As a follow-on from bedbug's excellent post giving his views on the new Panda, it made me think that it would be interesting to find out what Mk3 owners actually made of the new model.

It's always difficult to form opinions based on a forum, but the general feeling I get from a number of posters is that there is a certain regret that the new model moves too far away from the simplicity of the previous models.

As an ex-500 owner, I won't be participating in this one. But I think it would be interesting to see what people who have/had Mk3 Pandas think of the new model - the results can then be sold on to Fiat for a fee for marketing purposes, lol!

Oh bugger...it didn't add the poll!

Wanted to have "Yes I like", "No I don't like" and "Indifferent" options, maybe one of the mods can help me out here?

Super Uwe said:

As a follow-on from bedbug's excellent post giving his views on the new Panda, it made me think that it would be interesting to find out what Mk3 owners actually made of the new model.

It's always difficult to form opinions based on a forum, but the general feeling I get from a number of posters is that there is a certain regret that the new model moves too far away from the simplicity of the previous models.

As an ex-500 owner, I won't be participating in this one. But I think it would be interesting to see what people who have/had Mk3 Pandas think of the new model - the results can then be sold on to Fiat for a fee for marketing purposes, lol!

Click to expand...

"Yes I like"... -- definitely (and I'll click on the right button, should it ever appear...); and -- as a lot of folks know -- would be driving one, if it were not for FIAT's wont of shooting themselves in the foot at every available opportunity....

Reasons...?

• More room.
• Better ride.
• Better quality interior (at least, on first appearances).
• More toys/options available (principally, because technology has moved on...).
• Better comfort/less spartan.
• The wonderful TA engine.
• Better handling (marginally).
• Quirky 'squircles'...!

Downsides...?

• Not as good looking (although still pretty neat).
• No 100hp equivalent, as yet (although I wouldn't be buying, because there'd probably be no auto option...).

As with the Mk3...

• Can only get the semi-automatic gearbox with one engine (albeit my favourite...). [Does anyone know if these are yet on the market...?]
• As always, a limited range of colour options (inside and out).
• No automatic 4x4.

I'm sure I'll think of something else, once I hit the 'Submit Reply' button....

Thoroughly dislike.

This is all based on seeing many of the new Pandas in Italy and a few here but not on a test drive, which I'll get round to in the next few weeks. Many of the opinions are totally subjective.

Strongly dislike the look of it - bloated - not just in terms of size (I think the tendency to enlargement is totally negative) but the actual styling is puddingy and the detailing is very messy. I really dislike those squircles - totally gimmicky and the interior is a mess. The area round the wheelarches is very badly designed - apart from being squircular, with the lack of visual harmony exaggerated by the wheels which (thank goodness) are circular - they are the major contributor to the very heavy look, with the "Japanese" styling round the grille and the back bumper the other major culprits.

I'm very suspicious of the "more room" - the difference is so small that it's marginal at best, especially compared with the old model with the sliding rear seat option.

I'm not ware of a toy or option that I'd actually pay for on the new model that wasn't offered on the previous one.

Comment on road tests suggests that the handling is compromised by even more over-assisted steering and a loss of "involvement" for the driver.

The increase in weight is a really retrograde step. A new model should take advantage of improved technology and techniques to reduce weight. The 1.2 version of the outgoing model is marginal on performance and anything that makes it slower - and less economical - is a very bad idea. The 1.2 FIRE engine has been a very good servant to the Fiat group but it's outdated and the TwinAir should be the standard model, priced as the 1.2 is now, with the possibility of a really basic 1.1 at a rock bottom price.

I'm sure that Fiat is realising that its initial pricing was way over the top, but, even with the discounts that are emerging, it still looks very expensive for the spec that you get. Charging for metallic paint has become the norm but extra cost for any paint finish other than white is extortion.

The 4x4 is the only model that has any appeal for me - having owned 30 or so Fiat group cars over almost fifty years - but I suspect the price will be horrendous in the UK.

Not an owner of course

But...

Like:
The ride
The TA engine
The huge fun factor when driving it
The steerring - very quick
The kit
Lovely gearbox (TA)
Good driving position
Good visibility

Dislike:
The very high prices
That the kit is mostly extra
The lack of standard seat adjustment
The lack of standard Bluetooth
The poor economy (TA)
The very poor rear leg room
The tiny fuel tank
The lack of a proper spare wheel
Expensive paint
The poor warranty
The gimmicky handbrake

Dislikes in comparison with Mk 3:

Engine doesn't seem as powerful (I have the 1.2) - is this because the car is bigger and heavier?
High prices
Tailgate mechanisim already failed
No spare wheel
Limited colour choices
Couldn't have roof-rails AND sunroof together
Driving position is good, but seems a bit lower than the Mk3 and no seat adjustment

Likes:

Actually I wish I'd stuck with the Mk 3 - what a great car!!

I do like the look of the Mk4 [I currently have a Mk3 100HP] and would be tempted to get one IF the engine options were better i.e. if they Abarth'd it or something :spin: - I am getting a bit bored of the 1.4 NA now and want to go back to more power

By the way, poll added

Don't like.
It does not even have a decent engine. (only 2 cylinders overhere)

I'd like it, but...
- pricing is ... wierd. Its too high, higher still if you try to get decent kit above basic-engine-and-wheels. Insurance also jumped up strangely, probably because of this price hike. Did they really had to switch from Polish to Italian factory - did it really help the build quality or anything?
- I don't think they had to change a bodywork the way they've changed it. Car gained in dimensions and weight (and probably, price)? Probably drag coefficient went down like 0.02, yeah, great
- FIAT didn't want my money, I mean, what the hell, you advertise Dualogic model in brochures, on website, let people order it - and they say "sorry, we not actually producing this car, please come back at some unknown time in the future". At least I got the "courtesy" warning before I ordered, not like some less fortunate people

Good things that:
- its still have very much in common with previous Panda
- while so, it has many modern tech in it, which is not very common for such compact car (though optional equipment, but at least its available)

I don't like the new interior at all (it's a clutter).
The outside is OK, but noting more then that.
The 169 looks better inside and outside IMHO.
I will not buy one that is for certain, very happy with my 169.

Thanks Stu for adding the poll, I didn't manage to get it done before it timed out...

And thanks for those who have voted so far. Mixed bag but early days of course.

I'm indifferent.

Ask me in a few years when I've had chance to own one at a reasonable price.

Mind you by the time that happens I may well opt for a 500L

It does look a bit like they've attached an airline to a mk3 and inflated it though.

So at the mo i'm a bit Meh, don't really care

I really can't decide what to vote...

I like:
Mainly ELD (which my 4X4 isn't equipped with)
More room.
Better quality interior.
Better dashboard.
More functions on the wheel (volume etc)

I don't like:
Mainly the looks. The Mk3 has a spirit. A character of it's own. It's impossible to confuse the Mk3 with another car, unlike the Mk4. Mk3 has more appealing look. It's not as "rounded" as the Mk4. I hate "rounded" cars.
The price.

I dislike. Have 100hp Mk3 and its sooo much better.

Test drove Mk4.

Only thing I liked was the fast back of the seat adjustment. Thats it!
Funky design for a city car but not as a hot hatch if they bring sporty version out. (unless they beef it up a lot)

Did not liked:

Size, its too big, feels huge when driving.
Less inside room. Head room was cut down to like 2 inches for me compared to 4 I have in my 100hp.
Handbreak was annoying, good for city riding but cant do handbreak turns.
Lack of driving seat adjustments
Less visibility while driving.

My opinion is based purely on comparing it to my Panda 100hp Mk.

As a city car I see its appeals but its miles away from being a fun hot hatch.

