Fiat Panda 100hp, any good?
Discussion
I bought mine as I didn't like leaving my Cayman in station car parks. Since then I've done five times as many miles than planned....i use it far more than the porsche.....that's how addictive it is. The ride is the only issue.....easily improved with better rear dampers and 50 series tyres. It is a surprisingly refined motorway car, and the handling is a hoot. Not as sophisticated or adjustable as a 205 gti, but more amusing than any other modern warm hatch I've driven
Currently do 110 miles daily in mine. Had it nearly 3 years now and it's been brilliant. Only problem is that clutch slave cylinder recently failed.
As others have said, koni rear dampers really help the ride. However, I really isn't the most passenger friendly car. The boys love it though!
As others have said, koni rear dampers really help the ride. However, I really isn't the most passenger friendly car. The boys love it though!
Have had mine about 18 months and still hooked on it. all the above comments are accurate, the suspension is rock solid and forces you to crawl over speed bumps etc but it's a cracking drive and slow enough to be exploitable on the road without risk. Main irritant is a tiny fuel tank into which you'll struggle to get more than £40 of unleaded. If you remain enthusiastic and leave it in sport mode then that'll drain at just over 30mpg in town. 40 closer to the truth on longer runs with a little bit of circumspection.
bit of a bill last year for a suspension fix (specifics of which escape me right now)but running costs are as low as you'd expect and nothing has snapped off.
superb fun but make sure you get a decent drive on poor roads to double check you'll be happy living with the ride.
bit of a bill last year for a suspension fix (specifics of which escape me right now)but running costs are as low as you'd expect and nothing has snapped off.
superb fun but make sure you get a decent drive on poor roads to double check you'll be happy living with the ride.
LukeSi said:
You get used to the suspension. However from the sound of it most problems can be solved by replacing the shocks with some softer ones.
I found it under damped and would Pogo all over the place at the back. I have changed the rear dampers for Koni St.R (something like that anyway) ones and its much more planted and civilised in all situations. I would recommend anyone who owns a 100hp to switch out the rear dampers at least.My wife even likes it now I have made the swicth. She hated it before.
Allaloneatron said:
LukeSi said:
You get used to the suspension. However from the sound of it most problems can be solved by replacing the shocks with some softer ones.
I found it under damped and would Pogo all over the place at the back. I have changed the rear dampers for Koni St.R (something like that anyway) ones and its much more planted and civilised in all situations. I would recommend anyone who owns a 100hp to switch out the rear dampers at least.My wife even likes it now I have made the swicth. She hated it before.
So would these be an improvement?
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280943653707?var=lv...
STR.T's. I take it they aren't adjustable.
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280943653707?var=lv...
STR.T's. I take it they aren't adjustable.
I swapped my Mk 3 MX5 for one when my partner got pregnant. She had a C3, so there were other options for baby shifting, but to be honest, I ended up hating it.
The suspension was way too hard, going over speed bumps was like hitting a boulder. Any irregularity in the road surface was teeth jarring - the ride was a lot like a track modified car. The seats tore, steering wheel and gear knob wore (20k miles), it made weird noises, the interior quality was on a par with 80's hot hatches etc. most importantly for you, the boot is tiny - you can just get a buggy in, but nothing else.
On the upside the little one can look out of the windows ok. In the end (last week in fact) I swapped it for a Yeti - I've got racing for fun stuff. I would say 95% of the time I found it a pain in the bum, but on the 5% of the time when the road and the mood was right, it was brilliant - reminded me a lot of my old 205 GTi.
The suspension was way too hard, going over speed bumps was like hitting a boulder. Any irregularity in the road surface was teeth jarring - the ride was a lot like a track modified car. The seats tore, steering wheel and gear knob wore (20k miles), it made weird noises, the interior quality was on a par with 80's hot hatches etc. most importantly for you, the boot is tiny - you can just get a buggy in, but nothing else.
On the upside the little one can look out of the windows ok. In the end (last week in fact) I swapped it for a Yeti - I've got racing for fun stuff. I would say 95% of the time I found it a pain in the bum, but on the 5% of the time when the road and the mood was right, it was brilliant - reminded me a lot of my old 205 GTi.
I´ve run one as my daily driver since 2007. 170,000 Kms to date, still love evry drive! I live in Madrid, which is a contact sport, but the car is unbeatable. It has also put in 1000kms into a day on occasion. It´s a small Fiat, so thrashed on a daily basis.
One clutch and 3 sets of tyres so far, so I think that´s value for money.
With the 6 speed box and the right revs, the car is hilarious on the long high climbs out of Madrid. Very stabe in all conditions, including wet and windy. Not bothered by crosswinds.
The suspension is appalling in certain conditions, mainly aggressive speed bumps, but I can live with it. And as a 5 door hatch, I find it very practical as well. Which is why I won´t replace the car with an Abarth.
One clutch and 3 sets of tyres so far, so I think that´s value for money.
With the 6 speed box and the right revs, the car is hilarious on the long high climbs out of Madrid. Very stabe in all conditions, including wet and windy. Not bothered by crosswinds.
The suspension is appalling in certain conditions, mainly aggressive speed bumps, but I can live with it. And as a 5 door hatch, I find it very practical as well. Which is why I won´t replace the car with an Abarth.
markcurtains said:
I've had mine about 4 weeks, love it. Although I'm taking it back to the place I got it for them to take a look at the fron suspension. I was expecting it to be harsh but it sounds pretty wrong on slow corners with uneven surfaces.
Shouldn't make noise. Should be back breakingly hard. Get the alignment checked. 100HPs are awful for the alignment.Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff