Hey...thinking about getting a new panda pop basic model as this is the only new car I can afford with a £109 deposit and monthly payments pf £109 too. Do u think this is a good idea or not....dnt paticularly like the look but how are these cars? Anyone own a basic model?

Hi there, Welcome to Fiat Forums !

Hi, maybe think about a demo of slightly higher spec that includes air con, central locking etc

I'm 6 weeks into my Panda ownership and although I wasn't a great fan of the looks either, it's really grown on me including the few other more basic trim levels I've seen around. I was going to say have a look at the i10 (our other car) as a few years ago that was about the cheapest new car you could get. I've just had a look though and they're now way over the price of that i-deal so to me it looks like quite a good deal for a new car (I'm no expert).

Have you had a test drive? If not then make sure you do and make sure you're testing the same engine as the one you're looking at i.e. not the diesel or twinair.

Parkers have a few owner's reviews for the pop 1.2 and most of the recent one's are pretty favourable (although there's someone from 2012 who seems rather unimpressed
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/owners-reviews/fiat/panda/hatchback-2012/

The Easy trim looks like it'd be an extra £10 a month but if you're at your limit I'd suggest not stretching yourself. I don't know what extra you get with the easy but to me air con and remote locking, while nice aren't the end of the world. My first new car was a base model and had winding windows and a cassette player (not that long ago) so you'll be getting much more than that even with the Pop.

One thing I thought I'd read was that unlocking the car via the front door didn't unlock the boot and you'd need to go round with the key to get the boot open. I don't know if that is still the case or just an earlier model but it might be worth checking as to me that might be a bit of a bind.

I know it's not much help but while mine's a different trim level and engine I do love it

Good luck making a decision,
Mick

Most dealers will offer similar deals, money wise, but with better spec cars than what Fiat's website offer.

My Mrs got her Lounge on a PCP deal, £115 a month!
It was a new stock car, so options weren't available, but it's still a nice car.

Shop around and ring around (deals in Scotland can be shown to local dealers to try and match), there are plenty competing for business.

Hi Sam

Welcome to forum.

We bought the basic spec one about this time last year on one of the cheap £99 per month deals.
It is basic, no height adjustable seat, no air con and no remote locking (the horror locking with a key), but to be honest it doesn't bother me, as a bargain bucket car it feels well put together and very grown up to drive. We took it on holiday last year to Wales and the Yorkshire dales and actually found it a better car to live with than our Punto Evo. We'll be going to Scotland in it this year and leaving the Punto at home again.

Oh yes if you get one remember to add a spare wheel and tool kit for £50 otherwise you'll just get an air pump and foam dispenser.

sam uk said:

Hey...thinking about getting a new panda pop basic model as this is the only new car I can afford with a £109 deposit and monthly payments pf £109 too. Do u think this is a good idea or not....dnt paticularly like the look but how are these cars? Anyone own a basic model?

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Hi sam uk,

We used to have a 1.2 Panda Easy (the next model up) and I can honestly say it was a great little car.

Regarding its looks - as long as you are prepared to just look at it as a good solid workhorse that is also actually good fun to drive, then you really can't go wrong. IMO the Pop actually has the nicest interior combo of the lot, which is daft when you think about it. Our turquoise one used to have the sand/beige interior which I really hated in the end.

You should also bear in mind there have been some issues over the past year with the 1.2 regarding hill starts and pulling away, primarily in the 500 but also in the Panda. This epic thread on the 500 section is worth a (quick!) nose at.
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/33982...se-hill-start-issues-watchdog-report-103.html

The truth is no-one really knows for sure whether Fiat has sorted this out for brand new cars yet. So whilst I wouldn't go as far to say don't buy a 1.2, you should definitely have a conversation with the salesperson about it.

As I say, now might be the best time to get one on the back of all the negative Watchdog publicity. But you should at least go into it with your eyes open.

I have a pop and my only two real bug bears are no remote locking and the next one really grates me. Having to take the key out of the ignition and use it to open the boot. If i was you go for the next level up

We have one. Love it. New last Nov. No extras= nothing extra to go wrong. Goes up hills ( we tested prior to buying), and is making my 3 year old Mercedes gather dust. Can you get a better reccomendation than that? - we did opt for the 60/40 rear seat though ;-) and yes.. slight gripe about no boot remote.