The Fiat Panda 100HP can be a car that's easy to forget, for a variety of reasons. Not only is the small fast Fiat scene largely dominated by 500s, the 100HP was never directly replaced (despite promising rumours of a TwinAir second generation) and the rest of the Panda range now continues without any performance focus at all.
Indeed it seems very likely that the Panda 100HP really was a one-of-a-kind car. In the pre-crash years, small, cheap and fun cars could be made; they didn't make much money but, hey, it didn't really matter because other models in the range would cover that. The business case was making a car that was a hoot to drive. Nowadays that isn't possible, as costs are ever more tightly scrutinised and anything that doesn't make money doesn't make production. Sure, VW may make an Up GTI, but the fact that SEAT and Skoda don't appear to be following suit shows what little cash there is to be made there. The Suzuki Swift Sport has moved into a more expensive realm, Ford never replaced the SportKa and even the city car triumvirate of Toyota-Peugeot-Citroen, all with considerable experience in the sector, hasn't ventured into the pocket rocket arena.
Thanks goodness Fiat did, back in 2006. Of course that was the time of greater creativity in all model sectors (your £30k coupe could have been a Monaro, or an RX-8, or a Z4, for example), but the 100HP so perfectly suited the Panda it was a surprise Fiat hadn't introduced it sooner. Peppy, cheeky and tremendous fun, the 100HP won over nearly all who drove it. £10,000 had seldom bought so much fun in a new car.
With fewer than 2,000 making it to the UK and considerably less than that remaining, the 100HP is now a rare little car. It hasn't yet reached classic status though; there's an argument that it may never be so coveted, being 'just' a Panda and lacking an Abarth badge, but its entertainment value and one-off status should ensure at least some demand going forward.
For now though it means fabulous looking Pandas like this 2009 car can be picked up for just over £3,000. It looks an absolute gem: enthusiast owned (there was another Panda 100HP before this, and a Cinq Sporting before that) for six years, it has covered 40,000 miles, has a full service history and also 10 months MOT remaining. More than that it has four matching Goodyear tyres, a new cambelt and water pump, recent Brembo discs and pads, plus all original equipment from the sale nearly a decade ago. There's everything you'd like to see in a car for sale at ten times as much. The reason for sale? The Panda is being replaced by - you've guessed it - an Abarth 500...
While there are more exciting weekend cars around, as something to inject a bit of fun into a commute the Panda 100HP presents a very appealing case. It'll be economical as well as quick enough, a cinch to park and, according to owner PH contributor and 100HP owner Chris Rees, dependable as well - "relentlessly reliable" was his phrase in 2015. Sure, a first-gen Swift Sport might also tempt you, but at this money you're looking at cars with more miles, and all of them have a five-speed 'box which hurts fuel economy. There wasn't much like the Panda 100HP at launch, and there certainly isn't anything to match its no-frills approach to pocket rocketry a decade later - now's your chance to get in before everyone realises what they're missing out on.
SPECIFICATION - FIAT PANDA 100HP
Engine: 1,368cc, four-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 100@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 97@4,250rpm
First registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 40,527
Price new: £9,995
Yours for: £3,400
See the original advert here.
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