General What to do

[Bigredbus4468]

Got a mitsubishi colt 1.3 cz2 amt (semi automatic) and it's a great car but around 40mpg. Very comfortable.


Also got a new Panda 1.2 pop. Going to a wedding in Gloucestershire next Thursday from Plymouth. Panda does about 46mpg around town. Big enough for the 2 of us. Which one would you take? Not sure about the capability of the Panda on the motorway.

 

[varesecrazy]

depends on cabin comfort / road noise differences,
but the panda should do low 50's MPG on m'way ,at legal speeds...,
Charlie

 

[chr1s]

I can't comment on the 1.2 engine, but I took my Panda TA on a trip from Cardiff to Durham to Fife and back to Cardiff last Tuesday/Wednesday - just short of 1000 miles over two days. I would have no concerns about motorway performance.

 

[Bigredbus4468]

Good to hear. No worries about being blown around our road noise then?

 

[Super Uwe]

I wouldn't have thought you will have any issues at all with the 1.2 Panda.

Obviously I don't know what it is like compared to the Colt, but it will cope absolutely fine on the motorway. It doesn't get too buffeted about; I've only really noticed it on the Severn Crossing when there was a fairly strong cross-wind. But I think most cars would notice it on there anyway...

Assuming you are taking the A38/M5 and stick to 70mph indicated, you should easily get 46mpg there and back. Prob more like 50mpg to be honest, unless you get caught in some savage jams!

If you decided to eco-drive and not exceed 60mph, then 55mpg would be on the cards.

However, if you decide to go 75-80mph indicated, you'll be looking at low40s in terms of mpg. The 1.2 would still cope, but it doesn't really like it all that much

 

[jamesbrownontheroad]

I've done two Norwich - Glasgow (700 mile?) roundtrips in our 1.2 Panda in the last year. Given that it's a similar size to the Colt, I'd prefer the Panda, since a manual gearbox is a little handier when you need to exit a slip road at speed or downshift to pass someone quickly.

In almost 11,000 miles, I've never consistently topped 50mpg. Occasional A-Road trips yes, but between city driving and motorway dashes, I'm averaging 46-48MPG.

 

[Bigredbus4468]

I've done two Norwich - Glasgow (700 mile?) roundtrips in our 1.2 Panda in the last year. Given that it's a similar size to the Colt, I'd prefer the Panda, since a manual gearbox is a little handier when you need to exit a slip road at speed or downshift to pass someone quickly.

In almost 11,000 miles, I've never consistently topped 50mpg. Occasional A-Road trips yes, but between city driving and motorway dashes, I'm averaging 46-48MPG.

I am convinced that the Panda is pretty able.

The Colt is quite a warm hatch especially with the 6 speed semi auto. A quick press on the pedal for a kick down or just knocking the great lever backwards kicks it down and into manual.

Taking the Colt as in an trying to catch up with the milage as mine is on a pcp with an agreed 6k per year. Only about 100 miles over at the moment but Fiat charge 6p per mile. Vospers said they wouldn't charge that but didn't say what they would.

 

[deeyup]

If you just hand the car back at the end of the pcp they will charge you the pence per mile. If you pay the balloon they won't as it doesn't matter what miles are on it as they don't have to sell it on.
Part ex would be negotiable on the mileage anyhow, and they probably wouldn't want to annoy you quibbling over pennies if you were chopping it in for a new one .They could easily hide any penalties incurred in the new finance deal.

A little tip from what I used to do with contract hire. If you are handing back, and the contract says the car must be serviced to manufacturers specs and have a current mot, just give it back a month early if you are on a 3 year term.
You may pay a month and not have the car, but that may be much cheaper than paying for a service and mot. It used to wind up the contract hire people, but the cars I returned weren't yet due any work according to the service schedule and they couldn't argue about it.

 

[Bigredbus4468]

Good advice. Thought about this. Servicing is every 2 years or 18k. Vospers will probably ring me up and try to sell me another early anyway.

 

[Bigredbus4468]

Update. Decided to take the Panda in the end. Left yesterday afternoon about 1/4 to 4. Despite the heavy traffic and some poor driving conditions, the little panda coped admirably. Comfortable, quick enough, cruising easily at 70. Mpg started about 45 having used about 1/3 tank commuting. Got to Nailsworth in Gloucestershire and it was reading 49mpg for the tank average. Very good.

Today head back to Bristol, and off to Fuertaventura tomorrow.

 

[Super Uwe]

Update. Decided to take the Panda in the end. Left yesterday afternoon about 1/4 to 4. Despite the heavy traffic and some poor driving conditions, the little panda coped admirably. Comfortable, quick enough, cruising easily at 70. Mpg started about 45 having used about 1/3 tank commuting. Got to Nailsworth in Gloucestershire and it was reading 49mpg for the tank average. Very good.

Today head back to Bristol, and off to Fuertaventura tomorrow.

(feeling smug) What did I say in post 5? Haha!

Glad you enjoyed the trip up in the Panda, enjoy your trip to Espana!