Save up to 15% with Adrian Flux insurance!

Off Topic Theoretical Replacement of the Panda...

Currently reading:
Off Topic Theoretical Replacement of the Panda...

SB1500

SB1500

Panda Veteran
Parked in the garage Written a review
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,585
Points
980
Location
United Kingdom
This isn't happening, but lately I've given it a lot of thought as to what I'd do 'if' it did.

I want my Panda to last as long as I can, and I'll continue to learn and keep it serviced and drive carefully in it and hopefully do so for years to come yet.

Like many drivers, if anything ever happened the car such as a breakdown and serious problem with it or worse I may have to consider moving on. And I'd miss the Panda so the logical step is to replace it with another Panda.

Thing is, there are a few 2012 Easy models with around 30k on them for about £4,000 and there probably always will be lower end new models for around this price even as time goes on.

There's also two of our 03-12 Panda models for the same price £4K is one example, £3k a non approved other. These are both 2012 models, as new as they ever were due to being last production year. It's the same as my car now.. Only, no rust... Less problems due to age and lower mileage (20k). Seems to me the last chance to really snap up a good little polish build Panda. And another thing.. These are Active models so a trim level down from my Dynamic.

Other than a) people who think I'm mad to own a Panda and b) people who think I'm mad to ever want another Panda , there has emerged a third class of c) people who think I'm mad to replace my Panda with THE SAME Panda ! Lol


Should the time come where I'm faced with these choices, am I an idiot to not choose the newer, better equipped Easy choice? Typically I'd say yes of course but so many people complain on about how the current Pandas just aren't like ours for the worse. Including a relative who has a 15 Pop model and previously owned my Panda for about 7 years!

What would you do? Would it be the rightful time to step up or squeeze every bit of joy these Polish models bring as long as I can get away with it!
 
What you need to do is go along and actually test drive one of the newer Pandas and make your own opinion on it. Don't just test drive the 1.2 Pop just because it's likely to be the cheapest. Test the other versions and test the Twinair as well. That way you'll have an informed opinion.

And the 2012 Eco version isn't the same as yours in reality. The engine is a different Euro spec, so test drive that too!
 
Last edited:
SB1500 said:
This isn't happening, but lately I've given it a lot of thought as to what I'd do 'if' it did.

I want my Panda to last as long as I can, and I'll continue to learn and keep it serviced and drive carefully in it and hopefully do so for years to come yet.

Like many drivers, if anything ever happened the car such as a breakdown and serious problem with it or worse I may have to consider moving on. And I'd miss the Panda so the logical step is to replace it with another Panda.

Thing is, there are a few 2012 Easy models with around 30k on them for about £4,000 and there probably always will be lower end new models for around this price even as time goes on.

There's also two of our 03-12 Panda models for the same price £4K is one example, £3k a non approved other. These are both 2012 models, as new as they ever were due to being last production year. It's the same as my car now.. Only, no rust... Less problems due to age and lower mileage (20k). Seems to me the last chance to really snap up a good little polish build Panda. And another thing.. These are Active models so a trim level down from my Dynamic.

Other than a) people who think I'm mad to own a Panda and b) people who think I'm mad to ever want another Panda , there has emerged a third class of c) people who think I'm mad to replace my Panda with THE SAME Panda ! Lol


Should the time come where I'm faced with these choices, am I an idiot to not choose the newer, better equipped Easy choice? Typically I'd say yes of course but so many people complain on about how the current Pandas just aren't like ours for the worse. Including a relative who has a 15 Pop model and previously owned my Panda for about 7 years!

What would you do? Would it be the rightful time to step up or squeeze every bit of joy these Polish models bring as long as I can get away with it!
Click to expand...




On this side of the channel you can get a 2016 2000 mile Easy+ (alloys/Bluetooth) for £6300 or a brand new 2015 reg Pop for £6000 at


https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/used-cars/fiat/panda/options/-makeid=2193-rangeid=368


Interesting notion.
 
