Finally took the plunge!

Hello everyone,

Newbie to the Forum but certainly not Fiats!
Over the years have owned 3 classic Pandas (including a lovely Bianca with full length sunroof and a funky 4X4) and more recently a turquoise Cinquecento, followed by a 51 Reg Seicento. Have been chaging the cars quite alot lately (I like change!) but recently decided to buy the wife a new Panda - we fell in love with car since launch...

Settled on a Panda 1.2 Dynamic Air Con in Mambo Yellow - with additional 3rd rear belt and full size spare wheel. Got an amazing deal online (less than £6.5k OTR!) - delivery due towards the end of August, can't wait!

Looked at loads of alternatives and came close to choosing something else but I couldn't help but feel that had we done that we would always regret not going for the little Panda (how could you resist?!).

Anyway, will write more and post some pics once the Dynamic Panda arrives....

Best regards to all on a great resource!

Hi and welcome to the panda section, I'm sure you'll enjoy the car

Hey, thanks for the welcome - appreciated!
Would like to be made aware of any quirks (all cars have them!) we should be aware of from current owners.
Ta

Welcome aboard!

Like you, I had a shortlist of cars but I'd made the mistake of driving the Panda first and none of the others really had the grin/fun/hooligan factor of the Panda and the awkward Nissan, Citroen and Ford dealers helped make it an easy decision

I guess the quirks will depend what you're comparing it against, and if I'm being picky, the single most annoying things are the high driving position (meaning I look through the rear view mirror at some junctions rather than under it) and the over-zealous self-canceling indicators. Oh and the squeaky brakes under light braking and the suspension clonking over rough surfaces which now seems to have developed.

I found the overall package was hard to beat though and I'm very pleased with my choice

Chris

Hey Scooby!
Thanks for that - so nothing too serious then.
My wife and I are both shorties so hopefully won't have too many problems.
What model do you have?
I briefly test drove a 1.1 Active and found it to be a bit of a tearway - like a mini-prancing horse waiting to be unleashed. I occassionaly like to give the cars a bit of a thrash so could be fun....the wife's the opposite!
Really used to love bombing about in the old Cinq 800cc - found the Sei a bit too civilised (although no doubt safer).
Well, we're counting the days down.....

I went for the 100hp in the end. My head suggested the super-economical MJ was the most sensible choice but it lacked the kit and fun factor of the 100hp so my heart won out

No regrets, as they say

Chris

The 100HP looks awesome, I think they done a fab job!
The wife wouldn't have wanted 1 - too many prying eyes and 2 many boy racres after her LOL.
MJ was our first choice but started reading about problems when it rains - I see that as a design / manufacturing fault so put us right off. Couldn't have a new car cutting out with all the kids on board!
The 1.2 Dynamic is probably a safe choice - but you do get a fair amount of kit for the price....and all useful stuff too.

I can't think of much to look out for with the dynamic, my parents' one was brill but towards the 3rd year one of the front suspension bushes was reportedly worn, and one of the heater diffusers broke, but that could happen with any model I suppose

Got the MJ and as I live in the lakes area it rains all the time, but never had a problem. I do have a rattly dash which will be sorted when it goes in shortly for an Oil change. Also thought there was a problem with the remote on the boot as it took a few seconds to open but found this is normal. Taking it in early as there is no way I would leave a car for 12,000miles without changing the oil, I don't care what they say.

Anyway hope it becomes a happy part of your life.

BTW I was also wondering between 100HP & MJ but went for the MJ and added toys

Glad to hear you've had no rain-related problems. But it was after reading this post that I becamea little concerned over the MJ...
http://www.fiatforum.com/panda-new/1...old-start.html

Yeah I read that as well but have had no problems at all other than the rattles as stated. Mine is late 07 built in Oct/Nov and collected 29th of Nov with 5300 trouble free miles so far. Hope you enjoy yours.

BTW I still prefer the classic panda's as they have so much more character But I'm sure the MJ will reveal is character as time goes on