I know it's a completely different car route to the one i previously expressed, but I'm considering getting one of these on an 04 plate or similar. What's everyone's views on them?

I've read the little write ups on here from the guy who got one for the missus and they seem to have been generally well received. However, i was just wondering if anyone had any other first hand experiences I should bear in mind.

Cheers,

joe

I had an extended test drive in a 1.4 (?) multijet diesel in 2005 and thought it a little cracker of a car, torquey, lively and engaging to drive.

A few of the quirks like the tiny oddly shaped boot (tall but lacking depth), the strange position of the gear-lever (almost dash-mounted a la 1970's Renault 4), I adjusted to very quickly and the car had a road presence and solidity that contradicted its small physical size. The rather boxy, upright stance of the car gave a reasonably comfortable driving position, admittedly I was only able to manage shortish runs, and all the major controls were logically laid out and accessible. The extensive areas of glass gave good all-round visibility, with the exception of the rear-window which seemed restricted by the passanger head-restraints (no worse than a Fabia rear seat arrangement), but didn';t seem to impinge on parking or reversing.

Three things which were insurmountable at the time put me off purchasing : 1) The rather "girlie" brightly coloured seat inserts in the dark-grey upholstery (apologies to the female members here, but I just couldn't live with it) 2) The lack of a diesel 4WD (engine choices at the time were petrol or diesel FWD, petrol 4WD) 3) The insane colours - my demo car was banana yellow

The positives have stuck with me and I think Mr (and Ms.) Fiat have since addressed the negatives as I perceived them.

Just a thumbnail, HTH.

No idea but i think the 100 bhp ones are kindov cool

A brilliant little car. the Diesel and 4 x 4s in particular. I like the looks too, it does what it says on the tin, if you see what I mean. I fancy a 4 x 4 to be honest and it’s only finances stopping me get one. This is what Fiat do best and few manufactures can beat them on value for money in this sector.

Can you tell I like them:D

ps i have owned several Fiats over the years and loved them all.

Jacs1988, I don't think they made a 100bhp 04 model sadly

I've read the little write ups on here from the guy who got one for the missus and they seem to have been generally well received.

Cheers,

joe

That would be me

I can only confirm what I wrote at the time, its a cracking little car (the diesel that is)

Interior on newer models is not as 'girly' as mathepac said, ours is dark grey side bolsters witha dark sand inserts and actually looks pretty good, far better than the red or blue ones.

Prices start at just over 5k for the 1.1 Active (although the 1.2 is supposedly much better). The 1.3 Diesel Dynamic can be had for £6195.

I can highly recommend FiatSupaSaver.com - Why Pay Dealer Prices? Brand New Fiats- Huge Discounts

SWMBO dealt with them all by herself and they were excellent, unlike the condescending idiots at Sidwell Street motors in Exeter.

My experience with them is they've come along way from the Fiats of old and they're well screwed together and also well specced. Unfortunately, they do still suffer from the odd electrical gremlins (air con packed up and radio developed a mind of its own), but body work and mechanicals seem to stand up well.

Chris

Looking around for this size of motor means I've read loads of reviews and each one will have the Panda in their top 5 best new/used superminis - some even have the Panda at the top.

From what I have read they are well screwed together, reliable and cheap which is what you want with this type of market. I think the used ones are bargains - I've seen 05 reg at car supermarkets for about £3.5k but when you can get a new one from £5k you may as well go new.

my fiat has now covered 33,000 miles of learner driving, and I've had no serious problems yet....

I test drove the panda 100, and its a cracking little car, funky looks, great handling, good standard equipment (climate blue& me ect) not fast if you compair it to a fabia vRS, but more fun when taken down a twisty road! and they can be had new for about £9k

As I said, it's got to be a used one as I want to spend cash only and not use any finance. House renovations dictate that the budget needs to be kept as tight as possible as the kitchen and bathroom etc have to be put before a car at the moment.

This means that I may be stuck with one with the brightly coloured seat inserts and I haven't seen any diesels available in my price range yet. However, everything I've read about them seems to be good so I don't think it's too much of a loss if I have to opt for a bright blue petrol model etc!

The only thing I'm worried about is the reduction in performance when I choose to strap a couple of mountain bikes to the roof. I appreciate that this car isn't about performance but I don't want it to become so slow it's unsafe as soon as I decide I want to nip to Devon / Wales for the weekend!

I think Panda's are great little cars,I was trying to persuade SWMBO into trading her Corsa in and getting a Panda. I even took her to look at a cracking 100hp sport, but all the female "car experts" at her work said "Fiats are rubbish".I've tried to explain they get a great write up and the 1.3 diesel is only £35 a year road tax, but will she listen....

As I said, it's got to be a used one as I want to spend cash only and not use any finance. House renovations dictate that the budget needs to be kept as tight as possible as the kitchen and bathroom etc have to be put before a car at the moment.

If that is the case then you most definately need the 1.2 but (and please bear in mind I only drove one to compare against the 1.3 Diesel) it will struggle when hitting the hills of Wales/Devon, at least it did when I drove it from Exeter to NW Dartmoor. Perky enough up to around 50-55mph but not much after.

As with all cars, take a couple out and see what you think

Sat in a Fiat Panda and found it spacious enough, liked the high postion of the gear stick. Mechanically, I have found Fiats straightforward enough, and my Mk1 Punto lasted 6 years before any major faults occured. The Panda is starting to tick some boxes as for the next car, especially if Fiat bring out the new eco-petrol engines this year, - 2 cylinder 1.2 with 69 and 100 bhp options. If not I would go for the 1.3 Multijet diesel option. Only issues I have - there has to be some comfortable rear passenger space, and need to check how the car would cope with an ever increasing crumbling road suface.

The only thing I'm worried about is the reduction in performance when I choose to strap a couple of mountain bikes to the roof. I appreciate that this car isn't about performance but I don't want it to become so slow it's unsafe as soon as I decide I want to nip to Devon / Wales for the weekend!

The Panda is predominantly a city car so loading it up will hamper performance. Depending on how frequently you do Devon/Wales you could always hire a bigger car for the trip with the money you've saved. In fact, quite a few companies seem to be offering 48 hour test drives too which would save your hiring, and what better trip to "evaluate" a nice big comfy motorway cruiser than Devon or Wales

Chris

The Panda is predominantly a city car so loading it up will hamper performance. Depending on how frequently you do Devon/Wales you could always hire a bigger car for the trip with the money you've saved. In fact, quite a few companies seem to be offering 48 hour test drives too which would save your hiring, and what better trip to "evaluate" a nice big comfy motorway cruiser than Devon or Wales

Chris

Yeh, the problem is that I want my car to do everything tbh. I'm guessing it wouldn't be too bad; I'd just have to make more of a trip out of it I guess and go slow! As you implied though, I could borrow my father's passat estate if necessary and I'm sure he wouldn't mind swapping for a weekend etc.