Last edited:
This is a controversial on Fiat forum :) but I think. At the time it was released our panda was the best small car. The new one is not imo it's dated and a bit bloated. The Skoda citigo reminds me more of our car. It won many car awards in 2012. The sales have been strong and the reviews excellent. I've driven 2 of them and it really reminds me of the panda except it corners a lot better.
 
daveofkent said:
This is a controversial on Fiat forum :) but I think. At the time it was released our panda was the best small car. The new one is not imo it's dated and a bit bloated. The Skoda citigo reminds me more of our car. It won many car awards in 2012. The sales have been strong and the reviews excellent. I've driven 2 of them and it really reminds me of the panda except it corners a lot better.
Click to expand...

I'm not OLD enough for a German box,:D
so there's little chance of SB1500 getting one -while it's still in production:rolleyes:

P.S. it looks really LOW to me:confused:
 
Wee Smurf said:
What you need to do is go along and actually test drive one of the newer Pandas and make your own opinion on it. Don't just test drive the 1.2 Pop just because it's likely to be the cheapest. Test the other versions and test the Twinair as well. That way you'll have an informed opinion.

And the 2012 Eco version isn't the same as yours in reality. The engine is a different Euro spec, so test drive that too!
Click to expand...

I was never a fan of the idea of these small petrols with technologies that really 'push' them as I don't think they'll age as gracefully as the boring old 1.2's (could be wrong. And the cost of owning a diesel Panda would be more expensive when purchasing as well as running it for me at least that'd be a deal breaker. I wouldn't mind test driving them to see how they handle when the time comes around. I'm aware the new 1.2 is different in terms of emissions and tuning which probably makes it less fun and powerful to drive in some ways?


AB100 said:
On this side of the channel you can get a 2016 2000 mile Easy+ (alloys/Bluetooth) for £6300 or a brand new 2015 reg Pop for £6000 at


https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/used-cars/fiat/panda/options/-makeid=2193-rangeid=368


Interesting notion.
Click to expand...

I wasn't sure if cars where cheaper here in N.I. or in England/Mainland :eek:

daveofkent said:
This is a controversial on Fiat forum :) but I think. At the time it was released our panda was the best small car. The new one is not imo it's dated and a bit bloated. The Skoda citigo reminds me more of our car. It won many car awards in 2012. The sales have been strong and the reviews excellent. I've driven 2 of them and it really reminds me of the panda except it corners a lot better.
Click to expand...

Don't think I'd ever buy anything German (Skoda being VW in substance). Not because there's anything wrong with them, but because there's nothing actually 'better' about them IMO in terms of quality. And they tend to charge a lot for their brand image too which I think this day and age is a load of crap considering they probably don't do anything especially to increase build quality now that its 2016 and most brands seem to be well produced.

I did test drive the VW Up at one point and was pleased with it, but I don't think its very nice looking or that parts will be cheap given its brand name in years to come. Maybe I should ditch these grudges against brands other than Fiat? lol

Only other brands I tend to like it Honda and Toyota - now they seem to actually know how to build rock solid cars. They're just far too much for me to afford! haha
 
" I'm aware the new 1.2 is different in terms of emissions and tuning which probably makes it less fun and powerful to drive in some ways?"





I've never been a fan of the 319 model inside and out. That said, the 1.2 we hired in Spain for 6 days and drove for 950 hilly or motorway miles impressed me.

These days no car is significantly bad or much different, so it comes down to price (including running costs and depreciation). £6000 for a new car? Cheap.
 
AB100 said:
" I'm aware the new 1.2 is different in terms of emissions and tuning which probably makes it less fun

These days no car is significantly bad or much different, so it comes down to price (including running costs and depreciation). £6000 for a new car? Cheap.
Click to expand...


in reality it's a bargain,

the panda was @£6K back in 2005..:D

currently ANYTHING with a VW "vadge-badge" is going to hold more of it's value in 3 years time.., compared to a similar FIAT.

However - if you just wanted the "white-goods" experience then you'd just buy Korean..

I'd rather have a car I WANTED / LIKED .., even if it cost me a little more over it's time with me.

TBH - I'd be using the FIAT's depreciation as an advantage - 6 months old = CHEAP
 
You do know that the Twinair is a petrol? :)

And sure once you graduate and get a job, you'll have lots of disposable income till you get married, buy a house and have kids. Kids are expensive especially if you rely on childcare (as opposed to parents).
 
I know the TwinAir is petrol yeah, but still, maybe after they've been around for 10 years or so then I'd believe in them more.

I looked at other cars used for he same price and they're all much older with more miles.

