Went for a test drive today in the Panda 1.2, it was a Dynamic with climate and two years old with 13,000 miles so well run in... this was to see how I liked the addmitedly less powered 1.2. Within a couple of miles I was bored rigid, I was really having to drive it hard three up to get any sort of performance. The salesman said dont forget the 500 has 9 bhp more, got on the motorway and the poor little car was struggling to make 60 mph at the end of the slip road.
When we got back I said can I try the 500 1.3 again to compare it, he said of course so we did the same circuit three up again. This time I opened the 500 up more than before and boy she flew
Thing is, the 1.3 just sounds nice, it growls and the torque is brilliant. The 1.2 Panda was for me too quiet and souless. Of course the Panda does ride far better than the 500, although it had 13"s and the 500 16"s.

Anyway, I chatted with the wife and decided in order to afford the extra £1400 I needed to lose the climate and foglights to help. The dealer says if I can raise that cash again then I can add them later and he will let me know when its not possible as the build progresses.

So, Ive got a 1.3 Lounge in Azure blue all standard which Im happy with, I will add some bits after the sale. Salesman says he is very confident of late March early April delivery, I doubt it though Be nice if it were a bit longer, more time to find extra cash!

Oh yes, couldnt even get mats thrown in

You did the right thing. Although I'm a 1.2 buyer if you're not happy just tootaling along like me the 1.3 is definately a better bet. Like you I had a trade off between the engine spec and options. My personal choice was to go for the cheapest engine and load the car with extras.

yay - congrats!!

I only wanted climate and fogs, I can live without them. We do a lot of driving in Europe, the diesel will be better for that I think. I just love the noise it made, loud like a real 500
Cant wait very excited.

Congratulations! I ordered mine last Saturday and was told late April delivery.

Nice one Nuovapanda the normal air con will be fine, we are going for the 1.2 as Linda doesn't go that far although i will use it twice a week to go and play football as I can't wait to get it. We don't need a fast one and I am sure that when the 1.2 loosens up it will be great. You really should of held out for a free set of mats, you would have got them! It's just calling their bluff, I got a full tank of fuel and the ivory piped mats free, the mats are about £37 plus vat but it's the principle for me as I know you can't get a deal on the car so the least and I mean the very least they can do is give you fuel and mats, if it was me I would ring up tomorrow and say unless they give you these the deal is off as you have spoken to other buyers who are getting these free. I guarantee if you call his bluff you will get them but you have to hold your nerve! You should have done it in the showroom and been prepared to walk away. He would have given in, trust me I am a salesman.

I told him that, definately said no to anything free. Hes a pro, been salesman for 18 years with Fiat. Thing is, when they do that I just buy the stuff I want but from another dealer, my way of a protest
The more local dealer to me would have given that stuff away but I dont like them.

nuovapanda said:

I only wanted climate and fogs, I can live without them. We do a lot of driving in Europe, the diesel will be better for that I think. I just love the noise it made, loud like a real 500
Cant wait very excited.

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Dont blame you for being excited, me too. If I was you I would find the extra money for the foglights at least.

Without them you have 2 black plastic things on each end of the front of your car and personally I think it looks silly without the lights there to make up the space.

Its like having those spaces on the dashboard for buttons but because you bought the cheaper model you just get blank spaces where buttons would normally be and you would regret it.

With the 1.3 you will be a winner, an awesome engine.

I agree, will almost definately ask for the fogs... they do look nice

The foglights are soooo small you can't even see them unless the're on. A real opportunity missed in my opinion.

oh no I didn't order foglights we never use them but i didn't see the bit on the lounge at the front where it looks awful! does it and have you got a picture? how much are they. i just looked on fiat uk they are very small i don't know if I would bother with them as i doubt we will ever use them

Nuovapanda it is a pain when you don't like the local dealer but I am chuffed you are getting one and may I say what a wise choice of colour you picked We haven't heard anything from the salesman yet, we ordered it last friday so i don't know when we would expect to have any information, any ideas?

In my experiance of having three brand new Fiats, this is how its gone...

Order car, get told an estimated date for delivery.
Date arrives, no call, phone them and told delivery is later now.
Car arrives and get call to confirm reg. number for insurance.
No calls ever recieved during this time which on average has been 8 or 9 weeks.

Im hoping this dealer Im using will be different, so far their contact has been very good and helpful. Did note one naff thing today, they dont use the existing holes to fit number plates that Fiat put in at the factory. They just drill two more and screw them on with self tappers. Made it clear I would like my plates put on correctly, and salesman made a note on order form. Not something you should have to ask for I think.

Whats the chance that Fiat have actually already made a blue 1.3 Lounge for the UK in std spec? Just wondered or are they all built to order?

nuovapanda said:

Whats the chance that Fiat have actually already made a blue 1.3 Lounge for the UK in std spec? Just wondered or are they all built to order?

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The chances are pretty good actually.

Each dealership gets a certain number of cars per month. If they don't sell them before they are fixed for production they get built and shipped anyway, so if any dealerships ordered standard cars to fill their allocation with a view to adding options later when they sell them (as most of us did) but then didn't sell them in time and forgot to add any options (as some of us did! ) they will be built as standard cars.

Thats a shame, was hoping mine would be built later... more chance of it being a goodun thats had earlier gremlins taken out eh:

nuovapanda said:

Thats a shame

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Only if your dealership has a standard one in your colour, as they can only sell from their allocation.

The chances of that are much less.

nuovapanda said:

I just love the noise it made, loud like a real 500
Cant wait very excited.

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It's great isn't it - it just screams when you thrash it, I love it!

seadragon said:

Without them you have 2 black plastic things on each end of the front of your car and personally I think it looks silly without the lights there to make up the space.

Its like having those spaces on the dashboard for buttons but because you bought the cheaper model you just get blank spaces where buttons would normally be and you would regret it.

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Nooo don't say that! It's like rubbing salt into open wounds

Congrats on the order Barry You've got one sexy car order going on!

seadragon said:

Its like having those spaces on the dashboard for buttons but because you bought the cheaper model you just get blank spaces where buttons would normally be and you would regret it.

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You mean like you're going to for buying a model that has a space where the Sport button should be?

Scrogg said:

You mean like you're going to for buying a model that has a space where the Sport button should be?

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Oh nooo! My car doesn't need a Sport button! The throttle is (supposidly) nice and sharp and linear in standard form - whereas the 1.4 standard mode is a bit vague when out of Sport mode I don't need a City button either, that's just taking the pis$! I just want some fogs... ...or do I? I can't make up my mind

Suasexed said:

I just want some fogs... ...or do I? I can't make up my mind

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No, you don't.

When was the last time it was actually foggy round here?

And if you're even thinking of driving with them on when it isn't foggy I'm cancelling your order and getting you a Saxo VTR!