New member from the UK

[Alex Baker]

Hi all,

I've just agreed to buy a Fiat Panda (Mk4, 2013) 1.2 Lounge, so figured that it's a good idea to join this forum!

Bit of a back story if you don't mind....

I used to own an Abarth 595 Comp - ordered new in 2020 and only owned for just over a year before moving it on. That was my first 'Fiat' ownership experience. Since then - and having been a die hard BMW enthusiast - we've used an old E46 325 as a city runaround car for my partner and our 8 month old son. Quite frankly it's spacious enough, but a 21 year old BMW straight six just isn't suitable for city car purposes! So, the E46 has to go (plus it always needs heavy maintenance) and in comes a Panda as a bit of a city beater.

The Panda is a black '63 plate Lounge with quite a few nice extras, such as climate control which is essential. It's a 49k mile, 2 owner car. The second owner has recommissioned it after it suffered light front end damage and was registered as Cat N - so it represents a half-way house between low mileage and high spec, but with no history and Cat N status. It seems like a great compromise to get cheaper access to one of these cars.

Me being me, I will find things I want to do to it. I'm already eyeing up new rear shock absorbers, drums and shoes just to freshen things up at the rear, especially given that the parts are cheap enough and these jobs are pretty straightforward. My only worry is that the rear brake cylinder bolts look pretty corroded as they've never been off, so that's going to be fun. The rear axle looks pretty good too, with seemingly solid rear spring mounts / cups. The roof rails could do with a repaint as the lacquer and red paint has peeled. The colour match is pretty decent on the repainted bonnet / bumper, so I'll leave as-is, but the front wings have a slight dent in the top edges - so maybe a mobile smart repair could sort those. It's the only hangover from the low speed accident the car had. Otherwise it's current owner has refreshed the cam belt, water pump and all usual major service items.

We're due to pick it up this Thursday, but I've tried to attach a few files from the seller - hope you can see them.

P.S. - I've shaken on £3.3k for the car. These things fetch slightly stronger money than I expected!

 

[steveras57]

Hi all,

I've just agreed to buy a Fiat Panda (Mk4, 2013) 1.2 Lounge, so figured that it's a good idea to join this forum!

Bit of a back story if you don't mind....

I used to own an Abarth 595 Comp - ordered new in 2020 and only owned for just over a year before moving it on. That was my first 'Fiat' ownership experience. Since then - and having been a die hard BMW enthusiast - we've used an old E46 325 as a city runaround car for my partner and our 8 month old son. Quite frankly it's spacious enough, but a 21 year old BMW straight six just isn't suitable for city car purposes! So, the E46 has to go (plus it always needs heavy maintenance) and in comes a Panda as a bit of a city beater.

The Panda is a black '63 plate Lounge with quite a few nice extras, such as climate control which is essential. It's a 49k mile, 2 owner car. The second owner has recommissioned it after it suffered light front end damage and was registered as Cat N - so it represents a half-way house between low mileage and high spec, but with no history and Cat N status. It seems like a great compromise to get cheaper access to one of these cars.

Me being me, I will find things I want to do to it. I'm already eyeing up new rear shock absorbers, drums and shoes just to freshen things up at the rear, especially given that the parts are cheap enough and these jobs are pretty straightforward. My only worry is that the rear brake cylinder bolts look pretty corroded as they've never been off, so that's going to be fun. The rear axle looks pretty good too, with seemingly solid rear spring mounts / cups. The roof rails could do with a repaint as the lacquer and red paint has peeled. The colour match is pretty decent on the repainted bonnet / bumper, so I'll leave as-is, but the front wings have a slight dent in the top edges - so maybe a mobile smart repair could sort those. It's the only hangover from the low speed accident the car had. Otherwise it's current owner has refreshed the cam belt, water pump and all usual major service items.

We're due to pick it up this Thursday, but I've tried to attach a few files from the seller - hope you can see them.

P.S. - I've shaken on £3.3k for the car. These things fetch slightly stronger money than I expected!

Hi and welcome!- one question Why is climate control essential? are the windows broken?

 

[Alex Baker]

Hi and welcome!- one question Why is climate control essential? are the windows broken?

Good question. We have an 8-month old son who my partner is quite adamant about keeping cool on a hot day, which is fair enough really!

 

[steveras57]

Good question. We have an 8-month old son who my partner is quite adamant about keeping cool on a hot day, which is fair enough really!

Cant argue with the boss! and deffo gotta keep the little man comfy