Fiat 500/Panda 100

[raf_gti]

Got chatting about about cars today with SWMBO and was saying how buying a car such as a Panda 100 may make financial sense, she told me "to do what I like, I'm sick of hearing about cars".

Anyway, as a result of visiting the dealer she has now decided that she would like a 500 and that I can also have a Panda 100, result!

As they share a similar platform how have they proven in terms of reliabilty? Although they will both come with a warranty the last thing we need is for them to be in the dealer eery other week for a repair.

I've heard the Panda has rather hard suspension which I'm prepared to live with but how does the 500 do on bumpy B roads?

We're off to the dealer again to talk £££s, hopefully with us both looking to buy a very good deal will be there to be had.

[Targarama]

My Panda has been faultless in the 3+ years I've owned it (from new). Unlike our new Golf GTI which has had 3 trips to the dealer (door lock failed - new lock under warranty, engine warning light came on = new sensor of some kind under warranty, dealer left front spring delivery 'retainers' in place - some PDI!).

[SystemParanoia]

Panda with arbarth engine for the win!

[raf_gti]

Targarama said:

My Panda has been faultless in the 3+ years I've owned it (from new). Unlike our new Golf GTI which has had 3 trips to the dealer (door lock failed - new lock under warranty, engine warning light came on = new sensor of some kind under warranty, dealer left front spring delivery 'retainers' in place - some PDI!).

I notice from your profile you have the subwoofer upgrade, did you have a chance to compare it with the standard stereo?

Nice TVR BTW

[Balmoral Green]

Our Panda has only half the power as it's a base model Active, but it's been faultless in the 30 months we've had it. They're a really great little car.

[MiniMan64]

So you're going to have matching cars and hers will have a pretty frock on?

:lol:

[raf_gti]

MiniMan64 said:

So you're going to have matching cars and hers will have a pretty frock on?

:lol:

Yup!

I thought exactly the same thing but hey ho, at least we'll both be happy!

[MiniMan64]

raf_gti said:

MiniMan64 said:

So you're going to have matching cars and hers will have a pretty frock on?

:lol:

Yup!

I thought exactly the same thing but hey ho, at least we'll both be happy!

Shouldn't you be getting the mentalist 500Abarth you can get and she gets the shopping trolley?

[PabloTeK]

MiniMan64 said:

raf_gti said:

MiniMan64 said:

So you're going to have matching cars and hers will have a pretty frock on?

:lol:

Yup!

I thought exactly the same thing but hey ho, at least we'll both be happy!

Shouldn't you be getting the mentalist 500Abarth you can get and she gets the shopping trolley?

I dunno

[Pig Skill]

I have a Panda 100hp as a daily smoker - its great fun on the country lanes where we live. BUT beleive me the suspension can become tiresome. Very good razzing around in.

Build quality is patchy but good where it counts. Inside is well laid out, simple and functional.

I really love it - great fun. Bargain hard and look to get one for 8500 otr

[raf_gti]

PabloTeK said:

MiniMan64 said:

raf_gti said:

MiniMan64 said:

So you're going to have matching cars and hers will have a pretty frock on?

:lol:

Yup!

I thought exactly the same thing but hey ho, at least we'll both be happy!

Shouldn't you be getting the mentalist 500Abarth you can get and she gets the shopping trolley?

I dunno

I love how every Panda 100 thread has that pic posted

[PabloTeK]

raf_gti said:

PabloTeK said:

MiniMan64 said:

raf_gti said:

MiniMan64 said:

So you're going to have matching cars and hers will have a pretty frock on?

:lol:

Yup!

I thought exactly the same thing but hey ho, at least we'll both be happy!

Shouldn't you be getting the mentalist 500Abarth you can get and she gets the shopping trolley?

I dunno

I love how every Panda 100 thread has that pic posted

It must be the only time most shopping trollies go sideways!

[MiniMan64]

Thats because it's awesome.

As a man who commutes daily in a classic Mini lacking in suspension I do rather like these little Fiats.

[raf_gti]

Pig Skill said:

I have a Panda 100hp as a daily smoker - its great fun on the country lanes where we live. BUT beleive me the suspension can become tiresome. Very good razzing around in.

Build quality is patchy but good where it counts. Inside is well laid out, simple and functional.

I really love it - great fun. Bargain hard and look to get one for 8500 otr

I keep on hearing that the suspension is on the hard side but in comparison to what?

Is it comparable to a typical hot hatch or it it worse than that?

[Pig Skill]

Nothing at all like a hot hatch. Feels very harshly damped, you often violently pogo on any surface other than smooth. It takes some getting used to and you will grow to hate speedbump - especially with the Pandas narrow wheel base - thers no getting round them! Go test drive one for at least 30 mins

[raf_gti]

Pig Skill said:

Nothing at all like a hot hatch. Feels very harshly damped, you often violently pogo on any surface other than smooth. It takes some getting used to and you will grow to hate speedbump - especially with the Pandas narrow wheel base - thers no getting round them! Go test drive one for at least 30 mins

Hmmm.

My commute isn't exactly smooth, no speed jumps just typical B road lumpiness.

I had a brief test drive a few years ago and didn't really notice the damping, that was only for 5 miles tho and not overly massively rough roads. Finding a car in stock, far less to demo is night on impossible!

If anyone in the Lincs region is reading this and fancies taking me for a spin do let yourself be known, there is a bacon sarnie in it for you

[Targarama]

raf_gti said:

Targarama said:

My Panda has been faultless in the 3+ years I've owned it (from new). Unlike our new Golf GTI which has had 3 trips to the dealer (door lock failed - new lock under warranty, engine warning light came on = new sensor of some kind under warranty, dealer left front spring delivery 'retainers' in place - some PDI!).

I notice from your profile you have the subwoofer upgrade, did you have a chance to compare it with the standard stereo?

Nice TVR BTW

The standard speakers sounded a little tinny so I thought that for the price (£150) I'd take a punt at the upgrade, which sounds good enough for me.