Micro machines

[Slow progress]

Quick one, I’m after opinions on a pair of small cars I’m trying to decide between:

Fiat Panda 100hp

Or

Smart Brabus Coupe Roadster


Which would you choose? It’s a 3rd car toy.

I’m limited on space, and wanted something a bit more modern than the original Mini (plus trying to avoid complete rot boxes)

Hopefully someone on here has had both at some point! (1 in a million chance I know!)

[lancslad58]

Slow progress said:

Quick one, I’m after opinions on a pair of small cars I’m trying to decide between:

Fiat Panda 100hp

Or

Smart Brabus Coupe Roadster


Which would you choose? It’s a 3rd car toy.

I’m limited on space, and wanted something a bit more modern than the original Mini (plus trying to avoid complete rot boxes)

Hopefully someone on here has had both at some point! (1 in a million chance I know!)

Fiat Panda 100hp hands down winner. Try searching the forum, or Youtube, and you'll find mnayy recommendations

[Slow progress]

Should add, appreciate the RS Twingo is also the right length but I have a Clio already do want a different manufacturer.

[airsafari87]

Panda, every single time.

[Silvanus]

I looked at both, plus the Twingo and a few others some years ago. Ended up with a Citroen C2 VTS which was a good drive but the Twingo was better but more expensive at the time. I regret not buying a Daihatsu Copen though. If an Abarth 500 is in budget it's certainly worth a look.

[BricktopST205]

Suzuki Ignis Sport. A lot better than a Panda 100HP. The gearbox is beautiful. Rev happy engine, 940KG kerb weight and 115 BHP. Closest thing you will get to a classic 80's hot hatch. Fantastic on fuel too. This was our old one.

Edited by BricktopST205 on Saturday 7th September 10:44

[Silvanus]

BricktopST205 said:

Suzuki Ignis Sport. A lot better than a Panda 100HP. The gearbox is beautiful. Rev happy engine, 940KG kerb weight and 115 BHP. Closest thing you will get to a classic 80's hot hatch. Fantastic on fuel too. This was our old one.

Edited by BricktopST205 on Saturday 7th September 10:44

I tested one of these back to back with a Panda, I actually preferred the Panda. I had high hopes for the Suzuki but it just didn't feel as quick or as fun as I was expecting.

[Slow progress]

lancslad58 said:

Slow progress said:

Quick one, I’m after opinions on a pair of small cars I’m trying to decide between:

Fiat Panda 100hp

Or

Smart Brabus Coupe Roadster


Which would you choose? It’s a 3rd car toy.

I’m limited on space, and wanted something a bit more modern than the original Mini (plus trying to avoid complete rot boxes)

Hopefully someone on here has had both at some point! (1 in a million chance I know!)

Fiat Panda 100hp hands down winner. Try searching the forum, or Youtube, and you'll find mnayy recommendations

Thankyou, wasn’t sure on the Smarts gearbox but understand driving position and feel are like a cut price Elise?!?

[Nickp82]

Thread title gave me a proustian rush back to circa 1988

[V6Nelo]

Nickp82 said:

Thread title gave me a proustian rush back to circa 1988

Glad it wasn’t just me with that expectation opening this thread

[CanAm]

V6Nelo said:

Nickp82 said:

Thread title gave me a proustian rush back to circa 1988

Glad it wasn’t just me with that expectation opening this thread

No, there were at least three of us!

[Decky_Q]

I owned a roadster and they are great when going well but they are deeply flawed cars. Mine was quite new and reassuringly expensive, I wouldnt touch one now tbh unless I was planning an engine swap. The parts are expensive, and some are hard to get.

[Robertb]

One of the journos at Classic and Sportscar
Mag had a Smart Roadster which was no end of trouble and he sold it.

[njw1]

I drove a Panda 100hp, it didn't feel that quick, it was revving it's nuts off at motorway speeds, the ride was terrible and the tyre noise was horrendous, oh, and there was a bar in the seat digging into my lower back.
I appreciate I've only driven a sample of one but I really wasn't impressed, I don't get the hype around them to be honest. The nearest comparable car I've driven is a mk6 Fiesta Zetec S and that was a better car in every way.

[ChrisH72]

I quite like the Panda 100Hp.

But I think I'd also look at a mk1 Swift Sport. Or how about a Yaris T sport if you can find one?

[ZX10R NIN]

ChrisH72 said:

I quite like the Panda 100Hp.

But I think I'd also look at a mk1 Swift Sport. Or how about a Yaris T sport if you can find one?

+1 to the above

[LightningBlue]

What is this thing on here with the Panda? They’re hideous! Out of those two it would be the Smart Roadster every time - as a third car it makes sense and will be an event to drive, a Panda is a shed

[Slow progress]

It’s the EVO reviews that interested me in both, great reviews although both cars have their marmite bits!

Length is the issue for me, so that’s why those two:

I’d discounted the original mini for rot and cost, the thing R/S as I’ve a 182.

The Panda is a fit by 1cm behind the Clio, so it really is the limit.

Both vehicles are sub 100bhp so are candidates for my son in the long run and represent different driving experiences to the Clio, the Panda is more a momentum car and fit for the urban environment. The Smart is a different layout but the gearbox is the question for me, in how different/awful is it depending on your viewpoint.

Edited by Slow progress on Monday 9th September 15:27