Discussion
The idea of adding a basic small, low powered car with a bit of character that can be driven more or less flat out without risking limb or licence appeals to me. I have been looking at Fiat Pandas recently and they seem to fit the bill, especially the 100HP, although that seems to have no suspension, and the 4x4, mainly because of its looks. What are these like in real life. if I had one it would be an addition to the fleet, keeping the shed for load-lugging duties, but man maths works out that the extra tax and insurance would be partly* offset by better economy and no need to hire a van from time to time. Has anyone done something similar and if so how does it work out. BTW four seats essential.
Ta!
Ta!
Two of my favourite cars ever - 100hp and a 2013 4x4 panda diesel. The 100hp is the best new car I've ever had and a £7400 bargain. I've often thought about getting another one but I'm holding out for a newish Cross 4x4.
They are brilliant and full of character - especially the 100hp which is just great fun.
They are brilliant and full of character - especially the 100hp which is just great fun.
I bought a 100hp new in 2007 and daily'd it for 3 years and almost 60k miles. It was a great car (at least in Sport mode), cheap, well specced for the time and sounded and went well for what it was. The 1.4 engine is rev-happy and the 6-speed gearbox is ideally matched so you can always keep it on the boil. Suspension is comically stiff (I remember a friend bouncing on the sill unable to compress it 
) which on the plus side means that you can corner at comical speeds, but the downside is that the damping isn't very good and it gets very bouncy on any undulating roads at pace.
The only issue I had with mine was the clutch release bearing going at about 50k miles, predictably blamed on my "poor" driving and not covered by warranty.
Chris
) which on the plus side means that you can corner at comical speeds, but the downside is that the damping isn't very good and it gets very bouncy on any undulating roads at pace.The only issue I had with mine was the clutch release bearing going at about 50k miles, predictably blamed on my "poor" driving and not covered by warranty.
Chris
2013 1.2 Panda here as a daily, It replaced an Abarth 500 and 4 years later ive still got it, £30 to tax under £250 to insure and a wonderfully buzzy engine and Italian exhaust note, Cambelt and water pump needs doing every 4 years( £350 fitted), and make sure you look at the state of the rear axel and spring cups as they do tend to rot, if you buy one clean them up and get some underbody paint on there then they last, Likewise it has been known for sumps to rot through. Rest of the body should be fine as all FIATS are galvanised now.
Now go and get a 1.2 and have fun.
Now go and get a 1.2 and have fun.
Thanks for your replies. I looked at a nearly new City Cross (2WD drive 4x4 lookalike) and was quite impressed with it, but now the broker I deal with can no longer get the introductory 4 year NCB if you insure an extra car, so it is difficult to justify the extra (tight git syndrome 
) One is still down for the next car, but I will probably leave it for a few months now. BTW Insurance on a two year older Panda came out at £80 a year less, but I wasn't so keen on that particular car. Lower value seems to have a disproportionate effect on premiums.
) One is still down for the next car, but I will probably leave it for a few months now. BTW Insurance on a two year older Panda came out at £80 a year less, but I wasn't so keen on that particular car. Lower value seems to have a disproportionate effect on premiums.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff