General Panda 100hp buying worries

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General Panda 100hp buying worries

MrPibbles

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Hi,

Im looking for a new car and wanted something economical and fun but also reliable. I stumbled upon an article about the panda 100hp and seemed to fit the bill.

Iv found a 2007 panda 100hp for under £2000 which will require a cambelt change soon but other than that seems in a good condition.

The only thing that is worrying me is the heating flap issue i've read about which costs over £1k to fix. The car in question is climate controlled so at risk of this issue. Its a real make or break for me at the moment because I don't want to sink money into the car only to shell out on a 1k repair!

Does anyone know how widespread this issue is or if there are any preventative measures that can be taken to minimise the risk (e.g. not putting heating or cooling on max?)

many thanks
 
Climate control is standard on all 100HPs. The air direction issue seems to be a matter of luck - I had mine for an enjoyable five years/60k miles with aircon on all the time and had no problems. I suspect you know to have the water pump changed with the cam belt change, which is essential. The clutch seems to be a minor weakness - mine dragged from new but was fine after a change under warranty. You'll have a grin a mile, by the way.
 
There is thread somewhere on FF that shows how to repair the 100HP heating flap. TBH, it's not very clear, but the comments suggest it's not a difficult fix.
 
Iv found a 2007 panda 100hp for under £2000 which will require a cambelt change soon but other than that seems in a good condition.

£2000 seems a lot for a 10yr old Panda, particularly one that you'll have to start out by spending more money on - that's a quarter of what the first owner likely paid for it (I was offered a brand new, unregistered 100HP in 2010 for £7999).

If you do go ahead, one important thing to check on any Panda of that age is the condition of the rear beam, particularly the area around the spring cups, as there've been a few reports of serious corrosion. Secondhand parts in decent condition are rare as hen's teeth and a new one is another £1000 repair.

I don't want to sound alarmist or put you off completely, but I've seen quite a few 10yr old 100HP's that are basically only worth scrap money now. A really good example, on the other hand, might just be a car worth keeping.

There is thread somewhere on FF that shows how to repair the 100HP heating flap. TBH, it's not very clear, but the comments suggest it's not a difficult fix.

That repair is at best a bodge. And you only get one go at it, so if the repair doesn't take or subsequently breaks, you'll have to choose between shivering in winter or paying close to the value of the car to fix it.
 
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never had a panda with climate but even with basic aircon the resister pack up the top of the dashboard is a nightmare to replace ,in fact ive tried and failed

to be honest if i wanted a panda with poke economy and cheap to run i would buy the diesel version not that horrible 1400 number and the diesel has a chain so if maintained easily do 130,000
 
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to be honest if i wanted a panda with poke economy and cheap to run i would buy the diesel version not that horrible 1400 number and the diesel has a chain so if maintained easily do 130,000

In my view there's simply no comparison between the driving experience of a 100HP and an MJ, after tens of thousands of miles in both. The MJ is a great car for what it does but, apart from the difference in straight performance, accelerating and braking - the 100HP goes round bends at speeds that would have an MJ understeering into the boondocks; the MJ needs to be rowed along with the gear lever; the steering is heavy and front tyre wear is a concern. Not sure where the "horrible 1400 number" comes from.
 
In my view there's simply no comparison between the driving experience of a 100HP and an MJ, after tens of thousands of miles in both. The MJ is a great car for what it does but, apart from the difference in straight performance, accelerating and braking - the 100HP goes round bends at speeds that would have an MJ understeering into the boondocks; the MJ needs to be rowed along with the gear lever; the steering is heavy and front tyre wear is a concern. Not sure where the "horrible 1400 number" comes from.

Couldn't agree more. I had an MJ Sporting for about 6 years. Very cheap to run and reliable but felt like it was starting to fall apart at about 110K so sold it and bought an 07 100HP with 70K on the clock for £1700 with a years MoT.

The 100HP isn't massively faster than the MJ but it is completely different to drive, you can throw it everywhere and it just sticks to the road. Shifting through the 6 speed is enjoyable and brings a smile to your face. This is a car I enjoy driving every time I get in it.

For £1700 if it lasts any longer than a year that will do. I do less than 5k a year in it so hopefully it will last a few years without too much bother.
 
For what it's worth, I always regretted selling mine - never had any issues other than front tyre wear, although I sold it with less than 40K on the clock. More interestingly, a colleague who bought one at the same time still has his and uses it hard - it is now 10 yrs old and has done 152k with no major issues apparently. And he still loves it. My wife now has a twin air 4x4 which is also huge fun - amazingly torquey with its turbo - but fuel consumption is worse than the 100HP! I'm sure I'll search out another 100HP at some point before prices start rising - they will.
 
For what it's worth, I always regretted selling mine - never had any issues other than front tyre wear, although I sold it with less than 40K on the clock. More interestingly, a colleague who bought one at the same time still has his and uses it hard - it is now 10 yrs old and has done 152k with no major issues apparently. And he still loves it. My wife now has a twin air 4x4 which is also huge fun - amazingly torquey with its turbo - but fuel consumption is worse than the 100HP! I'm sure I'll search out another 100HP at some point before prices start rising - they will.

I have a very similar Panda history - 100HP to 4x4 TA - (neither of which have given any problems doing 12-13000 miles a year) - and am also very tempted.
 
I have a very similar Panda history - 100HP to 4x4 TA - (neither of which have given any problems doing 12-13000 miles a year) - and am also very tempted.

If you're struggling to find a 100HP in decent condition, you could also consider a NA 1.4 500; almost identical mechanically and made until at least 2013. Post-2010 cars with the modified rear beam will have noticeably better ride.
 
If you're struggling to find a 100HP in decent condition, you could also consider a NA 1.4 500; almost identical mechanically and made until at least 2013. Post-2010 cars with the modified rear beam will have noticeably better ride.

Unfortunately I just can't take a shine to the 500 - though I suppose an Abarth variant might be tempting. I've had every other model of 500 - 500A and 500C Topolino, 500D, 500F, Cinquecento, Cinquecento Sporting but retro vehicles just don't appeal.
 
Dont know much about the new pandas but I thought the distribution was chain drive?
I tried one of the sport models for fit but found it clostrophobic, the steering was too close and was difficult getting out of it.
We bought a 2005 Multipla with 115 hp in the end no regrets.
We needed a car no more than 4 m long.
Barry
 
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