Discussion
I'm considering swapping my barge (3.0 omega) for a panda 100hp. I've been tempted by low running costs, cheap insurance and fun handling.
I only commute 20 miles per day, I would like to hear from any PH owners about how their ownership experience has gone on since purchase. One other question, do they have an iPOD connection as standard?
Im hoping to drive one this week, and will anticipate making a purchase around december time, as my current car insurance is due for renewal.
Any deals people have seen or can offer greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Andrew
I only commute 20 miles per day, I would like to hear from any PH owners about how their ownership experience has gone on since purchase. One other question, do they have an iPOD connection as standard?
Im hoping to drive one this week, and will anticipate making a purchase around december time, as my current car insurance is due for renewal.
Any deals people have seen or can offer greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Andrew
I've had mine for 3 months and use it for the daily commute. The ride is a bit harsh over speed bumps but it's a great little car, especially on the country lanes. Got mine through the Fiat Supersaver website, which supplies the cars through a Fiat Main Dealer in Pewsham. They don't offer finance but the price I got was the best I could find by far (just under 8K).
Hi there,
I've had my 100hp for a couple of weeks now (replaced a 182 cup) which I use for the daily commute which is a 90 mile round trip consisting of M25 and A24 (so motorways and some fun twisty bits).
It's remarkably well behaved on the motorway. Much more comfortable over bumps than the clio and much less noisy at speed (6th gear is a godsend - 80 mph in 6th is about 3.8k rpm). Economy wise I'm getting 270 miles on a full tank (25 quid to fill up).
Be careful when filling up for the first time. The first 'click' to indicate its full tends to result in a spew of petrol all down the side of the car (trick is to hold it at 8 o clock when filling).
I've had absolutely no problems with the car - the auto climate control and bluetooth hands free work a treat as does the mp3 cd player (the sound system is pretty good too).
On the twisty stuff its not as hardcore or as quick as the clio but its by no means less fun! The rorty engine note and high grip levels always ensures some entertaining progress!
Oh yeh - check out www.fiatforum.com and get yourslef registered in the panda-new subforum
I've had my 100hp for a couple of weeks now (replaced a 182 cup) which I use for the daily commute which is a 90 mile round trip consisting of M25 and A24 (so motorways and some fun twisty bits).
It's remarkably well behaved on the motorway. Much more comfortable over bumps than the clio and much less noisy at speed (6th gear is a godsend - 80 mph in 6th is about 3.8k rpm). Economy wise I'm getting 270 miles on a full tank (25 quid to fill up).
Be careful when filling up for the first time. The first 'click' to indicate its full tends to result in a spew of petrol all down the side of the car (trick is to hold it at 8 o clock when filling).
I've had absolutely no problems with the car - the auto climate control and bluetooth hands free work a treat as does the mp3 cd player (the sound system is pretty good too).
On the twisty stuff its not as hardcore or as quick as the clio but its by no means less fun! The rorty engine note and high grip levels always ensures some entertaining progress!
Oh yeh - check out www.fiatforum.com and get yourslef registered in the panda-new subforum
had a seat in the Panda 100hp this weekend, wasn't able to take it for a drive, which I'll do this week.
First thoughts, it has quite a tardis like quality with its low roof line, however, once inside their is a reasonable amount of room. I'm 6-2 and quite stocky, the only problem I had was the door closing on my right knee and the centre console encroaching on the left. I'm not sure whether this would be solved by altering my driving position, but it was comfy - just a bit different.
The quality of the materials inside where a little surprising, the door handle and door bins were a little flimsy at odds with the nice feel of the main dash switches. Its quite dark inside, although much better with the sun roof option, however that resulted the headroom being reduced, I'd leave it personally.
The rear seats are comfortable, however with me driving, the car would be a 3 seater, as with the seat all the way back the rear was totally unusable. Not something I was surprised about, and is true of all small cars. Boot space was adequate, minimal rear overhang but shopping etc would easily fit, think I would have to drop the seats for my golf clubs to fit (sorry!).
All in all I was quite impressed, but I don't know the compromise on space would lead me to resent the car in a few months. I going to drive it later this week and see how I feel.
