I had a thread under the Panda forum querying reliability issues of the 1.2 engine.
Thought that my final post would be of interest to 500 owners so here goes.

I called into the Fiat showroom today on a whim and totally unplanned.

I asked Reg (salesman) if I could take out a Panda 1.2 and try some hill starts as I was concerned about the problems we are are all aware of. "Yes" he replied, "no problem, I'm just finishing this Panda sale with this couple, grab yourself a coffee, I'll be about 15 minutes".

Got my coffee and started mooching around. Approached by another salesman in the next door showroom. "Can I help you sir"? he asked. "Just waiting for a road test with Reg thanks, I replied"

We then started chatting and I asked him about the 1.2 possible problems and did he have a Panda with a twin I could also test. "No Pandas with TA twin in stock but you could have a run out in the 500 demonstrator, same engine".

Great I thought. He jumped in the 500 with me and off we went, within 200 metres I had made the decision, not only did I want the TA twin but I also wanted the 500!

Never having been in a 500 before I was amazed how much space there actually is. Looks tiny from the outside, the quality of the cabin is superb and I found myself just wanting to take it home there and then.

The engine sounds brilliant, like one of my old motorbikes from the 60's, some may hate it, some may like it, i LOVE it!

We had a twenty minute run around including a fast carriageway and some steep hills, wow, what a brilliant little car. I never stopped grinning for the entire 20minutes.

When I got back Reg had disappeared with his buyers on a test so I sat down and studied the options in the 500 catalogue.

When he eventually returned he was in a very happy mood having completed a deal.

"Ok, he said, lets get down to sorting out your new Panda".

"Don't bother Reg I said, i'll sign up now for a 500 TA Lounge in that off white colour".

"Blimey, he replied, it"s way over your Panda budget that we discussed".

"Yes, I know" I replied, but if you don't tell my missus...I won't!

The cabin of the 500, a nice place to be....can"t wait!

Having one of both outside I couldn't agree more. When I go paintballing or we go somewhere with a less than ideal car park I take the Panda, long distances or a drive that I want to enjoy it's the 500

I find it funny that most of the time I rather drive my 500 than my twin turbo 350z.

These little fiats are fun. Love mine.

I'm going the other way soon.

Trading my beloved 500 Twinair Plus for a brand new Panda Twinair Cross.

Generally excited & looking forward but I will be really sad to see the 500 go

I have a panda cross and a 500c on the drive but I only drive the panda ! the wife loves the 500 so much I have not managed to prize the key from her hands so it must be a very good car ! So as I have only been in the left seat it's a roomy and we'll built car! I will get in that right seat one day! Lol.

had the new 500 ta lounge for just over a week.

HAVEN'T STOPPED SMILING SINCE I GOT IT!!!!

Funest car ever and I've had over 30 cars (company mostly) and this is my favourite , what a hoot. God knows what the MPH is but to be honest I don't give a toss, I'm having a ball with this little pocket rocket...you just cannot stop yourself giving the engine a bit of wellie...it loves to rev!

The 500 lounge cockpit...a nice place to be....LOVE IT!

Thinking of buying a TA 500? Just get one, they are absolutely brilliant fun!

highlander52 said:

had the new 500 ta lounge for just over a week.



HAVEN'T STOPPED SMILING SINCE I GOT IT!!!!



Funest car ever and I've had over 30 cars (company mostly) and this is my favourite , what a hoot. God knows what the MPH is but to be honest I don't give a toss, I'm having a ball with this little pocket rocket...you just cannot stop yourself giving the engine a bit of wellie...it loves to rev!



The 500 lounge cockpit...a nice place to be....LOVE IT!



Thinking of buying a TA 500? Just get one, they are absolutely brilliant fun!

Click to expand...

God you are making me want mine even more now! Got a 500s twinair on order. Just wish it was time for it to be collected now!!

one regret only. I bought the 500 lounge for a good price etc but it was already in the showroom. I later saw another lounge with side rubbings which are normally fitted to order.

dealer wants £300 to fit these as an extra!!!!

Never mind, the car is fantastic and I'm sure that like me you will love it.

Your soft top down in the summer...wow, will be brilliant.

highlander52 said:

had the new 500 ta lounge for just over a week.



HAVEN'T STOPPED SMILING SINCE I GOT IT!!!!



Funest car ever and I've had over 30 cars (company mostly) and this is my favourite , what a hoot. God knows what the MPH is but to be honest I don't give a toss, I'm having a ball with this little pocket rocket...you just cannot stop yourself giving the engine a bit of wellie...it loves to rev!



The 500 lounge cockpit...a nice place to be....LOVE IT!



Thinking of buying a TA 500? Just get one, they are absolutely brilliant fun!

Click to expand...

Yes. Another convert. Couldn't agree more with everything you say. The TA makes the 500 the car it should be. Did you go for the 105?

hi,

bought the car that was in the showroom. TA 85 lounge and find there is plenty of go in it. Didn't know about the 105 or I would have ordered one.

incidentally my post number 6 should have read MPG NOT mph!

Have settled down a bit now after haring around like teenager (I am 66 years old) for the last week.

Driving the ta 500 lounge is like owning the sports car I always wanted but never got around to buying.

I have kept my old panda for shopping and going to the tip etc. My 500 is strictly for fun driving....roll on summer!

My wife is selling her four year old audi in april, no prize for guessing what she is going to replace it with....

Hi and welcome i bought one in December a 105s i have already clocked up 2000 miles i have done a few motorway journeys and its great ,round town nippy and fun ,great little cars enjoy yours

I'm kind of the opposite, started off with a 500 and added a Panda 4x4 to the family. Strongly disagree that the twinair makes the 500 the car it should have been (whatever that means!)

Glad you are enjoying your TA Lounge - I've had mine for nearly 4 years and still love it. Test drove the 1.2 but when I tried the TA I was instantly sold. Not for everyone though, it's not smooth pulling from low revs. I had a 1.2 as a courtesy car and although I missed the TA grunt, found the engine very smooth and flexible. Performance wasn't too bad either, better than 1.2 Corsas or Clios I've hired for work, although these are heavier of course. Would have paid a lot less buying a 1.2 from new, too. I agree with Maxi - it's "horses for courses"

First real day in my new Panda.

Given some of the reviews on the Panda Cross, I was expecting it to be noisy but in terms of general engine / road & wind noise, it's silent compared to my 500.

Pleasant surprise

It's less chuckable though, hardly surprising given the lofty stance & longer wheelbase and higher profile all seasons tyres but it feels very secure.