General Pandas - how long will they last?

[JTD_Liam]

Id imagine the main fault/breakdown that would cause people to consider scrapping a Panda is the same that affects the Mk2 Punto - Power Steering motor failure.

At the moment most Pandas either seem young enough or with low enough mileage to get a contribution to the high repair cost from Fiat. However as time goes on, Fiat will stop contributing to the older/higher mileage examples and because the cars value will be dropping at the same time, people will decide it's not worth spending £700 to repair a car worth £1500, for example. Not that Pandas are that cheap yet, but just as an example.

They may suffer from abit of scabby surface rust on the underside or exposed parts, but even with economical build, i don't see the Panda suffering from major corrosion issues.

Alot of the other issues with Pandas arn't really expensive enough to fix to warrant scrapping, so it'll probably be just the usual case of people giving up on them for something newer, like is the case with many scrapped cars today.

 

[KozmoNaut]

In regards to rust, be aware that crud tends to collect on the little "shelves" in front of the rear wheels. Probably not that serious, but it could be an issue later on, I'd wager.

 

[ycming]

Depends how you are asking this question.

If you are talking about mechanically, then the engine is a proven block and it will last you forever with the correct maintenance. And fiat shell have been good to me tbh. As for eletrics, pretty much same as all cars, i don't see why Fiat is worst than any other car.

If you talking about worthy of repairing in the likes of 10 years to a normal person, then it probably won't. This is just the product life cycle. The cinquecento has experienced this, only the car enthusiast are likly to have them. And the one that has them will die by them! Am sure something similar will happen to the panda.

Loads of new sales / Low resale value => loads scrapped / Low number on the road/ prices rises slightly / classic.

Ming

 

[doctorchris]

The concept of cars as disposable consumer goods goes completely against the grain for me. They are still expensive items and the idea of throwing them away after 10 years seems wasteful. What is especially difficult to swallow is that the car-killer of my younger days, corrosion, has now been greatly reduced and perfectly good bodyshells are crushed because the bits attached to them have failed.
Blimey, I even have a problem with scrapping an old kettle or toaster and wish you could still get parts for these. Our neighbour borrowed our ancient electric lawnmower the other day and tried to cut what they call a lawn, actually a weed-infested jungle. The lawnmower broke. I'm sure many would have scrapped it and bought a new one but I stripped it apart and had it as good as new. The only part needed was a split pin, borrowed for nothing from my mate. I wish this approach still prevailed.

 

[trackdayqueen]

Depends how you are asking this question.

If you are talking about mechanically, then the engine is a proven block and it will last you forever with the correct maintenance. And fiat shell have been good to me tbh. As for eletrics, pretty much same as all cars, i don't see why Fiat is worst than any other car.

If you talking about worthy of repairing in the likes of 10 years to a normal person, then it probably won't. This is just the product life cycle. The cinquecento has experienced this, only the car enthusiast are likly to have them. And the one that has them will die by them! Am sure something similar will happen to the panda.

Loads of new sales / Low resale value => loads scrapped / Low number on the road/ prices rises slightly / classic.

Ming

Yes, I'm saying that due to their low inherent worth to start with (ie being a cheap car) that by the time they are ten years old they won't be worth much which will inevitably cause their demise. I'm not convinced your average panda is really going to qualify as an enthusiasts car in the broadest sense.

 

[JD82]

I've not deicded how to proceed with this car yet. I passed my test in October 2008, and I have now owned five cars (since Jan 2007). The longest I've ever owned a car is 11 months and that was because the head gasket went. I would still have it now if it wasn't for that.

However I have a feeling I will do two things with the Panda:-

1) Get so bored of it I will change for the sake of it early
2) Keep it for about 10 years until it dies or its invovled in an accident.

As it is my first ever brand new car I will always have a bit of attachment to do it.

 

[Ulpian]

You see just as many old Fiats on the road as old anything else; more in fact, relative to their percentage of the market.

This suggests to me that they are pretty reliable cars by and large, and certainly no worse than anything else. Given that they tend to cost less initially, they are a bargain.