I'd rather get a Panda Easy or Pop nearly new :)

I don't mind depreciation since I want the car until it's worth hundreds rather than thousands anyway :)
 
Ive owned a 55 plate euro 4. 20000 miles
2011 euro 5. 40000 miles
And now a 2014 euro 6. 4000 miles covered
And the best to drive by far is the 2014 yes it had a couple of issues (dash rattles and slow pull off) these were sorted under warranty and to be honest it goes like stink now. These cars need to be revved to get the best out of the engine and i still get 50 plus mpg on mostly 5 mile or less journeys. Once or twice a month it gets a longer 50 to 100 mile trip. It will hit 60 in 2nd, 85 in 3rd and not even be on the red line. Just hit 10500 miles its a nicer place to sit the ride is so much smoother and the interior seems more spacious wouldnt go back to an earlier model now as this is so much nicer all round even if its not polish made which worried me a little at first but not now.
 

Attachments

  • 1467872480068.jpg
    1467872480068.jpg
    80.5 KB · Views: 33
  • 1467872502739.jpg
    1467872502739.jpg
    86.1 KB · Views: 33
Hi,

Just my opinion on all this. The newer Panda is actually a good car and so is the Skoda Citigo. If you've stumbled across the Toyota Aygo/Peugeot 107/Citroen C1, these are also good cars but they do suffer with water leaks (so checking carpets for dampness is important).

It all comes down to how much money you have to spend on a replacement car. If you really love your Panda, and by the sounds of it you do, I would certainly be heading down to Fiat for a test drive of the newer shaped Panda.

Another one to consider - not my personal favourite, is the current Ford KA (based on the Panda platform) which is coming to the end of production now, ready to be replaced with the Ford KA plus. I bet Ford will be doing some amazing deals to shift stock!

I think if it was me, I'd certainly be trying out my favourite small car, the current Hyundai i10, or its sister car KIA Picanto. Both are great little cars, my mum bought one of the very first Picanto models back in 2004 which was utterly reliable and managed a 600 mile journey after a month of ownership. The car never missed a beat! It might be a small detail but the newer KIA's come with a 7 years/100K warranty and the Hyundai comes with a 5yr/unlimited mileage warranty.

Matt.
 
When my back told me that the old Panda Multijet had to go, the logical choice was a new Panda. My local dealer had some 1.2 Easy models in at a good price, so I had a test drive. I also had a test drive of a 59bhp Skoda Citigo SE.

I bought the Citigo (from Motorpoint) because it has excellent seats, a good ride, and that little 3 cylinder engine pulls like a diesel, but with refinement. The Panda's 1.2 engine has so little torque at low speeds that I stalled it 5 times trying to get out of the dealer's forecourt. Driving the two, anyone would think that the lower powered Citigo had the bigger engine. The Panda hit back with. much better gearchange, very much better steering, plus a lofty driving position.

The Citigo is a great little car and very cheap to run, but not without faults and quirks. Mine has an obstructive gearchange that is a real annoyance; also the steering is rather peculiar in not having a steering angle sensor, which means the car has to 'learn' where the steering is pointing over the first few hundred metres of a journer, resulting in strange feel and a sensation of tugging to the side, until the ECU has decided where centre is.

The new Panda has no such problems, but its interior is a matter of personal taste and the seats felt very uncomfortable. On balance, I made the right decision buying the Skoda, but I do miss the chuckability and joie de vivre that my old Panda had.
 
I think my options are;- 1) New Panda.. Or if I have more money I'd get a 500C.. But then if I was spending that I'd be tempted to back to a high spec New Panda. And then I have this annoying attraction to Dacia's too.. But keep being put off by tales of their compromises.
 
Dacia - very good cars, based on old Renaults and use tried and tested engines. Avoid white - they've been having problems with rust and corrosion whereas the metallic colours do not. Remember though, they're cheap for a reason, so you might run into trouble but the warranty should cover that.
 
When the time comes, I'm definitely going to try a new 319 Panda (whether actually new or second-hand remains to be seen). Although I think the current model has lost some of the purity of the 169 model, it still looks good. I wouldn't want a Pop, though - I have an Eleganza at the moment and the idea of a car where you need to open the boot with the key seems like a backward step in my view.. The question for me with the will be whether the 1.2 has been completely hobbled by emissions-related tuning. My 2010 1.2 60hp goes very well.

