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General I'm going to buy 1.1 Fiat Panda Active, any suggestions?

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General I'm going to buy 1.1 Fiat Panda Active, any suggestions?

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rtcw

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My budget is around £1.5k, so I know I'll be looking at 50k+ mileage on the clock already cars.

What things should I watch out for? Is there any major problems plaguing this model that I should be aware of? Is there any major difference as to the date when the model as built?

Only main feature I care is that it has a power socket that I can use, nothing else matters as I will be first-time driver and I'll be using it purely for commuting.
 
Hi.

Not all of them will have a power socket, but there's guides on how to install one if the one you get doesn't have one.
 
buy the 1.2 instead, same insurance group and more bang for your buck.
 
Wee Smurf said:
Hi.

Not all of them will have a power socket, but there's guides on how to install one if the one you get doesn't have one.
Click to expand...
It also says some can't be installed if there are no connector or fuse. Is there a quick way to search for it while viewing for a car?
Uno 60 said:
buy the 1.2 instead, same insurance group and more bang for your buck.
Click to expand...
What's the main difference between those? I've searched all over the internet, it seems to me that the main difference is engine. If so, it's not worth it for ~£200 extra IMO.
 
These used Pandas really hold their value, quite annoying for someone trying to get a bargain. I think they're priced high because people know they're in the lowest insurance group. Cheaper Puntos out there.
 
You can EASILY install a 12v outlet. Take a supply with an in line fuse - directly from the battery for permanent, or from the ign side for ign only - mount 12v connector on plate, if no plate, buy one, the whole plate and socket will be available for peanuts from any breakers.
If no plate or area, put it in glove box.. under dash, anywhere, it is not an issue.
I have never heard of anyones priority in vehicle choice being a 12v power socket I must confess. :confused:
 
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captainslarty said:
You can EASILY install a 12v outlet. Take a supply with an in line fuse - directly from the battery for permanent, or from the ign side for ign only - mount 12v connector on plate, if no plate, buy one, the whole plate and socket will be available for peanuts from any breakers.
If no plate or area, put it in glove box.. under dash, anywhere, it is not an issue.
I have never heard of anyones priority in vehicle choice being a 12v power socket I must confess. :confused:
Click to expand...
That's mainly because I want to install a dashcam. I've had a lot of car insurance scams going on in this area, it's also the reason why my cheapest quote is ~£3k for group 1 cars, and ~£4k for group 2. I don't know if I can reduce it, I've tried, but no avail.
Wist said:
Have a look at them side by side on Parkers: . The 1.2 is better if you can affo...either new, therefore expensive or too small.
Click to expand...
 
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The active has no aircon and on older car it is something less to go wrong, also has no boot release switch to go wrong (these can be a problem on Pandas).

Common problems seem to be:-

Electric power steering - usually something a lot more simple than what the dealers will tell you. It is hard to say how many cars have been miss diagnosed.

Coil packs - Again should be obvious but very cheap to fix.

Make sure the timing belt has been replaced or budget for a new one, it is not the end of the world if they snap on these cars but it will cause a lot of stress.

Mileage is not a major issue as the engine can easily do 100k+ you are better going for the newest you can afford with the best service history. E.g I would rather buy a 5 year old car with 80,000 miles on the clock and full dealer service history than a 10 year old with 30,000 miles and patchy history. In the UK age kills cars more than mileage.

Make sure you get one with ABS, all cars from 2004 onwards had this so finding a Panda without will be hard :).

Check for signs of head gasket failure, (any signs of mayo in under the oil cap, any signs of water coming out the exhaust etc?). HG failure is not a major issue with the Panda but it does happen.

Also check the suspension, again they are very good on the Panda and a lot less problematic compared to most small cars, but bushes and shock absorbers do ware. There shouldn't be any clunks going over speed bumps etc and it should steer in a perfect straight line.
 
rtcw said:
My budget is around £1.5k, so I know I'll be looking at 50k+ mileage on the clock already cars.

What things should I watch out for? Is there any major problems plaguing this model that I should be aware of? Is there any major difference as to the date when the model as built?

