Fiat Panda 100HP - do I really want one?
Discussion
Do I really want one or am I just getting sucked in my the almost universal praise that comes with Fiat somehow and suddenly being cool again?
While others are s
tting themselves over how to afford a Q7 because there's a new baby, I'm thinking that I really don't need anything bigger than a Panda to swallow the buggy and various bags of nappies and other guff...
For reference, I now drive a Fiat Bravo and have regular trips between Edinburgh and NI and on these trips will need to carry enough stuff for two adults and one baby for a week or two at a time. I reckon it's do-able, my wife not so much. Get the roof-rails and stick a box on top, surely we can then get everything in we need. Can't we?
I'm telling myself that I'd be happy enough with 50 horses less and a second slower to 60 in exchange for what's meant to be a great driving experience. The Bravo just isn't doing it for me, it was bought because we needed 5 doors and it was very reasonably priced what with larger Fiats not holding any value at all. It's not exactly a massive car but I hate driving in Edinburgh, parking is a pain in the arse and heavy traffic can be unbearable if you can't slip by the morons that think you shouldn't be allowed to sit 2-abreast on Corstorphine Road even though there are two frigging arrows painted on the road... so I'd feel less stressed about driving something smaller and less awkward.
I'm thinking a nice shiny white one. I like it very much in white, handsome in a very understated way.
[/ramble] Well done if you read to the end.
While others are s
tting themselves over how to afford a Q7 because there's a new baby, I'm thinking that I really don't need anything bigger than a Panda to swallow the buggy and various bags of nappies and other guff... For reference, I now drive a Fiat Bravo and have regular trips between Edinburgh and NI and on these trips will need to carry enough stuff for two adults and one baby for a week or two at a time. I reckon it's do-able, my wife not so much. Get the roof-rails and stick a box on top, surely we can then get everything in we need. Can't we?
I'm telling myself that I'd be happy enough with 50 horses less and a second slower to 60 in exchange for what's meant to be a great driving experience. The Bravo just isn't doing it for me, it was bought because we needed 5 doors and it was very reasonably priced what with larger Fiats not holding any value at all. It's not exactly a massive car but I hate driving in Edinburgh, parking is a pain in the arse and heavy traffic can be unbearable if you can't slip by the morons that think you shouldn't be allowed to sit 2-abreast on Corstorphine Road even though there are two frigging arrows painted on the road... so I'd feel less stressed about driving something smaller and less awkward.
I'm thinking a nice shiny white one. I like it very much in white, handsome in a very understated way.
[/ramble] Well done if you read to the end.
Well, I'm going to look at one tomorrow, if SWMBO is satisfied that the buggy fits then I'll not rule it out as a purchase... but I'll have something else to lust after next week, I'm forever changing my mind between old derv 3 series estates, Alfa 156s and just keeping what I have. Who knows? Sure as st I don't.
t I don't.WhoseGeneration said:
Papa Hotel said:
Alfa 156s
Ah, that's a whole new debate.Has to be at least one Alfa in your life.
When is the only question.
I've had mine, long ago.
Really though, the Panda I had as a hire car in Sardinia a couple of years ago was a grossly underpowered piece of s
t but I loved it, was fantastic fun on the mountain roads... hence me convincing myself I need one.Pommygranite said:
If Evo hadn't creamed themselves over it no one would have given it a second look for a good reason. It's a mildly ugly kinda nippy shopping car that isn't a bad steer. However only Evo readers will know what it is, everyone else couldn't give a st as it's really quite bland.
I disagee on the ugly thing. Sure, it's not pretty like a Grande Punto but it's not ugly like an Evo (either Fiat Punto Evo or Mitsubishi Evo, you choose), I think it's quite handsome. t as it's really quite bland.I don't care what other people would think about it and I certainly wouldn't buy a car so Evo readers (gosh, Evo is cropping up a lot in this post in various contexts) could give me a knowing nod when they see it getting hooned around. But to a certain extent I think you're on the right track - am I getting carried away by an ordinary car because people like Evo and Fifth Gear have been w
king all over it? Maybe. Only a drive will sort that out for me.AV12 said:
Meant to be good, but I'm not sure build quality will be up to much. If you like Italian, then thats par for the course (although not all).
What about a Mito?
Not sure if i really fancy a Mito but even if I did it's too expensive and fails on doors. What about a Mito?
The Italian build quality thing is mostly a misplaced stereotype anyway. VAG owners will say I'm wrong but the interior of my Bravo is a much nicer looking and better to the touch than their equivalent products, no loose bits or rattly bits so far either.
I can help here. I have one as a daily smoker. Baby seat fits in and buggy in boot. Wife has x3 for family car so panda seldom used for those duties but it can accommodate at a push. HUGE fun on back roads but we warned the ride is very very harsh more so when loaded so IMHO it's not an everyday family lugger; just an occasional one. I think they look great too and go well. They speed carried through bends morethan makes up for straight line pace. Just don't buy new as depreciation is not great
Well, had a drive, liked it very much. Completely hadn't realised how much of a yacht the Bravo actually was, the Panda is (relatively speaking) like a kart, felt much closer to an old-school Mini than the bloated modern one can manage! Great thing, liked the driving, not so pleased with the interior which is horrifically scratchy and hard. And the boot, well it swallowed the buggy with no problems, anyone who thinks they need a massive 4x4 because they now have a baby is seriously kidding themselves. All in all, felt good but needs thought.
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