Dragonbreff said:

Thanks, that's what would happen too, I'd always be wondering what else was damaged and cause problems in the future.

I only have their word for it that it was a motorcycle that went into the back of it. For all I know it could have been another car. And being a corner shunt, the chasiss could be twisted or something.

I'll just have to wait until another Panda Twinair comes up for sale somewhere.

Thank you for your swift reply too, much appreciated.

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Where are you based..??

Mid Cornwall

Don't waste you time test driving a Hyundai I10.
I have one on hire out here on Malta and it is truly awful.
The engine is totally gutless, fourth and fifth gear are useless to it.
It makes our 1.2 Pop feel like a sports car.

The roads out here are not what you call smooth, but the I10 just can't cope, I've had the back end airborne a few times over bumps and the seats have no support for your back.
I miss my Panda!

Goudrons said:

Don't waste you time test driving a Hyundai I10.
I have one on hire out here on Malta and it is truly awful.
The engine is totally gutless, fourth and fifth gear are useless to it.
It makes our 1.2 Pop feel like a sports car.

The roads out here are not what you call smooth, but the I10 just can't cope, I've had the back end airborne a few times over bumps and the seats have no support for your back.
I miss my Panda!

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Same goes for the small Toyota - terrible ride combined with dreadful handling, no go, tinny as hell.

Goudrons said:

Don't waste you time test driving a Hyundai I10.
I have one on hire out here on Malta and it is truly awful.
The engine is totally gutless, fourth and fifth gear are useless to it.
It makes our 1.2 Pop feel like a sports car.

The roads out here are not what you call smooth, but the I10 just can't cope, I've had the back end airborne a few times over bumps and the seats have no support for your back.
I miss my Panda!

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Is it the new one? I thought the new one was supposed to be the 'best in the class'.

Dragonbreff said:

Mid Cornwall

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For the time being..just look for a Twinair to test the motor..
Should be 500 and punto flavours in the used market..all the same 875cc giving 85 bhp

I think of it like my old 2-strokes.
Will bimble around happily..'playing its own tune'

But when you feel like it it'll REALLY RIP.. and put a smile on your face..

The lack of engine breaking is also a real charm...actually part of the correct break-in procedure

When I was car shopping in January I had £6000 to spend. I was looking at, Dacia Sandero, Hyundai I10, Kia Picanto and the Panda & 500. For all the hype of the Korean cars I just felt the two Fiats were better, road noise and lack of power in the three cylinder engines made the car useless for any serious use. The Dacia was flimsy and a 63 plate was showing quite a lot of rust on seams and the inner of the bonnet.
The 500 was impractical for me as I need 4 doors, I certainly don't regret the Panda, a couple of niggles have been sorted out o.k. The car is versatile and will take a fair old load of stuff with ease.
I'd stick out for a TA if that's what you want.
Happy searching.

JCarp16 said:

Is it the new one? I thought the new one was supposed to be the 'best in the class'.

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Best shower of sh.t!

Yes it's a new one. A three pot with a wobbly idle, nasty just ticking over.

The front end handles the bumps reasonable well, the rear just can't cope. It skips and jumps about, a bit unnerving on the corners.

Fourth and fifth gear are too long, the motor struggles to pull them on the slightest incline, I've been having to drop two cogs at a time just to keep it pulling.

And to cap off, it judders something rotten in reverse.

Goudrons said:

Best shower of sh.t!

Yes it's a new one. A three pot with a wobbly idle, nasty just ticking over.

The front end handles the bumps reasonable well, the rear just can't cope. It skips and jumps about, a bit unnerving on the corners.

Fourth and fifth gear are too long, the motor struggles to pull them on the slightest incline, I've been having to drop two cogs at a time just to keep it pulling.

And to cap off, it judders something rotten in reverse.

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I'm really not looking forward to the new firefly 3 cylinder engines if they're anything like that. I'll see if I can stretch to 4 cylinders if that's the only other option. I wonder what they'll stick in the new Panda when they stop making the TA? I thought the TA was originally supposed to be part of a hybrid powertrain - there's space for it with the IC engine being so compact!

JCarp16 said:

I'm really not looking forward to the new firefly 3 cylinder engines if they're anything like that. I'll see if I can stretch to 4 cylinders if that's the only other option. I wonder what they'll stick in the new Panda when they stop making the TA? I thought the TA was originally supposed to be part of a hybrid powertrain - there's space for it with the IC engine being so compact!

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I read the other day it's a modular concept,
with similar bore and stroke cylinders..but option of 3 - or 4 - of them..

still no firm info on european launch dates..

varesecrazy said:

I read the other day it's a modular concept,
with similar bore and stroke cylinders..but option of 3 - or 4 - of them..

still no firm info on european launch dates..

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I don't really know what Fiat's plans for Europe are. It seems that FCA are concentrating on winning back market share in South America - elsewhere Alfa and Jeep are getting lots of investment.

I'm on my second TA car.

First was a lovely 500 TA+ & now a brilliant Panda Cross.

Sooooo much character. Far more economical in the 500 though with 10mpg better.

The Cross is 4wd though, more boxy & is on mud, snow & off-road tyres.