Hi hi,

My first post here so forgive any errors I don't realise I'm making!

I've got an '08 Panda Dynamic that I want to drive from Dundee to Liverpool and back in February, but my parents have expressed doubt about whether the car is up to the challenge! It hasn't got any problems right now, passed its last MOT in December, and I don't have any reason to doubt its competence at the moment.

Based on the distance, do you think a car of this age and size is capable of such a journey? Just wanted the opinions of some seasoned Fiat experts.

Thanks!
Hal

Been a lot further in older fiats than yours and provided you check your fluids and tyres before you go cant see any problems its just been mot`ed so should be sound.
Has it been serviced if so and its not showing any signs of unreliability i dont see a problem.
Breakdown cover would be handy just in case ive had a 55 and 11 plate of this model and went all over in them without having any problems.

Ive took my 06 panda 1.1 to Belgium many times and never had a problem.
Fiat might make basic cheep cars but when it comes to engine reliability thats a plus point (less to go wrong).
Dont worry and enjoy the drive but always have a back up plan like AA or RAC, same as any car.

Welcome at FiatForum.

How about an oil change before you go..?

Hey chaps, thanks so much for the reassuring advice and stories — it does seem based on only a little bit of research that the Panda is a reliable little workhorse!

I'll certainly consider taking it in for a service and an oil change before I go just to make sure, but will definitely have breakdown cover as well anyway in case.

Thanks again for the welcome! Learnt and passed in a Panda and only ever enjoyed using it.

You'll be fine, just take your time, and be gentle to your Panda...

halmogill said:

Based on the distance, do you think a car of this age and size is capable of such a journey? Just wanted the opinions of some seasoned Fiat experts.

Click to expand...

Absolutely. Provided it's got the correct level of fluids and has no major leaks, you'll be just fine.

A decent long run will probably do it a world of good.

halmogill said:

Hi hi,

My first post here so forgive any errors I don't realise I'm making!

I've got an '08 Panda Dynamic that I want to drive from Dundee to Liverpool and back in February, but my parents have expressed doubt about whether the car is up to the challenge! It hasn't got any problems right now, passed its last MOT in December, and I don't have any reason to doubt its competence at the moment.

Based on the distance, do you think a car of this age and size is capable of such a journey? Just wanted the opinions of some seasoned Fiat experts.

Thanks!
Hal

Click to expand...

I'm sure you'll be fine as others have said ...fluid levels etc. Plus carry spare fluids. My old banger a punto 52 plate has just done 2600 miles in the last month..no problem. And I also travel a round trip of nearly 600 miles to Cambridge. My late Cincuecento 899cc did a trip from Cambridge to malaig in Scotland and back no issues at all I'm hoping to get my "new" 1.1 Panda on the road soon and will be going to Edinburgh which is a 200+ round trip. Motorway driving is really easy on a car because it's not really working hard. Just sitting at a sensible speed etc. Not like city driving...acceleration..brake ..acceleration...etc etc Have faith in your Fiat! Nicest cars I've ever owned peace..N..

I think the most my panda has done is 800 miles in a day over the mountain passes and motorways, and my daily work has been cut down from 160 miles a day to 80 miles a day, the little panda is a soldier and as long as she is looked after will do the work and happily keep up with motorway speeds, although my panda is an MJ, but assume the petrol will keep up almost as easily.

Doing 1700Km every summer (one way) to Croatia (sometimes even twice a summer) in my '06 100HP with no issues at all.
As long as it's in good shape...

gr J

Mine regularly does Edinburgh - Liverpool and back, no problems at all. The main thing to worry about is timing your departure so that you get to Tebay services at lunchtime!

I used to drive my 05 MJ from Norwich to Cornwall and back a number of times a year. Does it good to get a run and no issues. I wouldn't do it without some kind of breakdown cover though - but I would apply that same rule to any car, new or old.

It should be fine.

Long runs are very kind to a car when compared to town stop, start.

Tyre pressures are important on long journeys. Full amount but not over of oil also helps with the cooling.


The way my 1.2 is geared it help to kept the maximum speed down. At 50 mph
Its already doing over 2000 revs in 5th. Also helps with mpg. Not sure what its like at 60 and 70. But there is about 2 mpg loss going form 48 mph to 52 mph although it depends a lot on which way the winds blowing.


None stop Crewe to Norwich via the Wash I average 65 to 68 mpg depending on the conditions. Just under 5 hours.

It'll breeze through it.

If it can do 60 miles, it can do 600

If you end up doing an oil change etc, even better.

As koalar mentioned, long runs are much easier on a car.

Tell them in not the 1979/80 ect (whenever there from haha) any more even your most basic cars can do 500- miles trips these days car are far more reliable then back then

Without a shadow of a doubt ! Even my old 899cc Fiat Cinquecento ( someone beat me to it ) could do this sort of thing ( including one epic road trip with a 'dresser' - big piece of furniture !- that wouldn't fit in a BMW 7 series or medium sized Kia 5 door hatchback !!!Centos had very low rear wheel arches , great for storage width) Do allow for icy conditions if necessary with correct fluids in wiper reservoir and radiator obviously and decent wiper blades , tyres etc .Bon Voyage !

Treat her gently! I've done 300 in mine

Unless it's a neglected, bearing rattling rust bucket I see no problems.

It's not the forgotten end of the Earth - the trip is nearly all motorway, where you just sit at a steady speed with little strain on engine, steering or brakes.

Start early and you should complete that trip by lunchtime. I've done Inverness to Newbury in an easy-driving day before now.

Go for it with no worries.