A week with the Panda

[murphyv310]

Hi.
Well that's me a week with the Panda. Why oh why did I not do this before. The car is full of character, so light to drive, quiet and frugal, whereas I'd have used the £15 worth of petrol by now in the 75 in the panda I've hardly used a 1/4 of a tank, when I do eventually fill up I will brim the tank and do a tank to tank calculation.
Fiat have been slagged off for many years but they are very innovative and this model is so well built, not a single rattle, the doors have a quality clunk and the fact they are galvanised and well protected means they should last well.

Some of the 4x4 versions are now used by the NHS and even the police have used the previous versions too.

[Tiff]

I wont hear a word against Fiats, owned 16 X1/9's a couple of Coupe's and loads of Punto/Panda's and all have been brilliant. The Mrs has an 04 Panda Eleganza and Sometimes I feel like nicking it for myself, it just makes me smile. Not many cars do that anymore..

[Jones_55]

Nice to hear, and very useful to know too - we were thinking of getting a Panda, - all the best!

[Dallas]

Glad to here you both are enjoying the Fiat, I know exactly what you mean Trev. These small cars are a money saver, its like having a savings account on wheels.

We've had two weeks with the Daihatsu Sirion and I've only filled her up once, seems to run on fresh-air, we are making a saving of at least £85 each month.

I find the Sirion quite large for a small car and extremely easy to drive, having the 5 doors and so much leg and head room is simply amazing. I'm just so happy that it has the Toyota KR straight 3 piston DOHC chain driven engine, and the £30 a year VED is an added bonus.

As you say, should have done it years ago.

[neilll]

DONT BUY A FIAT !!!
You think you had trouble with a Rover. They may be okay when new (like most cars) but you will come to regret your choice if you keep it as long as your 75!! Where will it be in 10-12-14 years time?

Neil

[murphyv310]

Originally Posted by neilll

DONT BUY A FIAT !!!
You think you had trouble with a Rover. They may be okay when new (like most cars) but you will come to regret your choice if you keep it as long as your 75!! Where will it be in 10-12-14 years time?

Neil

My 1242cc Doblo was 11 years old when I got the 75 and was fine, as was my dad's Uno at 15 years when it was given to my son.
Too many stories without proof my man.
Granted Fiat had horrendous rust issues at one time but so did Rover and virtually all cars at one time. Rover unfortunately had to do Project Drive cheapening their cars, that was in opposition to the trend, cars of the naughties had better rust prevention and far improved quality.
There are significant 2004 Mk2 Panda's around and the Panda floorpan has spurned cars like the 500, Ford Ka (Mk2) Chrysler Ypsilon, Lancia Y10. The 500x floorpan is used in the Jeep Renegade.
The Fiat 128 was the first car with a bonded screen and Fiat's Multijet technology is used by just about everyone now with Mercedes using it from the outset of the design.

Fiat's twin air unit has had accolade after accolade and has clocked up moon mileages already, the Rover 4 pot K series had also many accolades so both are significant engines, the Fiat Fire engine has now over 10 million units under it's belt and not only has it been used in vehicular transport it has been used in generators and pump drives for many years and has helped in areas of lack of water and power.

[RPWC]

The wife had 2 Unos, the first was a B reg, was her first car after she passed her test, we ran it for a few years but rot got the hetter of it. A number of years later, she had a L reg, again rusted away. Presumably they have now sorted out that problem. There is a standing joke What does FIAT stand for? Fix It Again Tomorrow sorry Trev

[murphyv310]

Originally Posted by RPWC

The wife had 2 Unos, the first was a B reg, was her first car after she passed her test, we ran it for a few years but rot got the hetter of it. A number of years later, she had a L reg, again rusted away. Presumably they have now sorted out that problem. There is a standing joke What does FIAT stand for? Fix It Again Tomorrow sorry Trev

Ford= Fix Or Repair Daily

[cossie dunc]

I have quite a bit of experience of fiats........the engines they have built and developed are pretty good, they drive half decent

However they are made of junk. Fine if you buy a newish one and run it for a few years though

[mininuts]

Pleased for you Trevor, glad you made the right choice. I've had a few Fiats over the years and they've all been great cars, the best being a '94 Cinquecento, fab little car For me, Fiat have always appealed more than the run of the mill Fords, Vauxhalls etc yawn, yawn
As a child, I drooled over the 131 Abarths when everyone else was lusting after Escorts and Crapris

Still got a Panda on my want list although, it's the older 100hp model that I'm after



Really liking the new Fiat Spyder too

I think you'll love owning your Panda and, if it's a good as the Fiats I've owned, it'll turn out to be a great little car.