First thoughts, it has quite a tardis like quality with its low roof line, however, once inside their is a reasonable amount of room. I'm 6-2 and quite stocky, the only problem I had was the door closing on my right knee and the centre console encroaching on the left. I'm not sure whether this would be solved by altering my driving position, but it was comfy - just a bit different.
The quality of the materials inside where a little surprising, the door handle and door bins were a little flimsy at odds with the nice feel of the main dash switches. Its quite dark inside, although much better with the sun roof option, however that resulted the headroom being reduced, I'd leave it personally.
The rear seats are comfortable, however with me driving, the car would be a 3 seater, as with the seat all the way back the rear was totally unusable. Not something I was surprised about, and is true of all small cars. Boot space was adequate, minimal rear overhang but shopping etc would easily fit, think I would have to drop the seats for my golf clubs to fit (sorry!).
All in all I was quite impressed, but I don't know the compromise on space would lead me to resent the car in a few months. I going to drive it later this week and see how I feel.
We've had (I say we, its my g/fs car, but its part of the family already!) our Panda 100HP just about two weeks now and its great. She doesn't commute very far but travels all over the country for work and she loves it, thinks its the greatest car ever. 
I've been very impressed myself too. It corners better than my Lupo GTI and has a great little engine note. Still feels tight but its not got 1k on the clock yet so its early days. Build quality is great, feels solid as a rock and its spec is excellent.
Those nasty thin speed humps completely defeat the car though, but as for the boucy ride I can't say its been an issue yet. Top little car, a proper little drivers car if you ask me.
I've been very impressed myself too. It corners better than my Lupo GTI and has a great little engine note. Still feels tight but its not got 1k on the clock yet so its early days. Build quality is great, feels solid as a rock and its spec is excellent.
Those nasty thin speed humps completely defeat the car though, but as for the boucy ride I can't say its been an issue yet. Top little car, a proper little drivers car if you ask me.
By the way, on the iPod kit, I originally ordered one with the car back in July, however the dealer said they'd had some issues with it so best to get a Dension ICE Link or something like that.
It does have a aux input on the back of the H/U, however Fiat haven't fitted a port anywhere in the interior. Its fairly easy to obtain the correct leads though and run it into the glovebox though.
It does have a aux input on the back of the H/U, however Fiat haven't fitted a port anywhere in the interior. Its fairly easy to obtain the correct leads though and run it into the glovebox though.
AndyWoodall said:
By the way, on the iPod kit, I originally ordered one with the car back in July, however the dealer said they'd had some issues with it so best to get a Dension ICE Link or something like that.
It does have a aux input on the back of the H/U, however Fiat haven't fitted a port anywhere in the interior. Its fairly easy to obtain the correct leads though and run it into the glovebox though.
Thanks for the heads up! It does have a aux input on the back of the H/U, however Fiat haven't fitted a port anywhere in the interior. Its fairly easy to obtain the correct leads though and run it into the glovebox though.
Resurecting this post as I'm thinking of going for a look at this.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/FIAT...
Has anyone had any problems with theirs yet? Looking as it's likely to be a lot more frugal than my current steed, but if that is offset by a plumiting residual and frequent visits to the dealer, then it will be false economy.
What's peoples mpg experiences? Unless it's 40 plus on a run, I ain't even gonna both looking.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/FIAT...
Has anyone had any problems with theirs yet? Looking as it's likely to be a lot more frugal than my current steed, but if that is offset by a plumiting residual and frequent visits to the dealer, then it will be false economy.
What's peoples mpg experiences? Unless it's 40 plus on a run, I ain't even gonna both looking.
mat205125 said:
What's peoples mpg experiences? Unless it's 40 plus on a run, I ain't even gonna both looking.
During normal driving, mine started off averaging 35mpg. That's for a mix of town stop-start, country roads and a burst of dual carriageway. 32 miles a day with a leaden foot and the a/c on constantly.This average has recently increased to 36-37 for the same driving, I'm presuming the engine is wearing in (it's done 7k miles)
On the most recent tank of fuel, I'm trying to get a personal mpg best. Halfway through the tank, with the same commute but no a/c or leaden foot I'm averaging 41.2mpg!
Unless you drive like Miss Daisy, 40mpg is going to be hard to achieve.
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