Fiat Panda

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Mon 23 Feb 2004 11:56
Fiat Panda - Myles
First post from me, and probably in the wrong section, but here goes...

Until recently, I commuted by train, but now I need a car again, so had to get a second one so that my wife and kids aren't stranded when I go to work. Well, I took delivery of a Fiat Panda 1.1 Active last week and have done just over 200 miles so far. I have to say that I have been astounded by this car - I don't think that there is anything on the market at the moment which can touch it. I looked (from a distance) at the CityRover and decided to steer clear because of a) equipment levels; b) insurance grouping; c) fuel economy. Compared to the Panda it was, for me, a no-brainer.

The Panda cost just over £5,900 with metallic paint and is group 1E insurance. It's got front electric windows (with one-touch on driver's side), a fairly decent quality radio-cassette, comfortable seats, and a surprisingly nippy engine. OK, the engine's not exactly warp drive, but I was surprised at how good it was (I usually drive a 2.0HDi Picasso). You probably wouldn't want to do many long journeys in it, but that's not what the car's designed to do. As a cheap, basic run-around, I think it knocks the oppo into a cocked hat. Now, when I'm just doing the commute into the office (about 12 miles), it's the Panda I take!
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Mon 23 Feb 2004 14:08
Fiat Panda - PR {P}
Jeremy Clarkson reviewed it in his column a couple of weeks ago and said he prefered it over his Merc sl55 AMG. Alright, maybe a bit of an exaggeration but you can see where he was coming from.
It didnt win car of the year for nothing
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Mon 23 Feb 2004 16:23
Fiat Panda - just a bloke
I'm pleased to hear this, I have been thinking about chopping in my old punto for a new Panda...
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Mon 23 Feb 2004 18:26
Fiat Panda - Vansboy
HJ mentioned, a week or two back, that Fiat are getting loads of orders, even more demand than they predicted, it seems.

Bound to win sales from the Ka market, as well as Korean brands.& as just a bloke says, it'll be competing with itself too.

The Italians showing how good they are at building small cars.But not in Italy this time!!

I like it!!

VB
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Mon 23 Feb 2004 19:23
Fiat Panda - carl_a
Agree with everyone the Panda is a great little car, you seem to have got a nice discount Myles considering the metallic paint.

Pulling Power is on tonight at 11pm in the central region (don't know about others), they are testing out city cars so it should be interesting to watch.
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Tue 24 Feb 2004 08:30
Fiat Panda - Myles
Ah, yes. Forgot to say....

There is an approx 3 month waiting list for most Pandas. We were told that for black, solid red, and metallic red, the wait would be about 8 weeks.

As it was, we were happy to have the black one out of the showroom, so got it within the week. And, to be honest, I think the black is good for the Active because the bumpers aren't so obviously un-painted!
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Mon 23 Feb 2004 21:30
Fiat Panda - autumnboy
This is excactly what I've been saying on my thread 'New City Rover'. The Panda way out strips the CR in every aspect.
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Mon 23 Feb 2004 21:54
Fiat Panda - Martin Wall
I saw the following in the 'Motoring Advice' section of the reginal newspaper: chap writes in looking for a new/new-ish car for town driving and the odd motorway trip. Had £7000 to spend. advice was 'save your money and get a new Perodua Kelisa for £5500'. For the money the chap had available and the extensive range of cars for his budget this is awful advice. New Panda sounds a better bet - a lot more modern for a start.
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