Fiat Panda - how Hardy are they
Discussion
If it is anything like our Alfa MiTo (which it probably is), then mechanically it seems pretty hardy. Electrics, bodywork and trim are poor, but easily sorted if important or ignored.
It also depends on which Panda you are looking at, a basic n/a 1.4 is going to be less complex than a twinair unit which had more problems. If you want rugged, avoid multiair engines as missing oil changes caused failures.
It also depends on which Panda you are looking at, a basic n/a 1.4 is going to be less complex than a twinair unit which had more problems. If you want rugged, avoid multiair engines as missing oil changes caused failures.
read this thread, plenty of pandas on 150-200k now
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/430997-high-mileag...
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/430997-high-mileag...
I have a 2009 Panda with the 1.4 16v engine, currently nudging 92,000 miles. I'm not really sure about skipped services (I don't really approve of such things, especially on miles), but mine is still running well, but is showing its age.
The paint is thin and the lacquer on some of the painted plastic parts (the spoiler in particular) is peeling. The interior is okay, but the steering wheel is wearing badly.
Fundamentally though, the car is sound. The basic FIRE engine (Fully Integrated Robotised Engine) has been around since the '80s, so it's sorted by the time my car buzzed off the line, and the gearbox and driveline still feels tight. Pretty sure the same basic block features in the aforementioned MiTo, as well as the Abarth 500, so still in production today.
There are also no signs of rust whatsoever.
Which generation and model of Panda are you considering?
The paint is thin and the lacquer on some of the painted plastic parts (the spoiler in particular) is peeling. The interior is okay, but the steering wheel is wearing badly.
Fundamentally though, the car is sound. The basic FIRE engine (Fully Integrated Robotised Engine) has been around since the '80s, so it's sorted by the time my car buzzed off the line, and the gearbox and driveline still feels tight. Pretty sure the same basic block features in the aforementioned MiTo, as well as the Abarth 500, so still in production today.
There are also no signs of rust whatsoever.
Which generation and model of Panda are you considering?
We hired the cheapest of cheap cars in Italy a few years ago and were rewarded with a 2009 (approx) example that had clearly had a very hard life indeed.
It was three or four years old at the time and had covered over 100k kilometers. It appeared to have been crashed as often as it had been thrashed (which was a lot).
And yet, the engine was sweet as anything, it drove straight and tight (as much as a Panda ever does), everything worked and the air con was properly ice cold.
I was sufficiently impressed to consider getting one as a run around when I got home.
It was three or four years old at the time and had covered over 100k kilometers. It appeared to have been crashed as often as it had been thrashed (which was a lot).
And yet, the engine was sweet as anything, it drove straight and tight (as much as a Panda ever does), everything worked and the air con was properly ice cold.
I was sufficiently impressed to consider getting one as a run around when I got home.
Had two of the post 2004 'new' type. First was 4x4 bought new for 'country life'. Complete beast in the snow. Fun to drive. Did not break or have any 'Fiat' problems. Sold after three years. Still miss it.
Needed a 'city' car in 2010. Bought el cheaps used Panda 1.2 from a woman in Wales, in bright Orange metallic. Three years old, no service history, no rust. Kept it for three years. Needed tyres, wipers and an air filter, but didn't use any oil. Great to drive. Mine had a factory sun roof which was terrific.
If I needed a cheap city car in hurry I'd look for a used 1.2 Panda. There's plenty of used up-spec low milers around. New shape 'square' Panda seems equally reliable but haven't driven one.
Other left-field Fiat choice is a Tipo, lot of car for not much money. Punto was a bit 'meh' and not as much fun as the Panda.
Needed a 'city' car in 2010. Bought el cheaps used Panda 1.2 from a woman in Wales, in bright Orange metallic. Three years old, no service history, no rust. Kept it for three years. Needed tyres, wipers and an air filter, but didn't use any oil. Great to drive. Mine had a factory sun roof which was terrific.
If I needed a cheap city car in hurry I'd look for a used 1.2 Panda. There's plenty of used up-spec low milers around. New shape 'square' Panda seems equally reliable but haven't driven one.
Other left-field Fiat choice is a Tipo, lot of car for not much money. Punto was a bit 'meh' and not as much fun as the Panda.
Bought a 2007 Panda 1.1 for my daughter.
It has a slight oil leak but nothing serious.
It has required quite a bit for the MOT, suspension-wise - shocks, drop links etc but parts aren't too expensive.
Fiat washer pumps like to fail but cheap enough to replace.
Overall, it reminded me of my old 70s Mini - basically the parts are cheap and wear out so it's like a constant cycle of replacing things as they fail.
However, I do like the old Pandas and have hired many of them on holidays - very personable cars which was what led me to buy the above.
However, I recently hired a "new model" Panda Cross, on holiday - two wheel drive, slightly jacked up for the SUV crowd. Lacked a bucketload of charm that the 2007 model had and I didn't much warm to it at all.
It has a slight oil leak but nothing serious.
It has required quite a bit for the MOT, suspension-wise - shocks, drop links etc but parts aren't too expensive.
Fiat washer pumps like to fail but cheap enough to replace.
Overall, it reminded me of my old 70s Mini - basically the parts are cheap and wear out so it's like a constant cycle of replacing things as they fail.
However, I do like the old Pandas and have hired many of them on holidays - very personable cars which was what led me to buy the above.
However, I recently hired a "new model" Panda Cross, on holiday - two wheel drive, slightly jacked up for the SUV crowd. Lacked a bucketload of charm that the 2007 model had and I didn't much warm to it at all.
I bought a brand new 1.1 version in March 2010, £5995 all in! Put about 50k miles on it and p/ex'd it in December 2013 for £3000!
I don't think anything went wrong with it during my tenure other than a rattly instrument cluster which they fixed. By far the most characterful A segment car in my opinion.
I like the idea of a 4x4 as a winter car but the weather we get now just doesn't justify it. Michelin cross-climates on a RWD are more than adequate for me.
I don't think anything went wrong with it during my tenure other than a rattly instrument cluster which they fixed. By far the most characterful A segment car in my opinion.
I like the idea of a 4x4 as a winter car but the weather we get now just doesn't justify it. Michelin cross-climates on a RWD are more than adequate for me.
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