Which one to buy?

[Rusty71]

Hi All, I'm considering getting a used Panda (Mk2 or Mk3) as a spare car for the family fleet. I see on What Car? that the Mk2 model is rated much higher than the Mk3 (2012+) as a used car so really not sure, albeit I prefer the overall look & design of the Mk3. The current editions that catch my eye are the Eleganza, the 4x4 or maybe a 1.2 Lounge. Or even the 100hp, which one should I pursue?

 

[rmjbn1]

Hi and welcome Well, they're all great!
My personal preference would be for a 2009-2010 1.2 60hp, before the change to 69hp VVT. Basically the same as I've already got, but £30 RFL in the UK instead of £165... and going up every year...
The Mk2/Mk3 issue causes a lot of confusion...
Mk1 1980-1986 (Type 141)
Mk2 1986-2003 (Type 141A)
Mk3 2003-2012 (Type 169)
Mk4 2012-present (Type 319)
The 2012+ Mk4 319 has improved rear suspension for a better ride, slightly bigger and heavier.
The 100HP and 4x4 have some specific parts which are hard or expensive to replace (in particular the rear suspension assembly which is the main rust point on these cars), whilst everything for the standard 2WD models is cheap.
I prefer the non-styling of the 169, so it depends which appeals most to you.
I think @The Panda Nut might have had all of the Mk3 & Mk4 models?

 

[Rusty71]

Hi and welcome Well, they're all great!
My personal preference would be for a 2009-2010 1.2 60hp, before the change to 69hp VVT. Basically the same as I've already got, but £30 RFL in the UK instead of £165... and going up every year...
The Mk2/Mk3 issue causes a lot of confusion...
Mk1 1980-1986 (Type 141)
Mk2 1986-2003 (Type 141A)
Mk3 2003-2012 (Type 169)
Mk4 2012-present (Type 319)
The 2012+ Mk4 319 has improved rear suspension for a better ride, slightly bigger and heavier.
The 100HP and 4x4 have some specific parts which are hard or expensive to replace (in particular the rear suspension assembly which is the main rust point on these cars), whilst everything for the standard 2WD models is cheap.
I prefer the non-styling of the 169, so it depends which appeals most to you.
I think @The Panda Nut might have had all of the Mk3 & Mk4 models?

Many thanks for this. Funnily enough, someone echoed your comments elsewhere on the Fourm, I think. It may have been you! Makes a lot of sense.

 

[rmjbn1]

Heh, maybe I've reached that age where I start repeating myself There was a similar discussion recently: https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/advice-re-buying-a-new-panda-pls.498052/

 

[The Panda Nut]

Hi and welcome Well, they're all great!
My personal preference would be for a 2009-2010 1.2 60hp, before the change to 69hp VVT. Basically the same as I've already got, but £30 RFL in the UK instead of £165... and going up every year...
The Mk2/Mk3 issue causes a lot of confusion...
Mk1 1980-1986 (Type 141)
Mk2 1986-2003 (Type 141A)
Mk3 2003-2012 (Type 169)
Mk4 2012-present (Type 319)
The 2012+ Mk4 319 has improved rear suspension for a better ride, slightly bigger and heavier.
The 100HP and 4x4 have some specific parts which are hard or expensive to replace (in particular the rear suspension assembly which is the main rust point on these cars), whilst everything for the standard 2WD models is cheap.
I prefer the non-styling of the 169, so it depends which appeals most to you.
I think @The Panda Nut might have had all of the Mk3 & Mk4 models?

Yes not all 4x4 though. Its worth saying the lastest version waas £30 rfl tax until 1/4/2017 so a definite step change at that dateto consider.

 

[AndyRKett]

when the panda came back in 2003 the press got very excited. by 2012 when the new model came out not only was the old panda pretty old but that original excitement about the panda had gone as well. So reviews were not so keen on the newer model, but in essence they are the same car under the skin, the 2012 model was a facelift. So buy which ever you prefer and ignore the reviews as they don't give a clear picture.

Personally if going for a Panda now i'd go for a late model 4x4 diesel, but I know that's not to everyone's taste.