After years of owning Land Rovers I've gone and bought a 2004 fiat panda dynamic. It's low mileage at 22k with one lady owner and in great condition. I've bought this as a daily runner as Land Rovers are just so expensive to use now. I still have land rovers but as hobby cars.

Family have owned fiats in the past and the last one we had was a Tipo. Looking forward to getting to grips with this simple, fun, small car. So far a hit with the family and cheap to run. Already put new pads & discs on the front and given it a full service (brakes had no meat on them as previous owner must have been a clutch and coast kind of driver).

Will input where I can. Also very active over on Landy Zone

Hi, and welcome to FF,

1. 2 petrol engine..?? THE best FIAT engine in @ 30 years : - )


the brakes are actually soft / grippy,

so their life expectancy is limited = 30K max if you actually use them..

Charlie - Oxford - 10 years in an '04 panda

Hi Charlie.

Thanks for the reply. The new brakes are very grippy. I always tend to brake with the engine as much as the brakes as I'm normally driving big heavy 4x4s. Might ease down on engine braking a little to save wear and tear on the clutch/engine.

I'm really liking the panda. Been with us 2 weeks today and already I've driven all around the north west of England and now on holiday in Scotland in it. Great little engine and fast around town. The interior is bright blue which takes some getting used to but I like it. Makes me smile. Closest thing to an original mini I've owned.

Yep - great little car and really cheap to run, and definitely puts a smile on your face. Lots on hear have made the same remark about it being the closest modern car to the original mini, which has got to be a compliment.

Enjoy

Thanks stu. I had 4 original minis and then owned a BMW Mini Cooper which I hated. The panda is so much fun to throw around town.

I had 3 'proper' Minis including a 1971 Mini Van (I wish I still had that!). I bought the Panda for my son to learn to drive in and have been using it myself for the last 10 months and found it a hoot to drive, but he's now passed his test and it's had a black box fitted for insurance purposes so although I can still drive it I now have to watch my driving style. Still the economy is now heading towards 55mpg!