Fiat Panda 100hp (again)
Discussion
As photobucket have totally screwed everyone, I've decided to start my own Panda 100HP thread following on from F1nns which you can find here, less his pictures.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As mentioned on that thread, I now own the panda, which I aim to get on the road some time this week as hopefully I've sold the Volvo, collection due next Sunday.
After driving the panda home from Reading I wrote the following:
Anyway, here are a few images I've uploaded to Imgur, as photobucket is pants now.
and the one you've all been waiting for, 1.4 POWAH!
This car just makes me smile, you may have noticed a name change too
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As mentioned on that thread, I now own the panda, which I aim to get on the road some time this week as hopefully I've sold the Volvo, collection due next Sunday.
After driving the panda home from Reading I wrote the following:
S10GTA said:
I've just got back to Southampton after driving from Bracknell via Fareham to show a mate. Firstly, hats off to F1nn, really nice chap. Thanks for picking me up at Reading and making the transaction run smoothly. If you'd be able to upload the images on here rather than on photobucket, that would be appreciated and I'll keep this thread running.
On to the car. It seems to have retained the name "the little blue s
tbox" and its an utter hoot to drive. I believe everyone should try it at least once! Everything I've ever read about handling etc is spot on. I've not stopped smiling since I first saw it, its just such a fun car as long as you don't care what anyone else thinks. Its definately a "no fks given" car. The ride is more than acceptable on anything other than the most broken of ground for me. I'd go as far to say its on a par, if not slightly better, than the V70R. Certainly no complaints here. The steering is a little light, the brakes a bit grabby, but you can forgive the little foibles as its so eager to be driven.
Its suitably low rent inside as you'd expect for a 10k car, but what they (Fiat) have managed to achieve is incredible in the sense of space. Its like a tardis. It's a few little niggles which I'd like to resolve over time, I think the issue F1nn was having with the seat is down to the back of the drivers seat having collapsed, but its no big deal. The steering wheel controls don't work either, but I can confirm the air con isn't ice cold, but cold enough that I had to turn it up on the way home.
In the end, as I went to Fareham, I went down the M3 and along the M27. I sat between 60-80mph. 60 is quite nice, 70 is acceptable, 80 is a little frantic. I had averaged 47mpg when I got there, despite giving it quite a bit of stick. I love its simplicity, and apparent cheapness (discs are £30 a pair rather than £XXX for the Volvo). I purchased this mostly as a money saving exercise whilst retaining some motoring fun, and I believe this will deliver. I'm not however planning on crashing in it, there isn't much room inside if you get it wrong.
Its now parked in my work car park, as I'm yet to mention to the wife that I've purchased another car....I shall introduce it once I've sold the Volvo....
As mentioned, the main reason for this new thread is to sort the pictures, so I have uploaded the handful that were on eBay. Once its on the road I'm sure I'll be taking more. All I've been thinking about since I drove it is where my first drive should be to. Quite fancy a bimble down to Exmoor or maybe Cheddar Gorge, or maybe I'll just take a spin out round Cranborne area. It works so well on those type of roads.On to the car. It seems to have retained the name "the little blue s
tbox" and its an utter hoot to drive. I believe everyone should try it at least once! Everything I've ever read about handling etc is spot on. I've not stopped smiling since I first saw it, its just such a fun car as long as you don't care what anyone else thinks. Its definately a "no fks given" car. The ride is more than acceptable on anything other than the most broken of ground for me. I'd go as far to say its on a par, if not slightly better, than the V70R. Certainly no complaints here. The steering is a little light, the brakes a bit grabby, but you can forgive the little foibles as its so eager to be driven.Its suitably low rent inside as you'd expect for a 10k car, but what they (Fiat) have managed to achieve is incredible in the sense of space. Its like a tardis. It's a few little niggles which I'd like to resolve over time, I think the issue F1nn was having with the seat is down to the back of the drivers seat having collapsed, but its no big deal. The steering wheel controls don't work either, but I can confirm the air con isn't ice cold, but cold enough that I had to turn it up on the way home.
