OK, after wrestling with the Panda v Grande Punto v 500 dilemma, a trip to the FIAT dealership has sealed it for me. I must have a Panda.

But which model to get?

I drive mostly on A roads 50-60mph with some city driving. Occasionally some nice long and winding roads in the Highlands or Borders.

so my options are these:-

1.2 Dynamic - seems sensible

4x4 - love the look of it but don't really think I'd see the benefits.

MJ - do enough miles to make it worth my while over a few years of ownership but I've never been a fan of diesels generally

100HP - might be a bit uneconomic on the fuel (but was in one today and it was brilliant)

Could anyone who has any of these models offer any advice as to their merits??????

Thanks!!!

are you looking for brand new, or used? i would say the choice would be between the 100 hp and rather than a dynamic, the eleganza model. both have similair spec in terms of goodies and comfort, the 100hp giving the harder sportier drive, the ele with a more relaxed, slighty rollier gait. horses for courses, and some very good deals out there:

http://www.bournvillemotorcompany.co.uk/itemb2250.htm

not bad on a 4 year old

Thanks!

Prob a 57 plate.

Need to get a feel for the difference between the 100HP and Eleganza in terms of 'Sport' vs 'City' drive.

My local friendly FIAT dealer is flogging delivery mileage Dynamics (57 plate) for £5695. Which I thought was pretty good and certainly comparable with fiatsupersaver prices.

Eleganza all the time, very lush

A-roads + 50-60 MPH = 60-70 MPG with a Multijet...

Wee Smurf said:

A-roads + 50-60 MPH = 60-70 MPG with a Multijet...

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I know. With my beige trousers on, I'd buy that.

But I've never been a fan of the diesel - drove my Dad's Peugeot 405 ex company car for a while and hated it - very noisy and no power when you put your foot down. I'm sure technology has moved on since then though!

Diesels are a lot better then they used to be

They now have turbos

So whereas, 10-15 years ago, you got a 1.9 or even a 2.5 non turbo'd diesel lump with about 70-80bhp, you know have 1.3 units (such as the panda), producing that much with the aid of a turbo

If you do lots of motorway miles, the MJ is the one to go for , its more relaxed at a cruise then the 1.2 would be

My Dad's was a turbo, but it made no difference

Course, it was a Peugeot.

Have just done a fuel cost calculation and the MJ makes a whole lot of sense.

I am noticing the savings going from a 1.2 petrol to a 1.9 JTD

What i spend extra on insurance (£15ish a month), i can make up for with a few extra mpg on a general run )

i am getting on average between 45-50mpg compared to the hight 30's of the 1.2 as i had to thrash it everywhere

The old punto's (1.2) been good. If I drive sensibly, I can get 45-50 mpg.

Even if I thrash it a bit, I get around 40-42 mpg.

Joshua Frost-Lunn said:

I am noticing the savings going from a 1.2 petrol to a 1.9 JTD

What i spend extra on insurance (£15ish a month), i can make up for with a few extra mpg on a general run )

i am getting on average between 45-50mpg compared to the hight 30's of the 1.2 as i had to thrash it everywhere

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I notice a massive difference in going from a modified 1.6 stilo to a 1.2 panda mainly because i hardly ever drive it ..and cruising on the motorway is easy peasy in the 1.2 it really surprised me very nippy and mega frugal on the juice ..it does of course help if you ware slippers and not hob nailed boots

Its your money your spending

Be sure to tell us a bit more about it when you do buy it

I surely will.

Maybe even a wee piccy or two

Thanks for all the advice!

Go on, test drive the Multijet. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

I'm gonna be down the FIAT dealer like a whippet when I get back to Edinburgh (am visiting relatives) to demand a test drive of the Multijet.

Wee Smurf said:

Go on, test drive the Multijet. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

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And £35 a year road tax will help him make his mind up I'm sure..

PNL said:

And £35 a year road tax will help him make his mind up I'm sure..

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I'm a she!!!!!

But yes, £35 a year road tax is brilliant. Bargain.

limesmoothie said:

I'm a she!!!!!

But yes, £35 a year road tax is brilliant. Bargain.

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Well I do apologise ..thats half the problem with forums we never quite know who we are speaking to

That's quite alright.

I suppose I should have started a thread called I Heart Pandas and asked for details of a dealer who would get it sprayed pink for me, to give you a clue

Pink panda....yeeeech.

Yeah pink should be banned! Or confined to the Corsa owner :yuck: