Another buying advice post I'm afraid - Panda 100HP

[stevebear]

Been keen on the Panda 100hp for a while. Any pitfalls, problems, stuff to be aware of?
Live in Poole/Bournemouth area and you know how pants the roads are around there - does it ride decently enough?
Currently have a Saxo and rattles like a very rattly thing - being french won't have helped I'm sure...
Thanks one and all
Steve

[markcurtains]

the suspension can be HARSH. There are solutions to this that people more learned than me can tell you about. But on a smooth road (we have a few of them in Sheffield) it's a lot of fun to drive.

[Allaloneatron]

Problems:
Harsh ride. Koni dampers on the rear help a lot and don’t cost much.
Road noise. Very intrusive on poor surfaces.
Turning Circle. Less than a double-decker bus.
Fuel. Only a problem if you were hoping for the stated 43mpg. Im getting about 35-37mpg

Benefits:
Bloody good fun
Always on the boil with the close ratio gearbox
Sport button makes it even better
Surprises much more costly machines on twisty roads (just ask the guys in the South west section who joined the last monthly hoon)
Bloody good fun

God knows why I mainly see old poeple driving these things.

[markcurtains]

Allaloneatron said:

Problems:
Harsh ride. Koni dampers on the rear help a lot and don’t cost much.
Road noise. Very intrusive on poor surfaces.
Turning Circle. Less than a double-decker bus.
Fuel. Only a problem if you were hoping for the stated 43mpg. Im getting about 35-37mpg

Benefits:
Bloody good fun
Always on the boil with the close ratio gearbox
Sport button makes it even better
Surprises much more costly machines on twisty roads (just ask the guys in the South west section who joined the last monthly hoon)
Bloody good fun

God knows why I mainly see old poeple driving these things.

to add to the benefits depending on your viewpoint I guess - you don't see many about, which probably adds tot he surprise factor as no one knows what it is. I've had mine since early December, seen 1 other one since. Seen the same amount of the new model 4x4 in that time and loads of the non 4x4 new shape.

[Dan Friel]

Have only just seen this, and others have really covered it all. If you're after a refined ride, then this car probably won't be for you (although I cover 100 miles a day in mine with no issues). The koni dampers are a vast improvement over stock. However, the car is fantastic to drive and very cheap to run. Fuel consumption rises quickly when you drive it harder. I average 43 mpg on the commute.

[LeighB]

Allaloneatron said:

Koni dampers on the rear help a lot and don’t cost much.

Be interested to know which ones specifically, could do with improving things on ours in this area.

Are Koni the only option people go with for curing this issue or have other brands been tried and tested?

Does just changing the rears cure (or vastly improve things) on their own or would doing the fronts as well also help?

And back to the thread .........

...they're a right hoot to drive!!

[Dan Friel]

LeighB said:

Allaloneatron said:

Koni dampers on the rear help a lot and don’t cost much.

Be interested to know which ones specifically, could do with improving things on ours in this area.

Are Koni the only option people go with for curing this issue or have other brands been tried and tested?

Does just changing the rears cure (or vastly improve things) on their own or would doing the fronts as well also help?

And back to the thread .........

...they're a right hoot to drive!!

I have koni adjustables on the rear (set just above the softest setting, any harder wasn't great on road) and koni SRT.T on the front. Vast improvement over the factory fit dampers, albeit they would have been very tired. The "pogo" bounce is now controlled. If I was doing it again, I'd probably save myself some money and fit SRT.T all round (these are meant to be set at the adjustables softest setting).

[LeighB]

Dan Friel said:

I have koni adjustables on the rear (set just above the softest setting, any harder wasn't great on road) and koni SRT.T on the front. Vast improvement over the factory fit dampers, albeit they would have been very tired. The "pogo" bounce is now controlled. If I was doing it again, I'd probably save myself some money and fit SRT.T all round (these are meant to be set at the adjustables softest setting).

Thanks for that Dan, will price 'em up.

[alex_p]

I've had a bog standard one for just over a year now, only done about 5,000 miles in it but it has been brilliant.

I'm in Bournemouth and don't have too many issues with the harsh ride, Surrey is much worse!

For me, Pros are low running costs, ease of parking and fun factor, only Con is split gearstick gaiter (£15 to replace).

Give me a shout if you want to have a look at mine.

[stevebear]

Cheers for all that folks, much appreciated. Seems like the interiors are hardwaring - the odd ropey looking one I've seen online, the inside still looks pretty decent.
Only thing now is trying to locate one! Looks like I'm going to have some travelling to do, no rush tho. Looking for the red/dark grey or black at a stretch. Shame they didn't come in orange!!
Ta again