In the end, as I went to Fareham, I went down the M3 and along the M27. I sat between 60-80mph. 60 is quite nice, 70 is acceptable, 80 is a little frantic. I had averaged 47mpg when I got there, despite giving it quite a bit of stick. I love its simplicity, and apparent cheapness (discs are £30 a pair rather than £XXX for the Volvo). I purchased this mostly as a money saving exercise whilst retaining some motoring fun, and I believe this will deliver. I'm not however planning on crashing in it, there isn't much room inside if you get it wrong.
Its now parked in my work car park, as I'm yet to mention to the wife that I've purchased another car....I shall introduce it once I've sold the Volvo....
Anyway, here are a few images I've uploaded to Imgur, as photobucket is pants now.
and the one you've all been waiting for, 1.4 POWAH!
This car just makes me smile, you may have noticed a name change too
Edited by S100HP on Friday 7th July 14:18
It's Panda time. With the Volvo due to depart on Sunday it was time to collect the new car and bring it home, which I did last night. Such fun to drive. Managed my first overtake down a twisty road last night and left a fiesta st behind. Became beautifully unbalanced when I jumped on the brakes trying to slow myself down for a sharp corners, which was grin inducing.
Anyway, anyone who's followed my threads will know I've a thing about number plates, so I ordered some last week and fitted this morning. You may also notice my other subtle addition, although it might be a bit too subtle.
Ah, that feels better...
Anyway, anyone who's followed my threads will know I've a thing about number plates, so I ordered some last week and fitted this morning. You may also notice my other subtle addition, although it might be a bit too subtle.
Ah, that feels better...
Edited by S100HP on Thursday 13th July 06:37
What a brilliant little car.
Have driven the panda over the last few days. Those who say you need a big car with children (including myself) are wrong. Here was me looking at XC90s when a panda will suffice. Managed to fit my two children (one in a rear facing seat) and their 9 year old cousin into the panda to visit the grandparents, and even took the dog. The kids have decided to call it "the awesome panda", they love it too.
As for living with it, I love everything about it, especially the looks, really growing on me. Gave it a good clean yesterday too and it came up well (not that it was dirty)
This car just makes me smile everytime I look at it, and I cannot get over how small it is. I can park it in any space and have tons of room to open the doors either side. It actually fits in parking spaces.
Snapped this pic this evening which amused me
Have driven the panda over the last few days. Those who say you need a big car with children (including myself) are wrong. Here was me looking at XC90s when a panda will suffice. Managed to fit my two children (one in a rear facing seat) and their 9 year old cousin into the panda to visit the grandparents, and even took the dog. The kids have decided to call it "the awesome panda", they love it too.
As for living with it, I love everything about it, especially the looks, really growing on me. Gave it a good clean yesterday too and it came up well (not that it was dirty)
This car just makes me smile everytime I look at it, and I cannot get over how small it is. I can park it in any space and have tons of room to open the doors either side. It actually fits in parking spaces.
Snapped this pic this evening which amused me
Blue Mikey said:
I'm still on the hunt for one with the optional 3 seats in the rear, really want one but with two kids there's often the need to ferry a friend home etc :/
I also think you'd struggle with child seats (assuming they are still needed)One thing I forgot to add. The horn is bloody hilarious. Reminds me of noddy's car. I'll be sure not to use it in anger, although it may defuse any tricky situations. The kids thought it was great fun yesterday!
Little to report in panda land. I've been using it for around 4 weeks now, having covered around 500 miles, and it's such fun. I often find myself passing the main roads and hacking it down back roads where the car comes alive. It's bumpy but not as bad as the reviews suggest, saying that, I'm considering renewing all the shocks to get it "factory fresh". Its also been getting filthy with all these detours it's been christened rallypanda.
However, one thing that has really annoyed me with the car is the rear wiper activating when out in reverse with the wipers on. It certainly doesn't enhance the rallypanda feel. I want it dirty, not with a wiper mark. So I deleted it this morning.
For those interested, it was very simple. Off with the nut holding the wiper in place, off with the carpet, undo 3 bolts and the wiper was off. Fill the hole with the bung and put it back together.
