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Panda 2012+ Soon to be panda owner

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Panda 2012+ Soon to be panda owner

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Carl05

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Dec 21, 2014
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Hi there folks,
I've just joined this is a great forum as I'm about to buy my first panda.
I've owned a mini one for 11 years and now need a more practical car, somthing that easy for my 2 older passengers to get in & out of.

OK so I know I'm going for a panda but which one :confused:

I've recently test driven both a treking MJ (2013) & a lounge TA (2012)
I like them both but can't decide on the one to buy, it's not about the £££'s as there both priced according to "the book" i like the treking style but the MJ felt sluggish but the TA was crisper but the engin noise was more intrusive.

Obviously coming from a mini everything about a panda is going to take a little getting use to. If I buy the treking on style will I get use to the MJ motor, if I get the TA will the noise get on my nerves :bang:

Any real world experience of owning both cars would be appreciated
 
None of us find the noise of the TwinAir engine annoying, in fact quite the opposite. I would add that the Panda and the 500 both get used for relatively short journeys and I do have another car for longer journeys when required so can't comment on long motorway trips.

As a general comment I would say that diesel is of benefit to higher mileage drivers, but there is starting to be a backlash to this type of engine.

The Trekking is very capable, but if you like it for the style alone all well and good.

It seems like you are set on getting one of those two cars but there are many around on the market- I wouldn't tie myself to just those two vehicles.

How about a TA Trekking?
 
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Thanks for thee reply TA newbie

1/ The to cars I've mentioned are at a local(ish) dealer.
2/ I favor the off-road styling comming from a trail bike background and may venture down rough farm tracks occasionally.
3/ I'm now a bit of a taxi as my father (79) can't drive whilst on a waiting list for a operation.

Since my OP I've been reading on hear for hours about the pros and cons of this vs that, my head is spinning !
Just been through umpteen pages about DPF's (I'd never heard of such an animal)
As my normal driving for the week is... 10 x 6 town miles 4 x 1 mile & 2 x 15 miles, with a once a month round trip of 50 miles. So I'm scared off the MJ

Nothing's set in stone but a TA is looking favourite, now can I find a TA Trekking localy (northampton):rolleyes:
 
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They are quite short journeys.

You will not get good mileage from the TwinAir if you were hoping for that.

I guess you know about Autotrader in order to look for a car.

I have found it very useful over the years.

Edit- just done a nationwide search on AutoTrader and by putting in the key word Trekking there are only two TwinAir engined cars in the UK!
 
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HTML: 
I guess you know about Autotrader in order to look for a car.
Been on line for ages and it seame more like a month. Autotrader, exchange & mart, Parkers etc and just googling, there's not many around.
I'm now looking for the best deal on a new TA Trekking :idea:

As to MPG, I'm getting about 30 around town in my 1.6 Mini, the best it's been was years ago, 38mpg summer driving on narrow hard tyres.
 
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I find the TA to be a nice little engine with plenty of get up and go when you need it (once the turbo has spooled up). I haven't found the noise a problem since owning it (for just over a month). Its first drive was a 200 mile+ trek from the dealers in Jönköping (up to Stockholm) and it wasn't an issue at all. It's actually surpisingly quiet in the cockpit. But then again I'm used to a Land Rover, a twin cyclinder motorbike, a Vespa an Extra and a Pitts.

I have a 4x4 and I've been continually surpised and amazed by it abilities since owning it. I'm in Sweden and we've had some very slippy weather recently with freezing rain and snow and the 4x4 sticks to those surfaces like glue. I'm not sure how it does it, but it feels incredibly solid and safe (I'm also a taxi driver of two kids).

Good luck with your choice!
 
HTML: 
Buy on the privilege scheme for the best deal on a new Fiat

Thats a new one on me, please tell me more
 
It all sound good to me, I'm already a sky ride member and keep getting prompted to join British cycling.
I'm in for a test drive tomorrow on a new car so I'll plug the dealer for as much info as possible.

Watch this space :)
 
Hi folks
Now I've gone and done it ;)
After a test ride on familier roads, the TA trekking showed it true colours, I was chatting away with my passenger and totaly forgot about any engin noise Untill I came to some well know twisty bits, a heathy go on the loud peddle resulted in a big Grin and I was sold :)
As it was the last working day for the dealer and I was the last possible sale before Christmas, I came away with a tasty deal :yum:
A new trekking + winter pack (heated seats & windscreen) met green with dark silver wheels, 60/40 rear seats & 3 belts.
It's built and ready for shipping & should be at the dealers early/mid January.
All for just under ....................£10,000:)
I had to sign up for credit but with the option to pay it off after 6 month of let it run full term and pay only £200 in interest.
I haven't felt this positive about a car since I brought my Mini 11 years ago.

It's about waiting patently for delivery :rolleyes:
PS. Thanks for the warm welcome
 
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Carl05 said:
Hi folks
Now I've gone and done it ;)
After a test ride on familier roads, the TA trekking showed it true colours, I was chatting away with my passenger and totaly forgot about any engin noise Untill I came to some well know twisty bits, a heathy go on the loud peddle resulted in a big Grin and I was sold :)
As it was the last working day for the dealer and I was the last possible sale before Christmas, I came away with a tasty deal :yum:
A new trekking + winter pack (heated seats & windscreen) met green with dark silver wheels, 60/40 rear seats & 3 belts.
It's built and ready for shipping & should be at the dealers early/mid January.
All for just under ....................£10,000:)
I had to sign up for credit but with the option to pay it off after 6 month of let it run full term and pay only £200 in interest.
I haven't felt this positive about a car since I brought my Mini 11 years ago.

It's about waiting patently for delivery :rolleyes:
PS. Thanks for the warm welcome
Click to expand...

I wouldn't wanna play cards against you.
That's a great deal.
Dark silver wheels? Sounds like the 4x4 wheels.
Your gonna love it and your Dad is gonna feel like a young lad when you make the turbo work that TwinAir in 2nd but especially 3rd.
Enjöy!
 
Total bargain, and an excellent choice. Those do sound like the 4x4 alloys. In Italy at the moment and it seems every other car is a Panda 4x4 with an amazing amount of mark 1's tootling about. Everyone seems to park using braille? don't think I have seen one car without a bump or scratch.

I had a Mini One when they first came out, broke it a few times but still loved it.
 
HTML: 
I had a Mini One when they first came out, broke it a few times but still loved it
.
I still love mine to but needs must and all that.
Shame but I can't have two cars, It will have to go.
Nice and shiny Mini one, red with white roof and cooper strips, 56,000 miles, drives like new.
PX value £2,000

And a happy new year to one and all.
 
And I'm still waiting.
I'm told its in the UK already but it's likley to be another two weeks before I get my hand on it.
I thought as I was getting older I could wait patiently but apparently not :rolleyes:
And another thing, my Mini brake pad warning light has just come on.
 
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OK so I'm a little previous but after reading about the LED DRL's (& seeing a new panda on the road) I will have to change those yellow bulbs, led order placed.
Dealer rang today & my trekking will be ready on Monday :)

Sad but true.
I spotted (& brought) these gloves while brousing the bay, colour coded to my green panda with tan interior
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351252704...49&var=620418145473&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
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Now those gloves are amazing. My late MIL Bought me a pair of stringbacks the Christmas she passed away id forgotten just how gloves enhance car control and as knackered as they are now, for sentimental reasons I cant bear to throw them out!
 
Two reasons for the gloves
1/ raynaud's disease
2/ I can't not buy useful things when they are so cheap, even if I have a dosen pr's already. LOL
 
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