Time goes by and the car gets older and less valuable, a wheel gets kerbed and a wheelie bin blows over catching the rear door. The dog still isn't allowed anywhere apart from the boot yet the hair gets everywhere.
The car gets used less as classics get pressed into use with the better weather.
A nagging doubt grows as I can't see a future for a non 4x4 car. Mk3 4x4's are sought and looked at and discounted as a step backwards. I want a car that when it's past its prime can be taken on green lanes and rutted tracks, stony byways and muddy backwaters.
Whittling down to a couple of local contenders on a snowy April morning I head to see the first car.
It's very low miles, very similarly specified to the trekking with a couple of omissions (height adjusting drivers seat, privacy glass, extra rear seat belt).
The reason for rejecting a 4x4 last time was a dislike of the 6 speed box in the Cross I had for extended test drive. As the twinair trekking loosened up and the power became more flexible I had hopes the 6 speed box wouldn't be as much work to keep moving briskly without over much shifting.

Test drive attained and I was very happy with the engine and gearbox, the bland cream trimmed interior not so much. I swear the seat isn't as padded as the trekking's too!

After a lot of running to the manager and back the sales man struck a deal I was happy with with the difference to change a lot less than it would have cost me to get into a 4x4 a year ago.

Now I've never seen a 4x4 in this shade and it's no longer shown on the website either. Love it or hate it it's different!



Hopefully picking it up early next week.

very nice colour.

The Pretender said:

very nice colour.

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Thanks, not seen a Panda in this colour Infatuation Purple before and it's mainly what drew me too it.

I'll miss the Trekking for it's orangeyness and funky interior but long term it made more sense to have a car I could actually go off road in if the mk2 4x4 was out of action.

Ideally the cross would be best for this but I still think it's too expensive, maybe a few more years down the line.

tbh the cross is amazing but, i got sucked in, i think it should of been alot cheaper for what it is

crosspanda said:

tbh the cross is amazing but, i got sucked in, i think it should of been alot cheaper for what it is

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Depends which way you look at it.

A basic Panda is one of the cheapest cars on the road, with commensurate component quality, warranty and dealer support; judged by that, the Cross is extortionately expensive for a car built out of the cheapest components Fiat could source and sold with what might just be the worst warranty and dealer support in the industry.

OTOH, most new 4x4's with real offroad capability come with far, far higher price tags; judged against that, you could say it's a bargain; and it'll likely cost you less in fuel and insurance than most of the competition.

As with all cars, secondhand values will soon reflect the market's view as to whether the car justifies its asking price when new.

I agree with the above, I reckon the cross will hold its value well though, certainly none for sale at the same price level as the "standard". I think they will become the panda to have in the future, I know I want one eventually!

Love the colour, I would love a purple Panda. The current colour choices are underwhelming IMO.