Panda 2012+ Chichi, the Angry Panda

Yep, I'm a Brit and I can confirm I've never got out to Guatemala for either off road or colonisation purposes. Still, looks like a REALLY great place for off road fun. These days I'm living in a city so I've not even had a car since the early 90s! Just bought a nice twinair turbo Panda though. OMG, watch out world!

Ehehehe Just remember that whatever you get up to, if there's no video or photographic evidence, it never happened

As for Guatemala, it's never too late. It does have its issues but its gorgeous (and sunny). There's plenty to explore too although in my particular case it's been difficult dedicate nearly enough time for that.

This is Britain. There's ALWAYS video or photographic evidence. That's all happened since I last drove. You can't move in Britain these days without finding a camera shoved up your fundament. Double-Plus Good...

Two years old on the 22nd of this month, reached 13k miles today

Gave the engine bay a bit of a spruce up after the mud plugging a few weeks back.

Noticed the bolt that supports the air intake tube was literally hanging on by a thread!

Also, put some temporary winter reinforcement on the drivers side mat. £2.50 from Tesco, trimmed to size.


As we say down these parts, tidy

And cleaned her

Squadrone Rosso said:

And cleaned her
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Lovely spec. Looks great! The dark green reminds me of my first Fiat - a '93 Mk1 Panda 1000ie. I loved that car... Sadly it metamorphosed into iron oxide [emoji15]

COOOOOL and REALLY SMART!!!! Do you have the matching green wellies?

I just got mine too and the most notable thing to me is the steering is so much better weighted than previous version which makes the car a greater pleasure to drive.

P.S. Looks in dmaned good nick for a 1982 model!

I really wanted red but changed my mind when I saw the 289/A paint code, AKA new Alfa chiptastic Red.

Green was my second choice but it's a great colour that really suits it.

I love the little tike.

Well, life has thrown me a curve ball when I need it the least.



My 87 year old father recently passed away so I've inherited his 3 month old / 500 mile Kia Venga 3 1.6 petrol.



So, dilemma time.



The sensible thing to do is hand the Panda back on what's called voluntary termination as it's on a PCP. I'm over half way through and whilst there'll be a small excess mileage payment to make (3000 @ £0.06) and a get out early fee, I'll be saving another 22 months @ £285 plus the final payment.



The Venga is fully paid for, has all the toys, a service package for 4 years and the 7 year warranty. It's in a nice colour too.



The but is quite BIG. I love my Panda. It's me. Whilst the Kia is nice, It's not really me.



To put things in perspective, the Panda is our practical daily that we use when we have the niece & nephew over or to take the olds shopping. The GT86 is our less sensible daily.



Should common sense prevail as in Panda gone, Kia stay?



The other issue with Kia is it's lost just over £5k in 3 months / 500 miles. If I let it go, I have the feeling the old man will haunt me

Thoughts?

Sell the Kia and either pay off the pcp early or shove the money in the bank for the payments. You'd regret selling the Panda as its got character and the fun factor you'll never get in the bland Kia.

murphyv310 said:

Sell the Kia and either pay off the pcp early or shove the money in the bank for the payments. You'd regret selling the Panda as its got character and the fun factor you'll never get in the bland Kia.

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I will REALLY miss the Panda. Despite owning stuff with 300bhp / worth £30k+, it's the best pound for pound car I've owned. 25 months old, 14k miles on it. Settlement is £9800.

But, for a 15 mile a day commuter and for the wife to use as a shopping car with the elderly or small people, does a running slightly boring but superbly equipped Kia it really matter

The heated seats do the back unlike the Panda. Great infotainment system including DAB, SatNav & reversing camera. Lovely seats, more roomy / practical etc. Free servicing too.

I guess I'm sentimental over it for obvious reasons. He paid £16005 for it on the 3rd November and the best offer I've had from the loose feelers I've put out is £10,900 from the supplying dealer. Over £5k loss in c100 days or £10 per mile travelled. That hurts me and I know it would hurt him

Sorry to hear your news Simon. I would argue Kia a lot more practical for running family around. I've had 4 people in my 4x4, it didn't look comfortable for my grandparents anyway. Depreciation on Kia you're more aware of as it's paid for. Your Cross has lost a lot (probably more than the outstanding finance?) and that would make it Fiat's problem. You have a red Fiat that's still very practical. Hope this helps.

Sorry to hear about your Dad Simon, it's a dilemma alright, knowing you and your cars you will end up selling the Kia anyway within the year as you'll be bored with it and you'll regret selling the Cross. I know it's not easy but I think you need to leave sentiment and emotion to one side and keep the car that makes you smile the most - which I'm guessing is the Panda! Sell the Kia and invest the money.

Al D said:

Sorry to hear your news Simon. I would argue Kia a lot more practical for running family around. I've had 4 people in my 4x4, it didn't look comfortable for my grandparents anyway. Depreciation on Kia you're more aware of as it's paid for. Your Cross has lost a lot (probably more than the outstanding finance?) and that would make it Fiat's problem. You have a red Fiat that's still very practical. Hope this helps.

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My niece (7) and nephew (5) struggle in the back in their seats. We're taking them to France in the summer in it so it'll be a squeeze. Got the roofbox though.

The Kia is massive inside by comparison and the roofbox wouldn't be needed.

The Panda Caps at £7.7 - £8k. To pay off the PCP early is £9.8k. Then there's ongoing servicing plus an extended warranty.

It makes no financial sense whatsoever, even taking my heart out of it

All that said, the old man loved my cars, my garage & my love of cars so he'd want me to be happy for sure.

Tough decisions ahead. I've put the Panda on an age appropriate plate now too.

Very sorry for your loss, Simon. I'd probably set about a making a decision like this by doing all the tedious calculations - which option will cost the most, in the short and longer term, etc etc - but I'd probably end up making a decision based on more intangible emotional factors (economists call it the "consumer surplus" - the value that we place on things over and above their measurable economic value). How important is the Panda's 4x4 capability for you? That could be a clinching argument that might enable head and heart to align!

I'd almost be tempted to buy it off you, TA Pandas are not available over here! What's it worth on the second hand market?

No matter how much I try to apply man maths, keeping the Kia and VTing the Panda is the only sensible option.

4x4 is a nice to have. I've never needed it in 25 months & I've only ever used it once recreationally.

Will wait until the tail end of next week before any decision is made.....