Any sensible thoughts on the new 4x4 Fiat Panda?

Any sensible thoughts on the new 4x4 Fiat Panda?

 

 

Crackin' little car from what I've read, but haven't driven one.

If it's half as good in the mucky stuff as the Jimny was that I had 4 years ago then it'll be a corker.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXeh1rd_n70

 

Runaway success Dacia Duster?

Edited 13 October, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

Unstoppable in the snow with good tyres. We've got a 2wd one because getting a new 4x4 a couple of years ago was nigh on imposible. Had no issues with it so far. My friend who has a 4x4 loves hers but fuel costs are miles apart with the same engine

Any sensible thoughts on the new 4x4 Fiat Panda?

 

 

Is this to replace the Yeti or add to?

Edited 13 October, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

Are we talking new or used on the Panda 4x4 & how used?

I think i would be looking at the Diesel 1.3 Multijet.

 

Suzuki now have the new Swift 1.2 petrol 4x4, and its quite a bargain for what you get.

There was special offers on up to September, but i am sure Dealers will still be looking to get sales and offer discounts.

 

george

Friends have got one.

Comes with proper "All Season" tyres.

Was excellent in the snow last year.

Veru noisy.

Fuel consumption isn't brilliant and no-where near the claimed figures.

They thought insurance (2x 65 yr olds) was high.

Been back to garage for broken internal trim panels and water leaks.

They are now looking at a Suzuki Swift instead.

 

Comes with proper "All Season" tyres.

Was excellent in the snow last year

 

 

Good sake, don't set sk4gw off again, hes been at it all day.

Good sake, don't set sk4gw off again, hes been at it all day.

Grumping?

 

Most excellent. One of the finest in here in fact!  :sun:

Are we talking new or used on the Panda 4x4 & how used?

I think i would be looking at the Diesel 1.3 Multijet.

 

Suzuki now have the new Swift 1.2 petrol 4x4, and its quite a bargain for what you get.

There was special offers on up to September, but i am sure Dealers will still be looking to get sales and offer discounts.

 

george

 

Yes, the Suzuki Swift VAT free offer is on until Dec....still tempted myself.

 

Top spec 4 x 4 version is currently about £13,500.........

My mates wife has one. Bought it new about 4? years ago.

She says she likes it so much she's going to keep it till it dies!

Apparently very good in the snow over the last three years.

Crackin' little car from what I've read, but haven't driven one.

If it's half as good in the mucky stuff as the Jimny was that I had 4 years ago then it'll be a corker.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXeh1rd_n70

 

Runaway success Dacia Duster?

Agree about the Jimny - wouldn't part with mine for the world

Thanks for the replies, it would be as well as the Yeti, I hadn't thought about the Suzuki, must have a look, if the top spec is that price it looks good, as the Fiat is all options and to get the lot makes it a lot more expensive.

I had one for 4 years until earlier this year.Should never have sold it.

Was amazing in the snow-impossible to get stuck and believe me I tried.

 

 

 

Mine was the Multijet diesel and I had it chipped so it made about 100 bhp yet would return 55-60 mpg.

Agree about the Jimny - wouldn't part with mine for the world

 

 

Miss mine.

Had SSSSSO much fun in it running a kids off roading experience and green laning.

 

Granted, it was off road prep'd, but it used to embarrass the owners of Landies, constantly making me chuckle.

 

Possibly one of the worst ON road cars I've ever driven though, and thirsty as hell.

 

Suzuki must be well happy with it though, as they've been producing it virtually unchanged for what, 15 years now?

Edited 15 October, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

Thanks for the replies, it would be as well as the Yeti, I hadn't thought about the Suzuki, must have a look, if the top spec is that price it looks good, as the Fiat is all options and to get the lot makes it a lot more expensive.

Dacia Duster is getting very good reports and well worth a looking at I'd have thought.

A friend at work had a 2007 Panda 4x4 and loved it.  When the time came to sell it he could have quite literally sold it ten times over for his full asking price.  Suzuki Jimnys hold their value well too, but they are not brilliant on-road cars due to the narrow track and short wheelbase.  We have one and it is a real fight to keep it in a straight line in strong crosswinds.  The Jimny also has no centre diff so you need to keep it in rear wheel drive on the road or you'll wreck the transmission.  They come with Bridgestone Duellers as standard that are not the best in the wet, let alone snow, whereas a new FIAT Panda 4x4 will come with proper Continental winter tyres.  Having said all that my other half loves his Jimny.

 

The Dacia Duster is about the same money if you get a diesel 4x4, but it is a much bigger car which may or may not be an advantage depending on what you want.  We wanted a small 4x4 so went for the Jimny, but I'm sure a Panda 4x4 would make a better car if you don't want or need to do any serious off-roading.

 

One other thought would be the SWB 3 door Grand Vitara.  On paper they are more expensive but you should be able to negotiate a decent discount off one, and after a few years their value drops below to that of a Jimny.

This is becoming a Jimny thread. get rid of the Bridgestone Duelers and put on a set of Yokohama Geolanders AT/S and they are pretty much unstoppable, and yes if you do a lot of long distance driving the Panda would be better for on road manners.

it really comes down to what you want a 4x4 to do.

This is becoming a Jimny thread. get rid of the Bridgestone Duelers and put on a set of Yokohama Geolanders AT/S and they are pretty much unstoppable, and yes if you do a lot of long distance driving the Panda would be better for on road manners.

it really comes down to what you want a 4x4 to do.

 

 

Well in its category and in that price bracket, you'd be struggling to find anything more capable as a genuine off roader

 

So we ask the question, what do you want from your 4x4 Anzio?

As a confirmed Jimny fan that uses one lots in all weather but especially Winter, 

I would not want to be without one and have not been for 12 years.

 

But i would say look at the other AWDs,  the Fiat Panda, Suzuki Swift, Dacia Dacia etc if road use is more important than off tracks, off road.

 

Suzuki Jimny MPG & VED is still much as was in 1998-2008, *poor*, and its 2013-14 now & really not viable in petrol usage if doing high annual mileage on road.

Sales are bound to stop soon in the UK though and then when no longer available new, the demand for used ones will never really go. There is nothing else really available that is so simple and reliable  that can do the same job. 2-3 1/2 seater

or as a small van with proper off road capability.

 

george

As a confirmed Jimny fan that uses one lots in all weather but especially Winter, 

I would not want to be without one and have not been for 12 years.

 

But i would say look at the other AWDs,  the Fiat Panda, Suzuki Swift, Dacia Dacia etc if road use is more important than off tracks, off road.

 

Suzuki Jimny MPG & VED is still much as was in 1998-2008, *poor*, and its 2013-14 now & really not viable in petrol usage if doing high annual mileage on road.

Sales are bound to stop soon in the UK though and then when no longer available new, the demand for used ones will never really go. There is nothing else really available that is so simple and reliable  that can do the same job. 2-3 1/2 seater

or as a small van with proper off road capability.

 

george

Are you on the "bigjimny" forum ?

No.

But i do read it regularly & recommend it to anyone with or looking for a Jimny.

http://www.bigjimny.com

No.

But i do read it regularly & recommend it to anyone with or looking for a Jimny.

http://www.bigjimny.com

Just asked, as my wife is on there. It is a mine of information for Jimny owners just as Briskoda is for Skoda.