Hi All,

I'm back looking at Panda Crosses again after postpoing a decision to buy one last year. I'm thinking of the Multijet 95 but I have not had the opportunity to test drive one with this engine - only the previous 80 bhp version and my folks' twin air 4x4.

Is the 95bhp version any quieter than the 80 bhp, as that seemed a tad noisy when I drove it, as I notice it is still a 5 speed gear box? I assume with the extra horsepower it will be more sprightly. I've had a search on the forum and can't see much written about this engine in the Cross.

I'd appreciated any views! Many thanks.

I have one of them and I really like it.
It is a wee bit noisy but then I came from a 1.9 JTD Alfa that was really quiet until you pressed too hard on the loud pedal. There is a funny rattle between 3k and 4k but there is no let up in performance because of it. How does it go? Really well actually. The throttle feels a bit spongy at first with a slight delay in response but if you drive round that by pushing the throttle before the apex the lag will go away when you need it to. 70 comes up faster than the specs will tell you it does and that is fast enough to pull out on to a main road and get up to speed without ticking anyone off.
It will bury itself into the red line area if you want to....
It does need another gear and the tyre choice will help with the road noise but I just turn up the stereo and it is only really noticeable if there is a passenger.
The specs also tell you of magical 66mpg but as we all know, only Harry Potter does magic. 47.1 is as much as I have done so far but I don't mind.
Try and get a test drive and see what you think. I was pleasantly surprised by how lively it was, especially on B roads.

Euan

Hi Euan,

Thanks for the informative reply - that is really useful. Out of interest is it easy to fit an after market DAB radio? I live in mid-Wales and reception on a non-Dab radio is a nightmare. My current car has Dab so would want that in the Fiat!

Don't know how easy an aftermarket one would be but it is an option from new. I didn't bother getting it as I don't really listen to the radio and am very happy with the USB music option.

Euan

DAB radio £100 option. Finding pre reg Panda in any spec with it probably difficult. If it was my buying dilemma would have 12-15 month old Twin Air 4x4 and buy plug in personal DAB radio from electrical place or catalogue shop. Leads pence (plugs in aux socket). MP3 player/DAB cheap secondhand. I've had Phillips DA1102 for nearly decade from new (rechargeable batteries).

I've decided it isn't a deal breaker and have put down a deposit on a 15 plate Cross 95 multijet. I've not seen it or driven it so is a bit of a punt but hopefully it will be ok. Will be slightly different having owned a freelander for the last 4 years but as we run a Defender as well and it has turned out that the majority of my driving is running around town etc it makes sense to downscale. Hope I've made the right decision!

We put a DAB radio into the Defender when Halfords had a deal on so will go down that route or buy a Pure Highway adaptor thingy. Being in mid-Wales MW for Radio5 is pretty poor!

I'm very pleased with my 4x4 multijet (except for the lack of steering wheel adjustment) but am now getting used to the seating position. 6th gear would be good but as someone has already said turn up the radio or plug in an iPhone (useful here in Mid Wales with iffy reception) into the blue me and have your own tunes.

Oops just popped out on a short errand and the injection/EOBD light is now on and the glow plug light flashed once. Couldn't happen any normal time just a Bank Holiday. Bother.

Whereabouts in mid Wales are you as I'm in Aberystwyth? Had a nice round trip to Southampton yesterday to pick the Cross up and am well pleased with it. Yes, it needs a 6th gear but the noise only seems to become really obtrusive at over 70 mph. Anything under that and it seems ok. It also seems reasonably nippy and I had no problem overtaking on the motorway or the back roads. More importantly, my other half is well happy with it!

Your Cross will be great on all those mountain roads near Aber. I envy you having the opportunity to test it out there. (Former Aber resident, feeling the hiraeth. I have to watch Hinterland on the iPlayer these days to rekindle old memories!)