General (Used) New Panda or New Sandero?

[DaveMcT]

The new Panda has the same back end as the 500. I have a 500 axle in my 169 1.2 Dynamic and it really does ride a lot better than the original 169 axle ever did.

New V used.
With all new cars look at the depreciation figures. Over three years the total pence per mile can be considerably better (or certainly no worse) for a premium brand that costs more to buy in the first place.

I bought an Audi A4 Avant about 15 years ago. In depreciation terms over 3 years, the A4 (£24K new) would cost me £3000 more over 3 years than a mid range Ford Mondeo (£16K new). For the exercise, I assumed other running costs would be similar.

For the sake of £20 per week I went for the Audi. Of course, it cost me more per month but I was not losing such a big percentage so the numbers added up. However 18 months later my divorce kicked off & I had to sell the Audi. I lost about £7000 to drive just 22,000 miles plus of course all the other costs of running a car. You never know what's coming around the corner.

If you are buying basic cars DONT buy new unless its a really stupidly cheap deal. But in the case of some brands they are cheap for a reason. Far better to buy something solid with normal miles at about 3 years old and factor in a new clutch and cam belt sooner than you'd have if it was newer.

 

[SB1500]

The new Panda has the same back end as the 500. I have a 500 axle in my 169 1.2 Dynamic and it really does ride a lot better than the original 169 axle ever did.

New V used.
With all new cars look at the depreciation figures. Over three years the total pence per mile can be considerably better (or certainly no worse) for a premium brand that costs more to buy in the first place.

I bought an Audi A4 Avant about 15 years ago. In depreciation terms over 3 years, the A4 (£24K new) would cost me £3000 more over 3 years than a mid range Ford Mondeo (£16K new). For the exercise, I assumed other running costs would be similar.

For the sake of £20 per week I went for the Audi. Of course, it cost me more per month but I was not losing such a big percentage so the numbers added up. However 18 months later my divorce kicked off & I had to sell the Audi. I lost about £7000 to drive just 22,000 miles plus of course all the other costs of running a car. You never know what's coming around the corner.

If you are buying basic cars DONT buy new unless its a really stupidly cheap deal. But in the case of some brands they are cheap for a reason. Far better to buy something solid with normal miles at about 3 years old and factor in a new clutch and cam belt sooner than you'd have if it was newer.

At the minute, I'm looking into POP models with 10,000 miles or less OR EASY models with 30,000 or less. Nothing older than 2014 (if I were buying today, or 3 years back).

I don't mind the cam belt or clutch, both kits can be gotten for £50-£70 and I can fit them myself now thanks to doing it on my current Panda. I know it's DOHC now but same principles

The big thing for me is remote central locking or not, I don't know if I'd like it much after having had it on my current Panda. The air con, headrests etc don't bother me too much about the Easy as 1.5 years into my current Panda and those things have never bothered me.

As for depreciation, whatever I buy I will keep until its at least 10 years old. Unless I somehow end up with more than 2 children then I don't accept that I'll need to upsize as such, not sure why people with 2 kids buy MPVs but I guess that's none of my business!

 

[AB100]

At the minute, I'm looking into POP models with 10,000 miles or less OR EASY models with 30,000 or less. Nothing older than 2014 (if I were buying today, or 3 years back).

I don't mind the cam belt or clutch, both kits can be gotten for £50-£70 and I can fit them myself now thanks to doing it on my current Panda. I know it's DOHC now but same principles

The big thing for me is remote central locking or not, I don't know if I'd like it much after having had it on my current Panda. The air con, headrests etc don't bother me too much about the Easy as 1.5 years into my current Panda and those things have never bothered me.

As for depreciation, whatever I buy I will keep until its at least 10 years old. Unless I somehow end up with more than 2 children then I don't accept that I'll need to upsize as such, not sure why people with 2 kids buy MPVs but I guess that's none of my business!

I know it's DOHC now but same principle.
Nope, still single-cam 8 valve.


As for depreciation, whatever I buy I will keep until its at least 10 years old.
I would bargain on doing exactly not that.


You're a sensible man and you know that you need as much money as you can to buy your first property. You have improved your technical skills in the past year and currently have access to an environment in which to use them.


The wisest choice is to pay as little as you can for something of reasonable reliability. I think your toughest problem is not having direct access to mainland prices/choice. Choose something cheap to run and bathe in the glory of it. There's nothing finer than turning up somewhere and people drawing breath at your car, assuming it's all you can afford than what you prefer to drive.

