Panda panda on order, I'm so excited!

[mad saint uden]

ok so I am awaiting collection of a 1.1 active eco 2010.

I am very excited but will be pleased to be free of my dealer who is pants. We used them for my partners car 14m ago & they were great but all the staff have changed & it is very different.

I will be browsing to find out such gems as 'will my car have the advertised 12v socket or not' (and if so is it behind the little grille thing in the middle of the centre console) 'is it ok to call my panda Robin' (I hope so as I was rather fond of Duncan the daewoo) and 'will it look daft covered in stickers for advertising?'...I'm pretty sure there will be some technical stuff too but that might have to wait for it to arrive...

What has arrived is my Haynes Manual...I can definatly do the one spanner tasks of washing and hoovering the car, the two spanner tasks vary between looking doable & looking like something from the krypton factor....and I'm most definatly not three spanners.

Hi all

ps Mad Saint Uden is an anagram...not sure what prize the winner gets lol.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi and welcome,
so is a 2010 panda still covered by warranty??,
Charlie

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Hi and welcome,
so is a 2010 panda still covered by warranty??,
Charlie

Only just, unless its an extended or sales warranty.

 

[mad saint uden]

so is a 2010 panda still covered by warranty??,
Charlie

Yes - just, it runs out in july & I also have a one year extended that I have purchased from the dealer...

your question makes me question if i need to be 'googling' know issues that might need to be taken to fiat for sooner rather than later (although I have found no recalls for it)

 

[Wee Smurf]

ps Mad Saint Uden is an anagram...not sure what prize the winner gets lol.

I'll guess Austin Madden...

 

[mad saint uden]

I'll guess Austin Madden...

Guess again!

(but I'm loving Mad Austin Den)

 

[Goudrons]

I'm surprised, is there anything above "two spanners" for one of these?
They sure are dumbing down the Haynes these days then.

So far I've serviced ours, changed the front pads and replaced a dodgy rear shock. Neither of these jobs have required much in the way of tools, thought, time or effort, least of all skill.

The 1.1 is a peach of an engine, simple and well proven.
Comes packed with a heady 54 bhp that doesn't mind being rung to get the best out of it.
You don't need a rev counter, just change up a gear when the valves bounce.

I think the Active is the best out of the bunch until they spoilt it a little by painting the grill and bumpers, a true, no frills, everyday town run around.
If you think it's sparten, there is a model under this with less, the Actual, but it didn't make it to these shores, unfortunately.

Looking at it you know your aren't getting a (too) cute car or a fashion statement and having to pay for that, or a cheap car made expensive with needless extras.
Though I do think the one extra they need are the "love handles" on the roof.

BTW, I don't think you'll find your fag lighter behind that grill in the middle of the dash.
If it has one (Big IF), it'll be on the floor, forward of the handbrake.

 

[Goudrons]

Mad Saint Uden
A Named Nudist
Satan Undid Me
Aided Man Nuts
Made Anus Dint??

 

[mad saint uden]

I wanted to be Nude Mad Saint but many websites don't let it work due to being rude! I thought it could make for a great avatar....

Thanks for the tips. I wasn't expecting a 12v tbh but keep seeing things about them turning up so thought I might be lucky...I used to have a perodua nippa (really going up in the world now!!) so have a jump start battery thingie so for my 3 times a year 200m round trip I can pop that in the car just in case the sat nav battery runs out.

It's a funny thing...I love flat packs, can build a computer, but cars?! they come under 'must do better'.

 

[Goudrons]

There are a couple of excellent guides to fitting a power socket.

This one if you have the loom and fuse in place
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/284588-installing-12v-power-socket-fiat-panda.html

This one if you haven't and need to go direct to battery
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/223881-fiat-panda-active-eco-12v-power-point-aux-socket.html

I don't think you'll have much trouble with the car if you keep on top of a few things.
Service items are really simple.

 

[mad saint uden]

Yes thank you - I found the first guide, but not the second...I will look to see if I have the fuse as that would be a bonus.

Mr MSU usually does our servicing but had suggested a service plan due to the panda having a cam belt. BUt then some googling suggested single cam & a sub £200 replacement cost - coupled with the car so far having done less than 9000k miles at nearly 3 years old we guess we can just save up.

Was suppossed to pick him up yesterday but the sales advisor had the day off, then today but she said although they had promised 12m mot it hadn't been done so she is doing it today so I may have to wait until tomorrow to pick him up....ARGGGGHHHHHH>

 

[Goudrons]

Don't worry, yes it has a cam belt, it's got what is considered a "non interference" engine.

This means if the belt breaks and the valves drop open untimed, they will not hit the pistons at the top of their stroke, unlike some other engines that tend to smash the pistons into the dropped valves and cause an expensive mess.

Which means to me, sod the cam belt change!

 

[Goudrons]

I've just seen your location.
It is Ancaster that are feckin you around?

 

[mad saint uden]

no, bristol street motors...who to be fair were excellent when my partner got his car from them. but the staff have changed (!) and I think I have the new girl who a)knows nothing & keeps running back to the boss b)is a bit rubbish at the bits she does know c)think she got the job as she is of Jordan proportions.

Not sure I will completely ignore the cambelt change, just string it out a bit lol

 

[mad saint uden]

btw this is my car

 

[Goudrons]

Get a couple of tasteful seat covers for the front seats.
You can get strap on, padded covers that look ok.

There is a bar in the back of the seat that tends to wear through.
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/314479-drivers-seat.html

I think this happens if you have, err, a large bum!

 

[mad saint uden]

it's here!!!!!!!!!!!

omg. Lovely...

and bizarly has a 12v socket (untested). so shiney...kept putting my hand in the wrong place to change gear!!!!

 

[joshhodgson]

Sounds good! I've got a '10 plate Active Eco, too! It's got good features, like the follow-me-home headlights, and things like the rear windscreen wiper which comes on full blast when you put it in reverse, and the fact that you can still operate windows after you've taken the key out (but before you open the door).

Make sure you don't lock the key in the boot, though. I swear I'll do that one of these days!

What colour is yours? Mine is white!

 

[joshhodgson]

Just noticed your sig. Red sounds good!

All active eco's have working 12v sockets!

 

[mad saint uden]

thanks - I'm very excited lol.

Our other car is blue so we need a white one to make a set!

Now all I need to do is drive the thing!