Had an interesting development today.

My wife has decided she wants something more practical than her under 2 years old Toyota GT86.



She's done a deal on a new Toyota C-HR fully loaded Ltd Ed Hybrid version.



Stunning car & full of technology. She'll love it.

This has given me an opportunity. I loved my old 500 TA+ but needed the practically of the Panda.

The practical aspect is now covered with her car so considering an Abarth 595 180bhp Competizione with the performance pack in place of my Panda.

Am I mad?

With under 14.5k miles on my mint January 2015 Tuscany Green TA Cross with the winter pack, comfort pack, satnav, roof bars & roofbox, would there be any takers if I offered it for sale?



Cheers,

Simon

Yep your completely mad. I bet you can get more than 12 points on your license with one of those in less than 50 miles! I tried one and they are addictive. If you'r not going to drive it whats the point, and if you do you know what is likely to happen. Its as much as I can do to stop myself doing the same but as my Panda is now gradually using a more sensible amount of fuel I am beginning to warm to it and the bravo just keeps getting better so I cant justify the cost. What you really want to do is keep the Panda and have the 500A as well, admit it!

Squadrone Rosso said:

The practical aspect is now covered with her car so considering an Abarth 595 180bhp Competizione with the performance pack in place of my Panda.

Am I mad?

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As noted above by Mr C...........opportunity to use.


Maybe you could get the more understated Audi A1 Quattro. Quicker and it has 4 doors.

Plenty of opportunity to use a quick car down here in South Wales.

I pinch her GT86 for fun driving up the mountains.

Before my 500/Panda, my daily was a 270bhp V6.

No points here

Squadrone Rosso said:

Had an interesting development today.

My wife has decided she wants something more practical than her under 2 years old Toyota GT86.

View attachment 181798

She's done a deal on a new Toyota C-HR fully loaded Ltd Ed Hybrid version.

View attachment 181799

Stunning car & full of technology. She'll love it.

Cheers,

Simon

Click to expand...

A C-HR is high on my Wishlist to.

Squadrone Rosso said:

an Abarth 595 180bhp Competizione with the performance pack in place of my Panda.

Am I mad?

Cheers,

Simon

Click to expand...

Also High on my Wishlist, But a Pista version, and no you are not mad.

Squadrone Rosso said:

Am I mad?

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I'd be asking myself how much I want this, how much it will cost me to make the switch, and what else I could do with that amount of money that I'd enjoy more.

Squadrone Rosso said:

would there be any takers if I offered it for sale?

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Anything will sell if priced to do so. Nearly new cars, even very good ones, are notoriously difficult to sell privately so you may be limited to what the trade will offer. A quick visit to WBAC will give you a rough idea of what to expect.

buy it.

jrkitching said:

I'd be asking myself how much I want this, how much it will cost me to make the switch, and what else I could do with that amount of money that I'd enjoy more.

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.......and will I get bored with the loud exhaust and firm ride after a few months and miss my nice Panda! Possibly not though

Mercky said:

.......and will I get bored with the loud exhaust and firm ride after a few months and miss my nice Panda! Possibly not though

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That's actually a good consideration.

It's many years ago now, but I once had the chance of a new Lancia Delta HF Turbo as a company car. It was impressive on test drive, but the rational part of me realised that most of my travelling was on motorways, and it just wasn't geared for comfortable cruising. I chose something else, but a colleague went for the Lancia and soon ended up regretting it.

jrkitching said:

That's actually a good consideration.

It's many years ago now, but I once had the chance of a new Lancia Delta HF Turbo as a company car. It was impressive on test drive, but the rational part of me realised that most of my travelling was on motorways, and it just wasn't geared for comfortable cruising. I chose something else, but a colleague went for the Lancia and soon ended up regretting it.

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I've mentioned it before but I always think about Chris Rees who is the editor of Auto Italia writing an article a while back comparing the Fiat Panda 100HP and the current 500 105 TA, the purpose of the article was to ascertain if the 105 TA was the spiritual successor to the 100HP, the upshot of the article was that it wasent as the HP had a definite unique charm of it's own that the 500 dident match. However he did go on to say that he felt that the 105 TA was comfortably the best 500 to date and he said he included Abarths in that. Obviously this was not about actual performance or even handling but more about fun factor and long term enjoyment of ownership once the novelty of the Abarth wore off. I've always respected his views as been very balanced - he drives a 100HP and has test driven everything up to Ferraris and Lambos etc so he's well informed. Having said all that I've only ever had a short spin in a standard 135hp Abarth and have not driven a 105, I cant but think a new 180 Abarth would be highly entertaining but probably more so as a second car rather then an everyday.

jrkitching said:

I'd be asking myself how much I want this, how much it will cost me to make the switch, and what else I could do with that amount of money that I'd enjoy more.

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You and I probably live in a similar rational world, except mine has fatter tyres.


If I had the money I have now, at the age of 25, I would no longer have the money I now have: Lester Piggott*


My advice is to buy something cheap, like a Pot Noodle and enjoy the ownership of it for a few hours before the thrill wears off, then thank your lucky stars you didn't chuck £18000 away on a mode of transport.


What do I know, though?










*nah, I just made that up

I wouldnt bother... sorry. They look lovley... theyre not that loud as people think... i had the joys of hooning with one a little when driving my multijet 150 back from scarborough...

He was infront of me and kept putting his foot down, i was doing the same and i was gaining on him, upto about 80mph then he kept letting off...

My motor is 150hp diesel stock but remapped, unsure of the actual figure as it was remapped before i bought it, and before the garage had bought it who I bought it off... it had new clutch and dmf. K&n panel filter, and service when i bought it.

Remap was apparantley done at njs alfa fiat abarth specialists... think its njs. In bristol or near there

AB100 said:

"If I had the money I have now, at the age of 25, I would no longer have the money I now have." Lester Piggott

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"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." George Best

You could have an extended test drive in an Abarth, in all situations you'd find yourself if it was yours. Then get back in the Panda. You'll either be comfortable back in that or think "I can't be doing with this". I've been on track days and got back in a different Panda both times. Audi R8, got back in a 1.2. Ferrari 360 and a 911, got back in my TA 4x4 and went and got some fast food for lunch. Did I wish I was taking supercars home with me? Not particularly.

The deal is done so in 12 or so weeks, this hyperactive puppy will mine.



Abarth 595 180 Bhp Competizione.
Performance pack (Carbon fibre Sabelt Seats, limited slip differential).
Ultra light Supersport wheels.
Carbon fibre dashboard.
7" Uconnect with Nav & Apple car play.
Xenon headlights.

Should be fun.

Thanks to Dean at Johnson's in Solihull for pulling the deal together.

The Panda is a fabulous car but with the C-HR replacing our GT86, there's a hole in the performance side of our fleet.

Nice one.

Bet you can't wait to get your hands on it .

Congrats Simon, well to be fair, it was only a matter of time! Looking forward to hearing the reports. Thankfully Abarths aren't readily available here otherwise I might be led astray! Whoever gets your Cross will get a nice car.

I actually wanted to keep the 86 & Panda.

Effectively swap.

Two issues with this.

The 86 & my work car park aren't really compatible. Tight spaces, long doors, low car & a knackered back.

Plus, the Mrs didn't want the Panda as her car (despite pinching it most weekends).

I reckon the Hybrid CVT C-HHR will suit her in the main but she'll be pinching the 595 at every given opportunity for some fun......

Squadrone Rosso said:

I actually wanted to keep the 86 & Panda.

Effectively swap.

Two issues with this.

The 86 & my work car park aren't really compatible. Tight spaces, long doors, low car & a knackered back.

Plus, the Mrs didn't want the Panda as her car (despite pinching it most weekends).

I reckon the Hybrid CVT C-HHR will suit her in the main but she'll be pinching the 595 at every given opportunity for some fun......

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It look like you always pull the short stick.