General 1.1 vs 1.2

[fiat_freak]

This week I had a 1.1 Panda as a courtesy car while my Grande Punto was getting some stuff sorted under warranty. Had to admiit was VERY impressed with it.

The only obvious drawback on the hills here in Cornwall was it ran out of puff on steep inclines. I am thinking the 1.2 would be much better in this respect?

Major advantage was the missus really fell for it in a big way. She has an ageing Mk1 Punto that she loves (still in great nick; the Punto that is) and is not keen on the GP as the steering is too "twitchy". She thought the Panda felt very similar to her old Punto and felt comfortable with it immediatey.

So advice please. Is the 1.2 noticeably more powerful up hills? And what are the other drawbacks of the Panda please. (We don't do long trips any more so that is not an issue).

Thanks

 

[Geddes]

This week I had a 1.1 Panda as a courtesy car while my Grande Punto was getting some stuff sorted under warranty. Had to admiit was VERY impressed with it.

I test drove a GP and was so impressed with it I bought a Panda

The thing with the 1.1 is you have to change down and rev it. My 1.1 will go up steep hills in 2nd at about 58mph.

There was a post on here from someone who test drove a 1.1 & 1.2 back to back and the 1.2 was definitely more torquey and needed less gear changing.

 

[trackdayqueen]

It'll be better but it's not that much more powerful and the gearing is still fairly intergalactic.

 

[LeanMeanRacing]

There was a post on here from someone who test drove a 1.1 & 1.2 back to back and the 1.2 was definitely more torquey and needed less gear changing.

Here you go:
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/242446-new-panda-1-1-v-1-2-a.html

 

[Nathan126]

I didn't see the other 1.1 vs 1.2 thread, but although a sei and a panda are two different beasts.. i would recommend the 1.2 anyday. My sei 1.1 mpi would feel like it's really labouring going up hills, so i'd have to change down and rev the tits off it.. sounded nice but kinda embarrassing if i had passengers

My 1.2 (aside from bright blue seats, which i actually like) the car is much better both performance and spec-wise. I can't explain it too well, but there is a hill close to where i live, where in the cento i'd have to build up speed in order to stay in 4th, or change into 3rd to go up and over.. whereas my 1.2 Panda will go up in 5th with no noticeable labouring

 

[306maxi]

1.2 will get better mpg as well because it doesn't need the tits revved off it

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

1.2 will get better mpg as well because it doesn't need the tits revved off it

All depending upon the situation as we've already discussed

 

[doctorchris]

Now that I'm well into middle age, I get no kicks from top speed, blistering acceleration or high G-forces experienced when cornering.
What I really enjoy, in fact I think I always have, is getting the most out of any car that I get to drive. My eldest daughter had a Cinquecento with the 899cc engine and I loved driving this tiny vehicle and, through anticipation and the use of its tiny dimensions, getting the better of much more powerful, better-handling cars.
She now has the Panda 1.1 Active and the same applies when I drive this little car. I really enjoy the experience.
I also enjoy the relative engineering simplicity of this car in an age where many cars are far too complex.
So, I would come out in favour of the simple and economical 1.1 for the pure fun of driving it.

 

[JD82]

I enjoy reving the nuts of my 1.1 once its warmed up. I often get upto 30mph in 2nd gear and it takes what seems like three seconds. It is the quickest car I have had and the least powerful one. If I did 30mph in 2nd on my old 1.2 16v Corsa it would scream and make a noise like camshaft was about to snap where as my Panda purrs.

If you're used to a diesel then the 1.1 will be too much as you do constantly need to change gear. This may wear out the clutch out quicker.

 

[trackdayqueen]

I enjoy reving the nuts of my 1.1 once its warmed up. I often get upto 30mph in 2nd gear and it takes what seems like three seconds. It is the quickest car I have had and the least powerful one. If I did 30mph in 2nd on my old 1.2 16v Corsa it would scream and make a noise like camshaft was about to snap where as my Panda purrs.

If you're used to a diesel then the 1.1 will be too much as you do constantly need to change gear. This may wear out the clutch out quicker.

Changing gear (if you are any good at it) won't really wear the clutch much. It's standing starts and riding the clutch that wears it out. If you think you change gear a lot on the 1.1, try the 100hp.

 

[JD82]

I like changing gear anyway especialy on a nice and smooth box like the Pandas its quite fun Changing gear on my old Corsa however was a dreaded moment. You just moved it to the rough direction and hope it went into the right gear.

 

[sbrown987]

My dad got an '08 plated panda 1.2 as a courtesy car and it was terrible, it was a nice place to sit and stuff, but it had much worse mpg compared to my 1.2 mk1 punto 60s, the acceleration was much worse and it sat at a higher revs in 5th gear at 70mph therfore using more fuel

 

[harry monk]

We have the 1.1, and if you are in on your own, its fine. However if you have a couple of passengers, it struggles a bit. In hind sight the 1.2 with the extra power would have been better for us. We only get about 45 mpg, which I think is only average.

 

[JD82]

Mines currently doing 41mpg but that is all stop start city work. Although it was around 38mpg before the summer (more traffic).

I seem to have got 45 miles on £5 worth of fuel so far.