General Should I upgrade my 2006 Panda

[TheNorthernMonkey]

Hello all,

I have a 2006 MJ panda, which, at 75000 miles, is getting on a bit.

I do about 20,000 miles a year, a fair bit on motorways, so like the torque of the MJ engine.

I'm thinking of replacing this with a newer Panda MJ, there are a few available on ebay, although they don't seem to make them new any more.

Is this a good idea, is it just as easy to fix with the high miles that I'll be sticking on it for the next 4 years, or should I stick with the older version

 

[babbo_umbro]

Hello all,

I have a 2006 MJ panda, which, at 75000 miles, is getting on a bit.

I do about 20,000 miles a year, a fair bit on motorways, so like the torque of the MJ engine.

I'm thinking of replacing this with a newer Panda MJ, there are a few available on ebay, although they don't seem to make them new any more.

Is this a good idea, is it just as easy to fix with the high miles that I'll be sticking on it for the next 4 years, or should I stick with the older version

My wife had a Panda MJ of similar vintage - unfortunately written off on ice and snow on the edge of Dartmoor. (I had a Panda 100HP at the time, but that's another story.) It was a good little car and the engine was quite willing for a small diesel but I always felt it had to be rowed along with the gearlever. I'm surprised at your comment about motorway work as I always felt that it was at its weakest on them - vibration from the engine and less consumption advantage over the petrol. Also the front tyre wear was heavy and the weight over the front wheels made the handling a bit dead. The new model is much better in terms of ride comfort and general solidity, and the TA is streets ahead of the diesel in all respects but mpg. Pity it's nothing like so attractive visually as the previous model.

I hadn't realised that the Panda MJ is no longer available on the UK market but it's not on Fiat UK's site.

After all that - on balance you know how well your car has been looked after, which you can rarely be totally sure of when buying used - doing 20k miles a year the difference between 60mpg from diesel and 40 mpg from a TA, or even 50 mpg from a 1.2 is significant - unless you're really tired of the car I'd be inclined to keep it.

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

I've been tussling with exactly the same problem for the last 12 months. My beloved blue 2006 MTJ Dynamic needed a few things at the last MOT and I decided at that point to repair the old girl and see if we could get to another MOT and see what she was like then. Unfortunately there were a few problems that recently started getting worse and I decided to bite the bullet and replace her whilst she was still actually working and before I had to pay too much to keep her in that state.

If they still made the old model, I would have bought another MTJ Panda like a shot. That wasn't to be and after an offer that I couldn't refuse from my dealer, I now have a new 4x4 MTJ that I am running in.

Whilst deciding what to do there was definitely a low mileage used MTJ Pop (15 plate I think) that I also considered, so you can definitely get a diesely beast in a nearly new format, but they are rare. I think there also a Panda Trekking MTJ, which looks like a 4x4, but isn't and I think is also quite rare.

Unfortunately, because I didn't actually drive one, I cannot say how the new-ish 1.3 MTJ Pop compared to my old MTJ Dynamic. The new Panda is significantly bigger and heavier, so I would expect that it isn't quite as spritely through the gears and, if the new Panda handling is similar to my 4x4 version, it will not be nearly so chuckable - but I am taking it easy at the mo.

I did test drive a TwinAir 4x4, but the TA engine wasn't at all like my trusty old MTJ and I didn't think I could actually live with its busy and noisy characteristics - but loads of people seem to like it so you would really need to try one and make your own mind up.

So now I am learning to love my new Panda 4x4, but I doubt it will ever be thought of as fondly as my old Panda MTJ, nor be nearly as cheap to run!

 

[babbo_umbro]

Much as I hate the tendency for cars to grow bigger and heavier - and in many ways I prefer the previous model of Panda - the current model is only minutely bigger than the previous one, though it is a little heavier - we had two of the previous model in the garage and now have a previous and latest and the occupancy is virtually identical. The better damper settings on the current model make a big difference to composure, especially given the state of the roads.My previous Panda was a 100HP, transformed by adjustable Konis on the rear, and this was eminently chuckable - I've never tackled roundabouts so quickly, but in general I think the suspension of the current model is better in all respects. I'm not a great fan of the TA - I think a well-sorted 4 cylinder engine would be better - but describing the TA as busy is surely wrong - if anything it sounds too lethargic, and 34000 miles of driving one suggests that it's much quieter (and quicker) than a diesel. Its performance up long gradients, for example, is very impressive - approaching the Saint Gotthard tunnel up long, long Swiss inclines with loads of wine and olive oil on board, the TA's torque means it just plugs away. The gearing in sixth is exactly the same as the 100HP, which really did sound busy - though the noise was not unpleasant.

