General Panda Cross owners opinions

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General Panda Cross owners opinions

davidc

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I am contemplating buying a panda cross and wondered if any any owners have anything good or bad to say ? I am aware that the Panda is due for a major revision soon and though now maybe a good time to buy (also the salesman I spoke with claimed Fiat nearly pulled the plug on Cross in the UK this year but only the winter sales spike saved it; which makes me think it may not be a certainty that the cross will feature in the new Panda line up over here ?)

Thanks in advance

David
 
I have owned a Cross since October 2008, having owned a 4x4 Climbing for 3 years prior to that.
Although I enjoyed the petrol-engined 4x4, eventually I got fed up with its lack of power and the unrelaxed driving style needed to make good progress on the open road. The financial crash back then meant that the Cross was heavily discounted, otherwise I would not have bought it.
The biggest negative with the Cross is that it is far too expensive without a significant discount. I received a discount of £3000 but I don't see anything like this level of discount these days. The styling is a bit over the top, with lots of plastic additions to the bodywork that serve no purpose. The 4x4 system was faulty on virtually every Cross imported at first, a faulty solenoid valve which has since been subject to a recall. Replacement of this part cured the problem.
Positives are many. 4WD and winter tyres fitted from new gave spectacularly good performance during the past winter. The 4WD gave good traction and the winter tyres gave good braking and cornering on snow and ice. Fuel economy averaging at 50mpg is good and the car encourages a relaxed driving style, making long journeys enjoyable. Reliability is up to Panda standards and running costs are reasonable. However, the winter tyres will not last long, I fear.
I don't see an equivalent to the Cross making it to the UK when the Panda is updated. I hope that we get a sensibly priced, no frills diesel 4x4 but I think that is unlikely. I might need to keep my Cross for many years as I don't want to go back to driving a petrol Panda 4x4 but I am happy to do that.
 
Like doctorchris, I have driven a Cross since October 2008. I bought at £2000+ discount.

I had the solenoid failure, but otherwise it is an incredible little car. No problems whatsoever and we have driven to Perrigaux, France, and the Isle of Man with four adults + roof box.

The performance in snow is fantastic. Last winter we rescued two Audi driving neighbours + son-in-law, also the equipment for the pub's quiz night.

Relaxed driving at say 65mph is needed to give 50+ mpg. Local journeys should give around 44 mpg. The small fuel tank limits the range. That's a downside, together with how to mask the headlights for driving abroad.

The styling is distinctive, so I shall not be too bothered by the new Panda release. In fact I think Fiat may continue with the Cross alongside the new Panda. After high initial depreciation this, the limited numbers in UK and the desirability of the Cross should put a floor under second-hand prices.

Probably you will enjoy your Cross. Go on then, buy one ....

Mike O.
 
The new Panda should offer a bit more room in the back -good - and be lighter, since it will use high strength steel in the floorpan. But it won't arrive till next year. I wonder if it will be based on the new Brazilian Uno: probably?

If they fit the new 105 twin with 4x4 it could be a very attractive proposition.

The present one with the 1.2 is a very good car, but if you need to travel long distances at 80+ I doubt it would be powerful enough. The 0-60 time is hopeless and I wonder how it merges onto a motorway, can it keep up?

Horses for courses; if I lived up a mountain and didn't do long journeys it might well be perfect.
 
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The list price of the Cross is a bit silly initially, but then adding climate to a normal 4x4 brings that within £1200 of the price of the Cross and you don't get the distinctive looks and 15" wheels on the normal 4x4 or the diesel engine.

If you look at the premium charged for the diesel on other Pandas, the Cross pricing is pretty much in line with the rest of the range when equipment is taken into account. Whether you can get the same level of discount on the Cross is another matter ! I'd certainly not want to pay more than £10k for one - after all its still only a Panda (despite all the good things that brings!!)