 

[greyridertoo]

Heh, this is my first brand new car too. I'm so disillusioned with it that it's either going soon or later in the year once it's had the first MOT and last service. OK to drive and fairly economical, but I don't trust it's reliability any more. Reading down through the forum and the catalogue of parts failures already in low mileage vehicles, I wouldn't think there'd be that many of these around in 10 years time. Personally I won't be hanging on once the third year warranty has expired, far too risky on the pocket - although I might buy another new one

 

[LeanMeanRacing]

Reading down through the forum and the catalogue of parts failures already in low mileage vehicles...

To be fair, I would expect to read the same/similar on any mainstream manufacturers' forum. There are thousands of Fiat/Panda owners out there who are blissfully happy because they don't use internet forums and are unaware that a small percentage have experienced an element of unreliability.

 

[LeanMeanRacing]

The concept of cars as disposable consumer goods goes completely against the grain for me...... I wish this approach still prevailed.

I can remember my Dad repairing everything when I was a kid - my parent's first washing machine lasted about 20 years because [1] he had the skill to fix it, and [2] they were unable to afford a new one. The Hoover Junior vacuum cleaner was a classic by the time they replaced it!

As far as general consumer goods goes [excluding cars], the prices have fallen to such an extent that it has bred a disposable culture.

 

[Geddes]

Having owned at various times a thirteen year old Lada, a twenty year old Allegro and an eighteen year old Marina it's safe to deduce that:

1. Worthless cars can last a long time.
2. I have no shame.

 

[LeanMeanRacing]

That's too honest of you!

 

[306maxi]

Having owned at various times a thirteen year old Lada, a twenty year old Allegro and an eighteen year old Marina it's safe to deduce that:

1. Worthless cars can last a long time.
2. I have no shame.

I think you should see a mental professional. That is a truly rubbish list of cars to have owned!!!!!!

 

[greyridertoo]

........a small percentage have experienced an element of unreliability.

 

[306maxi]

1) Get so bored of it I will change for the sake of it early

Why buy a car that you're going to get bored of? It's like marrying someone knowing full well that you're going to want to divorce them.

 

[JD82]

Why buy a car that you're going to get bored of? It's like marrying someone knowing full well that you're going to want to divorce them.

Because the sort of car I won't get bored of is the same sort of car which requires weekly garage visits. In fact when buying the Panda I didn't buy a car, I bought a piece of transport which is designed to get me from A to B.

 

[306maxi]

Because the sort of car I won't get bored of is the same sort of car which requires weekly garage visits. In fact when buying the Panda I didn't buy a car, I bought a piece of transport which is designed to get me from A to B.

That's a complete myth. The sort of car that requires weekly garage visits is a British car from the 70's and who aside from Geddes is silly enough to buy one of them?

My family has owned lots of old cars and none of them have ever been problematic as long as they've been treated sympathetically and maintained properly.

 

[JD82]

But in my case they all have. I can't even buy a Fiesta without the floor falling out, a Corsa without the head gasket blowing up, or a Lada without my mates taking the mick!

 

[306maxi]

But in my case they all have. I can't even buy a Fiesta without the floor falling out, a Corsa without the head gasket blowing up, or a Lada without my mates taking the mick!

You're always going to get the odd car which has mechanical problems that aren't obvious. My 406 which I scrappaged for my 500 was an absolute dog. The electrics were flakey, the interior was alright but grubby and the engine blew a HG twice for me But I was just a complete moron to buy that car, I'd never driven another one, I didn't check it out as much as I should have and I took a used car salesman's word

But if you buy carefully or select a car that's well known for reliability you should be fine.

 

[trackdayqueen]

Having owned at various times a thirteen year old Lada, a twenty year old Allegro and an eighteen year old Marina it's safe to deduce that:

1. Worthless cars can last a long time.
2. I have no shame.

That really is a list of rubbish cars to own. I'm surprised you admitted it in all honesty!

An Allegro? Really?

A Marina is on the same level, both utterly atrocious cars. Anyway I guess at least you don't own them anymore.