Fiat Panda 100hp (again)

Fiat Panda 100hp (again)

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S100HP

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Friday 7th July 2017
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As photobucket have totally screwed everyone, I've decided to start my own Panda 100HP thread following on from F1nns which you can find here, less his pictures.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

As mentioned on that thread, I now own the panda, which I aim to get on the road some time this week as hopefully I've sold the Volvo, collection due next Sunday.

After driving the panda home from Reading I wrote the following:

S10GTA said:
I've just got back to Southampton after driving from Bracknell via Fareham to show a mate. Firstly, hats off to F1nn, really nice chap. Thanks for picking me up at Reading and making the transaction run smoothly. If you'd be able to upload the images on here rather than on photobucket, that would be appreciated and I'll keep this thread running.

On to the car. It seems to have retained the name "the little blue stbox" and its an utter hoot to drive. I believe everyone should try it at least once! Everything I've ever read about handling etc is spot on. I've not stopped smiling since I first saw it, its just such a fun car as long as you don't care what anyone else thinks. Its definately a "no fks given" car. The ride is more than acceptable on anything other than the most broken of ground for me. I'd go as far to say its on a par, if not slightly better, than the V70R. Certainly no complaints here. The steering is a little light, the brakes a bit grabby, but you can forgive the little foibles as its so eager to be driven.

Its suitably low rent inside as you'd expect for a 10k car, but what they (Fiat) have managed to achieve is incredible in the sense of space. Its like a tardis. It's a few little niggles which I'd like to resolve over time, I think the issue F1nn was having with the seat is down to the back of the drivers seat having collapsed, but its no big deal. The steering wheel controls don't work either, but I can confirm the air con isn't ice cold, but cold enough that I had to turn it up on the way home.

In the end, as I went to Fareham, I went down the M3 and along the M27. I sat between 60-80mph. 60 is quite nice, 70 is acceptable, 80 is a little frantic. I had averaged 47mpg when I got there, despite giving it quite a bit of stick. I love its simplicity, and apparent cheapness (discs are £30 a pair rather than £XXX for the Volvo). I purchased this mostly as a money saving exercise whilst retaining some motoring fun, and I believe this will deliver. I'm not however planning on crashing in it, there isn't much room inside if you get it wrong.

Its now parked in my work car park, as I'm yet to mention to the wife that I've purchased another car....I shall introduce it once I've sold the Volvo....
As mentioned, the main reason for this new thread is to sort the pictures, so I have uploaded the handful that were on eBay. Once its on the road I'm sure I'll be taking more. All I've been thinking about since I drove it is where my first drive should be to. Quite fancy a bimble down to Exmoor or maybe Cheddar Gorge, or maybe I'll just take a spin out round Cranborne area. It works so well on those type of roads.

Anyway, here are a few images I've uploaded to Imgur, as photobucket is pants now.

















and the one you've all been waiting for, 1.4 POWAH!



This car just makes me smile, you may have noticed a name change too smile

Edited by S100HP on Friday 7th July 14:18

Mike1990

962 posts

130 months

Friday 7th July 2017
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Such a soft spot for these. Looks a cracker does that.

Sometimes i wish i could get out of finance and what not and go back to a 'back to basics' Hatch like this, still mega fun but cheap and chips to run and Service. Really miss my old Mk5 Fiesta Zetec-S and Mk6 Fiesta ST for that aspect.

M1C

1,832 posts

110 months

Friday 7th July 2017
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More 100HP imagery here....

Had mine for a year. It had a bit of a sporting pedigree before i got it (Dont look now, Dan!)

Great car, miss it quite lots!!!!








xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Friday 7th July 2017
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enjoy!!

f1nn

2,692 posts

191 months

Friday 7th July 2017
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It's been a week since I gave up the keys to this car and I have genuinely missed it.

I'd definitely have another.

chunkyjh

72 posts

167 months

Saturday 8th July 2017
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I've just bought one of these. Cosmetically it's a bit tatty but runs like a dream. Incidentally F1nn, where did you get the replacement gear lever? Mines worn out

f1nn

2,692 posts

191 months

Saturday 8th July 2017
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It is a richbrook universal item, that just so happens to come with the correct insert for the Panda's shift pattern.

