Discussion
After too many beers, not enough self restraint, and too much Ebay, I've ended up buying this:
It's a late 2007 Panda 100hp, 84k on the clock, loads of service history with over £1.5k being spent in the last 15 months, refurbed wheels and a new set of Toyo T1-R all round.
Picked it up last night and it appears to do everything it's supposed to.
Problem is, i have absolutely no need for this car, nor have any idea what I'm going to use it for...
Still, driving it hard on a country road last night was incredible...the cars size, modest performance and chuckable nature is an absolute riot...such an engaging car to drive!
It's a late 2007 Panda 100hp, 84k on the clock, loads of service history with over £1.5k being spent in the last 15 months, refurbed wheels and a new set of Toyo T1-R all round.
Picked it up last night and it appears to do everything it's supposed to.
Problem is, i have absolutely no need for this car, nor have any idea what I'm going to use it for...
Still, driving it hard on a country road last night was incredible...the cars size, modest performance and chuckable nature is an absolute riot...such an engaging car to drive!
Almost two weeks into ownership, and the s
t box has been pressed into service doing multiple tip runs, taking the dogs to the park, wood to the allotment, plants from the garden centre...it's so liberating driving a car that you don't particularly care about and isn't worth a lot.
The thing is, journeys always take a bit longer as I find myself coming back the long way. Let's be honest, it's a st car, but the amount of fun you can have at legal speeds in one of these is incredible, and there is definitely an appeal in driving a low powered car hard that just can't be had on the road in more modern, powerful cars.
As an only car? hell no. As a cheap, chuckable second or third car? Fantastic!
It's a Fiat right, so what's wrong with it? Well, it's a nigh on ten year old Fiat at that, it everything works as it should, starts stops and steers perfectly. Well at least almost as well as it did when it rolled out of the factory for the first time. No doubt aided by how well previous owners have looked after it, and the relatively large amount of money it's had spent on it previously.
Typically, the steering wheel has gone a bit wrinkly as they all seem to do, and as that's the bit you are touching all of the time it was annoying. I looked at options and as this is a a cheap stbox, I decided £16 worth of perforated leather cover, stitched in blue had to be worth a shot. As it sat there stitching it together I had my doubts...but actually if you squint a bit it's looks fine! Much nicer to use which is a bonus!
The gearknob and gaitor have some wear, so I'll do something about that when something half decent comes up.
What don't I like? It's all about perspective with a car like this...I've got such low expectations of it it can't help but p,easantly surprise me...the "sport" mode just seems to make the throttle response jerky, especially coming off the throttle at low speed so that's rarely gets used.
Other than that it's all good, and even the wife who initially couldn't stand the sight of it is slowly falling for its charms!
t box has been pressed into service doing multiple tip runs, taking the dogs to the park, wood to the allotment, plants from the garden centre...it's so liberating driving a car that you don't particularly care about and isn't worth a lot.
The thing is, journeys always take a bit longer as I find myself coming back the long way. Let's be honest, it's a s
t car, but the amount of fun you can have at legal speeds in one of these is incredible, and there is definitely an appeal in driving a low powered car hard that just can't be had on the road in more modern, powerful cars.As an only car? hell no. As a cheap, chuckable second or third car? Fantastic!
It's a Fiat right, so what's wrong with it? Well, it's a nigh on ten year old Fiat at that, it everything works as it should, starts stops and steers perfectly. Well at least almost as well as it did when it rolled out of the factory for the first time. No doubt aided by how well previous owners have looked after it, and the relatively large amount of money it's had spent on it previously.
Typically, the steering wheel has gone a bit wrinkly as they all seem to do, and as that's the bit you are touching all of the time it was annoying. I looked at options and as this is a a cheap s
tbox, I decided £16 worth of perforated leather cover, stitched in blue had to be worth a shot. As it sat there stitching it together I had my doubts...but actually if you squint a bit it's looks fine! Much nicer to use which is a bonus!The gearknob and gaitor have some wear, so I'll do something about that when something half decent comes up.
What don't I like? It's all about perspective with a car like this...I've got such low expectations of it it can't help but p,easantly surprise me...the "sport" mode just seems to make the throttle response jerky, especially coming off the throttle at low speed so that's rarely gets used.
Other than that it's all good, and even the wife who initially couldn't stand the sight of it is slowly falling for its charms!
The 6 speed fake "pleather" gearknob on these wears on these unsurprisingly, I mean, you think Fiat, you hardly think last word in quality right?, and the finishing on the cap wears away. That coupled with tearing of the gaitor and it was letting the side down in otherwise very presentable cabin.
Bit of an update.
I advertised this on EBay, and I can honestly say I've never had the misfortune of dealing with as many idiots.
I had a fantastic conversation yesterday which went something like this:
Idiot: is the air con ICE cold?
Me: the air con works correctly, and cools the car down properly as you would expect.
idiot: yes, but is it ICE cold?
Me: er, I wouldn't describe it as Ice cold, but it works correctly and cools the interior down as it should.
idiot: hmmm shame, I was looking for something with ICE cold air con. has it had the clutch replaced?
Me: there is nothing in the service history to suggest that it has been replaced, but the clutch operates as it should, with no slip or judder.
Idiot: hmm that could be a problem, it might go in the future.
Me: er, yes It quite possibly could, as it could any any car.
Idiot: has the power steering been replaced?
Me: er...power steering fluid?
idiot: No, the power steering
Me, er...not that I am aware of, but equally I wouldn't expect it to have needed to be replaced
idiot. I don't want a blue one.......
So, that's was the tone of most of the enquiries, and the car didn't make the reserve.
The wife surprised me when she asked if it had sold, and I sheepishly admitted that it hadn't, by announcing that she was pleased and hoped we'd be able to keep it, so it looks like the little blue knacker is staying a little while longer!
I advertised this on EBay, and I can honestly say I've never had the misfortune of dealing with as many idiots.
I had a fantastic conversation yesterday which went something like this:
Idiot: is the air con ICE cold?
Me: the air con works correctly, and cools the car down properly as you would expect.
idiot: yes, but is it ICE cold?
Me: er, I wouldn't describe it as Ice cold, but it works correctly and cools the interior down as it should.
idiot: hmmm shame, I was looking for something with ICE cold air con. has it had the clutch replaced?
Me: there is nothing in the service history to suggest that it has been replaced, but the clutch operates as it should, with no slip or judder.
Idiot: hmm that could be a problem, it might go in the future.
Me: er, yes It quite possibly could, as it could any any car.
Idiot: has the power steering been replaced?
Me: er...power steering fluid?
idiot: No, the power steering
Me, er...not that I am aware of, but equally I wouldn't expect it to have needed to be replaced
idiot. I don't want a blue one.......
So, that's was the tone of most of the enquiries, and the car didn't make the reserve.
The wife surprised me when she asked if it had sold, and I sheepishly admitted that it hadn't, by announcing that she was pleased and hoped we'd be able to keep it, so it looks like the little blue knacker is staying a little while longer!
Drunken car purchases should be encouraged, it helps the economy on so many levels!
With regard to the handling, it's far too unsophisticated to have any nannying brake/throttle software, so you can left foot brake to minimise understeer to your hearts content.
On a damp, deserted roundabout near me I had understeer on the way in, a throttle lift had mild lift off oversteer, with a big stamp on the throttle had a little drift as it pulled itself straight again. At probably between 20-30mph. Great fun.
I read a lot of criticism about the steering being too light, but I think it suits the chuckable nature of the car. It weights up in sports mode but I then find the response a bit inconsistent once you've got around a quarter of a turn on.
With regard to the handling, it's far too unsophisticated to have any nannying brake/throttle software, so you can left foot brake to minimise understeer to your hearts content.
On a damp, deserted roundabout near me I had understeer on the way in, a throttle lift had mild lift off oversteer, with a big stamp on the throttle had a little drift as it pulled itself straight again. At probably between 20-30mph. Great fun.
I read a lot of criticism about the steering being too light, but I think it suits the chuckable nature of the car. It weights up in sports mode but I then find the response a bit inconsistent once you've got around a quarter of a turn on.
Ebay, on this occasion, has attracted nothing but timewasters.
I'm in a weird position with this car...I don't really need it, but I don't need to sell it either.
The family have become attached to it, even the dogs seem to like travelling in it, I've got two scotties and the low window line mean they can see out easily. It's fun, cheap to run and has proven useful.