 

[SB1500]

I know it's DOHC now but same principle.
Nope, still single-cam 8 valve.


As for depreciation, whatever I buy I will keep until its at least 10 years old.
I would bargain on doing exactly not that.


You're a sensible man and you know that you need as much money as you can to buy your first property. You have improved your technical skills in the past year and currently have access to an environment in which to use them.


The wisest choice is to pay as little as you can for something of reasonable reliability. I think your toughest problem is not having direct access to mainland prices/choice. Choose something cheap to run and bathe in the glory of it. There's nothing finer than turning up somewhere and people drawing breath at your car, assuming it's all you can afford than what you prefer to drive.

SOHC - even better I thought the VVT addition lead it to DOHC / more modern technologies to that extent.

How come you recommend not keeping a car for 10 years?

Btw, this will be after university on the grounds that to get qualified I need to work and travel a lot to a college etc with no alternative. This'll need to go on for 3 years straight. Assuming my Panda continues in good health until 2020 , then the additional 3 years for what I just mentioned it'll be 2023, 18 years old. Don't get me wrong, if it does it's great but.. theoretically then, when its time to get a new car, how come you recommend not keeping it for so long?

Thankfully NI house prices aren't as bad as Englands .. (yet). For the price of a privatised council house in some parts of England, you could buy a relative mansion here in the country :O :O I was shocked myself.

Thankfully, anything I'm doing with my savings it years away yet. Lots of time to think. I know a house is more important, but as I said, the inevitable travel and dependence on a car might mean getting one comes first in the process.

I'm interested to hear your response, as you're right!! I want to understand more.

Also, when buying a new car, I'd be all for flying over and collecting it and driving it back to NI, what I can't do, is visit various locations sadly to compare multiple choices. But, for an approved used or nearly new car it can't be so bad.

 

[AB100]

SOHC - even better I thought the VVT addition lead it to DOHC / more modern technologies to that extent.

How come you recommend not keeping a car for 10 years?

Btw, this will be after university on the grounds that to get qualified I need to work and travel a lot to a college etc with no alternative. This'll need to go on for 3 years straight. Assuming my Panda continues in good health until 2020 , then the additional 3 years for what I just mentioned it'll be 2023, 18 years old. Don't get me wrong, if it does it's great but.. theoretically then, when its time to get a new car, how come you recommend not keeping it for so long?

Thankfully NI house prices aren't as bad as Englands .. (yet). For the price of a privatised council house in some parts of England, you could buy a relative mansion here in the country :O :O I was shocked myself.

Thankfully, anything I'm doing with my savings it years away yet. Lots of time to think. I know a house is more important, but as I said, the inevitable travel and dependence on a car might mean getting one comes first in the process.

I'm interested to hear your response, as you're right!! I want to understand more.

Back in the old days, our greatest worry was rust. And I mean proper corrosion. The other odd issues occurred, but cars tend to run along OK. Swapping cars every year or so to get by was fine and cheaper than buying newish. Plus, you get to improve your mechanical skills instead of sipping Japanese beer with some Audi-owning pals who can only quote what spills forth from Top Gear.


Depreciation on older cars was not measured in thousands. So, often cheaper to do that than spend big and expect no bills. And it can be kinda fun.


There's always a stock of elderly-owned low-miles cars coming up. Just buy sensibly - something that has cheap parts, something you've checked over.


Whatever you buy will depreciate. It's incredible what people pay for vehicles, with that knowledge firmly in focus.


Get into property as soon as you can. You know it makes sense.

 

[AB100]

SOHC - even better I thought the VVT addition lead it to DOHC / more modern technologies to that extent.

How come you recommend not keeping a car for 10 years?

Btw, this will be after university on the grounds that to get qualified I need to work and travel a lot to a college etc with no alternative. This'll need to go on for 3 years straight. Assuming my Panda continues in good health until 2020 , then the additional 3 years for what I just mentioned it'll be 2023, 18 years old. Don't get me wrong, if it does it's great but.. theoretically then, when its time to get a new car, how come you recommend not keeping it for so long?

Thankfully NI house prices aren't as bad as Englands .. (yet). For the price of a privatised council house in some parts of England, you could buy a relative mansion here in the country :O :O I was shocked myself.

