Hi all!

I'm loving my third Panda 4x4 as expected but the only thing I'd like to have is a reach adjustable steering column .

It's a shame as it would give me a better driving position as I'm quite tall .

What improvements would you like to the Panda ?

I have the same model. My first Panda and I have only had it a month or so.

The things I would change are:

- Steering adjustment as you say.
- Infotainment system, my other cars are a Subaru and a 2 series BMW so both have car play and I really miss that.
- no logic to menu buttons. The up and down buttons have headlights printed on them? And why doesn’t the option show on the radio instead of the tiny display on the dash?
- multi stage seat heating.
- rear speakers install.
- replace summer tyres.

All minor points (apart from tyres) but overall a great package and ideal for Devon lanes.

Seat base tiltable (to improve under-thigh support)
Space for left foot (having to twist one's foot 45° to use the current footrest is very poor design)
Interior lighting in the rear
Better headlights as standard fit
Round cup holders ffs!!!!

Hambles said:

Hi all!

I'm loving my third Panda 4x4 as expected but the only thing I'd like to have is a reach adjustable steering column .

It's a shame as it would give me a better driving position as I'm quite tall .

What improvements would you like to the Panda ?

Click to expand...

The new 500 EV has a reach adjustable steering column, and a beter driving position, so FIAT solve that problem there.
Not certain we will see it in this generation ICE 500 and Panda though.
The New Panda EV will most likely have it as well because it will be based on the 500 EV.

Having a 312 after a decade in a 169

The ride is poor.. and the dash reflections in screen are a daft thing to build into a car.

Most things mentioned on here are 'options'?

Audio and lighting..
Seat configuration

My first FIATs has 35watt incandescent bulbs.. so Halogen seems like progress

varesecrazy said:

Having a 312 after a decade in a 169

The ride is poor.. and the dash reflections in screen are a daft thing to build into a car.

Most things mentioned on here are 'options'?

Audio and lighting..
Seat configuration

My first FIATs has 35watt incandescent bulbs.. so Halogen seems like progress

Click to expand...

The poor ride is because of the 14 inch wheels, 15 inch not that much beter.
It start to ride well with 16 inch, and 17 inch wheels.
The bigger the wheels the better the suspension start to work.

My past Panda drove great 17" summer wheels, 16 inch winterwheels.

A liftable rear seat squab so the rear seat backrest goes flat to improve loading when transporting some items. Standard fitting LED headlamps, return of rear door speakers. Better cup holders and proper independent rear suspension.

The Pretender said:

The poor ride is because of the 14 inch wheels, 15 inch not that much beter.
It start to ride well with 16 inch, and 17 inch wheels.
The bigger the wheels the better the suspension start to work.

My past Panda drove great 17" summer wheels, 16 inch winterwheels.

Click to expand...

Im not referring to 'handling'.. just annoyed by the jiggly ride..
Reminds me of a 1999 Kia Sportage I had the misfortune to travel in

Just try an old mini with the dry rubber suspension..... Then you'll know what jiggly is all about!

Hambles said:

Hi all!

I'm loving my third Panda 4x4 as expected but the only thing I'd like to have is a reach adjustable steering column .
It's a shame as it would give me a better driving position

Click to expand...

Personally there ARE things Ive had before that our 2013 TA Lounge misses out on

But.. my last high spec FIAT was built in 1992

The seat base that had 2 x sliding rails was excellent.. Airbags probably killed that idea

The panda has pretty much been cheapest car of the range for 30 years..
Yes you can double its purchase price in 'options'

But when the panda 312 was penned

You still had Alfa for Sporty and Lancia for Luxury.. not many takers for 'every option panda'

Yes, there are a few flaws but as a fun package with all wheel drive it is a fun car to own. I like the interesting engineering that goes into a car like this.

call me old school (or just old?) but I never listen to music or the radio when driving. I prefer to hear the engine, the road, the tyres and so on, to be able to judge what's happening and to be sure I'm doing all I can to be driving at the best of mine and the car's ability. Its amazing how often you follow a car with the indicators flashing for miles, a soft tyre, the rear wiper going when its not raining, a loose load on the roof... all things that can't be detected by ear unless you can hear them.

What would I change: very little actually...
- The seats are a little short
- The speedo is hard to see the numbers between 30 and 60 (behind the rim of the steering wheel where I sit)
- and (as others have said) being able to lift the rear seat so the back folds fully flat.

Generally it meets my needs and expectations, and puts smile on my face every time I drive it

I agree about those that leave wipers and indicators on.

Have pity on me with my first Skoda a 1000MB, the indicators didn't self cancel, the tell tale lamps were dull and the flasher unit was silent. God help today's drivers if they had a 1000MB, terrific car though and I wish I could find one for a reasonable price now not the £5k plus they go for these days.

screen reflection needs sorting, seat height adjustment and maybe go up a level on the quality of plastics to 'cheap' instead of 'found next to skip'.
Maybe a slightly longer wheelbase would help with ride quality?
Fold flat front seat like the berlingo van has, and could we go back to webasto roofs please?

The factory rear speakers aren't too difficult to retrofit. I added them to my Panda while I was bored during the lockdown. The only parts that was expensive where the door cards with the speaker grilles in them (I bought everything new) The OE speakers and wiring loom where dirt cheap and easy to fit. The hardest part was getting all the revolting mastic holding the old vapour shield off before I could install the new ones.

Leroypanda said:

...
Fold flat front seat like the berlingo van has...

Click to expand...

A fold-flat passenger seat was listed as an option, but I think is no longer on the list as it interfered with seat airbags? The folding seat had a plastic table tray on the back to give a flat working or loading space when flat. Never actually seen one in the flesh, so suspect quite rare. Can be seen on page 23 in this brochure https://www.ddscars.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Fiat-Panda.pdf

I agree with the reflection on the dashboard, it's quite anoying and the only way I solved it was with polarized sun glasses.
As per the rear seating going flat, that would be a major update. I do kayak fishing and it is an issue when I have to fit all the gear inside.

Heated seats and a full length glass sunroof. Privacy glass in back. Speedo and rev counter that don't look like they belong in a toy pedal car.

The heated seats are an option currently, they could be better than just on or off though.

I'd like a nice glass roof, but with the slab sides of the Panda and the overall amount of glass it'd be like driving around in a greenhouse or conservatory

lunchbeers said:

The heated seats are an option currently...

Click to expand...

So is rear privacy glass.