It has been just about a year with the Panda so I thought I’d give a review of the year. Just some opinions on the Panda 169 and in particular, my experience.
I got my 1.2 Dynamic in October 2015 at 98,000 miles. It’s now October 2016 and I’m at 112,000 miles. I have spent a fortune on repairs and upgrades in order to keep it reliable and in good shape. The list is huge, and ever growing…
- Coil Springs (£40)
- Shock Absorbers / mounts (£80)
- Antifreeze (£15 countless times)
- Oil Filter / Oil (3 times)
- Spark Plugs (£160 Service incl. others)
- Drop Links (£22)
- Brake Pads (£9)
- Gear Box Rebuild (£80)
- Clutch (£55)
- Gear Oil (£26)
- Steel Coolant Pipe (£40)
- Timing Belt (£50)
- Water Pump (incl)
- Tensioner (incl)
- Auxiliary Belt (£12)
- Fuel Pump (£140)
- Radiator (£50)
- Radiator Elbow (£14)
- New Windscreen (£75)
I have loved this car consistently since the day it became mines. It’s so unique to people my age and in my area, and so so practical. Cheap to run and fix and just an all around pleasure to drive. It’s very rock solid, a feeling which I’ve never felt in a car of the same class. It has started up every morning when I’ve turned the key - something that can’t be said for owners of some much more expensive and ‘better’ cars in my area of varying ages both older and newer than the Panda.
It helped me find a job, volunteering opportunities and make all sorts of trips around the country to see family, friends and make some great memories. Only once, did it let me down which was last December when the fuel pump went - a rather chilly walk home.. The rest of the time it gets into what I’d call ‘moods’ of cutting out the EPAS, but only because I’ve pushed it with the electrical loads and its keeping me on my toes! Perhaps it will get a new battery this year to rectify that.
I’ve worried a lot about how much I’ve spent on it, but then, when you divide it down it’s not very much a month, probably not even enough for finance payments for another used or new car. I’ve learnt so much mechanically with this car too, nothing about how a car works intimidates me anymore. I have a new found attitude that whatever happens, it can be fixed. I haven’t had to use a regular mechanic now in almost a year too. It has been an enjoyable and educational experience, saving a lot of money along the way!
I have been a bad owner in that multiple times I have contemplated replacing it with a newer car, but always managed to come around and realise that I have a great little car and that I should continue to use it right until its rusty end. I also put a very bad dent on the wing, something that bothered me a lot but I have since learnt to live with it. It put me off the idea of ever buying a brand new car for the fear of denting it.
The things I don’t like come in the form of the non-AC expansion tank being in such a ridiculous to check area - I mean, come on! I’ve burnt my hands many-a-time attempting to reach down with a light and shine it on in. I know there are ways around it, but that brings me to my next complaint about the tank - no drain plug! It’s almost impossible to drain the anti freeze without tampering with very sensitive clips. The next is the interior head restraints, you can’t really sit back on them. I have some concerns that it even hurts your head over time! Both of these complaints have made it thus far onto the new Panda too, rock solid head restraints and the same expansion tank for non-AC models.
The things I really do like, well, they are vast - the way the car handles is great. At first, you fear for your life at corners but when you get used to it you throw it into corners and enjoy the ride! The 1.2 is also excellent, I understand they have changed this in newer models, so I try to enjoy this while I can! It doesn’t feel slow, it’s very sprightly and I never have to go down to 3rd like I did on the Corsa’s to get any form of response. It’s not the fastest car in the world of course, but it’s just right and beyond what I ever previously would have naively assumed about a little Fiat car. The interior is so bright, I originally disliked the bright grey dash and shape being so unusual but you do come to like it. I now really get the whole Italian bright colour thing, it adds character. Something the car has boat loads of. I like the little trip computer too, first time I’ve had such a tool and its interesting resetting it each week to fill the car up and seeing how my driving has been. Next, it only takes around £35 to fill with petrol and normally lasts a few hundred miles before needing refilled. Not that I speed or rev the car much, but those few times I’ve had to floor it and really feel the force of the car the sound has been actually made quite an appealing note! The City button is also a great novelty, though I haven’t used it much lately in fears of breaking something but it’s unbelievable how well and effective it is. The tyres are so so cheap too, I can get Hankook tyres from my Fiat dealer for £38 each fitted, so £160 all in for a decent brand, though not sure what I’d go for when they need replaced. Driving the car gives me the feeling that I never want to replace it with anything other than another Panda - the driving position, visibility and practicality are things I never realised I’d appreciate so much. Even the holes in the head restraints are handy to see through.. One final minor thing is the fact the lights shut off when you turn the car off, the Corsa’s never did this and I just think it’s a bloody life saver.
Here’s to many more years with the Panda, should I be so lucky.
