General Greatest Panda Pleasure

[pandafan]

Yesterday, Sandra and I went out for a run in Freak. We followed a road out of Ilkley which gradually petered out. Eventually we reached raised concrete kerbstones accross the road with a big sign that read 'Unsuitable for motor vehicles'. There were lots of touristy cars parked there, just before the roadblock.
I can't describe the pleasure we got from their facial expressions as we drove between their expensive, static, tin; banged the sump-guard over the kerb and scraped the underbody onto the old moor road.

Absolute Joy

Within reason, what's the most fun you have in your Pandas ?

 

[Alan.D]

Anything off road is a Joy in the panda

 

[Sprox]

Conquering - much to the surprise of the hillwalkers!!!!!!
Ignoring Speed bumps (sorry Alan!)

 

[FuzzyPanda]

There are two particular driving moments I get a massive kick out of behind the wheel of my Panda. First is when thumping down empty, narrow backroads, tucking the nose in and riding through the bend with a bit of growl. The Welsh roads I explored recently (before alternator failure and subsequent repair) were superb, as were those going to and from Alton Towers. Shame there were 4 people in the car at the time otherwise iI could have had even more fun. And as I will no doubt have mentioned before, driving the roads from Crainlarich to Oban, onto the Isle of Mull for a few days then back again. A real treat after the often torturous M6 journey up North.

Then there's the snow. I've not tackled any with my alloys with dying tread, but the previous two big snowy days were spent exploring with near-fresh rubber on. Enough grip when you really need it but still not so nobbly you can't have any fun. Provoking the rear with the handbrake soon works up a smile, as does smoothly drifting around a bend by not weighing up the front too much before entry.

Chances are there are many cars better equipped to do the above tasks, but none will ever be my first car, and therein nowhere near as cheap to run and such a surprise when it puts a smile on your face.

God I love my car.

 

[JimMagill]

Within reason, what's the most fun you have in your Pandas ?

I'll get back to you in 6 weeks when me and Sylvia return

Jim

 

[Sprox]

Sorry - that should have read -'Conquering Black Mountain'

 

[Steven]

Pandafan, that sounds like a hoot. I can just imagine the fat Americans watching in astonishment as the smallest car they have ever seen trundles up the side of a mountain!

 

[panda valdisere]

I think my most memomorable Panda moment was on christmas day, i think it was 1994, in the snow in dalby forest near scarborough,where in my first 1000cc panda 4X4 reg D117NWW ,I proceded to climb an insane gradient which everyone was using as a giant ski slope,the look on peoples faces as my little 4X4 managed its way up to the top of the slope where i got a round of applause!!!priceless moment!!

I have to add the route i took up the slope was in no way dangerous to people enjoying the slope.

i actually love the fact that the average person has not a clue how fun this little car is and its capabilities. and thats why 10years on i bought another one.

 

[FuzzyPanda]

i actually love the fact that the average person has not a clue how fun this little car is and its capabilities. and thats why 10years on i bought another one.

So true. I was even guilty of some negative preconceptions before driving one. I expected a dog-slow, unrefined, pretty rough motor (mine was, after all, left lurking around the back of a car dealership as an errands car) but after a test drive which was supposed to take just 10 minutes I took over half an hour. It really was love at first drive. The Micras and AXs I'd driven previously all disappointed and the Panda not only met them price-wise but was also significantly newer.

Factor into this the very lively throttle response (the first few minutes with the car and pulling off slowly was difficult!), airy cabin, and the fact they're just heaps of fun to drive and I was sold. I remember telling my brother that if I got a Panda I wouldn't drive it hard for fear of it rolling over.

The best thing has to be the reliability though (sorry to start singing its praises) as I've had my car for getting on for two years and only the *touch wood* alternator, battery and back box have died on me. All parts expected to die at some point anyway.

I have to say, though, that the ownership experience wouldn't have been anywhere near what it has been without this forum. I think you're the most generous bunch of people I've ever met and I really am grateful.

I'll stop now. So... Fun in Pandas...

 

[pandafan]

So true. I was even guilty of some negative preconceptions before driving one. I expected a dog-slow, unrefined, pretty rough motor (mine was, after all, left lurking around the back of a car dealership as an errands car) but after a test drive which was supposed to take just 10 minutes I took over half an hour. It really was love at first drive. The Micras and AXs I'd driven previously all disappointed and the Panda not only met them price was but was also significantly newer.

Factor into this the very lively throttle response (the first few minutes with the car and pulling off slowly was difficult!), airy cabin, and the fact they're just heaps of fun to drive and I was sold. I remember telling my brother that if I got a Panda I wouldn't drive it hard for fear of it rolling over.

The best thing has to be the reliability though (sorry to start singing its praises) as I've had my car for getting on for two years and only the *touch wood* alternator, battery and back box have died on me. All parts expected to die at some point anyway.

I have to say, though, that the ownership experience wouldn't have been anywhere near what it has been without this forum. I think you're the most generous bunch of people I've ever met and I really am grateful.

I'll stop now. So... Fun in Pandas...

WE LOVE YOU.

 

[Alan.D]