General Panda Abarth?

[AmbitiousButRubbish]

I find myself in need of a cheap runaround, probably petrol, so naturally I'm looking at Pandas
I'd like something in the £35 tax bracket, so either the Twinair (as either a 2wd or 4x4) or the 1.2, or even the previous generation in late 1.2 form (as tempting as the 100hp is, I think it's a bit silly and the ride would probably drive me nuts)
My question is, when I inevitably get bored of having less power than a toothbrush, is it "easy" to fit the 1.4 turbo Abarth engine into these newer Pandas, or is that strictly something that's done to the previous generation?
On a ore sensible note, which of the two generations is most reliable, in 1.2 2wd form?
Thanks!

 

[AB100]

The 100HP turning circle would drive you nuts long before the hard ride. But not that long. Though we did keep ours 6 years.

We have both varieties of 1.2. Personally prefer the later 319 model but it's personal choice.

Don't discount a nice late basic 1.1 model. The lowest powered of them all and for me, probably the most fun to drive.

As for upping power with a new engine, it's been theorized many times on here and may have been done but the electronics prevent it being as simple as sticking a FIAT twincam into a Morris Minor.

 

[AmbitiousButRubbish]

The 100HP turning circle would drive you nuts long before the hard ride. But not that long. Though we did keep ours 6 years.

We have both varieties of 1.2. Personally prefer the later 319 model but it's personal choice.

Don't discount a nice late basic 1.1 model. The lowest powered of them all and for me, probably the most fun to drive.

As for upping power with a new engine, it's been theorized many times on here and may have been done but the electronics prevent it being as simple as sticking a FIAT twincam into a Morris Minor.

How much worse is the turning circle? Its still a small Fiat at the end of the day?
The other big problem with the 100hp is by now all the reasonably priced ones have been thrashed to death by someone who hasn't figured out which way around a baseball cap is supposed to be worn.

What are the less obvious differences between the 169 and 319?

Not going to bother with a 1.1, I don't see the point.

Yes, swapping the engine would be more a case of re-shelling a 500 into a Panda shell, really its a case of the subframes being interchangable and stuff physically fitting under the bonnet and behind the bumper and so on.

 

[A3jeroen]

Turning circle of a 100Hp is 11 meters or so.
Once you are used to it it's fine, but it took me a while to get it into my system.Kept my 100Hp for nearly 8 years though.
Fitting a Tjet in a new Panda will not be straightforward.

gr J

 

[AB100]

What are the less obvious differences between the 169 and 319?

Structurally very little though the 319 seems quieter and more refined. The Euro6 engine in the 319 is less flexible (the earlier 1.2 was better) bur performance wise there's little in it.

Sweet spot for the 319 is Sept16-March17 as the interior got improved and tax was still £35.

Any 'nice' 100hp models left are advertised at bigger money, nor that many Pandas are that cheap these days. You could just get the 2 door Panda (500) and have your pick..........

 

[The Pretender]

How much worse is the turning circle? Its still a small Fiat at the end of the day?
The other big problem with the 100hp is by now all the reasonably priced ones have been thrashed to death by someone who hasn't figured out which way around a baseball cap is supposed to be worn.

What are the less obvious differences between the 169 and 319?

Not going to bother with a 1.1, I don't see the point.

Yes, swapping the engine would be more a case of re-shelling a 500 into a Panda shell, really its a case of the subframes being interchangable and stuff physically fitting under the bonnet and behind the bumper and so on.

The turning circle of a 319 is good with 9.3 meter, either with 1.2 FIRE or the TwinAir.
Upgrading to a Abarth 1.4 T-jet engine you need to use the Abarth gearbox as well, the 1.2 gearbox is limited to 200 Nm.
And this mean you will get a turning circle of 10.6 to 11.0 meter. (depending on wheel/tire size)

And this was my main resentment on the Abarth 595 Turismo I had, I'm much more happy with my 500 Sport 105 hp, and 9.3 meter turn circle.
10.3 to 11.0 meter is just stupidly big for a small car like the 500/Panda same Platform for both.