It needs nothing, and is definitely one of the better examples out there, so I think I'll run it on a semi permanent for sale basis, where by if some one wants a good example at a sensible price I'd let it go, but otherwise I'll continue to enjoy it.
Great little cars though that get under your skin, definitely please to own one.
I'm in a weird position with this car...I don't really need it, but I don't need to sell it either.
The family have become attached to it, even the dogs seem to like travelling in it, I've got two scotties and the low window line mean they can see out easily. It's fun, cheap to run and has proven useful.
It needs nothing, and is definitely one of the better examples out there, so I think I'll run it on a semi permanent for sale basis, where by if some one wants a good example at a sensible price I'd let it go, but otherwise I'll continue to enjoy it.
Great little cars though that get under your skin, definitely please to own one.
The little blue box clicked onto 85k over the weekend, meaning I've probably covered 500-600 miles in it on motorways, country roads, stop start traffic. I even used it to drive into a central London meeting last week and it continues to not put a foot wrong.
When I think about how much I've spent on the various BMW's I've ran over the past few years its embarrassing.
One thing I would say is that the turning circle is not as good as it's short length might suggest, which I believe is as a result of the (comparative) length of the 6 speed gearbox, meaning the steering lock is reduced. This is noticeable when turning into car parking spaces. Not a big issue, but noticeable.
If I keep it, I might invest in the Koni rear shocks and (shorter) Fiat Coupe rear bumpstops to improve the ride quality, and although the car is running a standard exhaust (which as it turns out are no longer available and quite rare) I wonder if the character of the car would suit something just that little bit more rorty?
When I think about how much I've spent on the various BMW's I've ran over the past few years its embarrassing.
One thing I would say is that the turning circle is not as good as it's short length might suggest, which I believe is as a result of the (comparative) length of the 6 speed gearbox, meaning the steering lock is reduced. This is noticeable when turning into car parking spaces. Not a big issue, but noticeable.
If I keep it, I might invest in the Koni rear shocks and (shorter) Fiat Coupe rear bumpstops to improve the ride quality, and although the car is running a standard exhaust (which as it turns out are no longer available and quite rare) I wonder if the character of the car would suit something just that little bit more rorty?
Oh hold on, I've just remembered something I don't like.
I was beginning to think that the drivers seat was uncomfortable around the lower back region.
Turn s out that when you adjust the seat height, only the squab moves and not the entire seat. Weird, but in the lowest setting you can feel a lot of the hard part of the frame on your lower back. Adjust it up a few clicks and it's fine.
Strange.
I was beginning to think that the drivers seat was uncomfortable around the lower back region.
Turn s out that when you adjust the seat height, only the squab moves and not the entire seat. Weird, but in the lowest setting you can feel a lot of the hard part of the frame on your lower back. Adjust it up a few clicks and it's fine.
Strange.
Yep, it's off to a new owner, Mr GTA!
I've just spent an hour checking all of the fluids, vacuuming it, cleaning the wheels etc to make it pretty, ahead of a wash before collection, and I'm genuinely going to miss the little thing, As always when you've just sold a car the petrol light came on, so popped out to put half a tank in and saw another 100hp, the guy give a beep and a thumbs up.
It's actually not toooo bad on the motorway, an 80-85mph cruise is no, well not too much of drama.
Great little car.
I've just spent an hour checking all of the fluids, vacuuming it, cleaning the wheels etc to make it pretty, ahead of a wash before collection, and I'm genuinely going to miss the little thing, As always when you've just sold a car the petrol light came on, so popped out to put half a tank in and saw another 100hp, the guy give a beep and a thumbs up.
It's actually not toooo bad on the motorway, an 80-85mph cruise is no, well not too much of drama.
Great little car.
I see photobucket have stopped the 3rd party hosting/linking, boo hiss.
Well it's gone...and I keep catching myself looking out of the window at the empty parking space...I miss it.
Still, I'm confident it's going to be enjoyed by the new owner, and it was a very easy pleasant transaction.
I'm looking forward to the updates!
Well it's gone...and I keep catching myself looking out of the window at the empty parking space...I miss it.
Still, I'm confident it's going to be enjoyed by the new owner, and it was a very easy pleasant transaction.
I'm looking forward to the updates!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff