Hello, so pleased to have found this lovely forum!
I am considering a Panda as my next car (changing from a Mk1 1.6 petrol Focus). My eye has been caught by the Trekking model – I work part-time on a riding yard and the lane on the way gets very muddy in winter and is prone to flooding, plus the yard’s drive is very potholed so the higher ground clearance would be helpful. I tried a Panda Cross a few days ago – had gone to look at another car and ended up jumping in the Panda! Had a good half hour solo test drive on familiar roads and got on well with the car – I do like the Twinair engine, eco button on or off, and I found the car easy and a lovely drive. The Cross, though, is 4x4 which I don’t really need and I would be nervous of additional maintenance expenses. I’ve seen a 15 plate Trekking with reasonable mileage but before I make a two hour plus journey to view it, I’d like to know your opinions on whether the TA engine would be a sensible choice or whether I should look for a City Cross with the 1.2 engine, assuming that also has the higher ride height and stronger suspension. I would want to keep the car long term and don’t live far from an independent specialist Fiat garage.
Most of my regular trips are about 7 miles, much of it through town, and involving a steep hill in both directions (I live in North Yorkshire). I make a longer 30 mile trip a couple of times a month and the occasional longer motorway journey so my annual mileage is around 3.5 – 4k. Would the TA engine suffer from a lot of short trips (though it is such fun I’m sure I would find myself taking the scenic route home!) and would it need more frequent oil changes as a result? If the 1.2 engine would be a better choice, how well does it cope with steep inclines and would I find it a bit frustrating after being used to a bigger engined car? Don’t mind having to use the gears.
Sorry this is so long, I don't change cars very often so it's a big decision!
Tina
I am considering a Panda as my next car (changing from a Mk1 1.6 petrol Focus). My eye has been caught by the Trekking model – I work part-time on a riding yard and the lane on the way gets very muddy in winter and is prone to flooding, plus the yard’s drive is very potholed so the higher ground clearance would be helpful. I tried a Panda Cross a few days ago – had gone to look at another car and ended up jumping in the Panda! Had a good half hour solo test drive on familiar roads and got on well with the car – I do like the Twinair engine, eco button on or off, and I found the car easy and a lovely drive. The Cross, though, is 4x4 which I don’t really need and I would be nervous of additional maintenance expenses. I’ve seen a 15 plate Trekking with reasonable mileage but before I make a two hour plus journey to view it, I’d like to know your opinions on whether the TA engine would be a sensible choice or whether I should look for a City Cross with the 1.2 engine, assuming that also has the higher ride height and stronger suspension. I would want to keep the car long term and don’t live far from an independent specialist Fiat garage.
Most of my regular trips are about 7 miles, much of it through town, and involving a steep hill in both directions (I live in North Yorkshire). I make a longer 30 mile trip a couple of times a month and the occasional longer motorway journey so my annual mileage is around 3.5 – 4k. Would the TA engine suffer from a lot of short trips (though it is such fun I’m sure I would find myself taking the scenic route home!) and would it need more frequent oil changes as a result? If the 1.2 engine would be a better choice, how well does it cope with steep inclines and would I find it a bit frustrating after being used to a bigger engined car? Don’t mind having to use the gears.
Sorry this is so long, I don't change cars very often so it's a big decision!
Tina
