lunchbeers
Established member
So I set up an intro thread last week before taking delivery of my new (to me) Panda 4x4 TA - I'd done quite a bit of research so knew what I wanted, Twinair, in Tuscany Green ideally with the winter pack.
This would my first fiat, but have had Alfas for the last 10 years
So imagine my delight, when a 13 plate (Euro 5... think no DMF?) turned up, in the correct colour, correct interior colour, and with a winter pack with 10k miles - bit more than I wanted to spend, but worthwhile.
Long story short, it turned up last week... and it's pretty much immaculate, it needed a good scrub as think it's largely been through car washes throughout it's life, so after a good in depth clean inside and out, a full claying, paintwork correction and glaze and waxing, here it is.
It's in no means perfect however, It has a bit of kerbing to the front wheels, and has a light scuff to one of the corners - in addition, I am looking to make some modifications, i've never had a 'standard' car and am a bit of a tinkerer.
So far, I've treated it to a set of OEM 4x4 mats and bootliner, the big old aerial has been replaced with the fiat short one, and a set of the sill protectors will be waiting for me when I get home, also my Nextbase dashcam has been fitted.
The mods I'm looking to make are:
That's about it for now, I'm just enjoying the more sedate pace of driving, and most of all, that TA engine noise!
This would my first fiat, but have had Alfas for the last 10 years
So imagine my delight, when a 13 plate (Euro 5... think no DMF?) turned up, in the correct colour, correct interior colour, and with a winter pack with 10k miles - bit more than I wanted to spend, but worthwhile.
Long story short, it turned up last week... and it's pretty much immaculate, it needed a good scrub as think it's largely been through car washes throughout it's life, so after a good in depth clean inside and out, a full claying, paintwork correction and glaze and waxing, here it is.
It's in no means perfect however, It has a bit of kerbing to the front wheels, and has a light scuff to one of the corners - in addition, I am looking to make some modifications, i've never had a 'standard' car and am a bit of a tinkerer.
So far, I've treated it to a set of OEM 4x4 mats and bootliner, the big old aerial has been replaced with the fiat short one, and a set of the sill protectors will be waiting for me when I get home, also my Nextbase dashcam has been fitted.
The mods I'm looking to make are:
- Install the sunglasses holder - my shades are being bashed about for now - parts on order from the dealer - happy to give p/no.s for those wanting to make the mod - may stick up a how-to thread if any interest?
- Retrofit the height-adjustable driver's seat - the driving position isn't that great, nor that customisable - I'm not overly tall, but I have pretty long legs and haven't found a comfortable position yet.
- Fit a suitable cruise control system
- Replace the dated stereo and Blue&me with a touchscreen - likely the Alpine Halo9, I had a double-din in my last car with Android Auto and want it in my new one - will be trying to find a method to get steering wheel controls compatible too - apparently no call for these so connects2 who manufacture these devices haven't even tried to make one or tested any existing products apparently.
- Swap the climate control for automatic climate control - don't know how likely this is... seen a similar thread on it being done in a 500, by changing the control units and some of the manual controls for actuators - if it's going to be a ballache or cost a fortune, then won't be happening.
- Coming from a 280bhp Alfa to a 85bhp Panda is taking a lot of getting used to, I will give the engine some miles to loosen up, (having read up on the 20k threshold) but possibly a future conversion to 105hp may be on the cards - but who knows.
That's about it for now, I'm just enjoying the more sedate pace of driving, and most of all, that TA engine noise!
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