I await the 2018/9 replacement Panda with interest too. I suspect it will look at a bit like the new Brazilian Fiat Mobi (model X1H), which is about the right size; I'll need to see it in the flesh to reach a judgement.

Otherwise I will look at the Citigo, and possibly the new Twingo, the Aygo, and the Picanto. I like the idea of a Dacia, but a Sandero is too big for me. If the rumoured Dacia City ever comes about, that might be tempting (I'm wondering if the Renault Kwid will be brought here as a small Dacia - it has the correct shape headlights...)
 
Last edited:
If there's sufficient evidence to the 2018/19 year being a 'highly likely' update in terms of the entire bodyshell then that makes the 'long term wait' for my next Panda seem a bit worth while and splurging on a current model less tempting!

I understand they may be giving it s 500 refresh with the interior and facelift at the end of the year?

The only thing idislike about the current New Panda is that it can't be configured with cruise control. It's not a deal breaker, I'm still going to go for it should the next one not have it.. But resentfully ;)

I definitely think I'll stick with the Panda - my current until it's day comes and in the next car I have the pleasure of owning.

We had a Corsa C, I drove that for a year and quite enjoyed it - not the fastest, quietest, smoothest, most comfortably and 'unchav' like car in the world, but I certainly felt it had good qualities as a small cheap car.

My Panda is 100 times better, because it does a better job at being that small cheap car. It doesn't pretend to be more upper class than it is, it is pure and actually quieter in terms of engine noise than that Corsa! It gets far better economy, gets up hills better with its 4 cylinder 1.2 and is just an all round solid car. I can't stress the solid aspect enough.

A friend of mine has a new i40, 2015 and it's a large beautiful car.. But no harm to him, the quality of it probably won't hold up as well as the 169 Panda just because his i40 seems to be a model by a company pretending to do something it's just not the best at.

I think we'd all agree Fiat is one of , if not the best manufacturer for small cars in the world?!

Ford must agree, as they chose Fiat on good faith to base the current Ka on since I'd imagine they weren't interested in spending millions back then on small car chassis development!

The Fiat bug has bitten me, if you can't tell by now and you haven't fallen asleep reading my Fiat fan paragraphs lol
 
"the current New Panda is that it can't be configured with cruise control"


No, but some of the 'special' Panda 319s (Lancia/Chrysler Ypsilon) have that facility along with the daft 'magic parking'.
 
SB1500 said:
If there's sufficient evidence to the 2018/19 year being a 'highly likely' update in terms of the entire bodyshell then that makes the 'long term wait' for my next Panda seem a bit worth while and splurging on a current model less tempting!

I understand they may be giving it s 500 refresh with the interior and facelift at the end of the year?
Click to expand...

By 2018/19, the current 319 Panda will be six years old, and it is in many ways a reskin/rework of the 169, which was originally introduced in 2003. I'd be amazed, therefore, if the next generation doesn't move to a new platform - if only because Fiat will want to maintain sales of the 500, which runs on the same mechanicals. My guess is that the next 500 will be slightly larger, too - maybe 3.7m/3.8m, if only for the American market.

The potential use of a new platform suggests that the next Panda won't simply be a rebadged Mobi, as that runs on the Novo Uno platform, which itself is basically the Panda. But I suspect, given how the Mobi looks like the new Tipo, that there will be similarities in appearance.

The oft-mentioned facelift of the 319 seems to be coming very late. If the next Panda is due in 2019 then the facelift model will only be on sale for 2 years, if it is released at the end of 2016. I wonder if Fiat has delayed the next Panda to say 2020? By then my Panda will be ten years old and - assuming I haven't already done so - I'll probably be thinking about replacing it. So I'll get to choose between the 319 and the next model.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

nikcoleman
  • Solved
Technical Panda Door replacement
Replies
14
Views
438
koalar
koalar
A
General Annoying noise from the dashboard of Fiat Panda
Replies
0
Views
245
Axen7
A
BigAdam
Technical Fiat Panda Popping Out of 5th Gear
Replies
7
Views
113
BigAdam
BigAdam
Juliann
General Replacement Genuine Seat Covers?
Replies
8
Views
275
Juliann
Juliann
koalar
General What is the Panda A5
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
koalar
koalar
Back
Top