Panda Just bought my first Fiat and thought I'd join the forum

[TJ37]

Hello All.

I have lurked here in the past but not owning a Fiat I did sign up however I have just purchased a 55 plate Fiat Panda 4x4 petrol. 67K FSH and the odd strange noise but I think it's OK

It has a few niggles but I knew about most of them. I will be looking for some switch gear for the little thing.

Just calculated my first mpg on a mixed run of motorway and lanes as 43mpg. I drive most of the time with an eye on the mpg gauge some people think this is strange but it keeps me entertained.

Regards TJ

 

[AB100]

Welcome.

A few folks on here have the 4x4 and with the snow it's a hot topic.

43mpg seems pretty reasonable, and 306maxi on here has hit 40+ average. I'd be happy with 35mpg wiht one.

How are you finding the performance?

 

[306maxi]

just out of curiosity what did it cost you?

 

[TJ37]

Hi All

Performance, well I'm still searching. My bench marks are: a Doblo1.3MJ (58 plate), 1.4 petrol Fiesta (52 plate) and a 1.9TD T4 camper (Y plate)

The camper is SLOW more so when loaded for two weeks away I guess the Doblo was quicker and more economic and the Fiesta is almost sporting by comparison. The Fiesta does handle, mpg is about momentum so least amount of brakes or throttle!

I'm using the gears more than I do with the others and I have found some "hills" that didn't no were there! In reality the 0 - 60 time is a bit of an issue on the short slip roads on dual carriageways same as the camper but other than that it gets to 40 reasonably well so most other roads are OK and motorways have longer slip roads.

So far I have noticed that the suspension is much harder than I anticipated and that the car tramlines on imperfections in the road. Also the nearside mirror is bloody useless.

I would have like a Cross, the 1.3 MJ engine is a peach but the prices just don't add up. Plus diesels have become so complex that what you gain in mpg you lose when the thing goes pop.

Ah, what did I pay? Sounds like the kind of forthright question I might ask, £2900. Was that the right price? Well it isn't faultless but it was pretty honestly described and has a FSH with money spent on it. It is the Red one on Autotrader. I need the dials for the centre consul the volume button for the radio and the screw/bolt that holds the trim to the underside of the steering column, I reckon these are common to the 2 wheel drive version and that there must be a few in breakers yards. Everything functions to some degree as is so I can rectify at my leisure.

Oh no locking fuel cap which might be alright in Italy where everyone is as honest as the day is long but here in Blighty!

One concern I do have is the space saver spare which is something like 135/80 R14 compared to the running tyres which are 185/65 R14 how well do the rolling diameters match? (I see people using space saver spares on all sorts of cars and don't think sticking the space saver on the front wheels is too clever I'd rather get swap a back tyre to the front and put the space saver on the rear) But with a 4x4 system as full size spare is on my shopping list.

Regards TJ

 

[306maxi]

Hi All

Performance, well I'm still searching. My bench marks are: a Doblo1.3MJ (58 plate), 1.4 petrol Fiesta (52 plate) and a 1.9TD T4 camper (Y plate)

The camper is SLOW more so when loaded for two weeks away I guess the Doblo was quicker and more economic and the Fiesta is almost sporting by comparison. The Fiesta does handle, mpg is about momentum so least amount of brakes or throttle!

I'm using the gears more than I do with the others and I have found some "hills" that didn't no were there! In reality the 0 - 60 time is a bit of an issue on the short slip roads on dual carriageways same as the camper but other than that it gets to 40 reasonably well so most other roads are OK and motorways have longer slip roads.

So far I have noticed that the suspension is much harder than I anticipated and that the car tramlines on imperfections in the road. Also the nearside mirror is bloody useless.

I would have like a Cross, the 1.3 MJ engine is a peach but the prices just don't add up. Plus diesels have become so complex that what you gain in mpg you lose when the thing goes pop.

Ah, what did I pay? Sounds like the kind of forthright question I might ask, £2900. Was that the right price? Well it isn't faultless but it was pretty honestly described and has a FSH with money spent on it. It is the Red one on Autotrader. I need the dials for the centre consul the volume button for the radio and the screw/bolt that holds the trim to the underside of the steering column, I reckon these are common to the 2 wheel drive version and that there must be a few in breakers yards. Everything functions to some degree as is so I can rectify at my leisure.

Oh no locking fuel cap which might be alright in Italy where everyone is as honest as the day is long but here in Blighty!

One concern I do have is the space saver spare which is something like 135/80 R14 compared to the running tyres which are 185/65 R14 how well do the rolling diameters match? (I see people using space saver spares on all sorts of cars and don't think sticking the space saver on the front wheels is too clever I'd rather get swap a back tyre to the front and put the space saver on the rear) But with a 4x4 system as full size spare is on my shopping list.

Regards TJ

Sounds like a good price

 

[hollis]

Hi

Welcome and yes it does seem a good price. Mine is on a 06 plate with 82,000 miles and I have just been offered £3,295 for it but I will not be selling it.

