I've owned my 2013 Panda since July 2014. Bought it with 4km, now has 8700km.

I've fitted 7x17 Ritmo Sport alloys on 215/35R17 tyres, fitted a TMC Motorsport tuning box and a ScangaugeII computer. I also got the Fiat TomTom satnav, and Fiat roof bars. It also has a Umbra Rimorchi fixed towbar.

Only faults have been slight bubbling of the black vinyl wrap applique on the driver's door and a rattle coming from the back, which was the latch from one side of the split-fold rear seat (I just wrapped the catch with thick tape). Also a creaking when driving over a driveway, only after I fitted the towbar. That comes and goes. Perhaps it's just the interior trim in the luggage area.

That's it. Pretty minor stuff really.

Fuel consumption has ranged from 4.7L/100km when nearly new on standard rims on the freeway, to around 6L/100km to 9L/100km around town to 14.5L/100km towing a 380kg caravan at 100km/h-120km/h.

I think that the seats are too flat and unsupportive but still comfortable on long drives and the driver's footrest is a waste of time. The 5-speed's gearshift is a bit clunky, and I wonder about how long the clutch will last. Reversing up a steep hill, for example, it's hard to not slip the clutch a bit.

I really like the TA engine, it really gives this car its character. The mid-range torque is fantastic for a small car, esp with the tuning box.

Cruise control would be really good because I find it hard to keep a constant speed when travelling at around 110km/h. it feels like it goes on boost and speed increases more than you intended, with only a slight increase in throttle pressure. In Australia, with its over-regulated draconian speed limits, it's important. I will get cc when I'm sure I can buy one that effectively holds speed. No point having cc than is set at 110 but creeps up to 125 downhill.

Overall I'm pretty happy withthe Panda, and will keep it for a long time. It's a good thing.

Only done 4,500 km in 18 months? I've done nearly 3,000km in two months
And the school year hasn't started when I'll really start to rack up the kms

(British readers should note that kms roll around far more frequently than miles - 1.6 km per mile and the difference is rather manic in real life).

I don't have a towbar fitted yet but yes, I'll be getting what you've fitted. Hopefully by the end of Feb. Mine'll be used for a bike rack mainly but pulling a light trailer is also on the cards (I've got evil plans to fit a light, removable box to my boat trailer).

You've fitted low profile tyres (with bigger wheels) but it sounds like you've still got the standard suspension. How are you finding that mix?
I live in the hills here and the standard suspension is just too soft for my lead foot... er... usage My first step will be the Novitec lowering springs, just to tighten her up a bit. New wheels are going to have to wait.

Sounds like you've boosted the power. I'm going to have to leave mine alone to protect my warranty dammit.

While I agree that the seats are rather flat, I'm not finding them uncomfortable. Mind you, I haven't done the long distances you have and that might change my views. I do miss the shoulder hugging buckets of my MG ZR160 but they were rather special. My seats seem to settling in with time so it'll be interesting to see how I find them in a year's time.

That foot rest?
I didn't mind it until someone complained. Now I'm starting to notice it. It seems about right in that it puts my left leg in a similar position to my right but I can see how, on a long run, you'd like to be able to stretch out. Overall, I find the cockpit... um... cosy. Not 'tight' as in not enough room or cramped (the above mentioned MG ZR was horrid) but yeah, for a big bloke like me, it is something you have to live in. Still, it's a tiny car, what do you expect?

I agree that the TwinAir is magic and the heart and soul of this vehicle. Without that enthusiasm and quirky character, this vehicle could easily be just a boring small car. That's fine for people who have a car merely for transport. Boring transport is not fine for me - note my other thread about adding vanity stripes to my little Panda . My cars are part of my life and how I express it, so for a vehicle like this to find an enthusiastic home in my driveway is pretty remarkable. My son, who grew up with MGBs and that horrific MG ZR and who now owns a Subaru Imprezza WRX, rolls his eyes and laughs... at the exhaust note.

Apart from the fact that it's going to take eons to pay the rotten bank loan off, I'll be keeping her for ages, and hopefully beyond. The longest I've owned a car was my last MGB (had her for 13 years) so it'd be great to break that record, by which time I'd be in my 70s and living on the pension so the chances of pushing it even further are pretty good. :devil:

There was a thread on this forum about fitting an aftermarket cruise control unit to the twinair Panda, so you might want to look into that. Apparently there are also some people who have successfully fitted an aftermarket stalk and controller from other Fiat models here in Turkey, but I still have a warranty that I'm getting good use out of so that will have to wait for me.

oyumurtaci said:

There was a thread on this forum about fitting an aftermarket cruise control unit to the twinair Panda, so you might want to look into that.

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That was me, sometime last June I think. Goldcruise GC90 with a GC4 Preset Stalk (http://www.conrad-anderson.co.uk/products/view/cc172055253). Very very well worth the effort in my view, for all the reasons you've already mentioned.

R1NGA said:

That was me, sometime last June I think. Goldcruise GC90 with a GC4 Preset Stalk (http://www.conrad-anderson.co.uk/products/view/cc172055253). Very very well worth the effort in my view, for all the reasons you've already mentioned.

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Glad to hear you're still happy with it. Once I get over the Xmas splurge I'll order one the same. Don't think I'm game to fit it myself... I'll see.

AusPanda said:

I've owned my 2013 Panda since July 2014. Bought it with 4km, now has 8700km.

I've fitted 7x17 Ritmo Sport alloys on 215/35R17 tires,...........

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Any pictures of that.

The Pretender said:

Any pictures of that.

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Yep, plenty already posted here. Had wrong tyres on then, but wheels are the same.

AusPanda said:

Yep, plenty already posted here. Had wrong tyres on then, but wheels are the same.

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Oh yes, forgot that was your car.
Can also buy those wheels, only with 225/50R17 wintertimes on them.

The Pretender said:

Oh yes, forgot that was your car.
Can also buy those wheels, only with 225/50R17 wintertimes on them.

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The problem is that the 17in wheels kill economy and performance is blunted. I have a TMC tuning box that makes it less obvious. I love the traction from the 17in tyres, great turn-in and also they look great. But if I can get a hold of the optional 15in diamond-cut factory alloys at a good price, I think I'll sell the Ritmo wheels.

I'd like to try a set of 16in steel rims like you had in silver (I think you said performance no different with these wheels?), but I priced them out of Europe and with tyres (bought here) it works out to more than $1000 AUD. Not worth it.

I'm reading this as suggesting the 15" are the optimal size for handling PLUS economy - is that right? That's probably where I need to be (that and lower springs)

aussiepanda said:

I'm reading this as suggesting the 15" are the optimal size for handling PLUS economy - is that right? That's probably where I need to be (that and lower springs)

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From what I've read, yes. Provided you get a set of decent tyres. Also ride quality will be better than 16in or 17in wheels.

I'd be a bit reluctant to lower a Panda, given the poor state of our bad Aussie roads.

AusPanda said:

From what I've read, yes. Provided you get a set of decent tyres. Also ride quality will be better than 16in or 17in wheels.

I'd be a bit reluctant to lower a Panda, given the poor state of our bad Aussie roads.

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No problems with ground clearance here, but the wobbling around is getting a bit old. For example, the second corner from home has a recessed man hole cover on the entrance and if you hit that, she jinks one way, then the other, then just makes a hash of the corner. Miss it and you don't have a problem. Mind you, I'm doing 60km/hr through a corner rated for a lot less.

Maybe it's just me coming from a sports car background, but while I appreciate being able to drive wherever I want (ie, not having to avoid the crap roads), I'd rather she was a bit more composed at times. Mind you, it's been fun learning to feed in the steering, get on the power early and feed the steering out rather than just brake late, hurl the beast into a corner and blast out the other side. Roundabouts are frustrating again because there's always someone in front of me :devil:

I didn't buy my Panda to be a sports car and don't expect her to be, I'd just like her to be the best she can when driven in a sporty manner.

AusPanda said:

The problem is that the 17in wheels kill economy and performance is blunted. I have a TMC tuning box that makes it less obvious. I love the traction from the 17in tyres, great turn-in and also they look great. But if I can get a hold of the optional 15in diamond-cut factory alloys at a good price, I think I'll sell the Ritmo wheels.

I'd like to try a set of 16in steel rims like you had in silver (I think you said performance no different with these wheels?), but I priced them out of Europe and with tyres (bought here) it works out to more than $1000 AUD. Not worth it.

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Good to know.
No 17" for me.

aussiepanda said:

No problems with ground clearance here, but the wobbling around is getting a bit old. For example, the second corner from home has a recessed man hole cover on the entrance and if you hit that, she jinks one way, then the other, then just makes a hash of the corner. Miss it and you don't have a problem. Mind you, I'm doing 60km/hr through a corner rated for a lot less.

Maybe it's just me coming from a sports car background, but while I appreciate being able to drive wherever I want (ie, not having to avoid the crap roads), I'd rather she was a bit more composed at times. Mind you, it's been fun learning to feed in the steering, get on the power early and feed the steering out rather than just brake late, hurl the beast into a corner and blast out the other side. Roundabouts are frustrating again because there's always someone in front of me :devil:

I didn't buy my Panda to be a sports car and don't expect her to be, I'd just like her to be the best she can when driven in a sporty manner.

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In my last Panda 169, i had adjustable "Koni Sport" shock absorbers in combination with lowering springs from "AP sportfahrwerke", 40mm lower @ the front and 30mm lower @ the rear, this in combination with the 7x16" steelies and 195 tires drove like a razor.

Sadly enough there are no adjustable "Koni Sport" shock absorbers for the Panda 319.

Members of this forum please note, I am NOT the biggest nutcase :devil:

You're certainly taking your Panda to a level or three above me. She'll be a real sleeper on the roads and man are you going to have some fun.

Back in the eighties, I had a mate who drove a ratty old Morris Minor. The thing is, he knew exactly how that thing cornered and we'd spend saturday nights in the mountains outside Sydney monstering hoons in their hot aussie muscle cars