I have a 2006 Multijet Dynamic which I use for local deliveries (I repair clocks) as my main car, a VW Touareg, is just too big down some of the single track lanes or to fit in small parking spaces.

The Panda is good at what it does, and very economical. It's done 105k miles, but mostly still works OK. It is, however, very noisy and bouncy, which makes it a pain to drive for more than half an hour or so.
I'm considering replacing it with something a bit newer, budget up to £7k.

Is the current model more refined and nicer to drive? Or would I do better saving a few quid and buying one of the last of the older model?

Alternatives are a VW Up/Skoda Citigo or an Aygo. All petrol only. Although these are perceived as a bit more "premium" than a Panda, I'm not convinced they will last as well as Pandas seem to.
An alternative would be a Qubo. I had one a few years ago, and the extra weight meant that it was much more refined, but used a fair bit more diesel.

Its better but you would need to test drive to see if its suitable, steer clear of the aygo it wont be large enough i promise,Qubo is a decent short postal service use loads of them, however get a petrol as the diesel throws up the dpf light if only used on short journeys.

clockworks said:

Is the current model more refined and nicer to drive?

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Yes, they ride a lot better.
They've a wider wheel track so feel more squat on the road with less lean on corners, they are even better on the 15" wheels of the Lounge rather than the 14" of the Pop and Easy (methinks the Easy+ gets 15" as well)
The bigger wheels give it a much smoother ride.


Inside they are a bit plusher, things you touch all feel better like the dash and door trimmings.

Seats are a little better and there's miles more elbow room than the older model.


Everything mechanical is as the older car, so pretty bombproof, though the 1.2 petrol engine now has a little more power and now has interference valves.

Things like the exhaust is better made, no more scabby silencers shedding rusty chunks as you drive down the road.
About the only thing I don't like is the standard steering wheel, it feels a bit cheap, though you can get a leather one that feels nice and really well made.


We looked at the VW Up, Toyota Aggro and the likes a few years ago and the Panda beats them hands down. The Up and it's relatives the Mii and Citigo have horrid gearboxes that are full of rattles and lash and the Toyota is really tight inside, the newer ones are quite plush inside, but the first gen has pretty flaky trim.


The Qubo is very practical, but they does come with a few issues, like they do eat front suspension top mounts.
They didn't sell well so forum help is sparse and used choice pretty slim pickings, plus most seem to be diesel.

We have a 2011 older model and a 2017 newer model which are both 1.2 and lower miles.

The newer model is quieter and more refined. Easier to drive too. The older one feels a little more revvy/fun but on balance I prefer the later one. The Aygo etc also feel 'fun' but I found those 3-cyl engines can be a little tiring.

Plenty(ish) of Pandas and a few deals about at £7k. Colour choice is usually limited and few are heavily specified.

This as new as you'd get. And will last 4 years before cambelt needed. Perfect really. https://motorvogue.co.uk/pre-reg/fiat/panda/car_5dr-12-69-8v-pop_19346.html

Al D said:

This as new as you'd get. And will last 4 years before cambelt needed. Perfect really. https://motorvogue.co.uk/pre-reg/fiat/panda/car_5dr-12-69-8v-pop_19346.html

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But if you want the extra few bits then this is the best new Lounge:

https://www.stoneacre.co.uk/used-cars/fiat/panda/1-2-lounge-hatchback-5dr-fx68fvn

The bigger the wheels the better the Panda rides, because only then the suspension is starting to work properly.

Road tests suggest that the Up is more refined, but quite a few places suggest that it's not really built to last. Aygo seems to be the only Japanese car that goes wrong, too.

I do like the Multijet engine, but I appreciate that the newer ones (with DPF) might not be such a good idea for my usage. I had my Qubo MJ remapped to 95bhp, and that was fun. Even my current Panda, with 105k on the clock, goes quite well once it's warmed up. I like the extra torque from a diesel.

Consensus seems to be that a current model 1.2 Lounge is what I should be looking for.

clockworks said:

Road tests suggest that the Up is more refined, but quite a few places suggest that it's not really built to last. Aygo seems to be the only Japanese car that goes wrong, too.

I do like the Multijet engine, but I appreciate that the newer ones (with DPF) might not be such a good idea for my usage. I had my Qubo MJ remapped to 95bhp, and that was fun. Even my current Panda, with 105k on the clock, goes quite well once it's warmed up. I like the extra torque from a diesel.

Consensus seems to be that a current model 1.2 Lounge is what I should be looking for.

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Up! probably is more refined, but it's a pretty soul-less box that doesn't seem immune to problems. Aygo is characterful but they don't cope as well as the Panda on the open road I've found. An ex-colleague said her near identical Peugeot 107 was downright scary on a dual carriageway in strong winds - the Panda takes that in its stride (even the older model).

The 2012+ Panda with diesel engine is rare as hens teeth unless you go for one of the 4x4 versions - Fiat dropped the diesel engine in the regular part of the Panda range a few years ago & have now dropped it in the 4x4 version too. They've got good grunt but you'd need to take it for a good run every couple of weeks at least, or you'll run into bother with the DPF

A slightly more common option could be the TwinAir engine - it won't be anywhere near as economical as the diesel & can be noisy when revved, but it's quite a fun sound and it'll have that extra shove that the 1.2 doesn't - you won't miss the diesel torque as much in a TwinAir as you will with a 1.2. However, the 1.2 is undoubtedly quieter and in much more plentiful supply. TwinAir was available in mid-spec Easy and top-spec Lounge trim with a 5 speed box or dualogic auto - dualogic is best avoided though. They don't really hold their value any better than the 1.2 so don't expect to pay much of a premium for a used example. Or you could even throw caution to the wind and look at a 4x4 version of the TwinAir (or diesel). These are more pricey but have genuine capability (possibly handy in Cornwall?) and some extra luxuries often added as options such as heated seats & heated front screen. They also have bluetooth & stereo controls on the steering wheel as standard, which are optional on the regular cars

I have had both the VW Up! & Seat Mii, gearboxes can get noisy but otherwise sound. Both were 59 bhp that gave a good drive from Yorkshire to London, just plan overtaking. Refinement in both were very good. I'm now looking at a Panda and have studied them hard. Avoid the Pop version, no air con, only 2 speakers and no alloys. I'd look for one with steering wheel controls as you can pair up a phone, these are not a standard fit I believe they can be specified. A good Easy + or a Lounge has some nice touches. Driven two Panda's and I'm impressed, I have a Skoda Fabia 65 plate 1.2 TSi 90bhp but I prefer the Panda. Aygo? Nah let it go, same as the little Citroen (scrap metal on wheels) Now the Yaris is a good car or a Suzuki Swift.

clockworks said:

Aygo seems to be the only Japanese car that goes wrong, too.

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That might be because it isn't really Japanese.

The Toyota badge is a bit misleading, it's actually a TPCA (Toyota, Peugeot, Citroen Automobile Czech)
http://en.tpca.cz/

There's a similar set up called Seval, this company make the Qubo and build it in Turkey in the Tofas factory.

They differ quite a bit from the usual manufacturer setting up a production line in another country and knocking out their own models as these TPCA and Seval models tend to be designed either locally or to accommodate the factory/workforce and are ran and managed locally and not solely by Toyota, Fiat, PSA.

You won't find the Czech workers performing Rajio Taiso in the morning or using Kaizen principles and I doubt the Turkish workers stop for a Cappuccino at break, more like a Raki and a long kip in the afternoon!

Another choice might be the Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10.
7k should pick you up a nice one with plenty of warranty left on it as Kia has 7 years and Hyundai 5 years.

I've had a couple of both on hire and they are pretty good.
One thing I did notice was the 1.0's seem to be a bit over geared and required a bit too much gear change action, 5th gear is solely for the flat with the wind behind you!
The 1.2's are a lot better and can be had with a proper torque converter automatic.

My wife bought a new Hyundai I10 in 2012 for £6945 otr. (Special deal price) 1.2 petrol with virtually same bhp and mpg as my 2018 4x4 TA Panda The I10 has proved to be a cracking good little car with no real vices or issues. If they had made a 4x4 it could have been a contender against my 4x4 TA. I am very happy to drive (thrash) both

What's the insurance, fuel economy and boot space like on the Hyundai/Kia?

Panda is stupidly cheap for me to insure - £165 fully comp business use.

I get close to 70mpg from the Multijet.

Panda boot space is pretty good - I can get my toolbox and 2 big plastic crates in there. The low loading lip is handy for for longer items with the rear seat folded, but the fixed front seat headrests are a pain as I cant remove them and recline the passenger seat to make a flat bed for carrying longcase (grandfather) clocks.
The Qubo was worse in this respect. The rear seat couldn't be folded properly unless the driver's seat was pushed forwards, then I couldn't drive it.

you can get pandas with fold flat front seats and split rears but they are like hens teeth!

One excellent feature of the 2012 i10, much better than the Panda, is the fold of the rear seats. The seat base comes up and forward to drop into the rear footwell, thus the back seat when fully folded is completely level (flush) with the boot floor.
I don't know about the newer version of the i10, which has a different body shape. Don't need to know as my wife intends to keep this car indefinitely. It does not get used for weeks on end and yet instantly starts up and runs perfectly. It has of course got a 60/40 rear seat split

clockworks said:

...the fixed front seat headrests are a pain as I cant remove them and recline the passenger seat to make a flat bed...

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You *can* remove the front headrests, by pressing the second 'hidden' release catch: see this post and the (upside down) photo in the one that follows it https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/462316-head-rest-removal.html?p=4356386
However, the backrest won't go fully down flat,...

Herts Hillhopper said:

You *can* remove the front headrests, by pressing the second 'hidden' release catch: see this post and the (upside down) photo in the one that follows it https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/462316-head-rest-removal.html?p=4356386
However, the backrest won't go fully down flat,...

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The headrests on my 2006 are the solid plastic things. I'll have a closer look, but I couldn't see a spring catch on them. Just about every car I've owned since adjustable headrests were introduced has had a catch like that.

We found that the ' captive' headrests in the circa 2000 fiats were the same..

Tiny locking detent in the black plastic collar.

but never tried with our 04 panda..

Like you say ..it appears to be a part of the seat.