I am looking to buy a Panda 100hp for my daily commute, very soon. The Coupe is a bit too thirsty and is wasted sitting in traffic. I have had these cracking little cars before through work and know enough about them in terms of what to look for, but... I am struggling to find a decent one with low mileage and preferably low ownership but above all else, very good condition.

Ideally I would like a blue or grey one. Does anyone know of any for sale, or considering selling theirs? Happy to pay the right price for the right car as I know that prices vary quite a bit.

As a side note, can the later model round door mirrors easily be replaced with the earlier square style ones?

Thanks in advance

I have a 35 mile commute (mostly motorways) 2x a week and a 10 mile 2x or 3x a week plus the school runs.

The 100HP is ideal for the longer run but the ordinary 1200/60 is better for the town runs. It was better still with the Fiat 500 back axle - smoother ride and better handling.

Edit: I should add that we have a 100HP and a 1.2/60 Dynamic. So I can compare both day to day.

Decent 100HP's are getting harder to find now, though there are plenty of tatty ones about, usually overpriced.

I'd say a really good one is a car worth looking after and keeping, which in itself makes it unsuitable for using on a daily winter commute. You'll (quite rightly IMO) pay a significant premium for a mint example, and that kind of use will soon wipe out much of its value.

As has been said, a late model Euro4 1.2 would be a much better choice; cheaper to buy, more comfortable on a daily commute, significantly better economy and £30 RFL - what's not to like?

I'd avoid the very last 169's with the 69HP Euro5 engine; they're not quite so flexible in traffic, produce less power below 4000rpm and will cost you a new engine if the cambelt breaks (the Euro4 1.2 is failsafe).

Thanks for the replies, I have driven plenty of the 1.2 Pandas and they are a great city cars, my first car was a Cinq Sporting, which I have had from new and still own 21 years later but too old and needs some work to get her back on the road after several years of very little use. I consider the 100hp to be its spiritual successor, and rightly or wrongly, want to have that little Fiat fizz again...
My X19 is simply too nice and not up to sitting in traffic in any case. The Mrs has a Bravo 150 T-jet for family jaunts - very under rated car!

I take on board the fact that buying a good example and using it daily will wipe out some of its value, but I have negated that against the rough ones I have looked at in terms of short term spending in order to get a rough one up to a good standard. I do look after my cars added to that I work in the motor trade, so parts and mates rates allow me to spend less and do more. I haven't sold a Fiat that I have owned to date, so chances are it will be a keeper too!

I know the 100hp wont be as efficient as a 1.2, and certainly not as comfy, but it cant be worse than £50 per week for a total of circa 150 miles per week in the Coupe!? My man maths calculates that the car should save me enough fuel to pay for itself within 3 years! I have a good 5-6 mile run of country side before I hit traffic...

Can anyone confirm if the later door mirrors can be easily swapped for the early type? I just dont think the big round mirrors suit the shape of the car.

People swap mirrors the other way so should be ok. But they are electric so it could be a costly exercise.

I've put Fiat 500 road springs on the back of mine which give a better ride. Ride height is 100HP correct and I'll do the same at the front when I fit new struts. There is a little more body roll but not enough to negate the benefits of keeping my fillings in place.

Our 1.2 Dynamic has a Fiat 500 back axle and springs which really did improve the handling, but it's not an easy fit on the 100HP as the wider wheels would hit the wheel arches.

I do a 50:50 mix of motorways and town use. Fuel on the trip shows upper 30s mpg. I've not done an accurate brim to brim check but it's about right. Mid 40s is realistically possible but you'd not be enjoying the car. I've considered fitting a liquid phase LPG kit but its not top of the list and questionable economic sense on a small car with minimal resale value. That said, it would cover its costs in a year so you never know.

They do fit.
Best source is probably a scrap Eleganza.
You may need to remove & paint the caps (unless you're incredibly lucky). Best not to do that when they are cold, as the clips can snap.

Managed to bag myself a 100hp today, just got a 450 mile round trip to collect it, hopefully on Sunday! Can’t wait!!

The mirrors will be swapped out for the older style ones as I think it suits the car better.

Another modification I need to look into is the fitting of a Bluetooth system as the car I have bought does not have the steering wheel phone/radio controls. Can these be retro fitted with relative ease? I assume I would need a radio and steering wheel at the very least? If it’s going to be much hassle, then I will have a look at a parrot system or similar...

The 100HP with correct steering wheel and Blaupunct stereo has Bluetooth and steering wheel controls for radio and phone answering.

But I've had mine for 6 months and still not got around to setting up the phone. TBH callers can leave me a message or call me back.

Some of the later cars did not have the Bluetooth fitted as standard, I have had a late car before without the option.

In theory, is it a straight forward installation with the steering wheel, B/T ecu and radio,or is there a lot more to it than this?

I've got an 07 100HP on 78k which I am reluctantly thinking of selling. We've got 3 cars as we bought a golf cabriolet in the summer and it seems rather excessive so something needs to go. Am based in Norfolk if you are interested...

buttonsandzips said:

I've got an 07 100HP on 78k which I am reluctantly thinking of selling. We've got 3 cars as we bought a golf cabriolet in the summer and it seems rather excessive so something needs to go. Am based in Norfolk if you are interested...

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I have just bought a car two days ago. Thanks for the offer though.

X19 pilot said:

Some of the later cars did not have the Bluetooth fitted as standard, I have had a late car before without the option.

In theory, is it a straight forward installation with the steering wheel, B/T ecu and radio,or is there a lot more to it than this?

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Sorry for my misinformation. I thought they were all fitted with BT etc.

DaveMcT said:

Sorry for my misinformation. I thought they were all fitted with BT etc.

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No probs Dave, I over looked my own knowledge when I bought the car, hence I am now curious to know how easy it is to retro fit it...

X19 pilot said:

No probs Dave, I over looked my own knowledge when I bought the car, hence I am now curious to know how easy it is to retro fit it...

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Looking only at the costs of a suitable steering wheel (if you can get one) it could be expensive. It could be an excuse to get a double DIN all singing & dancing infotainment system.

This one looks pretty good.

2009 - 46,500 miles - 12 MOT - £2995