Thankfully, anything I'm doing with my savings it years away yet. Lots of time to think. I know a house is more important, but as I said, the inevitable travel and dependence on a car might mean getting one comes first in the process.

I'm interested to hear your response, as you're right!! I want to understand more.

Back in the old days, our greatest worry was rust. And I mean proper corrosion. The other odd issues occurred, but cars tend to run along OK. Swapping cars every year or so to get by was fine and cheaper than buying newish. Plus, you get to improve your mechanical skills instead of sipping Japanese beer with some Audi-owning pals who can only quote what spills forth from Top Gear.


Depreciation on older cars was not measured in thousands. So, often cheaper to do that than spend big and expect no bills. And it can be kinda fun.


There's always a stock of elderly-owned low-miles cars coming up. Just buy sensibly - something that has cheap parts, something you've checked over.


Whatever you buy will depreciate. It's incredible what people pay for vehicles, with that knowledge firmly in focus.


Get into property as soon as you can. You know it makes sense.

 

[portland_bill]

not sure why people with 2 kids buy MPVs but I guess that's none of my business!

Small children seem to need tons of 'stuff' everywhere they go. A certain amount of that seems to be 100 nappies, a changing mat, 30kg of toys, 3 changes of clothing, plus more. Oh, and some sort of wheeled machine. All this stuff needs lots of space. The child seat also needs more room than a normal sized person, so until they get to about 5 years old, kids seems to need a van.

No, I've not had any, this is just observation, from the greatest distance I could manage.:devil:

 

[SB1500]

Small children seem to need tons of 'stuff' everywhere they go. A certain amount of that seems to be 100 nappies, a changing mat, 30kg of toys, 3 changes of clothing, plus more. Oh, and some sort of wheeled machine. All this stuff needs lots of space. The child seat also needs more room than a normal sized person, so until they get to about 5 years old, kids seems to need a van.



No, I've not had any, this is just observation, from the greatest distance I could manage.:devil:

Thank god! Another interesting, helpful, intelligent person who doesn't have kids!

So sick of people rolling their eyes and telling me 'when you're older you'll have kids' as if nobody doesn't. Meeting / in contact with a lot of people who are testament to these beliefs.

But right enough, everything you say sounds valid enough!

 

[portland_bill]

But right enough, everything you say sounds valid enough!

Careful, there's a lifetime's cynicism in there somewhere.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I have tried the Sandero and bought a new Panda! The Sandero is a surprisingly good thing, comfy and quite nice to drive and I am not going to knock it. I have spoken to a lot of owners and have not found one yet who has a bad thing to say so this is clearly worth a thought. I just think you would end up wishing you had bought a Panda after a while. The base version Sandero is cheap but its REALLY base..... The better equipped ones are much more costly too.

I voted with my wallet and would do the same again. Now getting used to the twin air and getting over 40mpg at last so getting happier. I can start to feel the Brio again and I rather like it. Still miss the 100HP and its easy 100mph cruising. I suspect that was never such a good idea though. ALmost new Pandas can be had very cheap if you are prepared to travel.

If you decide to change ask the Forum to let you know of hot buys around the UK. You would at the very least find out whats out there at the best prices. Keep a watchful eye on Arnold Clark!!

 

[AB100]

Keep a watchful eye on Arnold Clark!!

Yes- have to say they seem to have hoovered up all the pre-upgrade models. I think I'd be more tempted with a late-registered Easy+ than a newer Lounge. Prefer the interior, Bluetooth (which I have no use for), reversing seonsors (same) and cheeky red touches. They've priced them up at £8300 as of teh past few months, presumably with the intentio of slipping them down by £800 when the 17 reg bites on Thursday.

 

[TobiasBB]

Small children seem to need tons of 'stuff' everywhere they go. A certain amount of that seems to be 100 nappies, a changing mat, 30kg of toys, 3 changes of clothing, plus more. Oh, and some sort of wheeled machine. All this stuff needs lots of space. The child seat also needs more room than a normal sized person, so until they get to about 5 years old, kids seems to need a van.

No, I've not had any, this is just observation, from the greatest distance I could manage.:devil:

I have two of those small people, they do fit in a panda, with at least one stroller, one tricycle, two seats, about 50 clothdiapers (twice the room needed compared to the one time uses) loads of clothes,going on holidays you also need clothes and other things for the adults, all this fits in a panda... a van would be nice, but definitely not a necessity for only four people.

