Buying blind - Panda 100hp

[Tom74]

Is this idiotic?

I can't get to a garage that has a Panda 100hp for sale unless I take a ferry/plane, however I have kind of decided I want one. All reviews seem to be positive but most mention a firm ride. Has anyone driven one and can compare this to other cars, Audi s-line for example, how firm is it?

I need something cheap fun and practical and this seems to tick all the boxes except for a test drive!
If anyone can shed some light in this it would be a great help.

Thanks!

[SnipsSt]

They got great reviews at the time. Harry Metcalfe of Evo magazine has one to transport ex-llamas.

[Andehh]

Risky risky risky imo. I'd be patient and buy one I can visit...

[anonymous-user]

I've bought blind once and it worked out great. Was on a mini and I knew from past experience there was little that could be wrong with it so just bought it. Not sure I would do it if I hadn't owned one before.

[Tom74]

Risky I know, but I will be car less from the weekend and need a car for work....

[JREwing]

You mention an Audi S-Line. I recommend that. The power, the handling, the imagine!

[visual123]

I have one - the short wheelbase and stiffness make it tiresome over bumpy roads and on long journeys, I haven't been in an S-Line (thankfully?) but compared to your average modern 'sporty' saloon with 18-inch wheels they are more 'crashy' yet bouncy. But in a way this does add to the fun if you're on a decent road and can chuck it around, being thrown around makes it feel a lot faster and they are very fun indeed, in a simple revvy-engined way. I guess it depends what you want it for - I get 40mpg on motorway journeys but I don't feel that comfortable at the end if it involves some potholed local roads!

A test drive would be the best way, but that isn't very sound advice at all here...

Edited by visual123 on Wednesday 20th March 22:33

[Papa Hotel]

Brilliant cars. When I sold mine, the buyer flew up to Edinburgh from Luton, sent me a couple of messages afterwards, happy with his purchase.

[chris8291]

In the overall picture the cost of a plane ticket etc to see the car is small in comparison to buying a car you may then regret. A good as those cars may be it just might not be what you personally wanted it to be. Wouldn't risk buying blind

[Tom74]

Cheers all, so it's bouncy, but fun. Might need to look at alternatives but having had mini's and track suspension on road cars before it may not be that bad?

It really the fun element I am after, even at slow speeds however most roads here are a bit bumpy....

[jambo103]

Ignis Sport...

[lindrup119]

JREwing said:

You mention an Audi S-Line. I recommend that. The power, the handling, the imagine!

Plus you could then hire it out for weddings!

[chrisw666]

Buying blind not a huge problem, but buying a car that some rave about but that others moan about the ride on is a huge risk.

[trickywoo]

jambo103 said:

Ignis Sport...

Or a 1.5 GLX Swift - surprisingly good.

[Terminator X]

A chap from Scotland bought my Impreza Spec C without even seeing it. Didn't even have it inspected, just paid for it then got it transported to Scotland. Was a substantial sum of money too ie more than a Panda 100hp

TX.

[Tom74]

chrisw666 said:

Buying blind not a huge problem, but buying a car that some rave about but that others moan about the ride on is a huge risk.

This is the crux really, I have driven a fair few cars and if there was something the ride could be compared to then that would help. I.e if its like an original mini on cool overs and 13" wheels it's a no, I'f it's better than an m sport 330d then that's ok!

[SiH]

Not wishing to turn this into a Sale of Goods / Distance Selling Regs thread but as a matter of interest if you were to buy this without seeing it and you had it delivered to you would it be covered under the Distace Selling Regulations? Just a thought.

[chrisw666]

Its not really too stiff, but certain roads unsettle the back end. Its more at home on a Broad than anything else in my brief experience of them.

[gtidriver]

Where abouts is the car? could a fellow 100hp driver on here not have a look for you.

[Tom74]

gtidriver said:

Where abouts is the car? could a fellow 100hp driver on here not have a look for you.

Seen a couple in merseyside, but I am in Isle of Man, I am happy to go there to buy one, just wanted to know if it would shake my teeth out or if its just something negative said in reviews for balance. I will be rest driving a different spec panda at the weekend so the ride is my only unknown at this point.