Hi,
I'm just in the contemplation mode at present about buying a new Panda Diesel. I've just been down to the dealer to have a look and was surprised at the head room, one of the first cars I can sit in comfortably. I've done an insurance quote and got a quote for £296, comp which seems OK, so now the big question:
What are they really like to use every day? Any disadvantages found? Obviously I want to ask real owners rather than biased dealers.
Any thoughts on the Panda, not just the diesel, greatly received.

I tried both the petrol & diesel but have ordered the petrol Eleganza dualogic.

The diesel was my preference, it is more powerful and better fuel economy but to spec it up to the same as the Eleganza, that will cost a lot more than the standard car. Furthermore the manual car, the 3 padels are very close together hence the dualogic semi-auto which only has 2 padels.

Do you know that the petrol dualogic is better fuel economy and emit less CO2 than the manual. It is also cleaner, comply with EUIV standard against the manual's EUIII. The diesel is EUIV.

I am very impressed with my diesel, I do about 2,000 miles a month to work & back mainly on motorway & dual carriageways & average about 63mpg.
I can't think of any faults with it. The only thing I can think of is the dash reflects onto the windscreen.
As for everyday driving, it's a pleasure to drive whether town or distance.

Well I'm on my second Panda a Dynamic Dualogic, the first was a normal Dynamic.

Thinking about what I don't like well:

The "city" mode for the power steering is far too light, I leave mine in normal at all times.

The screenwasher bottle is hard to fill without spilling water all over the place.


But it is a great drive and the fuel economy keeps me smiling.

No real nasty points then, sounds good. I haven't actually driven one yet, so I'll get a test drive sorted next to see about those pedals. As for the screenwash, I usually chuck that all over the place anyway, so that won't make much difference
Oh well, back to the dealer tomorrow.....

I have a Dynamic SkyDome which I think is absolutely great but I'm very interested in getting the multijet maybe next year so I'm very interested in what you think of the diesel! More economical? Are servicing costs similar?

Looking at the figures, the multijet is fantastic. It's the fastest and the most economical Panda. And with road tax at £85 p/a, bargain!

I've just been messed about a bit by our local dealer today though, but contacted our next closest in Inverness and they seem really helpful, so off to try and sort one out on Monday.

I have a 1.2 Eleganza and have done 3000 miles in it so far. No complaints. Car drives well and feels solid. Filling up the bottle with screen wash is indeed a pain and you really need a funnel to do it properly.
Although I like it a lot I am not that happy with the roadholding. It is ok for everyday motoring but when you drive it fast over bumpy and/or twisty roads then you can feel that the rear axle setup is not that good and that the suspension is too weak. The Panda doesn't have independent suspension at the back and you notice this very well in more extreme situations. A Punto has better roadholding than a Panda and so have a lot of other small cars in my opinion.
Conclusion is that the Panda is a good car and fine for town and motorway but the roadholding is not as good as on some other cars when you push it. This is something that you probably won't do during a test drive. Maybe you should hire one for a day.

I disagree, the Panda has been deliberately set up to bring something back to driving that is sadly lost on most small cars these days.... fun!! I have really explored the limits with the Panda and as long as you keep your nerve it will get round those bends, albeit untidily!!! The Punto is just plain dull and dead feeling. I remeber having a Mk1 as a loan car when my Cinq was in for repair and I thought then how boring it was.

Well, done the test drive and most impressed. Space is a little tight especially in the back, but it's not a problem as I have the Mondeo for longer journeys/bigger shopping trips.
Have put down for finance as the car is due in 3 weeks and now wait with crossed fingers for approval......

I have driven a couple an end up hitting my knee on the gearlever surround when i get in. Other than that its great!!

Well, finance approved and I should have my new toy in a couple of weeks! Looking forward to it as I have a trip to Edinburgh planned at the end of the onth, so it'll be a nice run out to get used to it.

Right that's it, I've got everything sorted now and I pick the car up tomorrow! I'm looking forward to having my first new car and I've got a nice trip to Edinburgh next weekend to break it in, albeit a camping trip, and looking at the weather I'll probably end up sleeping in the Panda instead!!

nuovapanda said:

I disagree, the Panda has been deliberately set up to bring something back to driving that is sadly lost on most small cars these days.... fun!! I have really explored the limits with the Panda and as long as you keep your nerve it will get round those bends, albeit untidily!!! The Punto is just plain dull and dead feeling. I remeber having a Mk1 as a loan car when my Cinq was in for repair and I thought then how boring it was.

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I couldn't agree more the Panda is more fun on the twisties than my Stilo Abarth - It out handles the Stilo hands down. There's a lot to be said for less than 900kg 13" tyres and steel wheels.

Personally I would love the 1.3 Multijet Panda...but any new Panda is an absolute gem of a car....go for it.

Well, got the car on Friday with just 5 delivery miles and have nearly hit 100miles already!
The car drives really well and is great fun, although I'm driving it quite carefully to try and avoid getting any marks on it! ....well it is my first ever new car.....

Glad your enjoying it...What model did you get in the end? Try and post some pics if you can.....

It's the 1.3 Dynamic Multijet, piccy attached.

My multijet has now done 5,500 miles averaging 63mpg, this is one of the best cars I've ever had, if not the best.

Hi to all those thinking of getting a diesel Panda.

I was in the same boat and thinking hard of the Multijet (Diesel) Panda. With some advice from the FF and other online checking, in April I bought a Demo diesel in midnight blue in Dynamic trim.

It had 3000 KM and now five months later, has 15000 KM on it with nothing to bother it. I get average 65 mpg (Best 77, worst 58) with some motorway and some twisty B roads for round trip each day of 85 miles. The road holding on the B road is great, take the correct line with the right revs and power out of the apex- great fun.

Great headroom for driver/passenger but have to watch the back seats for the bigger kids. Can be done thought. We have a Seat Alhambra if all six of us need to move about. Could really recommend the Panda diesel.

BJ