I've almost done 1000 miles in my 100HP and thought I would tell you what I think. Back in February, I gave you my thoughts about my test drive (https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-new/180834-my-thoughts-about-100hp.html), but strangely enough, I actually disagree with a lot of what I wrote.
Hard ride
This felt a lot worse on the test drive. Maybe I was imagining it or maybe it was the roads, but I'm generally quite happy with how hard the ride is. Some surfaces though (particularly the high grip surfaces with worn patches) are VERY bad! The hard ride does make things a bit bouncy on bad roads though ie. most of the rural roads around here. I think a softer ride would actually allow more progress because you loose a lot of grip when it's bouncing. On the bouncy roads you really do need both hands on the wheel because the steering goes really light, and then grabs really hard when it bounces.
Performance
In 'normal' mode it's rubbish, which is probably partly why I thought it was slow on the test drive. In 'sport' mode the it feels a bit slow at low revs, but very good at higher revs (enough to lose grip). I think it would be better to have more torque lower down, but I wouldn't mind loosing a bit a higher revs.
I find that, at low revs, when I give it some gas it doesn't do much. So I give it more gas, but then it suddenly comes alive and it can lose grip. I don't know whether it's the way the torque curve is, or whether there is a bit of lag when I press the pedal (or maybe a bit of both). Pulling away tends to be a bit slow for me because I always like to be gentle with the clutch. I think you need to abuse the clutch to pull away at a decent speed. My Seicento seemed to have most of the power low down, which meant you could always make good use of it.
Noise
I disagree with what I said in my last thread. It sounds great!
Steering
As I mentioned above, it can be quite grabby on bumpy roads. It does seem to do things that I wouldn't expect though. If I accelerate hard on a smooth surface then the steering becomes very heavy. Surely, it should become very light? In my Seicento, hard acceleration would always make the steering go light (front end lifts up = less weight on the front wheels). Is the weighty steering wheel artificial?
The turning circle is a lot bigger than my Seicento, but after a few failed three point turns, I'm starting to remember
Stereo
I think the stereo is a bit poor for a car than comes with so many other luxuries (climate control etc.). Two speakers is ok, but I think they should have been a slightly better quality. I think the standard stereo and speakers in my Seicento SX was better.
Why do they put the buttons at the bottom of the steering wheel? Who drives with their hands at the bottom of the wheel? It seems a bit strange when everybody is taught to drive with their hands at either quarter to three or ten to two.
Petrol filler cap
Why do they tie them to the car? It's a pain! I replaced my one with a lockable one and the first thing I did was cut the rubber cable thing
Faults
I've got a problem with my 2nd and 3rd gears at the moment (waiting to be looked at), but I think everything else seems to be ok. The fuse and relay cover (under the bonnet) was also lose when I first got it, I just clipped it in place, but I'm glad it didn't fall off when I was driving it.
Hard ride
This felt a lot worse on the test drive. Maybe I was imagining it or maybe it was the roads, but I'm generally quite happy with how hard the ride is. Some surfaces though (particularly the high grip surfaces with worn patches) are VERY bad! The hard ride does make things a bit bouncy on bad roads though ie. most of the rural roads around here. I think a softer ride would actually allow more progress because you loose a lot of grip when it's bouncing. On the bouncy roads you really do need both hands on the wheel because the steering goes really light, and then grabs really hard when it bounces.
Performance
In 'normal' mode it's rubbish, which is probably partly why I thought it was slow on the test drive. In 'sport' mode the it feels a bit slow at low revs, but very good at higher revs (enough to lose grip). I think it would be better to have more torque lower down, but I wouldn't mind loosing a bit a higher revs.
I find that, at low revs, when I give it some gas it doesn't do much. So I give it more gas, but then it suddenly comes alive and it can lose grip. I don't know whether it's the way the torque curve is, or whether there is a bit of lag when I press the pedal (or maybe a bit of both). Pulling away tends to be a bit slow for me because I always like to be gentle with the clutch. I think you need to abuse the clutch to pull away at a decent speed. My Seicento seemed to have most of the power low down, which meant you could always make good use of it.
Noise
I disagree with what I said in my last thread. It sounds great!
Steering
As I mentioned above, it can be quite grabby on bumpy roads. It does seem to do things that I wouldn't expect though. If I accelerate hard on a smooth surface then the steering becomes very heavy. Surely, it should become very light? In my Seicento, hard acceleration would always make the steering go light (front end lifts up = less weight on the front wheels). Is the weighty steering wheel artificial?
The turning circle is a lot bigger than my Seicento, but after a few failed three point turns, I'm starting to remember
Stereo
I think the stereo is a bit poor for a car than comes with so many other luxuries (climate control etc.). Two speakers is ok, but I think they should have been a slightly better quality. I think the standard stereo and speakers in my Seicento SX was better.
Why do they put the buttons at the bottom of the steering wheel? Who drives with their hands at the bottom of the wheel? It seems a bit strange when everybody is taught to drive with their hands at either quarter to three or ten to two.
Petrol filler cap
Why do they tie them to the car? It's a pain! I replaced my one with a lockable one and the first thing I did was cut the rubber cable thing
Faults
I've got a problem with my 2nd and 3rd gears at the moment (waiting to be looked at), but I think everything else seems to be ok. The fuse and relay cover (under the bonnet) was also lose when I first got it, I just clipped it in place, but I'm glad it didn't fall off when I was driving it.