It is far better to use than the standard plastic effort, being leather and a bit weightier than standard.

I purchased it from Demon Tweeks through Ebay.

S100HP

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
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It's Panda time. With the Volvo due to depart on Sunday it was time to collect the new car and bring it home, which I did last night. Such fun to drive. Managed my first overtake down a twisty road last night and left a fiesta st behind. Became beautifully unbalanced when I jumped on the brakes trying to slow myself down for a sharp corners, which was grin inducing.

Anyway, anyone who's followed my threads will know I've a thing about number plates, so I ordered some last week and fitted this morning. You may also notice my other subtle addition, although it might be a bit too subtle.









Ah, that feels better...

Edited by S100HP on Thursday 13th July 06:37

kayzee

2,781 posts

180 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
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Nice sticker wink

The way the number plate bulges out the sides on the front would drive me mad! They do look much better though.

Love these, really want one but just too small now we have a kiddy frown

Mike1990

962 posts

130 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
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Clean new Plates make such a good difference. That reminds me......

S100HP

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
quotequote all
kayzee said:
Nice sticker wink

The way the number plate bulges out the sides on the front would drive me mad! They do look much better though.

Love these, really want one but just too small now we have a kiddy frown
The sticky pads failed it seems. Missed that this morning.

S100HP

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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What a brilliant little car.

Have driven the panda over the last few days. Those who say you need a big car with children (including myself) are wrong. Here was me looking at XC90s when a panda will suffice. Managed to fit my two children (one in a rear facing seat) and their 9 year old cousin into the panda to visit the grandparents, and even took the dog. The kids have decided to call it "the awesome panda", they love it too.

As for living with it, I love everything about it, especially the looks, really growing on me. Gave it a good clean yesterday too and it came up well (not that it was dirty)

This car just makes me smile everytime I look at it, and I cannot get over how small it is. I can park it in any space and have tons of room to open the doors either side. It actually fits in parking spaces.

Snapped this pic this evening which amused me


f1nn

2,692 posts

191 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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I shouldn't have sold it...

I've been looking at buying another, give me a shout if/when you come to sell.

S100HP

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
f1nn said:
I shouldn't have sold it...

I've been looking at buying another, give me a shout if/when you come to sell.
Im pleased you did.

Can't see me selling for a while, but I always say that....sure you could find another? Do you really miss it then?

f1nn

2,692 posts

191 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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It's always the way, when I was selling there were a few at less money, although I was confident that this one was one of the most sorted at sensible money.

I used it as a third car as you know, but we miss the sheer usefulness of it, and the infectious way it bounced down the road. The wife looked over my shoulder when I was looking the picture above and announced that she misses it. This from the women who slowly shook her head when I announced its arrival sheepishly.

Now I'm looking at maybe buying another, they all look a bit overpriced and not as honest as this one...doh!

I might look towards a Clio 182 or Cooper S....

f1nn

2,692 posts

191 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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And...they are mostly Grey or Black, and I came to really like the blue.

Blue Mikey

49 posts

182 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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I'm still on the hunt for one with the optional 3 seats in the rear, really want one but with two kids there's often the need to ferry a friend home etc :/

f1nn

2,692 posts

191 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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The 3 seat rear bench option that some of the lower spec Pandas had was never offered on the 100HP.

S100HP

Original Poster:

12,645 posts

166 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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Blue Mikey said:
I'm still on the hunt for one with the optional 3 seats in the rear, really want one but with two kids there's often the need to ferry a friend home etc :/
I also think you'd struggle with child seats (assuming they are still needed)

One thing I forgot to add. The horn is bloody hilarious. Reminds me of noddy's car. I'll be sure not to use it in anger, although it may defuse any tricky situations. The kids thought it was great fun yesterday!

Mr Peel

478 posts

121 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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Sold mine a couple of weeks ago. Replaced it with a Mk5 GTI which is objectively a better car in almost every respect, but the Panda will be genuinely missed. Hilarious fun.