Perrys are currently offering new unreg example for £11495 - ca £1900 discount.
http://www.perrys.co.uk/fiat-panda-1.3-multijet-4x4-cross-5dr/new-and-delivery-mileage/offer-173685
 
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Thanks, nothing puts me off in what you have said.

Best deal i have found is £11 000 for plain white, seems expensive comared to the £9500 or so people were paying 18 months ago but i guess part of the problem is that the retaoil price has gone up allot since that time as well as the discounts becoming less.

Can't make up my mind if its now best to wait and see if the discounts increase !
 
There's an immaculate 13k mile, 58 plate one on pistonheads classifieds for £8495, seller supposedly bought another one. Presumably the part ex value wasn't favourable. If you could do a deal at £8k you'd save £5.5k off a new one and probably only lose another 2.5-3k in the next 2 years - far more sensible than losing £6.5k on a new one in the same period!
 
Indeed.

I have also noticed that the the pundits predictions that a panda cross will only hold approx 30% of its value after 3 years is looking a little pessimsitic, i think they will hold on to quite a bit more.
 
Indeed.

I have also noticed that the the pundits predictions that a panda cross will only hold approx 30% of its value after 3 years is looking a little pessimsitic, i think they will hold on to quite a bit more.

theres a big difference between forecourt prices and trade prices tho - that 30% figure is based on base part ex/trade - £4.5k might be what you get for a 3 yr old, 36k miler if you were just selling to trade.
 
Indeed.

I have also noticed that the the pundits predictions that a panda cross will only hold approx 30% of its value after 3 years is looking a little pessimsitic, i think they will hold on to quite a bit more.

Given the high purchase price, deppreciation is going to be quite severe really, add to that, that it's a bit of a niche car, which may well lessen it's appeal.
 
I take the opposite view and think Cross' will hold their value well. They are such a niche cars that they will find the few people willing to pay 'over the odds'. I'd definitely considering trading my 100HP for one.
 
I take the opposite view and think Cross' will hold their value well. They are such a niche cars that they will find the few people willing to pay 'over the odds'. I'd definitely considering trading my 100HP for one.

I must admit, I don't see much appeal in a diesel that does 0-60 in 18 seconds. The MJ is slow enough!
 
I should think that most Cross's that are sold here in the UK will be 'keepers' like the original 4x4 Panda.
There will be very few on the market until they are all 15 years old with 100000+miles on them.

I find it frustrating that Fiat seem to cancel anything that is interesting. I wouldnt be surprised that by the end of 2011 all you will be able to buy is a white 500 or a silver grande punto.
 
Thanks, nothing puts me off in what you have said.

Best deal i have found is £11 000 for plain white, seems expensive comared to the £9500 or so people were paying 18 months ago but i guess part of the problem is that the retaoil price has gone up allot since that time as well as the discounts becoming less.

Can't make up my mind if its now best to wait and see if the discounts increase !

Sounds like a good price to me £11000, Had mine 4 months now great car best ive ever driven,fantastic in the snow everything feels solid on the car not like my old punto mk2 you only had to touch it to put a dent in it..!! dont know why people keep saying its slow like i say its the way you drive them it flys in 3rd gear cruises at 80+ on the motorway..you wont be disapointed..by the way if you want more luggage space the Thule Altantis 200 fits perfect....
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The reason the Cross doesn't sell that well is simple, yes it's slow but many people aren't bothered by this, it's the fact that it's not advertised/marketed at all and it's the fact that it's too expensive for a small car. When you look at how cheap the 500 is which sells all day long, why pay £2000 to £3000 more for a Panda Cross? Especially when the cheapest Panda you can buy is around the £6k mark.

Don't get me wrong, i loved the Panda Cross, had one for a day on a 24 hour test drive, did 340 miles in it over all kinds of terrain (kind of took it back a tad scraped/scratched but hey, what did they expect?) but for 90% of people who live in cities/towns, can they really justify that premium just because it's 4WD?
 
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