I've been looking at a 1992 Panda I can have for £50. Cosmetically it's perfect, seats, panels, etc are excellent. It's low mileage and the engine seems sound.

The problem is that it's an MOT failure due to rot underneath, so it needs quite a bit of welding. I'd love to save it as it's a lovely looking car, but is it worth it? I'm going back to see the owner tomorrow at midday.

What do you think? Would it cost much to repair or could the rot be terminal? [?]

Thanks in advance.

e: [email protected]
w: www.irishfiat.net
<h6>
Click here for pictures of my Uno </h6>

Hi Steve.
It all depends on who does the welding, If you can do it yourself, or get a mate who can help, then it could be worth doing.
From past experience, if a garage does it, once they start they find it hard to stop, usually because it's hard to find any metal worth welding to, at least thats their excuse.
The main reason Pandas die is rust, plenty of good ones in the scrapyards.
Good luck.

Russ

£50 is a lot of money, to throw away. Im not being funny to you but you seem to have little or no knowledge of the extent of the problem.

Give it a miss and get one with an MOT for a few dollars more.

Up to you though, either way good luck

Where is the rust and how bad is it?
Pete.

There are 2 fist sized holes. One under the boot and one under the rear footwell. It's hard to tell if it's contained to these areas or where the good metal begins.

e: [email protected]
w: www.irishfiat.net
<h6>
Click here for pictures of my Uno </h6>

I agree with Smirn. You can pick up a good Panda with 12 months MOT for around £250. Unless you know what you are letting yourself in for, go for the safe bet.
Repairing these holes, you can get away with bodging them, as long as it is away from from the chassis legs, spring hangers, sills and seatbelt fixings.
Happy Pandering.

Russ

ps.
I like your Uno, really clean.
It must have felt like a bit of a comedown after a new Punto, but I bet the cost differences more than make up for that.
At least its paid for and yours, always makes it worthwhile, it can't be repossesed.

Russ

Problem being you lift the carpet and find that the carpet 'is' the floor.

Trying to get your local garage to do this job would cost you easy another £200, Im sticking with what I said before. Its a pear, sorry.

I tooks your advice and passed on the Panda. I've looked at 3 now and it's proving hard to find a clean one. It's not for everyday use, I want one to put into first class original condition and keep, so a clean one would be better to start with. Thanks guys.

e: [email protected]
w: www.irishfiat.net
<h6>
Click here for pictures of my Uno </h6>

Steve,
There's always my 4X4 currently on e-bay at £210 so far. Bit of rust on bottom right of passenger door and, like all Pandas, some underneath but nothing with structural implications (according to my garage). MoT'd to next May, newish tyres (spare unused) and scrubs up nicely!