General Stuggling on what to buy

[spankysmagicpiano]

I currently own an old (classic?) Panda and have finally decided to buy a new model.

I have been browsing around and still am unsure on what to get. I am willing to spend up to 5K but which should I go for? Multijet or Petrol? It's going to be spending its' life driving around town with the odd and occasional, trip down the motorway.

Despite the higher diesel price at the moment, would it still be cheaper to run than a 1.2 petrol model? I was also looking at a 1.2 eleganza.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[ScoobyChris]

How many miles do you do a year and what sort of length are your journeys? Diesel only really works out more economical if you do a lot of miles a year and the car is allowed to get up to temperature (which takes longer than a petrol).

There's also the issue of which you prefer to drive

Chris

 

[fenton_jd]

I opted for the 1.2 engine in my GP which i now regret as it has sod all torque.

In the panda id go for the 1.3mjet. At the end of the day, when your sitting behind the wheel you feel that much more appreciative of the extra torque you get from the diesel. Especially when you do take that motorway trip.

Motorway overtaking in the 1.2 GP requires a fully planned project to be submitted and approved before the engine even thinks about doing anything.

Go for Mjet I tell ya

 

[Jai]

however he says only the odd motorway trip, in which case the 1.2 makes the better case, i do take ours out there every now and then, and yes it doesn't have the diesel punch to it, but accelerates up to speed just fine, and holds for the cruise just fine. i would say try and get an extended test drive of the two back to back from your dealer, and figure your spec too,

 

[Andy Panda]

As Diesel is around 10p a litre dearer than unleaded now,you get 1/2 a litre more unleaded.I was working it out the other day that my 100HP averages about 40mpg and the diesel I reckoned on about 60mpg(correct if i'm wrong)so with the extra half litre it would equate to me doing 45mpg,still 15 miles more to the gallon that would shrink of course if you brought the 1.2,so you would probably only really gain about 7 miles to the gallon (does this make sense?)
The Eleganza has lots more equipment than the Multijet as that is based on a Dynamic.I'd go for the 1.2

 

[Ulpian]

Me too, although I prefer the Diesel torque.
With fuel prices the way they are, plus the increased initial cost, I believe petrol might be the best buy.

 

[Gingosporting]

Mjet!!! Just keep looking untill you find one with lots of extras, Skydome or aircon for example. Lots of low mileage cars around for 5 grand ish. The Mjet is punchy, refined and economical. My experience with a 1.2 (an hour on test from dealer) was that it was gutless and would drive me nuts.

JON

 

[Cinqster355]

1.2 petrol for me. Diesels in general are sluggish and for round town driving forget the diesel the petrol feels better.

I opted for a diesel car and now fully regret that choice. (See my signature)

 

[100hpJames]

I was impressed by the MJ sporting grande punto??

the diesel pandas are cheap to tax don't forget, but I'd think you'd be better off with the 1.2 petrol

 

[citybingo]

ive got a 100hp...in at fiat at the moment.....courtesy car is 1.3mj... if it were as well equiped id swap anyday!!!

 

[Schwenck]

To be honest Spanky, for £5k you'll be struggling to get a Multijet; I've just done a search now on Autotrader and there are only four (yes, four) nationwide for that money.

As ever though, I'd recommend driving both to see which you'd prefer as a driver, worry about the money afterwards.

 

[paul100hp]

I had a 1.2 Eleganza for 18 months , it was very nippy around town and held its own fine on the motorway. Lots of kit and you shouldnt have any problem getting one for 5k.

 

[Gingosporting]

My Sporting is a Fiat approved car with 22,000 on the clock and cost me £5300 search on Panda diesel rather than multijet as thats what most are listed as.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...e=DT3+6HY&radius=1500&showMoreOptions=&page=1

JON

 

[trackdayqueen]

I'd say definately test drive a 1.2 petrol and a dismal.

I actually find the diesel frustrating to drive as its laggy, especially when pulling away in first gear. Also it sounds horrible. Thankfully its fairly refined (with windows closed) so you don't hear the diesel clatter too much.

Something worth mentioning is that the quoted economy figures are a tad optimistic in all honesty, think 50-55mpg around town.

Its not all bad, but i'm not convinced i'd buy another diesel after this one. What with the sharp rise in price differential between diesel and petrol, a petrol car is becoming more viable.

Only thing where the m-jet really scores is motorway cruising, although the economy is not amazing at 50ish mpg if you cruise at 70-80mph.

If you do buy a m-jet make sure you get one with aircon as otherwise you'll have to listen to the engine in the summer if you have the windows down.

 

[spankysmagicpiano]

Thanks for all the replies people.

So that's .... 50% for the MJ and 50% for the petrol! Glad things have been cleared up

I have never owned a diesel before so it would be new territory. The usual motorway journeys aren't far besides the dreaded holiday run each year

Schwenck - yes, I had a look and I might have to go up to 5.5K if I go for a MJ. Although I have seen one for £4995 on an 06 plate.

The town driving is only about 4 miles to work (not me - my wife) and the most it would go elsewhere is probably about a 10 mile trip in the evening.

Tough choice and maybe I should test one of each before I make my mind up but I always think the best judgement is from the people who own them so thanks for the advice

 

[HP]

If you're driving a turbo Ddddiesel for the first time it's wierd - the torque curve is all arse first after a petrol. Low revs give you better acceleration, which is just wrong :spin:

 

[dobloseven]

Three years ago I was lent a 54 plate 1.2 skydome dynamic for a couple of weeks while doblo was having warranty repairs.I do about 400 miles a week of short journeys and the occasional long motorway trip ;panda did about 33 mpg(1.9 jtd doblo did 37mpg in same conditions).Otherwise we loved the car and thought it would be great to have one.
Have now owned our 05 plate multijet for six weeks and 2000 miles.It has averaged 53 mpg over a mixture of short city journeys and long motorway trips.I remember the petrol car felt a bit twitchy on the motorway which at the time I put down to its small size.However I dont notice this with the diesel,though ours has the optional alloys.
We searched the internet,like you we didnt want to go over 5K and wanted aircon also we didnt want a dark colour. Found ours at a small used dealers in bristol; one owner ,26000 miles ,new Mot ,FSH,silver ,climate control(very good),alloys,foglights,parking sensors(surprisingly useful),cd autochanger(takes up most of glovebox!),steering wheel remote(awkward to use),extra speakers,electric mirrors and possibly best of all,the sliding split rear seat which allows passenger and luggage space to be juggled.Also dont like the lack of rear headrests in the standard car. Ended up paying 4845 pounds and love it to bits.

 

[spankysmagicpiano]

Well Doblo - if that isnt a recommendation, I don't know what is. Thanks