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Panda 2012+ Fiammetta

Introduction

Fiammetta - 'Little Flame'

I picked up my cancan red 1.2 Lounge two weeks ago. She's my first ever car (a rather delayed 15 years after getting my licence). I'm still getting to grips with being back on the road after a few years' break, but have already clocked up over 200 miles and am very happy with my Panda so far. As a first car I think I've made a good choice.

I added Blue&Me, 60/40 rear seats and parking sensors.

We've just been out looking at a car for our lad.

We were tempted by the Citigo/Up! until we actually got up close to them.

They sound very diesely when idling, so much so I got out and lifted the bonnet to check and they have an annoying gearbox rattle/lash/whine.

There nothing on the base ones, not even central locking or electric windows, it was like being in a 70's Ford Escort again!

So we did what we should have done in the first place and headed to our Fiat Dealer.
We've three Pandas sat outside now!
2012 Pop in White
2014 Lounge in Cancan Red
2014 4x4 Antarctica in whatever colours they had left over at the factory.

They have their small faults, but you can't get enough of a good thing!
 
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We've just been out looking at a car for our lad.

We were tempted by the Citigo/Up! until we actually got up close to them.

They sound very diesely when idling, so much so I got out and lifted the bonnet to check and they have an annoying gearbox rattle/lash/whine.

There nothing on the base ones, not even central locking or electric windows, it was like being in a 70's Ford Escort again!

I drove around in an Up! for a few hours recently - one of a range of VWs on a local car share scheme. It was only a year old, and probably isn't treated particularly well owing to being used by lots of different people, but it made a whole range of rattles and knocks. I was also surprised at how basic it was. Fortunately my Panda was already on order by then :)

So we did what we should have done in the first place and headed to our Fiat Dealer.
We've three Pandas sat outside now!
2012 Pop in White
2014 Lounge in Cancan Red
2014 4x4 Antarctica in whatever colours they had left over at the factory.

They have their small faults, but you can't get enough of a good thing!

Nice fleet (y)
 
Did you know that the collective noun for pandas is ...


... An Embarrassment of Pandas. :D

Now that's clearly inappropriate when referring to the automotive version (although my daughter says she's embarrassed to be seen in my mental yellow Cross!)

Just had an idea for a new thread. (y)
 
Love the red dash too - very chic

Is that the Norwich Research Park in the background? I haven't seen the Bob Champion building before - it looks great (and is likely to stay looking great for longer than the new Enterprise Centre - there's a good reason why we stopped building houses out of straw several hundred years ago!)
 
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Love the red dash too - very chic

I was a bit nervous that it would be red overkill, but I didn't like the sand seats and thought they'd be a dirt magnet so red was the only other option. Very pleased with how it looks though.

Is that the Norwich Research Park in the background? I haven't seen the Bob Champion building before - it looks great (and is likely to stay looking great for longer than the new Enterprise Centre - there's a good reason why we stopped building houses out of straw several hundred years ago!)

Yep it's the Bob Champion Building, I love how it looks. The new gastro/food research centre is about to be built next door, joining it up to the rest of NRP.

I haven't been in the Enterprise Centre yet but it does look like the big bad wolf could puff it down.
 
I was a bit nervous that it would be red overkill, but I didn't like the sand seats and thought they'd be a dirt magnet so red was the only other option. Very pleased with how it looks though.

That new pic you've added of the dash looks great, and I like the red detailing on the seats, and the red door cards. I'm tempted to repaint my Cross's dash yellow, to match the outside, as the bronze is an acquired taste. There's not much I can do about the dowdy brown & grey seats, unfortunately :(

Yep it's the Bob Champion Building, I love how it looks.

I must pop down there for a closer look sometime - I can't keep up with all the construction that's happening on the NRP. I remember it when it was all fields!

I haven't been in the Enterprise Centre yet but it does look like the big bad wolf could puff it down.

Exactly! We're curious to see how it stands up to wear & tear - the crows are already enthusiastically tugging at the straw on the outside. It's worth a visit though, if only to see how they've used natural materials inside and out, and there's a cafe where you can get coffee and a cake, which is handy when you happen to work right next door to it!
 
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Fiammetta had her first wash today, looking good as new again :)

She also had a lunch date with my pal's new yellow Duke. Each to their own but not something I'd choose :yuck:
 

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That makes me feel very guilty. My wee yellow beastie is nearly six months old and it hasn't been washed yet! (Well, 4x4s look better with a bit of mud on 'em, surely? (y))
 
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