hi, my girlfriend is looking to by a panda, we've seen a couple both on 05 plates with around 30k on the clock. i've already browsed through the 'common faults/problems' thread but i would like to ask if there are any big know issues with panda? anything i need to look out for or be aware of? we're just looking to buy a good small car thats hopefully going to be reliable and the panda seems to tick all the boxes however as a ex stilo owner i do have a few concerns over the reliabilty.

we have been looking at the panda 1.1ltr active's alongside the ford ka.


thanks.

Not a bible (it places the Skoda Fabia in 7th overall ), but looking at the JD Power survey from last year:

13 Fiat Panda
Rating 79.4%
Overall ranking 54th=
Like the Fusion and Agila, the Panda turns in its maker's best score in the whole survey. True, its score has dropped by almost 3% since last year, but it's still a respectable result.

The only category in which it scored below average was for the appeal of the car's interior, with owners saying it could have been more practical, and that the stereo, in particular, was below par. On the other hand, owners liked the low fuel and insurance costs, as well as the good mechanical reliability.

31 Ford Ka
Rating 74.4%
Overall 110th
Bottom of its class and third from bottom overall, the baby Ford has precious little in its favour other than reasonable build quality.

An otherwise fair showing for mechanical reliability was upset by a large number of problems with the suspension, and the running costs were criticised. Owners also disliked the way the car drove and said the interior was a complete let-down, cramped, badly laid out and with a poor stereo and ventilation system. Even the car's styling received a definite thumbs-down.


Chris

I agree with the above, the surveys are good for checking common faults etc, but the proof of the pudding blah blah blah...

have a good drive in both and see what you like. Personally I've never really got on with the Ka, and in terms of practicality it won't hold a candle to the 5dr more modern panda. The only area that the Ka will excel in is the handling, but to be fair the panda is great fun in that depatment too, I've got a 100hp, but only for the extra oomph, my brother's on his second 1.2 dynamic, and that's a hoot too.

No real big issues and the 1.1 engine is pretty much what was in the cinq/seic sporting models, so it's pretty peppy whilst nice and frugal, if you could find a 1.2 in budget that might be nice for comparison though, and the spec will be slightly better too.

All the best with your selection! (whichever it is (cough, panda, cough ))

thanks for the quick replys, having test drove both the panda and the KA the panda comes across as a much better package, the interior is a much nicer place to be and so far every KA we have sat in has had some form of broken interior trim, at least 3 have had broken glove compartments, it seems the latch breaks easily and this is on one owner cars that are only a few years old! The panda seems a much more durable car. My only concern was that its reliability may let it down as my old stilo had lots of problems. im only reading good things about the panda but its always best to hear it from you guys....the owners!

Try and find the extra dosh for a 1.2.You get better trim,better looks (body colour bumpers) and i've heard that it's more economical too

The Mrs swapped her KA for a 1.2 Eleganza a few months back. She said the steering is lighter, and it just feels better to be in. She cant really tell the difference between the pull of the KA's engine to the Panda engine but she likes all the extra features the Eleganza has over the KA.
Depending on how tight your budget is, try and push for the 1.2 over the 1.1though.

The Ka does tend to rot badly at the back end, have you seen some of the older ones?

Don't be put off by the Stilo, the Panda's much better made.

well, the deposit has now been put down on a yellow panda, its an 05 with 26k on the clock. pick it up this weekend. thanks for all your comments, its deffo helped in making the decision. Although we did not go for a 1.2 in the end (mainly due to needing a car quickly and not really having time to keep looking around) the 1.1 will be fine for what she needs. im just looking forward to taking it for a spin!

cheers


rich.