I can't remember the last time I did a wiper delete, but I think it looks great.
However, one thing that has really annoyed me with the car is the rear wiper activating when out in reverse with the wipers on. It certainly doesn't enhance the rallypanda feel. I want it dirty, not with a wiper mark. So I deleted it this morning.
For those interested, it was very simple. Off with the nut holding the wiper in place, off with the carpet, undo 3 bolts and the wiper was off. Fill the hole with the bung and put it back together.
I can't remember the last time I did a wiper delete, but I think it looks great.
M1TT J said:
I've just got one of these to replace my Clio 197F1 and have found it a blast over the first 400 odd miles! Not as quick sure but it certainly puts a smile on my face (see my fleet thread for pics and more info if interested)
Mines had an exhaust upgrade and has a k and n filter which makes it sound quite decent!
Oh go on then one pic ??
Brilliant aren't they. Are you local? I see a pic outside Lyndhurst. I'm over near hythe.Mines had an exhaust upgrade and has a k and n filter which makes it sound quite decent!
Oh go on then one pic ??
Panda update as its been mine for almost 3 months now, and I've covered 1600 miles in total now, more than 500 of those in the last week with a trip to the Brecon Beacons and then up to Gatwick and back yesterday.
Before my 500 mile week the average fuel economy was sat at 38.6mpg. Since then I've spent quite a bit of time on fast A roads and Motorways, where is happily sits between 70 and 80mph. It's now sat at 40.9mpg. It's also utterly filthy, which I quite like
This picture doesn't do the dirt justice, but it really is dirty!
...but this car isn't about fuel economy (although doubling my old car is quite a plus!), its more than that. For me it was a combination of money saving but also about enjoying driving again, and its 90% there. I love the handling, the turn in, the grip (in the dry!) and the noise when pressing on. I also enjoy the feeling of being close to the limit when you're actually only doing 40/50mph down a country road that in other cars would feel really sedate. It loves to be abused. Last night i cut home via the Meon Valley and it comes alive when pressing on, egging you on and making you feel like the greatest driver in the world! I expect its small size and sense of speed certainly help. I also love the way it looks, especially when dirty. Its such a clever design and we had plenty of space when going to Wales although the dog sat on the back seat (which he didn't mind!)
However, the novelty does wear off. Not to the point I want to sell it yet, but if I was doing 500 miles a week, every week, I'd get fed up pretty quickly. The ride is getting tiresome. The roads are so bad round here its very crashy. Hit a big bump at speed and you pogo into the roof. It's noisy on the motorway. The seats could be better. The ratios are so short you're always changing gear. It under-steers horrendously in the wet. The tank is tiny meaning frequent fill-ups. The rear wiper activates when you put the car in reverse. The headlights are a bit rubbish. The front plate keeps falling off due to the curve of the front bumper (and I don't like using screws).
Ultimately it was a 10k car, 10 years ago, and because of this I can forgive its foibles, but it doesn't mean I'm going to ignore them. The plan for now is to look at refreshing the suspension and ideally fit some Arbarth 500 seats, which should address the two main areas of concern. I'm luck that I don't do hundreds of miles a week normally. At a push I do 50 most weeks, and mostly shortish journeys and for this its great, and whilst I'm negative about a few bits above it is perfectly acceptable at longer journeys, I'm just being over critical. What I have found is it makes me want to drive places and because its cheaper to run I'm happy to. Its made driving (on the right roads) fun again.
Before my 500 mile week the average fuel economy was sat at 38.6mpg. Since then I've spent quite a bit of time on fast A roads and Motorways, where is happily sits between 70 and 80mph. It's now sat at 40.9mpg. It's also utterly filthy, which I quite like
This picture doesn't do the dirt justice, but it really is dirty!...but this car isn't about fuel economy (although doubling my old car is quite a plus!), its more than that. For me it was a combination of money saving but also about enjoying driving again, and its 90% there. I love the handling, the turn in, the grip (in the dry!) and the noise when pressing on. I also enjoy the feeling of being close to the limit when you're actually only doing 40/50mph down a country road that in other cars would feel really sedate. It loves to be abused. Last night i cut home via the Meon Valley and it comes alive when pressing on, egging you on and making you feel like the greatest driver in the world! I expect its small size and sense of speed certainly help. I also love the way it looks, especially when dirty. Its such a clever design and we had plenty of space when going to Wales although the dog sat on the back seat (which he didn't mind!)
