Cost. Over the long term, you simply can't run a BMW for Panda money.
Mind you, there's a lot more choice if you're paying 695 money, most of which are both more comfortable and more useable.
Back to topic, the Panda is all about cost; its single most attractive selling feature is value for money. If you buy a new base model and keep it, you might just be looking at the lowest cost/mile for new car ownership, period.
In the UK that's a limited, and shrinking market, in which the Asian brands compete strongly; it's likely just not sufficiently profitable for Fiat to put much effort into targeting that segment.
I meant better as in something which you’re going to sit in the Panda and find better than a 3 series in terms of the driving experience, comfort or performance.
My 3 series is the efficient dynamics model. , so silly MPG (circa high 60s and into 70s in the summer), relatively cheap tyres (not £170 like an M sport tyre!!!!) and cheap servicing.
I’m on track to do 36k miles in my first year and I’ve barely worn the pads on it, I’ve only just finished off the rear tyres which came with about 3 or 4 mm of tread when I got the car.
For what I’m doing with it it’s perfect, would I drive it as a city car like my Oanda generally was? God no.
