I'm seriously considering buying a new one so was wondering what "owners" opinions are. Dealers getting one in next week and have promised me a drive in it.

Have had mine for nearly a year and it is a fun car to drive especially in town which is where I mostly drive. Corners well and fast and goes through outrageously small gaps. As it is so cute you can get away with nipping into small gaps without inducing road rage.
BUT out of town it is very slow. Don't be surprised at having to change down a gear on motorway inclines and you will also have few overtaking opportunities.
Pretty goood on snow but a bit compromised by wide road-biased tyres. I have taken it off-road at a quarry and never got stuck but then never did what the big boys can.
Choose a bright colour(mine's Dry Turquoise) and nobody will miss seeing you.

Stuartl said:

I'm seriously considering buying a new one so was wondering what "owners" opinions are. Dealers getting one in next week and have promised me a drive in it.

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I have one, since January. Very pleased with it. I echo previous posts, but I don't find it too slow - mines a 1.2 petrol . My only gripe is the fuel consumption. Mine manages 37-38 mpg (UK) in town, a little less on the motorway, at, er motorway speeds. I would like better fuel consumption, but that's the penalty for the 4x4.

I drove to London and back at the weekend on the motorway, no problems keeping up with 'outside lane traffic'. My engine has got better with 2000 miles on the odo, seemed a little tight when I got it. I change gear up at at about 4000 rpm, but there's more power at about 5000 rpm or so. The fuel tank is a little smaller on the 4x4 I think, but not a problem for me.

I live in a crowded city and the Panda is a very good city car. Had no problem fitting into the only parking space in Marylebone - between two Mercs - at the weekend.

If I didn't want the 4x4 option for towing things round camp sites I would have much preferred the diesel. I have the full spec options, Skydome ( good) slidey rear seat (excellent) climate control (excellent) locking filler cap (£11.00!) . The standard radio CD is ok for me but others prefer more oomph. 4x4 has stiffer suspension than the other models, with uprated 22mm (?) dampers and about 5 cms more ground clearance. Corners pretty well, and has tons of grip on slippery roads. There is a bit of body roll, but then the car just goes round corners without protest. Driving it seems more sporty than faster cars, and is much more fun than you could ever think. So much fun I find myself just popping out for an hour to go for a drive. I can't say that about any of my other cars.

4x4 comes with Pirelli Winter tyres. These are a bit noisy on the motorway, but very good in town as the high profile seems to keep them away from kerb damage. Pretty good off-road too. Alloy wheels very nice. I thought the City mode extra-light steering was a gimmick when I got the car, but I leave it on all the time now, makes parking a finger-twirling experience. Car turns it off at much above walking pace.

The best single option for the car seems to be the sliding/folding rear seats. Very handy.

If you buy one, make sure it comes with a light in the left-hand side of the boot.

Car 'smarts' are very good - trip computer, smart wipers ( if it's raining and you have the wipers on - the car will automatically put the rear wiper on for you when you select reverse) etc etc. 4 speaker (?) CD/Radio is not bad, lots of sound EQ to play with, you can get the car to 'mirror' the Radio display above the speedo on the computer screen. Doors can be programmed to 'auto-lock' as you drive off. Passenger airbag can be disabled with the key if you carry kids or dogs. Smarts include a 'speed limiter' which nags you if you go over the set limit. Do it three or four times and the car then sounds a very long rapid beep, which plays hell with your nerves until you figure out what it is.

Panda feels very well built. Driving ergos fit me well, I'm 5'11 and a bit. Engine feels very nimble, despite the 0-60 times. Absolutely no problems in traffic. What you lose in acceleration you gain from other road users - everyone seems to want to wave me out from side-roads.

I have a tow-bar on mine and pull a camping trailer. The 4x4 has different gearing to the standard car, 1st is very low, one reason for the slow 0-60 times. Today I filled the camping trailer with 12 cubic feet of brick rubble and took it down the dump. That's nearly 200Kg. Panda didn't even blink.

A couple of pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81589630@N00/172075221/


More fun than it says on the tin. The 4x4 - I read somewhere - should also retain good residuals due to the rarity factor. If the fuel consumption is good for you AND you want the 4x4 factor then its perfect. If you don't need 4x4 then the diesel engine Pandas have more power and almost half the fuel consumption.

Me, I got a 4x4 and love it. I'll upgrade it for a diesel 4x4 when Fiat finally decide to sell them here.

Don't forget to check the bootlight is there if you buy one. It doesn't illuminate anything but you'll feel like you've been cheated if you don't get one with the car.

I got mine on 03.03.2006.
6000 kms on odo, no probs at all. I love is car. Especially, its off-road capatibilities. Small wheel base, light weight, relatively good clearence makes wonders. Very good in City due to light steering and small gabarites. Very good off-road capatibilities. Moderate highway performance. If you can afford it - by a diesel for more power. But - you will be happy with petrol too (like me).

Thanks guys for a very in depth explanation.

I'm going to test drive one tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on.

Have had mine since January and have just traded it in for a grande punto 1.3 Multi-jet. No complaints about the car just had enough of going to the petrol station every 12 days even though i do less than 100 miles per week if they ever bring it out with the diesel will probably swap back again. THIS CAR DEFINITELY NEEDS THE DIESEL :bang:

Had one out on a test drive today. Completely fell in love with it. So Landrover up the road as soon as I can get it away and a Black 4x4 with Skydome and slidy back seat will be on order.
It only had 4 miles on the clock but it felt ok to me. Didn't feel slow at all, In fact suits my driving style.
:idea: Now what else can I sell.

Stuartl said:

Had one out on a test drive today. Completely fell in love with it. So Landrover up the road as soon as I can get it away and a Black 4x4 with Skydome and slidy back seat will be on order.
It only had 4 miles on the clock but it felt ok to me. Didn't feel slow at all, In fact suits my driving style.
:idea: Now what else can I sell.

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We knew you'd have to have one. Congrats, hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine!

The black ones look kinda mean..

Well someones coming to look at the Landy tonight so here's hoping he buys. Dealers to come back to me with a price today.

How long did they say it would take your order to come in?

Stuartl said:

:idea: Now what else can I sell.

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A kidney? :idea:
H

hmallett said:

A kidney? :idea:
H

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There are some stickers on Ebay - bright yellow with an arror pointing to the tow hitch. Says 'Land Rover owners attach here for towout" or some such.






Just been playing in the forest in the rain. We have a few miles of gravel and dirt tracks nearby, my first time 'off-road' in the Panda, it's impossible to make the car drift on loose gravel- it just goes - phenomenal levels of grip, found myself hitting the rev limiter and the car just flying. Wooooooooo!

Nice.

Well that's the Merc and the Freelander sold :woot: :woot:
So just waiting now on seeing what the dealer is going to sell me a Panda for and then I'll know if I'n going to be the proud owner of one.

Here's hoping.

Stuartl said:

Well that's the Merc and the Freelander sold :woot: :woot:
So just waiting now on seeing what the dealer is going to sell me a Panda for and then I'll know if I'n going to be the proud owner of one.

Here's hoping.

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Make sure you get Quotes from Broadspeed and Fiatsupasaver, before you do your price negotiations. I bought my multijet from Fiatsupasaver, No Problems, Just had to get down to Wiltshire.

Paul Jaggard said:

Make sure you get Quotes from Broadspeed and Fiatsupasaver, before you do your price negotiations. I bought my multijet from Fiatsupasaver, No Problems, Just had to get down to Wiltshire.

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Paul would you mind if I pm'd you with a few questions on that. I have quotes from both of them but would like more info on them. They do seem to be doing deals the dealers can't touch.