Panda (Classic) Just browsing.

[4x4wanabe]

Hi as my name suggests I would like to get a classic panda 4x4 one day. We had a family holiday in Tuscany the other year and everyone had one up in the hills. Really fancied one since then. There are a couple in the classifieds and they occasionally come up on eBay but I can't really afford one right now unless someone wanted to trade me for my bora.

Just a couple of questions really.

Would they be reliable as a rarely used second car. It might get used to commute but it's a distance I can cycle. I don't have a garage and wouldn't want it rotting away on me.

Are there any major things to look out for that could be expensive or leave it of the road for a while?

I had more questions before I started typing but I'll leave it there for now. I'll be on here often if I ever get one, probably check the classifieds weekly too.

 

[a1ant]

Hi and WELCOME TO THE FORUM :wave:

I've prefixed your post to the classic Panda section so the guys in there get to see it

They will know all you need to know and more. Have a browse around the section, they're a great bunch!

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-classic/

Alan

 

[Palio]

Hi and welcome :wave:

A classic Panda is actually an excellent choice as a second car. There's nothing to go wrong while it's stood (don't leave the handbrake on though!) as there are no electrical gizmos. Some of mine stand for over 6 months at a time, and I fully expect them to fire after a few secs of turning them over if the battery is good. At the moment there's one which went back into a lockup after the mot in May - I'll take jump leads in case the battery has run down, but apart from that I'm expecting to just get in & drive off.

There's also no reason why they will deteriorate outside, so get a decent one to start with & it should be fine.

You do realise that it probably won't stay as a second car though? Panda's have a habit of making the "main" car largely redundant as you'll prefer driving it. This does then give you an excuse to buy another Panda as a spare, and it's not unknown for the modern expensive "main" car to be sold as a result!

 

[4x4wanabe]

Thanks for moving the topic.

Thank you for the reassurance on the reliability too. I doubt it would replaced the main car though. I have 2 kids (1 a newborn) with a skoda octavia estate and a 460litre roofbox for when we travel away!

The 4x4s seem pretty rare and the prices vary a lot. Is there anything to look for if I go to see one? Any body know about or have any views on the white one in the classifieds for £1400?

 

[Didge3]

Main thing to look for is rust, sills and doors mainly. Obviously check they're in good mechanical order but not much seems to go wrong with them.
The white one you mention looks quite good, my only concern is its recently run out of MOT so you might want to find out if any work would need to be done.

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Welcome to the Forum! Glad to hear you are planning on joining the following - can't go wrong with a classic 4x4, and we'll all try our best to keep you on the right track when buying and using one.

 

[4x4wanabe]

He does say that it will come with 1 years MOT so I think that would be done.
I looked through his old posts and when he first got it he was after a wiper arm and doors. He mentions he has fixed the wiper arm but the drivers door does look a little bubbly at the bottom and there are no photos of the other side.

Still I would have it if a had the cash. One day.

 

[4x4wanabe]

Sorry it was just door panels. Not the whole door.

 

[contractor]

Well there's a coincidence, I've got one for sale, check out the classifieds.
You will not be disappointed.

 

[4x4wanabe]

I wouldn't be disappointed with your car. Looks nice and you have a very extensive spares package. My money would be yours if I had some. Not sure what I would do with all the spares and no garage? You don't need a vw bora do you?

 

[contractor]

My problem is I've got too many cars on the driveway,so am looking to reduce the fleet, not increase it......
Believe me when you get the 4x4 bug you can't stop yourself buying up spares, when they come up for sale,I would think its akin to being a drug addict,the more you have the more you want, and its no time for me to go cold turkey,very difficult but necessary.

 

[Dragon Man]

this is very true^

welcome to the forum there 4x4wannabe. i was much like yourself after a panda 4x4 (only i wanted one back from when i was about 10)
things i can tell you to expect from an older not so looked after 4x4 is rust, CV boots perished and maybe a crunchy 3rd gear. dont worry about the crunchy 3rd, my green panda sisley 4x4 (right on my sig picture) crunches as does my brothers marbella the red car in the middle of my sig picture. i think it is just a thing with italian design gearboxes.
not sure about the grey 4x4.. that is in a bit of a state but one i should hopefully be sorting out in the summer months.

when you do get a panda i really recommend doing some rust protection on it via cavity wax and maybe a little underseal in the places where its cracked / prone to rusting.

these panda's are fantastic little cars. i really love mine. and when you take it off road or hell, get some snow you will be loving it.
these things can go where only the more larger 4x4's dream to go haha

hope you find a 4x4 soon.

good hunting!

oh and, pandas do have a habit of breeding..

 

[VmanC]

Hi 4x4wanabe, welcome to the Forum

I can only repeat what has been said. BODYWORK IS KEY!!!

Rust in structural areas is either expensive to repair if you need to pay someone or requires a high level of skill and time if you go the diy route. In comparison mechanical issues are far cheaper and straightforward. If you have the skills to repair the bodywork then fine there is no need to discount any Panda but it sounds like you're looking for a roadworthy example that you can enjoy without too much maintainance.

Gearboxes and petrol tanks are worth checking, the petrol tank and it's filler neck because parts are difficult to source, the gearbox because it's relatively expensive if you need a rebuild. Third gear syncro and slightly noisy bearings aren't too serious as these can start to go a couple of years before they actually fail. Gearchange linkage can also wear badly, sometimes a few new bushes will sort it but there is a component on the gearbox that should be replaced as one unit and is no longer available, it can be taken apart and repaired in a diy fashon though.

Interior trim can be difficult if you have a rare trim option as finding good condition replacements is not always easy.

Pretty much everything else is obtainable and easily replaced so it all comes down to price if you find issues.

Good luck with your search when you have the funds.