I have owned a 500 for the past 3 years and, until a month ago, had owned a 2007 Mk3 Panda from new. 5 years of ownership and the Panda was still very much a sound car and actually preferred driving it the 500 but I fancied a change.

I have to say I was a bit deflated by the Mk4 Panda. The increased kerb weight has reduced the fun of city driving somewhat and the interior squircle concept makes the speedo and other instrumentation cluttered and difficult to read. Although build quality is improved, glossy plastics and odd handbrakes aren't my cup of tea, the upholstery is a backwards step from my Mk3 Panda and there are some rough edges to the dash around the leading edge of the glovebox/shelf.

I guess these things are a matter of taste but the major obstacle is the price.

My Mk3 Panda was a 1.2L 360SE with metallic paint, alloy wheels, split fold rear seats, air-conditioning, bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel audio/phone controls as an extra over a normal Dynamic. Prior to dealer discounts, this car was £7,195 on the road in late 2007.

The same spec as a 1.2 Mk4 Panda comes to £10,790 per the Fiat configurator. Or I could buy a 1.2 500 with the same kit for £10,950. Without dealer discounts, the Panda is priced too close to the 500 to sell in volumes as a city car unless you really need the 5 doors.

To be fair, having made the argument for budget motoring, I bought an Audi A1 to replace the Panda, so what do I know?

gazz_bee said:

I have owned a 500 for the past 3 years and, until a month ago, had owned a 2007 Mk3 Panda from new. 5 years of ownership and the Panda was still very much a sound car and actually preferred driving it the 500 but I fancied a change.

I have to say I was a bit deflated by the Mk4 Panda. The increased kerb weight has reduced the fun of city driving somewhat and the interior squircle concept makes the speedo and other instrumentation cluttered and difficult to read. Although build quality is improved, glossy plastics and odd handbrakes aren't my cup of tea, the upholstery is a backwards step from my Mk3 Panda and there are some rough edges to the dash around the leading edge of the glovebox/shelf.

I guess these things are a matter of taste but the major obstacle is the price.

My Mk3 Panda was a 1.2L 360SE with metallic paint, alloy wheels, split fold rear seats, air-conditioning, bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel audio/phone controls as an extra over a normal Dynamic. Prior to dealer discounts, this car was £7,195 on the road in late 2007.

The same spec as a 1.2 Mk4 Panda comes to £10,790 per the Fiat configurator. Or I could buy a 1.2 500 with the same kit for £10,950. Without dealer discounts, the Panda is priced too close to the 500 to sell in volumes as a city car unless you really need the 5 doors.

To be fair, having made the argument for budget motoring, I bought an Audi A1 to replace the Panda, so what do I know?

Click to expand...

Yes, exactly. Apart from the Audi. Though I'm looking VWwards.

babbo_umbro said:

Yes, exactly. Apart from the Audi. Though I'm looking VWwards.

Click to expand...

A month of ownership has told me a few things. The 1.4TSI is a hoot to drive but with slightly lifeless steering, I'll never see trips of 50mpg again and, annoyingly, the A1 has more rattles from new than my Panda did after 5 years. It's in next week to get de-rattled so will find out how Audi dealers compare beyond the filter coffee and china cups of the showroom.

gazz_bee said:

I bought an Audi A1 to replace the Panda, so what do I know?

Click to expand...

The A1 is at the top of my list at the moment to be my next car.
But not for the next 3-4 years.
My 169 is less then 2 years old, so no hurry to move to something else any time soon.

I don't like all the shelves - Would prefer a glovebox.

Don't like not being able to have roof bars with skydome (or whatever they call it now).

It doesn't come in yellow... I like my car to be yellow! lol

I actually like the shelf, because it's good to be able to chuck stuff into it temporarily. What would have been nice is if they had bothered to ensure that the front plastic edge moulding had been finished smoothly so as not to offer up a rough edge to fingers. A small thing, but a noticable one, and one that oddly devalues the quality feel of the whole car. Soft plastics don't matter (to me) but properly finished hard plastics do help!