Which one engine is better? My dad always said that he should bought 1.2 version instead of 1.1 because - according to him - 1.1 is too weak for three-person family (each one around 70-90 kilograms). Is this true? Would 134 cc and 6 HP more compensate some part of weight of three passengers?
General 1.1 54 HP or 1.2 60 HP for 2+1 family
- Thread starter Tal Shiar
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General 1.1 54 HP or 1.2 60 HP for 2+1 family
Girlfriend got a 1.1 and I have a 1.2. Drove the 1.1 for a week and on the flat there is no noticeable difference either on the motorway or around town.
Also got both. The 1.2 is a little bit better when 2- or 3- up, and seems less stressed at motorway speeds, but neither really struggles. As long as you are not planning long 90mph motorways drives.
On rural roads the 1.2 requires slightly fewer gearchanges, and the fuel consumption is about the same.
On rural roads the 1.2 requires slightly fewer gearchanges, and the fuel consumption is about the same.
I have the 1.2 and think it's fantastic.
I read a lot of issues about the 1.1, but not sure if that's enough to condemn it.
Perhaps go for the option that's a better all round car? (used condition terms)
I read a lot of issues about the 1.1, but not sure if that's enough to condemn it.
Perhaps go for the option that's a better all round car? (used condition terms)
I've got a 1.1.
It is fine on the flat, even at motorway speeds, a couple of years ago I drove from Berlin to Amsterdam, only stopping for fuel, 3 people plus luggage averaging between 80-95mph. Managed fine.
Where it lacks is on hills, even with just me it can be a struggle on steep hills as I'm discovering with a recent move to Bristol. Average mpg on a motorway run is about 48 and I tend to push on. My current cold stop start short distance driving pattern has dropped this a lot, probably down to mid 30s.
How much difference the 1.2 makes I have no idea 6hp and 5ft.lb does not sound much, but it is an 11% and 7.7% increase respectively.
I would guess 1.2 is likely to be more relaxed and probably slightly more fuel efficient, if the buying price is similar a 1.2 probably comes with more toys as well.
It is fine on the flat, even at motorway speeds, a couple of years ago I drove from Berlin to Amsterdam, only stopping for fuel, 3 people plus luggage averaging between 80-95mph. Managed fine.
Where it lacks is on hills, even with just me it can be a struggle on steep hills as I'm discovering with a recent move to Bristol. Average mpg on a motorway run is about 48 and I tend to push on. My current cold stop start short distance driving pattern has dropped this a lot, probably down to mid 30s.
How much difference the 1.2 makes I have no idea 6hp and 5ft.lb does not sound much, but it is an 11% and 7.7% increase respectively.
I would guess 1.2 is likely to be more relaxed and probably slightly more fuel efficient, if the buying price is similar a 1.2 probably comes with more toys as well.
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I drove a 1.1 for the first few years after my test - it's is woefully slow, but turns like a go-cart and is immense fun even at sane speeds.
I used to find that so long as the engine on the 1.1 was about in its power band (about 4k rpm/78 mph in 5th (on the original 1.1 non-eco)) hills were manageable.
However it used to suffer somewhat when loaded up; if there are 3 of you i'd get the 1.2 - eventually you'll want to take the car somewhere hilly, and that extra 6 HP will make the difference.
I used to find that so long as the engine on the 1.1 was about in its power band (about 4k rpm/78 mph in 5th (on the original 1.1 non-eco)) hills were manageable.
However it used to suffer somewhat when loaded up; if there are 3 of you i'd get the 1.2 - eventually you'll want to take the car somewhere hilly, and that extra 6 HP will make the difference.
Obviously all things being equal you'd go for the 1.2 but they seldom are .Will it be dearer to buy or insure ? Are the available cars in worse condition than the 1.1s? I replaced my 170k Miles + 2005 Panda 1.3 diesel with a sub 5k Miles 2010 1.1 petrol ECO ( perhaps noticeably slower than an older non Eco?) .Ive put up around 7k miles in it now .Its not fast and the Eco lacks the rortiness/ zing of other Fiat 1.1s .I regularly have to use fourth gear on the motorway but then again the long gears along with tyres ,(deafening ,but super grippy braking in wet and in general ) , and thinner oil give extra mpg .
It's scarey and sad to read of 500 owners who have trouble getting their 1.2 petrols over hills due to eco strangulation :-(
You can read more in some of my other posts but basically I miss the super low fuel cost and torque of diesel but love the otherwise low running costs and much faster warm up of petrol .
In last week had an amazing confirmation of the purer handling of the petrol car .Through a sequence of three damp roundabouts with the last leading sharply right onto a motorway 'on ramp' I was staggered at the handling balance of my 'new' Panda .It felt as if it was 'drifting' benignly throughout . I may have even let out a yelp of joy at the end of it all ! I might add I never had this sensation with my 100hp ( certainly not on other than bone dry roads) Sticking a heavy engine over the front axle of a Panda is a silly idea in my opinion .
It's scarey and sad to read of 500 owners who have trouble getting their 1.2 petrols over hills due to eco strangulation :-(
You can read more in some of my other posts but basically I miss the super low fuel cost and torque of diesel but love the otherwise low running costs and much faster warm up of petrol .
