Hi Newbie here. Test drove and love the 100HP. I have a few Qs which I'm not sure of the answer to:

- On 'tinternet it talks of a subwoofer/speaker upgrade. What does this comprise of and is it worth it?
- I've avoided the dreaded iPod so far, but what options are open to me to plug in some kind of SD/USB/iPod in the glovebox (i.e. out of sight). I am capable of fiddling myself.
- Is the intermittent front wipe adjustable like on posh cars? Or is it just on/off?
- Is there a washer to go with the rear wiper?
- Why do Fiat think they can charge £360 for paint on such a small car
- Any links to decent aftermarket goodie shops for these little buzz bombs?

I'm going for New Orleans Blue with side/window airbags BTW. It will replace an Audi A6 (1998 model) which I've had for 6 years as a daily driver - bit of a difference! I also have a TVR tucked up in the garage though :devil:

Actually I'd love red, but the TVR is red and so is the other half's new Golf GTI. Bit too much red going on...

T/.

Likewise and I was going to ask your first two points myself.

Mine will be a second car to my 06 Volvo V70 for commuting into town for work, missus says I can say I'm just borrowing her car but it doesn't embarrass me

Prefer the grey myself, bit more grown up, and around here Pandas are rare enough not to confuse it with all the other grey ones!

Trefor said:

- On 'tinternet it talks of a subwoofer/speaker upgrade. What does this comprise of and is it worth it?

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No... Such upgrades are usually pants... I would buy something better aftermarket...

Trefor said:

- I've avoided the dreaded iPod so far, but what options are open to me to plug in some kind of SD/USB/iPod in the glovebox (i.e. out of sight). I am capable of fiddling myself.

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There is a Fiat link for the i-pod to the glove box available in their accessories... Not sure if it's any use. There's also the Dension Ice-Link. Works okay for me...

Trefor said:

- Is there a washer to go with the rear wiper?

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Of course there is!

Thanks for the info.

FYI - the new 911 has an optional (= expensive) rear wiper. It doesn't come with a washer. So I thought I'd just check (not that it would probably stop me buying the car).

Oh, another question - is there any way to get heated mirrors? I can't see any reference in the various docs.

i think the 100 has them in line with the eleganza as standard

Trefor said:

- Any links to decent aftermarket goodie shops for these little buzz bombs?

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I doubt there will be much about aftermarket wise seen as its only been out a number of weeks. Just have to use google or keep an eye on forum and ebay for links to things

Trefor said:

Is the intermittent front wipe adjustable like on posh cars? Or is it just on/off?
- Is there a washer to go with the rear wiper?
- Why do Fiat think they can charge £360 for paint on such a small car

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Hi Trefor, quick quote from the Panda MY2007 press pack:

"All Panda versions feature two continuous and four intermittent wiper speeds. A ‘smart’ washing system simultaneously operates wipers and water jets with one stalk movement. The same system applies to the rear window wiper, which is automatically activated when the windscreen wipers are switched on and reverse gear is engaged."

As for the paint, well yes it is a small car, but it does contain unicorn tears...

I didn't have to pay extra for the Technoclash Grey metallic paint

And I got three years 0% finance on top of a good trade-in price offer.

Forget the questions - go buy one - you know you want to.

It makes for a great second car I've found.

I went for the subwoofer option.
Unfortunately mine hasn't arrived yet so I can't say what it is like on the car. The one I test drove though the speakers sounded quite tinny, guess it could just be the set up of it, but I thought I may as well go for the upgrade.

hpScot said:

It makes for a great second car I've found.

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I thought the GTV was your second car now?

Wee Smurf said:

No... Such upgrades are usually pants... I would buy something better aftermarket...

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I have the multichanger/subwoofer upgrade package in my multijet and I have to say it sounds almost as good as my 9 speaker Harman Kardon system in my Saab 9-5. Even my other half admits it was worth the extra money and being Scottish that says something in itself.