 

[SB1500]

Careful, there's a lifetime's cynicism in there somewhere.

I'll rephrase... Everything [you've told me on Fiat Forum].. lol

 

[Wee Smurf]

Small children seem to need tons of 'stuff' everywhere they go. A certain amount of that seems to be 100 nappies, a changing mat, 30kg of toys, 3 changes of clothing, plus more. Oh, and some sort of wheeled machine. All this stuff needs lots of space. The child seat also needs more room than a normal sized person, so until they get to about 5 years old, kids seems to need a van.

No, I've not had any, this is just observation, from the greatest distance I could manage.:devil:

Strangely as the owner of two small people, I also still don't understand the MPV requirement for transporting them. I manged to fit them, their car seats, their pram (double), some toys, DVD players, a couple of changes of clothes, nappies, bottles and a load of other crud besides. Thankfully they're that bit older now so I don't need most of that lot now. They are still in car seats though.

 

[SB1500]

Strangely as the owner of two small people, I also still don't understand the MPV requirement for transporting them. I manged to fit them, their car seats, their pram (double), some toys, DVD players, a couple of changes of clothes, nappies, bottles and a load of other crud besides. Thankfully they're that bit older now so I don't need most of that lot now. They are still in car seats though.

Fiat's marketing should provide you with a brand new Panda 4x4 - to your Yellow specification - and put you at the centre of a new marketing campaign to show how the Panda DESERVES to be used as the ultimate tool for a busy lifestyle ;-)

If only eh?!

 

[Wee Smurf]

Fiat's marketing should provide you with a brand new Panda 4x4 - to your Yellow specification - and put you at the centre of a new marketing campaign to show how the Panda DESERVES to be used as the ultimate tool for a busy lifestyle ;-)

If only eh?!

Indeed I go to work on a full-time basis for the break - only that doesn't seem to work anymore either as I'm now doing two people's work.

And the specification for yellow is exceedingly important!

 

[DaveMcT]

I had a Renault Laguna 2.0. Nice car but totally crap with kids in the back. The rear doors open to 45 degrees so its a real struggle t get them belted in etc.

Went from that to a standard Espace 2.0 Turbo. Much better with little kids as they can be safely reclined to sleep. We didn't need all the extra space and the rear seats basically took up garage space.

The Renault was replaced by the Panda. The car I should have had instead of the Espace. To be fair the big bus was handy when we moved home 200 miles to Devon and a nice place to be but once the kids were bit bigger we had no need for the space.

All we need on the Panda is a tow bar so we can pull the trailer for camping trips.

 

[Eklipze3k]

At the risk of sounding like a crazy person, why even change? You're swapping a Panda for a Panda, and newer is not always better (heavier, slower, more to go wrong, etc). If the main reason you want to swap is for the additional mileage, I'd be inclined (if it were me) to keep the Panda as your fun car, and get something like a Bravo for mile munching, assuming that you can't get on with using the Panda as your mile muncher.

 

[SB1500]

I had a Renault Laguna 2.0. Nice car but totally crap with kids in the back...

Arent ALL cars crap with kids in the back?!

At the risk of sounding like a crazy person, why even change? You're swapping a Panda for a Panda, and newer is not always better (heavier, slower, more to go wrong, etc). If the main reason you want to swap is for the additional mileage, I'd be inclined (if it were me) to keep the Panda as your fun car, and get something like a Bravo for mile munching, assuming that you can't get on with using the Panda as your mile muncher.

At the minute, what the other guys said about focussing on a mortgage does sound like advice I can't afford to ignore because I agree to a large extent!

I'm more concerned that a few years from now, the Panda will have an issue that despite ME wanting to put money into, everyone else - not irrationally - will tell me it's worth getting a new car. It is only then, this question arises.

The reason I want to go for another Panda, although bigger / slower etc its the most similar car I can get so many of the things that will or can go wrong can be fixed by myself again.

Only other thing I'm considering is the bland Ford Ka given its probably more Panda 169 than anything else?! Especially as 2016 models exist and in a few years they might be in a sweet spot of 3 years old, <30k on the clock and nowhere near rusting. Wish they weren't plastered in flower decals though..

 

[irc]

Yep, Ka interiors are an acquired taste. Can't bring myself to fit flowery Ka seats in the Panda even though they are much cheaper than 500 seats. Grrr.