely at some point. Fuel consumption averaged about 35 mpg.
The 100HP obviously feels a lot quicker than it is - that's part of the appeal - and does corner hilariously. It's just the above outweighed those positives for me.
Fantastic little car. Had mine for about three years from new and regretted selling it. As mentioned, so much grip on roundabouts. Nice little induction note too.
A very chuckable and practical machine, far more so than my current Abarth. Not that I don't love the Abarth. Fiat have lost their way a bit with garbage like the 500L.
A very chuckable and practical machine, far more so than my current Abarth. Not that I don't love the Abarth. Fiat have lost their way a bit with garbage like the 500L.
Ive got a 2010 60 reg in free white. Its a great little car and it'll be a sad day when its px'ed, i can put up with the harsh ride and the low rent interior, its a cheap car after all, what i hate is the 35 litre fuel tank,when i used it for the school run i was filling it up every other day.
TheJimi said:
Out of interest, and further to my post above, how many of you own a 100HP as your only car?
If it's NOT your only car, would you have it as such?
Mine is my only car, but there's a motorbike in the garage for sunny days If it's NOT your only car, would you have it as such?
Only a 20 mile daily round trip for me, with longer runs at the weekend. Suits me perfectly. Can't think of anything I'd change it for at the moment.
We've had one for years now and although hardly used these days we just can't sell it. Each drive is great fun
Apart from regular servicing its cost us nothing over the 45k miles. It's great and super cheap - ie cambelt, MOT and a full service £ 250.00. Very reliable little car.
Our BMW cost £250 for a bloody oil change!
Apart from regular servicing its cost us nothing over the 45k miles. It's great and super cheap - ie cambelt, MOT and a full service £ 250.00. Very reliable little car.
Our BMW cost £250 for a bloody oil change!
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