Great little car go almost anywhere car. The above price would just about have paid me back for what I have spent on it. Bought it mid November and I have had a full service and winter tryes put on it together with a years road tax.

They are quite difficult to find and I had to go some 550 miles to collect it. My family said I was mad.

Derek

 

[AB100]

It does seem an honest price, especially for this time of the year. Some dealers are asking double that. You're unlikely to see it bomb in value anyway.

Good, honest assessment - in many ways I prefer the idea of the 1.2 versus the diesel, but realise the diesel has the better performance/economy. I shoudl drive one really - and since I live close the ICOP4 (International Centre for overpriced Panda 4x4s - a.k.a Woodleigh) it'd be easy enough.

The new 4x4 Twinair is the best option, but it's less attractive inside and out and it's hard to want to pay £15k for a car.

 

[crossman]

Hi all, just ordererd a new 4x4 MJ as the salesman advised against the twin air, he said they can be thirsty, but as not driven or heard one can't really comment from experience. I do prefer diesels anyway so wouldn't have gone for the petrol version. The price for the 05 4x4 seems a good buy especially this time of year.

 

[AB100]

Hi all, just ordererd a new 4x4 MJ as the salesman advised against the twin air, he said they can be thirsty, but as not driven or heard one can't really comment from experience. I do prefer diesels anyway so wouldn't have gone for the petrol version. The price for the 05 4x4 seems a good buy especially this time of year.

Yeah - the diesel will always be the more economical option I guess.

There are two types of people that buy the Twinair:

1. Those that believe the salesman and published figures

2. Those who think - "Hello? it's an 875cc turbo-twin. Why would you not?"

The advantage of the new model for me personally is mainly down to:

1. The Twinair
2. The heated screen
3. Orange

Sadly I have a serious affliction that prevents me spending money without first procrastinating for months/years.

 

[crossman]

Absolutely right, and good money strategy there

 

[TJ37]

A twin air strikes me as most of the disadvantages of a diesel (turbo/complexity) with none of the advantages (may with a be a bit more mid range torque. I also read that in the 500 the actual fuel consumption was considerably more than the "official" figure and I can't imagine driving two extra wheels improves things.

Heated windscreen might save you 5 minutes in the AM but you suffer 2-3 hours commute each day with a screen that looks like a kaleidoscope. Not a desirable option - My GF's Fiesta has a heated windscreen I found it a pain when I used her car.

I did about 260 miles in the Panda today and had to refuel before turning around which was a bit discouraging. It could be a pricier on fuel because I can't always fill up at the cheaper filling stations when I am out and about. I calculated 39.97mpg out including mooching about in very minor Devon lanes and while I haven't refuelled it yet the computer reckons I did 46mpg home - even if I use the garage receipt I'm still using the car mileometer but will calculate the figure when I refuel.

Regards TJ

 

[306maxi]

my first long drive in my 4x4 yielded the same result, a wildly optimistic trip computer. I think it said about 48mpg yet was really about 35mpg iirc

 

[trevorwat]

05 petrol 4x4 - I reckoned on getting 38mpg if I drove 'normally' but could get 40 mpg if I kept the speed below 60mph - then I had an lpg conversion and now get the £ for £ equivalent of 53mpg

 

[AB100]

A twin air strikes me as most of the disadvantages of a diesel (turbo/complexity) with none of the advantages (may with a be a bit more mid range torque.

Heated windscreen might save you 5 minutes in the AM but you suffer 2-3 hours commute each day with a screen that looks like a kaleidoscope. Not a desirable option - My GF's Fiesta has a heated windscreen I found it a pain when I used her car.

Are you deaf? It's an 875cc 8 valve twin! I mean, what's not to like!

We all know the Twinair is a drinker when driven properly - just as my old Uno Turbo was years ago. Fuel economy isn't a concern for me though as I drive less than 5k a year.

The last time I drove a heated screen was in 1991 (Ford Grandad) so I may not recall the 'effect' - though I do remember seeing the heating elements......but my commute is 15 feet, so no biggie. Good to know though.

The main thing I dislike is spening money though, so I'll probably avoid buying one anyway - and by March can rejoice in the occasional run in the 100hp. My then, the mk3 4x4 should have slumped a bit too!

 

[TJ37]

Are you deaf? It's an 875cc 8 valve twin! I mean, what's not to like!

Seriously paying for a new turbo I do wonder if there is loads of space in the engine bay to work on the thing and if it is very light and easy to work on say if you needed a clutch or such like. If it was going to be a turbo it would be a turbodiesel! Yes I would like a Cross but it was way out of my price range.

And there ain't no substitute for cubes, all 1242 of them!

I've never been much of a fan of twins even in motorbikes well except Ducatis and Aprilias and I suppose the 2CV. But the 2CV was a very special car! Pretty much the minimum necessary to travel locally in rural France and very utilitarian.

The modern triples in things like the Suzuki Alto are I think a less complex solution that promises better longevity.