However, the novelty does wear off. Not to the point I want to sell it yet, but if I was doing 500 miles a week, every week, I'd get fed up pretty quickly. The ride is getting tiresome. The roads are so bad round here its very crashy. Hit a big bump at speed and you pogo into the roof. It's noisy on the motorway. The seats could be better. The ratios are so short you're always changing gear. It under-steers horrendously in the wet. The tank is tiny meaning frequent fill-ups. The rear wiper activates when you put the car in reverse. The headlights are a bit rubbish. The front plate keeps falling off due to the curve of the front bumper (and I don't like using screws).
Ultimately it was a 10k car, 10 years ago, and because of this I can forgive its foibles, but it doesn't mean I'm going to ignore them. The plan for now is to look at refreshing the suspension and ideally fit some Arbarth 500 seats, which should address the two main areas of concern. I'm luck that I don't do hundreds of miles a week normally. At a push I do 50 most weeks, and mostly shortish journeys and for this its great, and whilst I'm negative about a few bits above it is perfectly acceptable at longer journeys, I'm just being over critical. What I have found is it makes me want to drive places and because its cheaper to run I'm happy to. Its made driving (on the right roads) fun again.
Edited by S100HP on Wednesday 20th September 09:56
Paraicj said:
When I bought mine I waited a while hoping a nice blue one would show up, but settled for a black one. The blue looks great!
It is definitely not a quiet and composed ride. I only use mine at weekends really, as I bike to work, but I feel the same, I'm not sure I could keep it as an everyday drive. However, it is perfect for me now, to escape to the Peaks or Wales or Cannock. If you think yours is noisy on the motorway, I have roofbars on mine that never come off!
Thanks. I wasn't too fussed what colour I ended up with but I really like the blue, comes out well in pictures.It is definitely not a quiet and composed ride. I only use mine at weekends really, as I bike to work, but I feel the same, I'm not sure I could keep it as an everyday drive. However, it is perfect for me now, to escape to the Peaks or Wales or Cannock. If you think yours is noisy on the motorway, I have roofbars on mine that never come off!
I've been toying with getting front to back rails from a different panda, are these the ones you've got?
paps said:
I'm considering one of these for my short commute to work and for dropping the kiddy off at day care. Couple of questions: How's the ride height over speed bumps? My 320d ED is low and scrapes a lot.
Also, access to the back seat; any good for putting kiddy in her car seat? I'm hoping the roof line is usefully high enough to make this a bit easier than the BMW.
Ride height is good, no issues with scraping. Also, access to the back seat; any good for putting kiddy in her car seat? I'm hoping the roof line is usefully high enough to make this a bit easier than the BMW.
Access to the rear seats is absolutely fine, however there isn't much room behind the drivers seat. I can't have either of my children behind me whilst driving. One if 4 and front facing, the other is 4 months and rear facing. I can have one behind me if I'm in the passenger seat.
_Neal_ said:
As a counterpoint, my 5 year old fits in the rear seat behind me when I'm driving, but only with a small gap between her feet and my seat. I'm 5'11" and she's quite tall too. And yes, getting the kids (2 and 5, both in forward-facing seats) into their seats in the Panda is easier than installing them in my BMW with lower roofline.
Do they do yoga or are you into origami??!I could probably squeeze mine behind but I'd be cramped against the wheel.
f1nn said:
I regret selling this car.
Sorry about that. At least you can see it's still panda shaped.Pica-Pica said:
DoubleD said:
I think it looks odd without a rear wiper. But if youre happy then thats all that matters.
Is it still legal? Have you informed your insurance company? Just saying.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff