Thinking about buying a 100HP (and will my bike fit in it?)

Hi,

First of all, hello. I'm new on here and contemplating my first Fiat.

I'm looking for a new daily-driver (after the North London Kamikaze Driving Squad wrote off my last one) and considering a Panda 100HP. I'm looking for something cheap to insure, cheap to run (ideally 40+mpg on a run), capable of reasonably high-mileage motorway cruising, yet fun when I get to something twistier.

As far as I can see the 100HP ticks all the boxes. My main concern is whether or not I'd be able to get my mountain bike in - obviously with the wheels off the bike and the rear seats folded in the car. Has anyone tried this?

The only other thing I can think to ask about really is the refinement. Are they tolerably quiet/comfortable on the motorway?

Anything else I should consider before making a decision?

Many thanks.

If you can get some measurements for your bike, I'll go and see how much space there is - it'll also depend how far back you usually have the driver's seat

I've come from a Mondeo TDCI which was great on motorways (presumably because that's what it was designed for) but the Panda is still ok. At and indicated 70-80mph it's reasonably refined, but above that it will get wearing. Perfectly comfortable though, although I've found myself using A and B road routes where possible instead

Chris

I've been able to fit my bike in the back with the front wheel off, it's a bit of a squeeze but it will go if the passenger seat is put forward slightly and you get the angles right. If you take both off I'm sure it will go in fine.

If you spec the roof bars though there's some decent bike carriers out there so that might be worth bearing in mind.

Other than that it's a cracking little car, I've only seen less than 40mpg on one tank and that's because I took it on track. It's quite civilised and refined for a small car too, did 180 miles in it on Monday no problem.

It's quite a good performer on the motorway. I bought mine when I originally didn't do much motorway driving - now due to the audio in there I end up all over the place as it's often needed on demo stands.

Well you can defo fit a bike in there, well mine went in easy on a standard mountain bike frame (19 inch)

As for the comfort side of things, yeah its fine! and it hoons along the motorway, well mine did at 100mph plus ( not that i recommend anyone else to do this ) but if you stick to 70ish you will get a fair mpg reading.

Its simple.! See below.

http://www.fiatforum.com/panda-new/1...00hp-pics.html

But before the roof bars whent on the bike fitted fine with both wheels out..

• Fold the rear seats down.
• Take your seat out.
• Turn bike upside down and trap the remaining bit of your seat tube (on your frame) in between the folded rear seats.
• The rear dropouts of the bike sit by your shoulder in between the front seats. The handle bars sit in the boot floor with the forks obviously pointed upwards. Its rock solid and you can throw the car about a bit and have some fun before you hit the trails.
• Just make sue the bike sits forward enough in the car so you dont smash the rear window with the front forks when you close it.
• Wedge both wheels either side of the bike and the car doors.
• Sorted.

It is like the car is made for carrying a bike.. You would not believe how well it fits untill you try it like above.. No need to move front seats forward.

It goes in a treat but you can't beat the roof bars for carrying the bike about really.

MED.

Sounds like a well-rehearsed drill!

I used to have a Quantum kit car as my daily driver and people would stare in amazement as my full-susser emerged from behind the seats. With the wheels on it seemed nearly as big as the car, but somehow it just abput fitted. Happy days... It wasn't as waterproof (or dare I say it as reliable) as a Panda is likely to be.

I am looking at somewhat bigger cars too, but I have to decide whether the extra fun-factor of the Panda justifies the smaller space. The best way to do that will obviously be a test drive, so I need to find my nearest Fiat dealer I guess.

BTW, what's your take on likely resale values? The other slight concern is the alternatives are all slightly older and a bit further down their depreciation curve. The Panda's just got a bit more desirability though... I've wanted one ever since I first heard about it in Evo!!

My take on resale (which may be way off the mark! ) is that if you pay anywhere near list you'll be hit hard and the target new price is around 8k (probably plus metallic paint). My plan is to keep it 3 years and I'm reckoning on it being worth at least £3k with around 60k miles on it.

A quick look on the Trader shows a couple of '56 plate cars with under 18k miles with asking prices of £5.5-6k

Chris

Yeah I used to get my old GT Zaskar in the front of my VX220, it was a tuff task but i soon mastered it. The looks I got from other riders when I got to the trails in a VX220 with a bike sticking out the top were classic. They all turned up in 4x4's and people carriers. Pahh, bunch of pansies..!

MED.

i one of those bike racks you stick on the boot lid but then i take my bike, the mrs and a bike trailer for the kids.

Oh dear, the words that strike fear into any 'Fiatista'...