Road tested the Panda 100 hp this morning , and it was as much fun as Shifty said it was in his review , still not absolutely convinced i want one , so hence the poll

have been offered

Have you tried the Suzuki Swift Sport?

125bhp and looks awesome!

If I didn't have a remap on mine (thus can't really go down 50-60bhp), I'd have one in a flash for my next car

I'd have a Swift Sport also, cracking looking little motor.

Keep the Fabia, regardless of it needing a new clutch sooner or later.

If you got the Fiat you would only have to Fix It Again Tomorrow.

If you got the Fiat you would only have to Fix It Again Tomorrow.

:iagree:

but to be honest, fiat have improved thier cars a lot in recent years... it's definately worth considering expecially if the dreaded warranty is expiring soon.

i've not seen the new panda myself but i've heard lots of good things about them

I was amazed at how far the new Panda has come and I'd happily have one. Much more character than the Fabia imho too

Chris

Buy anything but a Fiat. High depreciaton, and italian build? No thanks.

Fiat's take 2 slots in my 'worst cars I've ever driven' list. SWMBO was begging for her 15 y/o Polo back after a week in a Cinquecento.

The Swift.... maybe. Suzuki build good cars. Parts not cheap though, and main dealer only.

Pity Suzuki didn't make it look like this.

The Swift.... maybe. Suzuki build good cars. Parts not cheap though, and main dealer only.

Really??? I bought a perfectly good new alternator for my wifes Vitara from our local motor factors ta.

Really??? I bought a perfectly good new alternator for my wifes Vitara from our local motor factors ta.

Point taken, but for less common things you seem to struggle IME. Probably with an alternator there's enough in circulation. Sister-in-law has a vitara too (and it's a nice car if you like that kind of thing), and has had a few dealer-only experiences. Had a long wait for something fuel tank related.

keep the Fabia. it isn't a Fiat

Pity Suzuki didn't make it look like this.

That looks like a polar bear took a 5h1t in Halfords.

Pity Suzuki didn't make it look like this.

Do they do a matching trailer? :sofahide:

If you do lots of long journeys and appreciate the Fabia for its broad spread of abilities, then keep it. If you want to go nutter down the lanes often and dont mind a car that is going to be less comfortable on long journeys, the Fiat looks like a hoot. Remember your Fabia has had its steepest depriciation already.

Chris

I can't get this problem people seem to have with Fiats :confused: :confused: . My £1800 Punto JTD HLX rattles far less than my VRS does. My family has owned Fiats for years and we have never had any really big problems.

We had 2 127's that each ran for about 5 years with no issues, we had a Strada 65CL that only needed new shocks after 60000 miles, then there was the Panda 4x4 which we bought new in 1988 and did 130000 miles in it over 15 years (All that went wrong in those 130000 miles was a speedo cable, clutch cable, the clock never worked, an ignition module went and I think it also needed a new exhaust which for 130000 miles is nothing really). We would still have it now if my mother still be able to drive.

Have you tried the Suzuki Swift Sport?

125bhp and looks awesome!

If I didn't have a remap on mine (thus can't really go down 50-60bhp), I'd have one in a flash for my next car

yeah i've test drove the Swift , wasn't overwhelmed by it , but i suppose i wasn't just given the keys and told to take as long as i want on my roadtest like i was with the Panda , plus its

If you do lots of long journeys and appreciate the Fabia for its broad spread of abilities, then keep it. If you want to go nutter down the lanes often and dont mind a car that is going to be less comfortable on long journeys, the Fiat looks like a hoot. Remember your Fabia has had its steepest depriciation already.

Chris

good sensible post Chris GB , i think you've hit the nail on the head there

If you do lots of long journeys and appreciate the Fabia for its broad spread of abilities, then keep it. If you want to go nutter down the lanes often and dont mind a car that is going to be less comfortable on long journeys, the Fiat looks like a hoot. Remember your Fabia has had its steepest depriciation already.

Chris

I agree. You'd probably get tired of having to thrash the car every time you want to make decent progress. I know Evo mag raved about the Panda as it was such fun to drive, and I'd love one for nipping to work and back, but for anything else the Fabia would be the best all-rounder.

I wouldn't worry about build quality though as Fiat have really upped their game recently and the Panda is pretty well screwed together. Don't forget that there are people out there who still have a go at Skodas for being rubbish even though things have changed.

You can't compare a Fiat from the mid 90's to the new Panda. I had a couple of the old Pandas 'when I was a lad' and have driven the new Panda a few times recently. The reason being is that the Skoda dealership near to me is a Fiat, Subaru and Skoda setup and the loan cars are new Pandas. So when my so called rock solid Skoda is having its:

annoying trim rattles sorted

its mooing brakes fixed

its knackered speakers replaced

its exterior trim problems sorted

the loan car that I spent all day driving around the North Yorks Moors that didn't rattle, fall to bits or have any problems I could find was a 'rubbish' Fiat. The new Panda gets my seal of approval ( for what it's worth).

Rant over.

p.s. I still love my Octavia though.

What is that white thing in the pic on page one?

I like the look and the idea of the Panda 100hp but worry I'd be constantly driving it hard to get anywhere.

Dont be stupid!!!

Your Fabia will still be worth more in 12 months time as well

yeah, exactly how I had to drive my Lupo, small engines with more power than they should have require lots of work to get going

I'd have said a 100bhp petrol would be absolute carp after the Fabia but then I did it and I can honestly say that I've never looked back - I'm having more fun on a daily basis than I ever did in the Furby - they might be torquey but let's be honest, they're a bit dull even when tuned compared to something that's genuinely a laugh to drive!

Power and residuals aren't everything - you only live once

Isn't there supposed to be an even faster Panda Abarth coming soon?