 

[TheNorthernMonkey]

If it weren't for crappy MPG, I'd be driving something much bigger for my motorway journeys. My old BMW 318 was fantastic, but used too much fuel for a regular 600 mile round trip. The pandaghini uses half what the beemer did. For this reason, the TA is out.

I don't really want chuckable, but a bit smoother would be nice. I've never found the MJ lacking in power once its at 60 or 70. Foot down, a brief delay until I hear the whir of the turbo, then away it goes.

 

[varesecrazy]

have you spent money on the camchain yet..?,
that could be a £500 reason for making a switch..,

I'm not sold on the 2012 + panda either.

 

[JTD_Liam]

You could order a current shape Panda with the 1.3 Multijet 75bhp in all trim levels including Pop, Easy & Lounge until sometime during 2015. However from then on it was only available with the Trekking & 4x4 trims. The 80bhp version was available in the Cross from the Cross's launch.

In the last 6 months or so the 75/80bhp has been replaced by the 95bhp in the Panda, but it's also only available in Trekking/4x4/Cross trim levels & for Pop/Easy/Lounge you can only get a petrol engine.

Many of the Panda's rivals only have petrol engines & to be fair to Fiat, the diesel only really sold in the 4x4 & Cross trims, so I can understand why they ditched it in the regular models. By keeping it available in the Trekking they've at least kept a relatively affordable option for a diesel.

I would think you could pick up quite a bargain on a 2012-2015 diesel Panda, as they seem less sought-after in the Panda than they did in the older model, now that Fiat have the TwinAir engine as a more 'spritely' option.

 

[TheNorthernMonkey]

There aren't loads of them about.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Fiat...926533?hash=item41a5d2bfc5:g:7AcAAOSwUuFWwryU

This one doesn't seem a bad deal, but cream seats and a dog don't go together too well.

What is the interval on the camchain? I thought they were good for >100k miles

 

[AB100]

And to repeat myself again..............how about the FIAT Panda with the Edith Sitwell face?


Luxury features, 95bhp engine.......Chrysler Ypsilon badge. You know it makes sense.


Don't rush the decision - just keep your eye out for something low miles and grab it when it arises. New reg this month and new tax year about to start so some PCP and ex-company vehicles may start rolling in.

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

If it weren't for crappy MPG, I'd be driving something much bigger for my motorway journeys. My old BMW 318 was fantastic, but used too much fuel for a regular 600 mile round trip. The pandaghini uses half what the beemer did. For this reason, the TA is out.

I don't really want chuckable, but a bit smoother would be nice. I've never found the MJ lacking in power once its at 60 or 70. Foot down, a brief delay until I hear the whir of the turbo, then away it goes.

Sounds like a low mileage example of one of the last diesel "normal" Pandas would be ideal for you then! Not only is the suspension on these newer Pandas a bit more grown up, the seats are comfier, both of which make things feel a bit "smoother".

There are definitely a few diesel beasties out there, but there weren't many up for sale when I was looking - absolutely nothing within 200 miles of me and just two that I could find in the whole of the UK. As mentioned by another forumite, the new reg might flush one or two out.

If my recent experience is anything to go by, you will just need to keep your ear very close to the ground and be ready to get in there when a suitable candidate comes up.

And I LOVE your Pandaghini moniker. I'm going to steal that immediately!

 

[gar074]

And to repeat myself again..............how about the FIAT Panda with the Edith Sitwell face?

That is the best personification of a car ever! It sums the Ypsilon up perfectly!

 

[TheNorthernMonkey]

Just had a look on ebay. Jesus, that is one uuuuuugly car. It's a panda with all of the flair and design removed, and replaced with blancmange.

