Here's an update...
I've reserved that Panda Easy from Motorpoint. I spoke to the man and told him that if there's any sign of any repaired panels then he's wasting his own time and my time because I'll walk away and get my reservation fee back. I told him the HPI checks etc. are worthless in reality as the real damage can easily just not be recorded etc. He said if I come on the day and I don't like the condition then I'm within my right to say no and get my reservation fee back, so happy days.
Also, there's a LOT of 500's for around 7,000 (my maximum) in the Glasgow branch, as well as possibly the best UK spec used Panda Lounge with all the trimmings including the winter pack that I could go for. Only thing putting me off is the 85hp TwinAir engine in terms of leaking oil and longevity vs. the 1.2L. So those are my back up choices so that I'll walk away with something Fiat and something relatively new.
I really like the Easy. £5,500 and it's 2017, so 9 months Fiat warranty left should anything fall off that's not supposed to fall off yet. I'm going to get my own GAP insurance, any recommendations?
It'll take 7 days from today to get it moved to Glasgow. I was really hoping to go on Friday 21st over to get it. Lift to Belfast International Airport > Glasgow Airport. Taxi to Motorpoint. Pick up the car. Head into Glasgow city centre for a few hours. Drive down to Cairnryan (2hrs) and get the Stena Line ferry back to Belfast (2h15). What a nice way to get to know the new car, a scenic drive through Scotland.
This is a big upgrade from my 1.2 Dynamic 169 Panda. I'm gaining basic things mostly, a boot light, rear head rests, slightly bigger wheels, better handling, extra two speakers, AIR CONDITIONING (finally), remote locking that the Pop wouldn't have had even though I'm used to it, but a nice leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls (and phone controls I assume?) and the built in facelift Panda Phone Mount, which connects to the iPhone app with handy controls for changing music, making calls, maps etc - I mean it'll feel like I have a built in entertainment system in an optimal position, that being the extremely big screen on my iPhone XR. And in a few years, when I get a new iPhone, it'll be modern again. Let's just hope Fiat updates the app... lol But yes, the built in mics in the roof for this mean more than anything, as I'll be able to use Hey Siri and have conversations with people clearer. There's that new dash spot where if I go around a corner, things won't fly out the window!!! And black solid paint will be a little harder to keep from going swirly, but I think with all the black plastic on the Easy model and the black rubber around the window glass it will look well. Especially if buffed every other year or so?
It's now off MotorPoint, but I did download the webpage prior to this so I could keep having a look. I also got the photos emailed from Motorpoint which I'll attach here for your convenience. If anybody fancies taking as in-depth a look as you can without being there for real, to spot any signs of dodgy-ness please let me know. Other than a little blotch on the seat upholstery I can't see anything too bad, and I am realistic about the fact it's still a used car.
My family and friends are ripping! They're saying "who would willingly choose to drive a car like that" and "you must really love old mens cars", though, I pointed out to them that BMWs are old mens cars because more old men on our street drive them, even some models well into the 50k mark from around just a year ago... They tell me Roberto Giolito must be on crack if he thinks it's a young persons car. And well, it's hard to argue, because he did design the Multipla... but then again he is a legend for designing modern Fiats in my books!
As for my current Panda, it's still working but still hesitant where it was once building what power it had.. And the petrol fumes when idling and stationary are worse. Its days are numbered now at the mercy of Motorpoint's speed of preparing its successor. I hope it doesn't sh*t itself before then. I'm hoping to list it online for sale, not expecting too much. I cleared it out, sad times. But the times they are a changing!
Glad to be replacing it with nothing less than a newer, better more modern Panda. One that's still simple and basic but hopefully lives up to the legacy of my current model. I intend to keep it until it's ten years old hopefully. Before it needs regular major replacement parts, basically where my model was at just as I got it. OF course, I'll always keep the forum updated.