Hi,

Looking at replacing 2 x company cars Currently 1.4 TDCI Fiestas now at 90k and they have had no issues. Looking at repalcing with 1.2 Mylife due to issues sourcing any diesels at a decent price.

Cars will do 30k a year, so need to be upto it. Its my head on the line if I get it wrong. Will the Panda's cope?

Also worried about moving from diesel to petrol. Will the petrols if driven hard upto the speed limit still do 50mpg?

HAs anyone got an idea of serving costs including the cambelt? Is the 1.2 18k or 12k for servicing?

I have been out in a 1.1 this afternoon and I am well impressed!

best regards

Barry

30K a year is high for a Panda. That said they're mechanically simple and reliable. You might find yourself replacing a few suspension bushes. I just sold mine at two years old with 33k on the clock and it was just starting to develop the odd clunk from the front suspension. Although for the price difference to a Fiesta diesel you could buy a lot of bushes.

An average 50mpg should be doable on A roads and motorways.

Servicing is at 12k with cam belt IIRC at 72k

I'd say that's a lot for a Panda. It's more of a city type car and if you look at the mileages of cars up for sale they seem to be on the low side.

The car is simple in terms of engineering, but it really is built to a price. Build quality is average, but again materials are really cheap and you can't help but feel that the car isn't exactly over engineered if that makes sense.

Personally I'd look at something else. Maybe offerings from Volkswagen or if you can afford it, Toyota, especially now they have a 5 year warranty, could pay off in the long run.

Hi,

Dealer said the panda's are 1 year or 18k? Is this correct? I did ask the question twice

Best regards

Barry

1 year or 12K whichever comes sooner.

We have ran VW's before and never again. They were crap. The Fords dont show the mielage they have got on them.

Other option is the Hyundai 120 which I have a similar question over.

bazza1603 said:

Hi,

Looking at replacing 2 x company cars Currently 1.4 TDCI Fiestas now at 90k and they have had no issues. Looking at repalcing with 1.2 Mylife due to issues sourcing any diesels at a decent price.

Cars will do 30k a year, so need to be upto it. Its my head on the line if I get it wrong. Will the Panda's cope?

Also worried about moving from diesel to petrol. Will the petrols if driven hard upto the speed limit still do 50mpg?

HAs anyone got an idea of serving costs including the cambelt? Is the 1.2 18k or 12k for servicing?

I have been out in a 1.1 this afternoon and I am well impressed!

best regards

Barry

Click to expand...

I'd agree with everything that's previously been posted. If you were a careful owner driver able to do your own servicing & repairs I'd say 'YES' without hesitation; but for a hard-driven company car driven by someone not paying the repair bills, I'm not so sure.

If you're going to keep them more than 2 yrs, forget it - the third year warranty has a 60k mileage limit & your repair bills in year 3 could be astronomic. Residuals on a 2yr/60k Panda won't be that exciting either.

50mpg+ is a doddle for the careful driver but in your scenario I think you'd do well to see the mid 40's.

For what use will the company cars be put to - urban, motorway, etc.?

My Panda 100HP has averaged 25k for the first three years and has coped well with the mileage. I came from a Fiesta 1.4 TDCi which I thought was a well-designed and well-engineered car. I doubt if many company car drivers would average 50mpg in a 1.1 Panda.

My 'gut' answer would be spend more on a diesel if the cars are going to driven 'enthusiastically' or go with the Panda if your drivers are based in town and deliver eggs

Its a mixture of driving, but mostly B roads.... Cars will be driven hard

Given me a lot to think about

Thanks

bazza1603 said:

...Its my head on the line if I get it wrong....

Click to expand...

If you buy a couple of nice, safe Ford Diesels you may have spent a little more than your company has budgeted for but you get a proven, low risk solution. Buying a couple of Pandas may save you money now but if you go out on a limb and they subsequently prove not to be rugged enough to stand the kind of abuse I suspect from reading between the lines they might receive, you will have cost your company much more in the long term and I suspect they will be displeased with you.

There's an old adage; nobody ever got fired for buying IBM. The quote may seem dated in today's world, but the principle behind it is as good as ever.

But if you ever want a cheap yet still fun runabout for your own family, I'd recommend the Panda every time