 

[gar074]

All this is true, but it does undeniably look like Edith Sitwell. Whether you regard that as a good thing or not is down to personal taste. Beauty is in the eye etc etc

 

[JTD_Liam]

The Ypsilon front end is a bit PT-Cruiser (weird given it was sold by dealers who used to sell the PT) but I think the rest of it looks alright in the right colour scheme. They did a two-tone grey and peachy colour, which sounds vile but looks pretty decent in the metal, and the Black&Red version and S-Series in bright blue & black also looked alright.

If they'd kept them badged Lancia in the UK I reckon they could've done better. They have a lot better kit levels than the Pandas - Bluetooth on SE/Gold & Limited/Platinum trims where it's optional on all Pandas below the Trekking - alloys on mid spec SE upwards, leather trim on Limited models, even 'Magic Parking' where it'll park itself was optional. As already mentioned they had the 95bhp Multijet rather than the 75bhp and also feel more luxurious than a Panda, mainly because they were meant to be priced quite a lot higher. However the lack of demand (probably caused by the Chrysler badge) means they sell 2nd hand for about the same as the more popular Fiat now, making them something of a bargain if you can get passed the front end and centrally mounted speedo!

 

[varesecrazy]

What is the interval on the camchain? I thought they were good for >100k miles

depends on oil Quality and LUCK,
some do 135k + others let go at @70k.. however the design ( with sacrificial elements )means it'll only be @ £350 in parts to get it running again.

give me the basic 1242cc 8Valve anyday

 

[sandeel999]

Look at high mileage section in previous forum. 1.1 with 180k. A 100hp with 200000k and a mj 236000 miles so these will run on

 

[babbo_umbro]

The Ypsilon front end is a bit PT-Cruiser..

If they'd kept them badged Lancia in the UK ... 2nd hand for about the same as the more popular Fiat now, making them something of a bargain if you can get passed the front end and centrally mounted speedo!

I suspect you could buy a Lancia grill in Italy and fit it, doesn't look quite so bad - more Sacheverell than Edith.

One of the several things that I really dislike about the current 500 (it's the only model of Fiat 500 that I haven't owned from 1937 Topolino onwards) is the central instrument - needless triumph of styling over function. And merely emphasises that retro doesn't work in car styling in my view.

 

[Mercky]

The Ypsilon front end is a bit PT-Cruiser (weird given it was sold by dealers who used to sell the PT) but I think the rest of it looks alright in the right colour scheme. They did a two-tone grey and peachy colour, which sounds vile but looks pretty decent in the metal, and the Black&Red version and S-Series in bright blue & black also looked alright.

If they'd kept them badged Lancia in the UK I reckon they could've done better. They have a lot better kit levels than the Pandas - Bluetooth on SE/Gold & Limited/Platinum trims where it's optional on all Pandas below the Trekking - alloys on mid spec SE upwards, leather trim on Limited models, even 'Magic Parking' where it'll park itself was optional. As already mentioned they had the 95bhp Multijet rather than the 75bhp and also feel more luxurious than a Panda, mainly because they were meant to be priced quite a lot higher. However the lack of demand (probably caused by the Chrysler badge) means they sell 2nd hand for about the same as the more popular Fiat now, making them something of a bargain if you can get passed the front end and centrally mounted speedo!

Yeh I had a lend of one for a day when I was buying my 500, it was a TA and it was quite funky I thought, cant remember the exact model but it was fully stuffed, leather, sunroof etc, quite liked it. As you say if it had a Lancia badge it would have been quite cool, a bit like the 300c, if they were a Thema they would have been considered a fairly cool big Italian saloon as opposed to a slightly dodgy blingy footballers car!

 

[TheNorthernMonkey]

One of the several things that I really dislike about the current 500 (it's the only model of Fiat 500 that I haven't owned from 1937 Topolino onwards) is the central instrument - needless triumph of styling over function. And merely emphasises that retro doesn't work in car styling in my view.

I think it's more to do with having the same dash for left and right hand drive.

 

[TheNorthernMonkey]

Look at high mileage section in previous forum. 1.1 with 180k. A 100hp with 200000k and a mj 236000 miles so these will run on

I bought mine at 64 and it's now on 73, but I don't think it's been looked after so well in its previous life.

It's cost a fair bit to keep running for those 9000 miles, which is why I'm pondering a new one. It's needed new drums and pads in the rear, new rear shocks and a new dealer key. Total cost of nearly £500 is a bit more than I was hoping to spend on a cheap car