Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet 5 month report

[MisterGT]

The Panda was bought as a replacement for my wifes ancient 106 and also for commuting to work, approx 65 mile round trip, and has now covered 7500 miles.

The car is only available in one trim, Dynamic, this includes electric front windows, MP3 CD player, follow me home lights, multi function trip computer. The only option we chose were the roof rails purely for aesthetic reasons.
Total cost was £6095

Exterior: Cute is the most appropriate description. Panel fit and paint finish is good, and the black highlights contrast nicely with the Mambo yellow paint.

Interior: All seems well put together, no rattles or squeaks and doors have a reassuring 'clunk' when closed. Seats are well bolstered for this kind of car but could do with a little more thigh support for those approaching 6ft tall. Comfortable enough for an hour or two but longer journeys require occasional stops to 'stretch the legs'., however, room in the front is fine for two adults and the rear seat is fine for young children(mine are 8 and 9). Boot is large enough for a couple of overnight bags, or half a dozen tesco carrier bags.

Driving: Great fun around town as the engine proves to be remarkably 'peppy' for a small diesel. Suprisingly capable at NSL on Motorways/Duel carrigeways once up to speed. The Panda is suprisingly refind but does suffer in cross winds due to its height and relatively narrow wheel base. Fifth gear is most definately a cruise gear, requiring regular changes if you wish to make progress especially on A roads, however in the right gear the engine proves very willing and matched with the dashboard mounted gearstick allows for some entertaining moments. Road holding is good considering the vehicles high centre of gravity, but does get wallowy on twisty roads. (bring the travel sickness bags for the kids )

Running Costs: how low can you go ? Group 2 insurance, £35 a year tax. 60mpg

Problems so far: Non/Zero/Zip/Nada

Overall: Cracking car for the money,only the C1/Aygo/107 come close at that price, but I found that the Panda was more refined at speed, all are good cheap cars.

Cons: Wife wont let me take it to Angel Tuning for a remap

Link to pics below

BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community

BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community

[skudmissile]

Originally Posted by MisterGT

The Panda was bought as a replacement for my wifes ancient 106 and also for commuting to work, approx 65 mile round trip, and has now covered 7500 miles.

The car is only available in one trim, Dynamic, this includes electric front windows, MP3 CD player, follow me home lights, multi function trip computer. The only option we chose were the roof rails purely for aesthetic reasons.
Total cost was £6095

Exterior: Cute is the most appropriate description. Panel fit and paint finish is good, and the black highlights contrast nicely with the Mambo yellow paint.

Interior: All seems well put together, no rattles or squeaks and doors have a reassuring 'clunk' when closed. Seats are well bolstered for this kind of car but could do with a little more thigh support for those approaching 6ft tall. Comfortable enough for an hour or two but longer journeys require occasional stops to 'stretch the legs'., however, room in the front is fine for two adults and the rear seat is fine for young children(mine are 8 and 9). Boot is large enough for a couple of overnight bags, or half a dozen tesco carrier bags.

Driving: Great fun around town as the engine proves to be remarkably 'peppy' for a small diesel. Suprisingly capable at NSL on Motorways/Duel carrigeways once up to speed. The Panda is suprisingly refind but does suffer in cross winds due to its height and relatively narrow wheel base. Fifth gear is most definately a cruise gear, requiring regular changes if you wish to make progress especially on A roads, however in the right gear the engine proves very willing and matched with the dashboard mounted gearstick allows for some entertaining moments. Road holding is good considering the vehicles high centre of gravity, but does get wallowy on twisty roads. (bring the travel sickness bags for the kids )

Running Costs: how low can you go ? Group 2 insurance, £35 a year tax. 60mpg

Problems so far: Non/Zero/Zip/Nada

Overall: Cracking car for the money,only the C1/Aygo/107 come close at that price, but I found that the Panda was more refined at speed, all are good cheap cars.

Cons: Wife wont let me take it to Angel Tuning for a remap

Link to pics below

BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community

BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community

good write up

The panda is a good small car, we had one as a coursity car when the police crashed into the ibiza, Handling is comedy but not unsafe The lighter steering button is mint

[sharkrider]

Nice write up, glad to see it performing well.....

the panda was the first car to start repairing Fiats bad reputation at build quality and reliability, the first one to do well in the JD power serveys too!

my GP is also running well, 27,000 miles in 8 months, and two things fixed under warrenty, new drop links, and an inoperable door handle otherwise fine (and has been running the angel remap for 23,000 miles with no issues)

as I was reading your post, i was going to suggest taking it to angel, think they can put it up to about 105 bhp but then got to the bit where it says "wife won't let me" lol.. you could do it without telling her

[postmanpat]

Originally Posted by sharkrider

and has been running the angel remap for 23,000 miles with no issues)

Call that a remap

[sharkrider]

Originally Posted by postmanpat

Call that a remap

*kicks Andy....

[Reece_1]

Did look at one couple of years ago, but having a Fiat for 6 years decided for a change.
The two cylinder 1.2 version which is supposed to be released some time in the near future will be worth a look as a second car

[MisterGT]

Originally Posted by sharkrider

as I was reading your post, i was going to suggest taking it to angel, think they can put it up to about 105 bhp but then got to the bit where it says "wife won't let me" lol.. you could do it without telling her

I suspect she may notice

[pittVRS]

Well thought out review

I had a couple of Cinquecento Sports about ten years ago and loved the handling, but the panels were really thin, like bacofoil, so they picked up lots of dings at the supermarket and even stone chips usually dented the skin as well. Have Fiat resolved this matter now?

[sharkrider]

Originally Posted by pittVRS

Well thought out review

I had a couple of Cinquecento Sports about ten years ago and loved the handling, but the panels were really thin, like bacofoil, so they picked up lots of dings at the supermarket and even stone chips usually dented the skin as well. Have Fiat resolved this matter now?

I rememeber being at shifty's fish and chip shop, just after I'd bought mine, and was amused as to how he was opening and closing the door, saying things like "this 'thunks' like a proper car, not like a fiat ! " lol.....

the panda 100hp i road tested seemed as well screwed together as my GP......

[MisterGT]

Originally Posted by pittVRS

, so they picked up lots of dings at the supermarket and even stone chips usually dented the skin as well. Have Fiat resolved this matter now?

Not quite, she has already managed to put a small dent right on the front wheel arch where the crease is She reversed the Octy into it however it didnt even remove the dirt off the Octys bumper.

So that would be Octy build 1 Fiat Build 0

Thanks for all the positive comments