Another thanks to everyone who has helped me on here throughout the journey!
- SB1500
I got my 1.2 Dynamic in October 2015 at 98,000 miles. It’s now October 2016 and I’m at 112,000 miles. I have spent a fortune on repairs and upgrades in order to keep it reliable and in good shape. The list is huge, and ever growing…
- Coil Springs (£40)
- Shock Absorbers / mounts (£80)
- Antifreeze (£15 countless times)
- Oil Filter / Oil (3 times)
- Spark Plugs (£160 Service incl. others)
- Drop Links (£22)
- Brake Pads (£9)
- Gear Box Rebuild (£80)
- Clutch (£55)
- Gear Oil (£26)
- Steel Coolant Pipe (£40)
- Timing Belt (£50)
- Water Pump (incl)
- Tensioner (incl)
- Auxiliary Belt (£12)
- Fuel Pump (£140)
- Radiator (£50)
- Radiator Elbow (£14)
- New Windscreen (£75)
I have loved this car consistently since the day it became mines. It’s so unique to people my age and in my area, and so so practical. Cheap to run and fix and just an all around pleasure to drive. It’s very rock solid, a feeling which I’ve never felt in a car of the same class. It has started up every morning when I’ve turned the key - something that can’t be said for owners of some much more expensive and ‘better’ cars in my area of varying ages both older and newer than the Panda.
It helped me find a job, volunteering opportunities and make all sorts of trips around the country to see family, friends and make some great memories. Only once, did it let me down which was last December when the fuel pump went - a rather chilly walk home.. The rest of the time it gets into what I’d call ‘moods’ of cutting out the EPAS, but only because I’ve pushed it with the electrical loads and its keeping me on my toes! Perhaps it will get a new battery this year to rectify that.
I’ve worried a lot about how much I’ve spent on it, but then, when you divide it down it’s not very much a month, probably not even enough for finance payments for another used or new car. I’ve learnt so much mechanically with this car too, nothing about how a car works intimidates me anymore. I have a new found attitude that whatever happens, it can be fixed. I haven’t had to use a regular mechanic now in almost a year too. It has been an enjoyable and educational experience, saving a lot of money along the way!
I have been a bad owner in that multiple times I have contemplated replacing it with a newer car, but always managed to come around and realise that I have a great little car and that I should continue to use it right until its rusty end. I also put a very bad dent on the wing, something that bothered me a lot but I have since learnt to live with it. It put me off the idea of ever buying a brand new car for the fear of denting it.
The things I don’t like come in the form of the non-AC expansion tank being in such a ridiculous to check area - I mean, come on! I’ve burnt my hands many-a-time attempting to reach down with a light and shine it on in. I know there are ways around it, but that brings me to my next complaint about the tank - no drain plug! It’s almost impossible to drain the anti freeze without tampering with very sensitive clips. The next is the interior head restraints, you can’t really sit back on them. I have some concerns that it even hurts your head over time! Both of these complaints have made it thus far onto the new Panda too, rock solid head restraints and the same expansion tank for non-AC models.
The things I really do like, well, they are vast - the way the car handles is great. At first, you fear for your life at corners but when you get used to it you throw it into corners and enjoy the ride! The 1.2 is also excellent, I understand they have changed this in newer models, so I try to enjoy this while I can! It doesn’t feel slow, it’s very sprightly and I never have to go down to 3rd like I did on the Corsa’s to get any form of response. It’s not the fastest car in the world of course, but it’s just right and beyond what I ever previously would have naively assumed about a little Fiat car. The interior is so bright, I originally disliked the bright grey dash and shape being so unusual but you do come to like it. I now really get the whole Italian bright colour thing, it adds character. Something the car has boat loads of. I like the little trip computer too, first time I’ve had such a tool and its interesting resetting it each week to fill the car up and seeing how my driving has been. Next, it only takes around £35 to fill with petrol and normally lasts a few hundred miles before needing refilled. Not that I speed or rev the car much, but those few times I’ve had to floor it and really feel the force of the car the sound has been actually made quite an appealing note! The City button is also a great novelty, though I haven’t used it much lately in fears of breaking something but it’s unbelievable how well and effective it is. The tyres are so so cheap too, I can get Hankook tyres from my Fiat dealer for £38 each fitted, so £160 all in for a decent brand, though not sure what I’d go for when they need replaced. Driving the car gives me the feeling that I never want to replace it with anything other than another Panda - the driving position, visibility and practicality are things I never realised I’d appreciate so much. Even the holes in the head restraints are handy to see through.. One final minor thing is the fact the lights shut off when you turn the car off, the Corsa’s never did this and I just think it’s a bloody life saver.
Here’s to many more years with the Panda, should I be so lucky.
Another thanks to everyone who has helped me on here throughout the journey!
- SB1500
