Just looking at other Pandas for sale near Glasgow should the Motorpoint on I have my eye on be too good to be true ... and I’ve spotted this from Arnold Clark...

https://www.arnoldclark.com/nearly-new-cars/fiat/panda/1-2-lounge-5dr/2019/ref/cc_eaqpgkrqdpwezb4v


Can somebody explain why it’s got a regular handbrake? Surely all Pandas have the computer mouse / space saving handbrake ... For a nearly brand new car who would possibly have tampered with it at this stage?!

Something like that would be a walk away situation to me.

The pics on the Fiat website seem to avoid showing the handbrake lever, but from what I can see it looks like they've gone to a conventional lever, as the Armold Clark one.

The original design was probably rather expensive, and has been 'cost cut' with the most recent trim adjustments.

portland_bill said:

The pics on the Fiat website seem to avoid showing the handbrake lever, but from what I can see it looks like they've gone to a conventional lever, as the Arnold Clark one.

The original design was probably rather expensive, and has been 'cost cut' with the most recent trim adjustments.

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Yep, the latest upgrades were reverting back to the normal handbrake having already dropped the rear speakers on other models. I think the 4x4 still gets the mouse handbrake. Plus it's £1500 too much.

When other manufacturers have cars that are getting long in the tooth, they load them up with kit, to distract punters from the ageing signs. Fiat, it seems, does the opposite, with a load of parsimonious, cheese-paring cuts in specification. Baffling.

portland_bill said:

The pics on the Fiat website seem to avoid showing the handbrake lever, but from what I can see it looks like they've gone to a conventional lever, as the Armold Clark one.

The original design was probably rather expensive, and has been 'cost cut' with the most recent trim adjustments.

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It's a shame, as this would be a really easy feature to point to and show how Fiat was really thinking, being practical and making use of space for a small car (their bread and butter)! Oh well!

AB100 said:

Yep, the latest upgrades were reverting back to the normal handbrake having already dropped the rear speakers on other models. I think the 4x4 still gets the mouse handbrake. Plus it's £1500 too much.

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That's such a shame. I hope my 2017 Easy I'm picking up soon has the 6 speakers as advertised for Easy spec.

gar074 said:

When other manufacturers have cars that are getting long in the tooth, they load them up with kit, to distract punters from the ageing signs. Fiat, it seems, does the opposite, with a load of parsimonious, cheese-paring cuts in specification. Baffling.

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I know! What a joke. They should be throwing more in! Italians. lol

gar074 said:

When other manufacturers have cars that are getting long in the tooth, they load them up with kit, to distract punters from the ageing signs. Fiat, it seems, does the opposite, with a load of parsimonious, cheese-paring cuts in specification. Baffling.

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I do wonder about their less-is-more policy. By the end of the year I suspect that the Panda will simply morph into a multi-colour-option phone holder, thus meeting the desirable aspect of being both 'mobile ready' and zero emission. This will prove utterly irresistible to Millennial set previously hooked on Audi A1s.

By 2021 the Panda will simply be an emoji, though with a 120bhp Firefly engine to please our Dutch fans.

As Simon Harwood would say: Oh yes, very strong.

AB100 said:

I do wonder about their less-is-more policy. By the end of the year I suspect that the Panda will simply morph into a multi-colour-option phone holder, thus meeting the desirable aspect of being both 'mobile ready' and zero emission. This will prove utterly irresistible to Millennial set previously hooked on Audi A1s.

By 2021 the Panda will simply be an emoji, though with a 120bhp Firefly engine to please our Dutch fans.

As Simon Harwood would say: Oh yes, very strong.

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Hahahaha

As somebody who genuinely wants to keep driving Panda's, it's really disappointing that Fiat doesn't do all that it can to try and compete with other small cars.

As far as the A-segment goes, the Panda and 500 are hands down the best options regardless of what the magazines say. In fact, if they weren't so stingy with optional equipment maybe more young people and other buyers would choose Fiat? Because that's the only aspect I think they fall sort.

And there's the style, I love it but I can see why none of my peers fancy driving the Panda with how round it is. Personally I like to be in things a bit.. curvier. Not attracted to sharp lines and straight edges, seems a bit ... well, you think of the three letter word ;-) lol You know, because the cars there to serve.. not an extension of ones self lol

I don't think we'll see a 120hp model though I personally would love to see it. I wouldn't fancy hitting a brick wall in a Panda with 120hp of force behind it! haha

I think this model Panda was over styled a little too much for a Panda.

The 500 is Fiats "Trinket" car and I reckon Fiat are de-speccing the Panda little by little to save money and also save treading on the 500's feet.

I don't believe the 120hp will make it to the Panda.

I can't see it making the normal 500 either, they will be NA 1.0's with optional MHEV,(maybe standard on top spec model).

You've got to remember their average fleet CO2 target for 2021 is 95g/km and fines for not complying are on a sliding scale, so the more they miss by, the higher the fine.

I reckon we'll be saying goodbye to a few models as we get closer as companies thin out their ranges.
Anyone seen a new hot Clio or 208 recently?
Even the Up GTi is missing from VW's website.

Goudrons said:

Even the Up GTi is missing from VW's website.

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Personally, I don't think washing machines can ever be 'too quick'! Maybe they're only selling it through national retailers like Currys? Lol (can't resist making fun of the Up!)

I was tempted to have a look at one, but they aren't any!
I wondered if I could get some decals made to read "F**k Up".

The one's I have seen have been very tiny in my rear view mirror, they aren't in touching distance of an Abarth.
(those these days, I get burned off at the lights by knobheads on battery powered scooters, I'm starting to like the Stepway, but it feels like the wheels are set in concrete compared to my dearly departed)

I've considered the Aygo, Citigo and Mii. Except my TA 4x4 will leave them for dead. Stepway 1.5 dci looks quick enough with 89bhp and 162 lb ft though.

Al D said:

I've considered the Aygo, Citigo and Mii. Except my TA 4x4 will leave them for dead. Stepway 1.5 dci looks quick enough with 89bhp and 162 lb ft though.

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"leave them for dead"
Really and truly?

Motorcyclist Colin, have a go in those 2 cars, then get back in yours for drive home again, you'll notice the difference.

Goudrons said:

Even the Up GTi is missing from VW's website.

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I'm beginning to think VW no longer manufacture cars - they just conceptualise them on their website.

(You can't order any Golf or Passat right now - and Audi aren't much better, with no orders for the A3)

Schumi2001 said:

I'm beginning to think VW no longer manufacture cars - they just conceptualise them on their website.

(You can't order any Golf or Passat right now - and Audi aren't much better, with no orders for the A3)

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Bloody good show!