All,

I'm a new member to this forum and about to 'advance to consider' buying a Panda. Currently I own a Corsa 1.6D(iesel) (1997) with 265K km on it. I would very much like a quieter car, but I figure that both Panda versions are much more quiet than this Corsa.

I'd like to know some opinions on whether to go for the 1.2 engine in the Emotion/Eleganza Dualogic or the 1.3 multijet diesel in the 'Edizione Cool' (Dynamic plus manual airco) version.

My main concern is whether the 1.2 engine will work adequately on the hills in the Ardennes/Luxebourg and Lorraine region, as we travel a lot to the north-eastern part of France from Holland. I'd like to be able to drive comfortable 130km/h on some parts of this track, with two persons and moderate luggage (50kg). If it does, I would consider this engine because of the lower price and higher luxury of the model. (Diesel is taxed much higher here, initially and subsequently yearly). I would drive roughly 22K km a year.

I've read some reviews from Soepy and from someone else who'd driven through France with a loaded Panda 1.2, that were definitely positive.
My main concern is that if I would be owning the car for say 10 years -something I am intended to do- would I still be happy with the 1.2 or would I have preferred the 1.3 diesel? Due to the apparant lack of any accidented terrain in the Netherlands it is difficult to compare, I think. My Corsa drives OK but has some difficulties in 5th gear occasionly, depending on the cargo and initial speed at the beginning of the climb.

Some spreadsheet calculation over that period seem to indicate that the price difference is not altogether that much, unless I start adding roughly the same luxury to the diesel. What I like about the Emotion is the included Dualogic, the radio/cd kit, 14" alloy, electric outdoor mirrors and height-adjustable driver seat. (If I am not mistaken the rear seat is not dividable into two segments so that I need to purchase, which is a standard on the 1.3 Dynamic.)

Is it apples vs pears or can something more be said to this? If so, I'd welcome any suggestion.

Thanks in advance,
Hendrik

My preference would be for the 1.3 multijet, with better acceleration, fuel economy, more torque & resale value.
Here in GB the Dynamic has a non dividable rear seat unless there has been an upgrade since I bought mine last year.

The 1.2 is very nippy and seems more powerfull than the figures suggest. Very quite too, you speak very good english by the way.

Hello,

I own a 1.3 multijet and I would choose the 1.3 multijet again. I drove it for more than 65000 km for now and I am very satisfied.

I own a 1.2 Dynamic which i find nippy and willing, i did consider the diesel, but the extra £800-£1000 put me off, i thought that i would need to cover something in the region of 100,000 miles to recover the cost? But the diesel would be a stronger engine on steep climbs, and i'm sure would be a lot quicker on take off also, it would be a better investment if you plan to keep it for a while.

NO CONTEST. The 1.3 multijet is by far the better engine. Yes it does cost more,but the diesel engine's life span should be double that of the petrol. Also the servicing, and running costs are less. One other thing i've heard from North of the border is that the handling is better on the Multijet due to the extra weight of the diesel engine. Now i've not driven the 1.2 petrol myself, so i can't comment on this one. I reckon if you are looking for a small car to last you for quite some time, i'd choose the Multijet.

cheers Ian

Thanks to all who responded. This is indeed a very friendly and helpful forum.

I was away for a week but managed to get to test-drive the 1.2 Eleganza (not the dualogic but the normal gear type) and found it nice and comfortable. However -and the comments seem to indicate that as well- I did have the feeling that a little more power would be better, especially on accidented terrain. I would probably go for the 1.3 diesel engine, but do read on..

... ultimately, however, I found out that the Panda would be too small to our liking. For one, that the back seat does not fold up like normal is not an avantage, and I find the general space a little too small.

So I will look into the Doblo, already a car I really enjoy for its -lack off ?- looks. I might switch forums but will continue and enjoy reading this new Panda section.
The choice with the Doblo between the 1.3 diesel and the 1.4 regular is already made in favor of the diesel.

Again, thanks to all who contributed.

Drive carefully,
Hendrik

Hendrik,
I was just lurking on this forum until our new Doblo arrived (so the name made some sense) but was struck that we'd made exactly the same choice. We so wanted to have a new Panda as our old Pandas were great but we so disappointed when we found how small they were inside - especially with the back seat that doesn't fold properly that we've moved on to a Doblo.

Hope yours is as good as I hope ours is

Rob