Go for it! I always had a soft spot for Pandas, so I understand... What do your heart say really? That is the most important thing...
General Just had a test drive in a 500 Abarth...I want one !
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General Just had a test drive in a 500 Abarth...I want one !
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Nearly bought a Panda 100hp when I was looking at 500's, but I prefer the looks of the 500, and to be honest I rerely get the chance to tear arse around anymore.
How can you do that? 500 is like an old friend and you're trading it in for a younger model.
OP
OP
Pheonix 500
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One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that although we all pretty much agree the Abarth is overpriced, I'd be paying for the exclusivity aswell.
I mean down in sunny Plymouth since I've had mine from 01/03/08, I can honestly say I've seen no more than 5 different 500's on the road.
I've always liked cars just a little bit different and not just powermonsters, like scoobies, evo's etc
I love my 1.2 500, but just want more power, lets face it, it doesn't look that different, essentially its the same shell..either way I'm off to place my order for an Abarth at the weekend..can't think of any other car on the market today that will give me the same overall pleasure....bring it on
I mean down in sunny Plymouth since I've had mine from 01/03/08, I can honestly say I've seen no more than 5 different 500's on the road.
I've always liked cars just a little bit different and not just powermonsters, like scoobies, evo's etc
I love my 1.2 500, but just want more power, lets face it, it doesn't look that different, essentially its the same shell..either way I'm off to place my order for an Abarth at the weekend..can't think of any other car on the market today that will give me the same overall pleasure....bring it on
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Lloyd, the 100HP is a superb car and Im sure youd love it, however the ride is very hard even compared to the 1.4 500, so try one first. Perrys will take PX as they are normal dealers, even Fiat supersaver take PX now but wii give you very little. Try your own dealer first, Pandas can be had with huge discounts now and they might match Perrys or Supasaver.
found a nice white 2 year 24k mile Panda 100HP in the classifieds the other day for £5795, i was quite tempted
comparing the Panda 100HP against 500 1.4 I would give the panda 9 out if 10 and 500 7 out of 10 as a drivers car
comparing the Panda 100HP against 500 1.4 I would give the panda 9 out if 10 and 500 7 out of 10 as a drivers car
Also, the 100HP looks amazing in white whereas the 500 looks, well... white
I very nearly got a 100HP recently, but I couldnt stomach the ride everyday on UK roads.
I very nearly got a 100HP recently, but I couldnt stomach the ride everyday on UK roads.
There isn't a Perrys anywhere near me, so that's out of the window. My best bet would be to see what kind of discount I could get from my garage. I might go and test drive one anyway even if I don't buy one.
My reasoning behind owning a 500 is three-fold really.
1. Economy - It's nice & cheap to run
2. Looks - I love the look of it
3. Happy!!!! - When I drove a 500 for the first time it made me smile. The Panda 100, whilst fun, just didn't make me smile!!!!!!
1. Economy - It's nice & cheap to run
2. Looks - I love the look of it
3. Happy!!!! - When I drove a 500 for the first time it made me smile. The Panda 100, whilst fun, just didn't make me smile!!!!!!
lloyd i would say go for it with the 100hp. there is nothing anywhere near it in terms of value for money now. i mean, getting a new one for under £8k??!! fantastic.
i enjoyed my test drive in one, wasnt quite quick enough for me at the time - and i was still a little too much in love with my seicento schumacher(!) - but everything else i loved - build quality, controls etc
dont worry so much about the ride - yea, its hard but not a deal breaker by any means. my sei bumps and bangs around if you're not careful but its fine, and the panda is not as hard as that
ok so the abarth 500 is quicker and more attractive - and if you have cash to burn then great - but for £14k+ compared to the 100hp price?? for value and fun per pound go for the panda.
i enjoyed my test drive in one, wasnt quite quick enough for me at the time - and i was still a little too much in love with my seicento schumacher(!) - but everything else i loved - build quality, controls etc
dont worry so much about the ride - yea, its hard but not a deal breaker by any means. my sei bumps and bangs around if you're not careful but its fine, and the panda is not as hard as that
ok so the abarth 500 is quicker and more attractive - and if you have cash to burn then great - but for £14k+ compared to the 100hp price?? for value and fun per pound go for the panda.
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You hit the nail on the head there, 7.5k is amazing vlaue and Lloyd, there is a Perrys in Aylesbury. Thats not that far for a deal
Well, looks like the Panda idea is out the window, I did a few comparisons between insurance companies and the cheapest quote I got for a Panda was still £100 more than my 500. So, for now, I'm going to have to stick with the 500.
forevertom
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How can it not?I think I smile every day in mine!!
Still want a 500 Abarth though...
That's not a bad thing Lloyd, the 500 is in my opinion a far nicer car.
I smile every time I look at, let alone drive mine.
And how many Panda drivers get a big
from Ferrari drivers on the M4 in the morning commute????
Dear god, just looked at the Panda interior!!!!
There is no way I could live with that after the 500 I'm sorry to say, it's just not "special". I know it's all superficial styling ********, but I'm shallow as a teaspoon & the interior is what I see when I drive the car.
There is no way I could live with that after the 500 I'm sorry to say, it's just not "special". I know it's all superficial styling ********, but I'm shallow as a teaspoon & the interior is what I see when I drive the car.
I test drove the 100HP before buying my 500 and although it was a great looking car and great fun, the 500 just had something special about it, the Panda felt a bit pokey inside against the 500 with the quite roomy cabin and sexy styling. Can't wait to get my Abarth 500 now!!
Funny, I actually thought the Panda felt roomier, the 500 felt more snug if that makes more sense. Of course the 500 interior is nicer but remember the big price differential
I'm not as superficial as Mark and couldn't be bothered what a Ferrari owner thinks so it'd be Panda all the way though I can certainly understand what makes people go for the 500 for sure.
I felt the opposite in my panda 4x4, it seemed really narrow and my 500 seems to have more elbow room and doesn't feel cramped. Its also very light with the glass roof, the panda was a little dull.
The Panda interior is special too, its very different from the norm. IMO I think they spoilt them when they went from the light grey plastics to the current dark shade though.
Its a shame they dont do the "ordinary" Pandas with a decent engine though, the 1.2 is lesser powered than the 500s and feels breathless, and the 1.3 make the Panda understeer madly.
Its a shame they dont do the "ordinary" Pandas with a decent engine though, the 1.2 is lesser powered than the 500s and feels breathless, and the 1.3 make the Panda understeer madly.
Funnily enough I prefer the dark plastic
Diesels in small cars just don't make sense, the extra weight hampers economy and you can feel the extra weight at the front.- Status
