Fiat Panda 100HP: PH Used Buying Guide
In the market for this mildly hot Italian hatch? Here's everything you need to know...
The second generation of Fiat's Panda proved an instant, and big, hit for the Italian company. It didn't really need to bother with anything other than the meandering mainstream models, so the 100HP was a very welcome bonus track when it arrived in late 2006.
Fitting into the warm bracket rather than an outright hot hatch, the Panda 100HP came with a 1.4-litre petrol engine with a power output that gave the car its name. Tipping the scales at 975kg, this was enough to see the Fiat from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds and on to 115mph.
Those figures won't win many pub debates, but the Panda was much more about the bits in between the straights. So it came with suspension that sat 25mm lower than a standard version's and chunky 15-inch alloy wheels sat in the arches. The suspension was also firmed up by twenty five per cent to make the car more agile, though this was at the expense of some comfort.
A bold plastic body kit gives the 100HP a Jack Russell presence that hints it can hold its own. On the inside, Fiat added sports seats, a leather-bound steering wheel and a Sport button where other Pandas have a City switch. This sharpens throttle and steering feel, though it can make the accelerator too sensitive for town use and many thought the steering overly assisted when it was launched.
The brakes were improved with Punto front discs and Panda 4x4 rears. As an option, Fiat offered ESP for £440 on 100HPs. Also available was a Pandemonium Pack that added red-painted brake calipers, silver-painted door mirrors and alloy wheels, chrome side decals and unique pedals and mats.
However, it was the handling that endeared the Panda 100HP to the press and buyers alike. Those customers were a select group as fewer than 2,000 examples of this model were sold in the UK, which has helped bolster used prices and soften depreciation. It's now possible to find a decent 100HP from £2,000, while the very best are double that from the end of production in 2011.
Search for Fiat Panda 100HPs here
Buyer's checklist
Bodywork and interior
It's a budget Italian, so check all of the electrics work.
Upholstery wears on lower rear cushion, base and bolsters. Original fabric is hard to come by now.
Paint is thinly applied from the factory, so expect plenty of stone chips and signs of them being touched up.
The 100HP's plastic body kit wears well, so just look for any gouges that spoil the appearance.
Check the drain holes under the plastic panel around the wipers are not blocked with leaves and muck. If they become clogged, water can spill into the passenger footwell.
Steering wheel and gear knob wear quickly and look scruffy, but new ones are cheap direct from Fiat.
Engine and transmission
Head gasket failure is the engine's only weak spot if the coolant hasn't been changed regularly with a quality mix and the level is kept correctly topped up.
Services come at 12,000-mile intervals and the timing belt tension should be checked at every third service. If there's any slack, the belt needs to be replaced.
The six-speed manual gearbox is trouble-free, but look for oil leaks where it joins the engine.
Clutches can wear out more quickly than you expect, but should last 50,000 miles even with sustained town use.
Around 40mpg is easily possible in normal driving, dropping to 30mpg when using the full 6,500rpm limit.
Suspension and steering
First off, make sure you're happy with the ride quality as some find the 100HP's suspension too firm for longer commutes and motorway use.
Shock absorbers begin to leak due to rust, especially along a welded seam. Feel for any untoward bounce on a test drive and check the dampers for signs of damp from seeping oil. A full set of replacement KYB shocks is £400.
Rear bump stops are a common failure as they were not fixed to the car very well at the factory. Replacements are £12 and easy to fit.
Suspension alignment wasn't great from the factory and uneven tyre wear is common. A specialist set-up to get the tracking in the middle of the tolerances will avoid this but needs re-checking every 12 months to maintain settings.
Electric power steering motor, ECU and position sensor are all prone to failure. Feel for any excessive heaviness in the steering in normal mode without the Sport setting engaged.
Wheels, tyres and brakes
Upgrading the brakes with pads from the Punto is a common modification, but otherwise the 100HP's stoppers are fine. New pads are £35 per set for the front and rear, while discs come in at £70 for a front pair and £30 for the rears.
Search for Fiat Panda 100HPs here
Search for Fiats here
SPECIFICATION: FIAT PANDA 100HP
Engine: 1,368cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 100@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 97@4,250rpm
MPG: 43.5
CO2: 154g/km
Price new: £9,995
Price now: £2,000 upwards
It also fits two full-suss mountain bikes in the back with the wheels off, and the roof-bars direct from Fiat are cheap but good. Not much to complain about all round! It just passed it's MOT with no advisories at 11yrs old and is off to the Scottish Highlands from the Midlands next weekend. No plans to sell any time soon, I got it for £1800 and equivalent cars are closer to £2500 now.
Things my wife and I liked:
Proportions are perfect for B roads
5 doors
Nice gearchange
Quick enough
Reasonable economy.
Dislikes:
The ride is exceptionally hard (I'm used to that after years with a Caterham and Z4M).
A shame you can't mix/swap the throttle response and steering with sport and normal modes.
We only took it on track once and sadly all it wanted to do was understeer (that's with new tyres on the front too).
The build quality is cheap (but to be expected at the price).
Bluetooth wouldn't work with our modern phones.
Paint as mentioned in the article is thin, plus the 'red' was various shades and I am certain the panels were original.
If you are tall and lower the seat base you will feel a bar pressing against your lower back.
Did I mention the ride?
Rear brake lines corroded (not a problem), but had to wait for parts from Italy meaning the car was off the road for weeks.
Would we have one again? No, but it wasn't the worst car we've owned.
If however you can see through all the top trump stuff. If you want a pretty rare and unique car, one that doesn't follow the herd and one which you wont see another one of on the road for months at a time. If you can appreciate that simplicity, lack of weight and lack of complexity adds to the driver experience. If you want a car that's a hoot around town, a hoot around narrow country lanes and feels like you're driving a million miles an hour, whilst actually keeping within the speed limits and remaining thoroughly practical in the process, then buy one of these.
Everything about it was crap apart from the height & size
However - I did enjoy driving it. I taught myself to heel & toe in it on the winding mountain roads.
But really - crap car not a petrolhead car. £2k for me would be a mark 4 Golf GTi turbo or VAG equivalent which can be made to handle and go very fast with not too much effort
I read on a forum once, a user had a Panda 100hp and then a 182 Trophy, said the Panda handled better...
I do like these lower powered Warm Hatches, took my Mums Mini Cooper R56 out for a blast a few days ago on local b-roads, feeling like your going fast when in reality your not. It’s rather refreshing.
It might be missing the point somewhat, but how easy/hard is it to stick a turbo on one of these?
Chris
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff