Hi guys.
Just to update - had a very enjoyable long drive of a 15,000 mile TA (see pic below) today and quite impressed.
The actual vehicle build, interior quality and general feel is certainly a significant step up from my 100HP (second pic). The small increase in size certainly feels much more noticeable than the tape measure might say.
As for the drive - well, not sure why it has a Marmite reputation - felt fine to me, obviously not as perky in any way as the rev-tastic 100HP but still fine - quite nippy up to 60 odd in some nice ommph through the gears and managed to hit a typical M25 level....... of top speed so impressive there too. Characterful noises from the engine but really pretty quiet at cruising speeds.
Only real shame is the way it runs out of puff at 5k and the horrible rev-limiter kicking in at a paltry 5600 even though the rev counter redlines at 6500 - presumably just the same unit from the 1.2. At 5600 the 100HP still had another 1400 revs to give but the TA rev band although narrower still has much to offer in fun terms.
I did not think it felt better driving in a diesel style (ie using the torque, higher gears, lower revs) although this would give better mpg I know but just not much fun.
You can throw it round OK (even the Trekking model I drove), again no 100HP but the ride and refinement were another big gain over that.
The gearchange and clutch were fine - not as slick as the 100 again but I'm used to a proper agricultural Landy so the Fiat is super smooth/light in comparison. A nice spread of gears although I'd like to try the 6 speeder.
So, all in all a cracking car for the money - the best option unless they give us another proper 'warm' version of the Panda, we can dream.
I must say too how nice the white with dark grey bodykit Trekking/4x4 version looks - just like my old white 100HP - as everyone knows the only colour for Panda is white with black bits!
I had my eyes on a Lounge but the 4x4 bodykit and especially the dark wheels really look much more special and the olive interior is to me by far the nicest and most practical, shame it's not available on the Lounge.
Just need to make a decision now but I think it will be more a case of what comes along in budget and the right spec be it a 100HP, TA FWD or even a 4x4 but I really want to try the 6 speeder 4x4 and even a 1.2 to see how it's more revvy nature and hire car type thrashability might work as the 1.2s are so common and relatively cheap.
Just to update - had a very enjoyable long drive of a 15,000 mile TA (see pic below) today and quite impressed.
The actual vehicle build, interior quality and general feel is certainly a significant step up from my 100HP (second pic). The small increase in size certainly feels much more noticeable than the tape measure might say.
As for the drive - well, not sure why it has a Marmite reputation - felt fine to me, obviously not as perky in any way as the rev-tastic 100HP but still fine - quite nippy up to 60 odd in some nice ommph through the gears and managed to hit a typical M25 level....... of top speed so impressive there too. Characterful noises from the engine but really pretty quiet at cruising speeds.
Only real shame is the way it runs out of puff at 5k and the horrible rev-limiter kicking in at a paltry 5600 even though the rev counter redlines at 6500 - presumably just the same unit from the 1.2. At 5600 the 100HP still had another 1400 revs to give but the TA rev band although narrower still has much to offer in fun terms.
I did not think it felt better driving in a diesel style (ie using the torque, higher gears, lower revs) although this would give better mpg I know but just not much fun.
You can throw it round OK (even the Trekking model I drove), again no 100HP but the ride and refinement were another big gain over that.
The gearchange and clutch were fine - not as slick as the 100 again but I'm used to a proper agricultural Landy so the Fiat is super smooth/light in comparison. A nice spread of gears although I'd like to try the 6 speeder.
So, all in all a cracking car for the money - the best option unless they give us another proper 'warm' version of the Panda, we can dream.
I must say too how nice the white with dark grey bodykit Trekking/4x4 version looks - just like my old white 100HP - as everyone knows the only colour for Panda is white with black bits!
I had my eyes on a Lounge but the 4x4 bodykit and especially the dark wheels really look much more special and the olive interior is to me by far the nicest and most practical, shame it's not available on the Lounge.Just need to make a decision now but I think it will be more a case of what comes along in budget and the right spec be it a 100HP, TA FWD or even a 4x4 but I really want to try the 6 speeder 4x4 and even a 1.2 to see how it's more revvy nature and hire car type thrashability might work as the 1.2s are so common and relatively cheap.
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