Panda 2012+ Newbie in Norwich; Panda on order!

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Panda 2012+ Newbie in Norwich; Panda on order!

Joined
Sep 21, 2012
Messages
170
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69
Location
Norwich
Hello from sunny Norwich!

In the three weeks I've got married, moved three hundred and fifty miles, started a new job, turned thirty and passed my PhD viva. Oh, and ordered my first new car: a Panda 1.2 Easy. Guess which I'm most excited about :D

When I checked earlier this week, she was at order status 45 ready to clear customs. I'll no doubt be using these forums in the coming weeks and months to get tips and ideas for making the most of this brilliant little car.

Cheers (y)
 
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Hello from sunny Norwich!

In the three weeks I've got married, moved three hundred and fifty miles, started a new job, turned thirty and passed my PhD viva. Oh, and ordered my first new car: a Panda 1.2 Easy. Guess which I'm most excited about :D

When I checked earlier this week, she was at order status 45 ready to clear customs. I'll no doubt be using these forums in the coming weeks and months to get tips and ideas for making the most of this brilliant little car.

Cheers (y)

Welcome to the forum as well.

Good choice with your new car (I would say that as I also have a 1.2 Easy!:D). We used to have a 500 but needed a little bit more space with the arrival of our little boy last year; as much as we miss the 500 the Panda has been really great to own so far. You'll be amazed quite how much stuff you can cram into one, I say that from going on holiday last week...;)

Did you add any extras at all or is it just a standard model?
 
Did you add any extras at all or is it just a standard model?

Only the techno pack, although I didn't add it, I just picked out the spec from existing stock.

Well, last weekend I was seduced into the Volkswagen dealership here in Norwich (Robinson's on Heigham Road) by one of the 62 plates PCP promotion. I used to borrow a Polo from Streetcar when they were still active in Glasgow. While I was waiting for the sales associate to make up a quotation, I had a seat in an affordable mid-range Polo and promptly fell asleep. A great little car, strong residuals, etc etc etc but f*** me was it dull.

So, on the off chance I crossed the street to the Norwich branch of Desira and had a long chat with the Abarth specialist (Jason Bunn). He explained the deposit promotion that was running last weekend and hooked me in. Because I'm just starting a new job, moving house and paying off a wedding, the £1000 deposit contribution on a four year PCP was very appealing.

Initially we explored the Pandas that Desira had in stock across all their branches, and there was one down in London that ticked a few boxes, but almost all of them were in white. Apparently a few years ago they were selling dozens of silver cars for every other colour, now white is the new popular choice. Personally I don't like white, so I asked Jason to have a look at the national stock (the promotion was extended only to vehicles already in dealer or Fiat UK stock).

Found mine at status code 40 (i.e. on the boat, en route to the UK) on the national stock list. It was the engine and spec I wanted with the Tecno Pack already added. As mentioned it's a 1.2L Easy, Cancan Red, basic spec + Techno Pack. I have the precise spec list with codes at home. I believe the Techno Pack adds a unit listed as "Lusso", which I think is the leather trimmed steering wheel etc. Was more interested in the finance than the precise spec so happy to go for one with the extra kit, although I'm not sure how I would have spec'd the car had I had a carte blanche to choose something factory built.

Will update with the precise details later (y)
 
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Found the original spec sheet:

025 Manual air con
4FU Bluetooth
5B2 Pastel paint - Cancan red 289
54E Ceiling front spotlight timer
6HQ Ciao Fiat sticker
6R8 Techno pack
717 Radio with CD & MP3 player
924 Complete cellophane
973 Lusso specification
 
Desira in Norwich are very good (y)

Good to hear - so far they've been great; Jason is a very agreeable man to do business with too. Hope the aftercare matches the sales.

Look out for me in Norwich - I have a Mediterranean Blue 1.2 Lounge (bought from Desira!).

I'll give you a wave for sure. Every Panda driver will be getting a wave regardless :D

Welcome! I frequent Norwich quite often. Should keep an eye out for Eastern Italia meets coming soon :)

Sounds like a plan; any excuse for a trip to the seaside too (y)

Quick question for other Panda drivers out there. The only dealer-fitted accessory I've been tempted by is the durable plastic cargo liner. Any experience or comments on this? And any tips for alternative suppliers? £38ish seems a lot. Thanks!
 
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Good to hear - so far they've been great; Jason is a very agreeable man to do business with too. Hope the aftercare matches the sales.

Yes, he is. And the chief Tech is a really helpful and approachable bloke too.

Fiat dealers get bad publicity, but I've never found a problem wth Desira.
 
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