In last week had an amazing confirmation of the purer handling of the petrol car .Through a sequence of three damp roundabouts with the last leading sharply right onto a motorway 'on ramp' I was staggered at the handling balance of my 'new' Panda .It felt as if it was 'drifting' benignly throughout . I may have even let out a yelp of joy at the end of it all ! I might add I never had this sensation with my 100hp ( certainly not on other than bone dry roads) Sticking a heavy engine over the front axle of a Panda is a silly idea in my opinion .
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I have a 1.2. The engine is not heavily stressed so I am quite happy to drive it foot to the floor on motorways. Let in spin in 3rd and 4th and it will maintain good progress. I don't bounce it off the rev limiter that's just pointless but expecting it to pull up a hill in high gear at 60 or 70mph is also unreasonable. You get used to doing rev matched downshifts.
With posh petrol it's adequate on motorways with two adults and two children. But that adds only 3 to 5% over plain petrol so losing nearly 10% (1.1 compared to 1.2) is quite a loss when its already marginal for fast roads
The issues will be later as the kids get bigger and apply to all small cars. Little kids can't put their feet down to the floor so a 3 to 4 y/o with their feet sticking forwards can actually need more rear leg room.
Its also a city car so the steering and handling are quite skittish for motorways. It's not a relaxing drive on long straight roads but for the occasional long journey it's fine. Any small city car will have this issue.
We are a car and motorbike family. But when (if?) I do get a car (I wont be getting rid of the bike), I would only go larger if I expect to be doing high miles on motorways. Otherwise, two Pandas could be very useful indeed.
With posh petrol it's adequate on motorways with two adults and two children. But that adds only 3 to 5% over plain petrol so losing nearly 10% (1.1 compared to 1.2) is quite a loss when its already marginal for fast roads
The issues will be later as the kids get bigger and apply to all small cars. Little kids can't put their feet down to the floor so a 3 to 4 y/o with their feet sticking forwards can actually need more rear leg room.
Its also a city car so the steering and handling are quite skittish for motorways. It's not a relaxing drive on long straight roads but for the occasional long journey it's fine. Any small city car will have this issue.
We are a car and motorbike family. But when (if?) I do get a car (I wont be getting rid of the bike), I would only go larger if I expect to be doing high miles on motorways. Otherwise, two Pandas could be very useful indeed.
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On Saturday, I overtook a car doing about 45 in a 60/70 road and this was a subtle uphill but a very long range slope.... I put the Panda into 4th gear, foot flat on the floor and by god it sprung to 85 mph a LOT quicker than I'd expected!!!!
Got me past the slow driver, of course it was a straight section and I could see for about a mile ahead with nothing incoming which is why I took the risk, knowing the Panda isn't made for over taking. But the 1.2, warmed up, revved reasonable high the whole journey sprung to life and made me just laugh to think it had it in it!
When I got this car off of my sister (previous owner) she said 'the novelty of it will soon wear off' .. It hasn't wore off, even for a second !!!
I hope whichever Panda you go for OP, It brings you this much joy when you least expect it!
Got me past the slow driver, of course it was a straight section and I could see for about a mile ahead with nothing incoming which is why I took the risk, knowing the Panda isn't made for over taking. But the 1.2, warmed up, revved reasonable high the whole journey sprung to life and made me just laugh to think it had it in it!
When I got this car off of my sister (previous owner) she said 'the novelty of it will soon wear off' .. It hasn't wore off, even for a second !!!
I hope whichever Panda you go for OP, It brings you this much joy when you least expect it!
On Saturday, I overtook a car doing about 45 in a 60/70 road and this was a subtle uphill but a very long range slope.... I put the Panda into 4th gear, foot flat on the floor and by god it sprung to 85 mph a LOT quicker than I'd expected!!!!
Got me past the slow driver, of course it was a straight section and I could see for about a mile ahead with nothing incoming which is why I took the risk, knowing the Panda isn't made for over taking. But the 1.2, warmed up, revved reasonable high the whole journey sprung to life and made me just laugh to think it had it in it!
When I got this car off of my sister (previous owner) she said 'the novelty of it will soon wear off' .. It hasn't wore off, even for a second !!!
I hope whichever Panda you go for OP, It brings you this much joy when you least expect it!
Drive more like a 1.4 which isn't so surprising.
My last car was a 1.4 A class and weighs 1370 kg
Panda 1.2 and weighs 860 kg
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The 1.2 will do 85 on the speedo with just the driver and cope with not too steep hills. However at the speed its not especially stable so needs concentration too keep in lane. Fast motorways are not the environment this car was designed for. Especially when some muppet pulls out in front and dawdles. You lose your momentum and have to shift right down to keep going.
As said its a low stressed engine so running it flat out won't do any harm. It also goes pretty quick if the revs are kept up. Keeping the revs moderately low is fine for town use, but don't expect to get anywhere quickly when upshifting at 3000 revs.
As said its a low stressed engine so running it flat out won't do any harm. It also goes pretty quick if the revs are kept up. Keeping the revs moderately low is fine for town use, but don't expect to get anywhere quickly when upshifting at 3000 revs.
