Hello all. I live in a rural area where many of the 'roads' are single-track and aren't made up or have been heavily eroded, giving that wonderful sump-scraping ridge in the middle. At the moment I have an Astra and a Fiesta and I'm fed up with having to replace wishbones, seals and generally clipping the undersides. Flood-size puddles are routine at this time of year, too, so half the time I can't even see what I'm driving into.

I'm damned if I'm going to spend thousands on a gas-guzzling 4x4 and in any event even the smaller models are too wide to pass on some of these roads (I've seen this often enough!). All I really need is a utility car which is as high as possible off the road - simple as that. I'd thought of a Panda as it seems to fit the bill, but does anyone have any exact information about how much clearance there is between the ground and the vehicle's underside - maybe a measurement or a comparison with other small cars? Is there any other comparable car with similar clearance? I'd have though not, but I'd be grateful for any info/opinions. Thanks!

If you`re talking about the 4x4 then I think the lowest point is the rear diff and I think its 180mm off the ground.

Dave

My CLX (2x4) is about 150mm to the sump and other bits* when unladen.
Currently on 135x80 M&S at the front. (where is that snow??)
Well the M&S help, but they're no good at getting stuck traffic out of the way

Regards


John H

* exhaust on FIRE engined version, and what I think is described as "engine end plate" - it's between the engine and gearbox, and some of the gearchange linkages fasten to it at the bottom.

What about driving it?

(time to criticise this small car)

I am going to buy (or not) it in five months (if my car wont pass the gas test), so...have anybody anything to tell about it? (i prefere disadvantages but advantages are also welcome)

Exhaust emissions are usually the biggest problem for a Panda, provided it's all working as intended - with clean filters etc.

Originally posted by John H
Exhaust emissions are usually the biggest problem for a Panda, provided it's all working as intended - with clean filters etc.

Click to expand...

How come they're a problem John? I've put mine in two MOTs and passed each time after a slight twiddle with the air and fuel mixture screws.

Typo/brain fade on my part:I

I meant to say NOT usually a problem... D'OH!

Actual problems IME are:

rust
rust
weak gearbox
brakes (if not absolutely spot on)
bouncy ride
noise
Italian electrics - earths missing causing a variety of "Christmas tree light" effects with unexpected lamps lighting up.


Good points are:

cheap insurance
cheap parts (relatively - by UK standards)
easy to work on (especially in carburettor form)
easy to park
relatively economical on fuel
fairly lively and fun to drive
unlikely to get stolen, or "envy" scratched

what about the new panda?

is there not a 4x4 version of that due?

just a thought

Hmm - a new Panda 4x4? Worth knowing - will bear in mind. Thanks.

It will be available later this year and the clearance will be greater than the old Panda 4X4.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

The new panda will be just fitted with 4x4. I think that you can already buy it (in italy) but i'm not sure

Fiat also have some "tuned panda" called Simca (or something like this). Fiat sais that this is SUV and has more ground clearance,lights on bonet and on the roof etc. (I WANT IT!!!!)
(but i still don't know if this is only concept car. even italians don't know thought) [?]

The prototypes with the 4x4 transmission are called "Simba" and are intended to be produced...waiting for a positive feedback from the buyers!Of course it won't be sold with the light on the roof...bad appearanceB)!Another interesting model is the Abarth one, because of its (Abarth) tuned 1.3Mjet engine developing about 100Bhp[:0]!

Passion has neither brands nor models!

La passione non ha nè marche nè modelli!

SO something like suzuki ignis? (beast in sheep) (i already read a road test about it) 4x4, 100andsomething bhp. [8)]

now your talking my language

altho why bother with the 5 door 4x4 version 107bhp when the Ignis Sport comes with 3 doors, same engine and a close ratio gearbox

By the way....

how to tune 1100cm3 pandas engine? Remus exhaust and air filter or....?

Colombo & Bariani camshaft? A GSR performance package? Apparently the older Fires have alot of trapped potential... or so they say.

Goncalo D.

And you get extra 10bhp?? (instead of 55bhp in usual engine) Am i right?