Hey all,
my first post here although I've been lurking for a while :wave:

I'm looking to buy my first Panda and would like an auto (not many about I know) and noticed that in auto trader etc they are listed under both automatic and semi automatic, however I can't seem to find any info that separates the two.
So my (somewhat longwinded) question is, is there a semi-auto 'and' a full auto?

thanks in advance

They are all Semi auto so far as I know, they don't really have the best rep tbh. The versions on earlier small fiats were even worse. As much as I like my pandas if you want Auto I'd really think about it first.... Im sure someone with a semi auto will be on here shortly to disagree

It's a robotized manual box.
The Citroën Pluriël's I've driven with the same setup surprised me positively.
But the system needs to be maintained properly.

gr J

Yikes, not what I wanted to hear but thank you for the replies......
Fingers crossed that someone out there disagrees or I may have to rethink!

Icemaiden said:

Yikes, not what I wanted to hear but thank you for the replies......
Fingers crossed that someone out there disagrees or I may have to rethink!

Click to expand...

Hi,
it's a manual gearbox - extremely well proven in the Panda + Punto,
but controlled ( with the clutch) by electronics + Hydraulics..!!

not a BAD system,
and is a relatively CHEAP used purchase..,
all down to what / why you want one,

doing 30K miles a year.. why bother,

do lots of around town.., and only NEED a tiny car,

not at all bad..,
bought one for my elderly Mum,
I quite liked driving it..!!, :slayer:
but she was used to conventional AUTO's and couldn't adapt to it..,

Charlie - Oxford

Thanks for the reply,

I do very low mileage (less than 5k generally) and it will be used as a run around,
lots and lots of traffic, stopping and starting, short distances and very few motorways etc.

I can drive a manual but much prefer an auto, I've been driving a full auto for the last few
years and love it but quite a few people have told me that the semi-auto is quite different to drive from a full auto,
even in auto mode, hence my original question.

Initially, when replacing my auto, I was adamant that I wanted to remain full auto as I generally hadn't heard
anything good in terms of reliability in any of the semi-auto boxes in any of the smaller cars, but I really do love
the Panda and can't quite seem to commit either way

I was kind of hoping that you all would either talk me into it or out of it

Just try it! You might be surprised in a testdrive.

Old fashioned autoboxes and torqueconverters have their disadvantages too.

gr J

Icemaiden said:

Thanks for the reply,

I do very low mileage (less than 5k generally) and it will be used as a run around,
lots and lots of traffic, stopping and starting, short distances and very few motorways etc.

I can drive a manual but much prefer an auto, I've been driving a full auto for the last few
years , I really do love
the Panda and can't quite seem to commit either way

I was kind of hoping that you all would either talk me into it or out of it

Click to expand...

the issues seem to be relatively minor niggles,
no huge bills..,

BUT I would be wary of paying thousands for a tidy panda Duologic,
£1500 to £2500,
and NOT anything with over 60K miles on it..,

general wear + tear issues.

TIP / HONT,
look up FIAT duologic on Autotrader, and drive a few at garages,

Punto, 500 and Idea..as well as panda..just to get a "feel" for the things.. then you'll be able to spot a dodgy one more readily too,

Charlie