I used to have a Punto Sporting without the optional sub, I now have a Punto HGT with the sub and it makes a world of difference. Without it the sound is really tinny and you can't turn it up very loud without it distorting. Admittedly the sub isn't the best, but it just brings the sound quality up to the standards of a normal, not-too-bad stereo. I assume it will be similar with the Panda.

Mine has the speaker and subwoofer upgrade and its a very good system similar to that found on the HGT Punto.

Good bass (not to much, not to little) speakers have a good sound not much more to say really!

Adam

So I've sold my Audi A6 within a day for pretty good money...off to the dealer on Sat AM to place an order.

Problem: I've decided on New Orleans Blue over Grey. However, Red has started to bug me. They've got a red one on the showroom at Thames Fiat in Slough and it sure looks good.

Red/Blue Blue/Red ... arrggh. Maybe I need to buy both. Then pictures like this don't help with both looking great.

http://www.infomotori.co.uk/a_17_EN_17980_3.html

Planned spec:

Red or Blue
Side & Windows Bags
ESP
Subwoofer

Er' indoors says blue as we've got two red car already...

I had already made my mind up to go for the Technoclash Grey as I believe that grey is the new silver these days.

The grey gives the wee car a bit if gravitas reflecting my, ahem, 40's age group.

Had a test drive in the red and black.

In my opinion the only downside to the red is that the red 'Panda' lettering on the rear isn't so noticeable as on the darker contrasting colours or even the white.

My second choice would have been the Orleans Blue for the reason given above.

Oh and FIAT group reds do have a habit of fading in the sun - even ours! But I think they've managed to con customers into paying for red 'special paint' these days to rectify that problem.

Blue - you know you want to.

Schwenck said:

I thought the GTV was your second car now?

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Yeah mate - I think you might be right there.

The GTV is such a 'serious' drive - the Panda is just non-licence losing 'fun'. I tend to be hyper critical of the GTV on every outing - whereas I just smile when pushing the Panda.

It's a bit like the EVO article when it compared the 100HP with the Renaultsport Clio V6.

Still nice to have the choice..............for now.

hpScot said:

Still nice to have the choice....

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You make me sick!

hpScot said:

I had already made my mind up to go for the Technoclash Grey as I believe that grey is the new silver these days.

The grey gives the wee car a bit if gravitas reflecting my, ahem, 40's age group.

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Tricky one. When I first saw the 100HP (or 'Sport' as it was in those balmy July days ) my first choice would be red. It works well the black but can make a small car look a bit toy like, or like Postman Pat's van! The white is a bit too loud and has memories of XR3i for me. The black, well I think it might look bit odd when the black trim has started to fade a bit. Same with the blue, which is a lovely colour on Grande Punto but I can't see it with the black trim. The grey does as you say, add a certain seriousness but that is probably the reason I rejected it initially. BMWs, Audis, VWs always seem to be grey, I mean have you ever seen a forecourt so dull and metallic looking that of a BMW dealer? But it is now starting to grow on me; perhaps the 100HP does need a steely colour to go with its steely nature. And (bonus for me) it's probably the best colour for hiding the fact I hardly ever wash my car!

I don't know, red, grey, may be blue if I got all the plastic colour coded! Guess I won't really decide until about five seconds before I sign on the dotted line.

I'm leaning back towards blue. I have a nice red car to polish already after all.

@ trefor, I wouldn't opt for the ESP it kills the handling, all the magazines that have tested it have advised against it, but, if you want the car to be safer but less fun then go for it.

the wipers are smart and a good feature on the hp, they're also speed sensitive I'm lead to believe.
They charged me 350 for the paint, but it bought the finance down so no complaints

Trefor said:

I'm leaning back towards blue. I have a nice red car to polish already after all.

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Nice blue 100HP in this week's AutoExpress I see, pitted against a Sport Ka.

Go on.

Go on.