Only main feature I care is that it has a power socket that I can use, nothing else matters as I will be first-time driver and I'll be using it purely for commuting.
Click to expand...

look for a 1.2 8 valve ( no damage if timing belt snaps on you ) and is no big deal to change or get garage to do
low insurance group, £125 road tax . 40+ to the gallon
lots about and for that sort of money you should be able to pick up a a under 40k miles one for that sort of price, lots of the 1.2 versions about. the 1.1's are a bit rarer and the eco ones are silly money, the 100hp are mental fun but also loads of dosh for a good one,
the main advantage of the 1.2 8v ( fire engine - "Fully Integrated Robotised Engine")
is that you can push it past recommended timing belt intervals.
I have had one snap on a punto, it just dies. then you put new belt on and start up and your away again for another 70k miles
 
Hi Jon
are you 100% certain re it being a safe engine ?
Reason I ask is Haynes clearly says it is NOT.............................
I wouldn't personally go over the change limit, I would reduce it - you never know where you may be if the belt goes, it could end up costing you an absolute fortune.
A stitch in time is a good adage mate. ;)
Cap. (Joe)
 
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JD82 said:
The active has no aircon and on older car it is something less to go wrong, also has no boot release switch to go wrong (these can be a problem on Pandas).

Common problems seem to be:-

Electric power steering - usually something a lot more simple than what the dealers will tell you. It is hard to say how many cars have been miss diagnosed.

Coil packs - Again should be obvious but very cheap to fix.

Make sure the timing belt has been replaced or budget for a new one, it is not the end of the world if they snap on these cars but it will cause a lot of stress.

Mileage is not a major issue as the engine can easily do 100k+ you are better going for the newest you can afford with the best service history. E.g I would rather buy a 5 year old car with 80,000 miles on the clock and full dealer service history than a 10 year old with 30,000 miles and patchy history. In the UK age kills cars more than mileage.

Make sure you get one with ABS, all cars from 2004 onwards had this so finding a Panda without will be hard :).

Check for signs of head gasket failure, (any signs of mayo in under the oil cap, any signs of water coming out the exhaust etc?). HG failure is not a major issue with the Panda but it does happen.

Also check the suspension, again they are very good on the Panda and a lot less problematic compared to most small cars, but bushes and shock absorbers do ware. There shouldn't be any clunks going over speed bumps etc and it should steer in a perfect straight line.
Click to expand...
Most expensive failure would be head gasket I assume? How much does it cost to fix that if it fails? And timing belt?

Is it possible to check if timing belt is going to snap soon?

jon1612 said:
look for a 1.2 8 valve ( no damage if timing belt snaps on you ) and is no big deal to change or get garage to do
low insurance group, £125 road tax . 40+ to the gallon
lots about and for that sort of money you should be able to pick up a a under 40k miles one for that sort of price, lots of the 1.2 versions about. the 1.1's are a bit rarer and the eco ones are silly money, the 100hp are mental fun but also loads of dosh for a good one,
the main advantage of the 1.2 8v ( fire engine - "Fully Integrated Robotised Engine")
is that you can push it past recommended timing belt intervals.
I have had one snap on a punto, it just dies. then you put new belt on and start up and your away again for another 70k miles
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll be sure to look out for that one.
Goudrons said:
Talk to me RTCW.
Mine's here New Panda on it's way, so needs to...on my side in case it breaks within 6 months.
Click to expand...
 
Goudrons said:
Both 1.1 and 1.2 are non interference engines, so if the valves drop when the piston hit TBC they don't meet.
Click to expand...

Hi, I fully understand what a non interference mill is, I am just questioning as to how people know for sure when Haynes says they aint ?
Has anyone actually put it on TDC and tried to turn the cam a full revolution ?, or are people quoting something from folklore ?
Please dont take that the wrong way !. I am not saying you are wrong, I dont know.. I am just wondering if anyone has actually tested the theory. - Also, does it apply to all variants of the mill ?

The inconvenience of a snapped belt even if no damage occurs can cause horrendous expense if you are miles from home. Always better to change it in ample time IMHO.
 
It's no myth.
They can't physically touch, the pistons and valves just don't share the same space in these low compression engines.

All the 8v FIRE's are like this, but not totally sure about the Super FIRE (16v) but I believe they are interference and will hit each other.
 
Goudrons said:
It's no myth.
They can't physically touch, the pistons and valves just don't share the same space in these low compression engines.

All the 8v FIRE's are like this, but not totally sure about the Super FIRE (16v) but I believe they are interference and will hit each other.
Click to expand...

1242 Euro 4 is 9.8:1
Euro 5 is 11.1:1 !!!

Still sure ?
 
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