Fiat Panda 1.1 Active
Discussion
Having put the Porker in for a service and a few jobs, I found myself in need of some cheap wheels. I didn't have any set criteria, other than 'must last at least 4 weeks'. Searching through the classifieds (all too expensive), I found myself on the worst place to purchase a car - Facebook Marketplace. After sifting through endless million mile Ford Kas and and rusted Passats, something caught my eye.
This ladies and gentlemen is my Fiat Panda 1.1 Active. It's in a heavily patina'd Guacamole Verde. I think it would have been a lovely little thing back in it's day, especially seeing that it was the cheapest new car on sale in the UK at the time.
It's got a thunderous 56bhp, a sticking front calliper and the most dangerous tyres I've ever driven in (Kingstar Roadfit SK10). They are new tyres, but even the panda can break traction in 2nd gear. The sidewalls are comically thin meaning it's got jelly like suspension feel. These will be the first things to go.
Oh, and the old dear I purchased it from owned a farm so it reeks of horses and dogs, to an extent that's difficult to convey through text.
So what's my plans with it? Really, to make it drive a little better and generally have fun pissing around with it and doing things to it which I can't on any of our other cars. It really is quite a pleasant little thing - or rather it will be.
This ladies and gentlemen is my Fiat Panda 1.1 Active. It's in a heavily patina'd Guacamole Verde. I think it would have been a lovely little thing back in it's day, especially seeing that it was the cheapest new car on sale in the UK at the time.
It's got a thunderous 56bhp, a sticking front calliper and the most dangerous tyres I've ever driven in (Kingstar Roadfit SK10). They are new tyres, but even the panda can break traction in 2nd gear. The sidewalls are comically thin meaning it's got jelly like suspension feel. These will be the first things to go.
Oh, and the old dear I purchased it from owned a farm so it reeks of horses and dogs, to an extent that's difficult to convey through text.
So what's my plans with it? Really, to make it drive a little better and generally have fun pissing around with it and doing things to it which I can't on any of our other cars. It really is quite a pleasant little thing - or rather it will be.
Edited by Funkstar De Luxe on Tuesday 19th May 13:51
carinaman said:
When it smells of two different species is it acceptable to call it a shed?
£30 per year road tax? I like Fiats. As a means of transport that can be left anywhere at minimal expense I'd have a Panda.
Yeah, I love it. I’m really enamoured by how utilitarian it is. It feels very honest. £30 per year road tax? I like Fiats. As a means of transport that can be left anywhere at minimal expense I'd have a Panda.
A friend of mine had one of these for a good 5/6 years before he got distracted by someone crossing the road and missed the Jeep Grand Cherokee 20 feet ahead that he'd been following and rear ended it. It was perfectly adequate at getting you and some things from A to B although leaving late was never a good idea. 2 up, off a roundabout at about 20mph, gave it the beans, I grew a beard, built a house, had a family and was in line for a hip operation before 60 was achieved!
I bought one of these in January with 37k miles on for £800, I've spent probably £400 since then on a cambelt, water pump and starter motor. But it is a cracking car. Bought it as we desperately needed to reduce our fuel expenses as we were spending silly money.
It is mostly comfortable, not quick at all so is hilarious to drive and the steering is lighter than anything else I've driven.
But... it starts on the button and runs very well!
I'd replace this one with another were it to kick the bucket.
It is mostly comfortable, not quick at all so is hilarious to drive and the steering is lighter than anything else I've driven.
But... it starts on the button and runs very well!
I'd replace this one with another were it to kick the bucket.
I noticed that the thermostat was sticking, never reaching full temp.
£7 later, here we are
Also gave her an oil change and flush. It's an 8v non interference engine, so it's not exactly fussy about oil, but I thought I'd do it anyway. Better safe than sorry.
In fact, I did park plugs, oil, air filter, oil filter and coolant flush.
£7 later, here we are
Also gave her an oil change and flush. It's an 8v non interference engine, so it's not exactly fussy about oil, but I thought I'd do it anyway. Better safe than sorry.
In fact, I did park plugs, oil, air filter, oil filter and coolant flush.
So November last year, after my budget had recovered from stickers, wings and various tasteless accoutrements I decided to do something that was quite necessary. Tyres.
The problem with the Panda was that it ran 13" wheels, and there was no real good option for tyres in those particular sizes. The wheels were in a heck of a state behind the wheel trims. Rusted to heck.
Given that this was initially meant to be my winter hack, I thought I'd do some winter tyres for her. This meant upping the wheel size to a massive 14".
This has mage a HUGE difference to the car and is the only truly worthwhile upgrade I've done. I went for the gold on green, aping a Lamborghini Miura colour scheme. The resemblance is remarkable
The problem with the Panda was that it ran 13" wheels, and there was no real good option for tyres in those particular sizes. The wheels were in a heck of a state behind the wheel trims. Rusted to heck.
Given that this was initially meant to be my winter hack, I thought I'd do some winter tyres for her. This meant upping the wheel size to a massive 14".
This has mage a HUGE difference to the car and is the only truly worthwhile upgrade I've done. I went for the gold on green, aping a Lamborghini Miura colour scheme. The resemblance is remarkable
I had one of these with the 1.3 Mulitjet diesel clatterer. It was very likeable, and pretty sturdy, but the handling was atrocious! My first car, a Panda of 1994 vintage, felt more composed around corners.
Good cheap motors overall, though, and they did some interesting colours like your guac edition. Have fun!
Good cheap motors overall, though, and they did some interesting colours like your guac edition. Have fun!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff