General 2nd panda search over

[sandeel999]

After 4 months my search for a second panda is over.
It's ended with a suzuki ignis being bought. Nice little machine.
Still many rubbish pandas for sale in Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. Best I saw was corby rockingham garage. 0.9 27000 miles way overpriced but good condition. Many of the others are truly awful having seen many before they got cleaned. Best was norwich where after opening the bonnet and sticking my fingers up the duck bills the salesman saying "where did all that water come from" .
Anyway had the ignis 2 weeks now and it's panda sized, much quicker, about the same for comfort, turning circle slightly missing the city mode and the not so wide window ledge to rest you're arm but that's about it.
It's pre mhev 19 plate, 15000 miles, full suzuki history, 1 elderly owner and unmarked inside or out.
Would have liked another panda but 4 months of only 1 car was driving me and the other half mad.
We have the fiat main dealer manager of 20 years working part time at the club we run behind the bar, how he managed 20 years with such a hate for fiat's is truly amazing.

 

[SB1500]

It's a shame that there weren't many decent used Panda's around, I feel your pain. A lot of dealers seem to not bother cleaning the cars to make them presentable now until someone is interested... lazy indeed. And the Fiat dealers, clearly Fiat forgot to train them on how to sell Fiats if they're anything like the dealer in NI!

The Suzuki is quirky and shouldn't give you any hassle. It might not give you the same smiles-per-gallon as the Panda though. Hope it serves you well

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I like the Ignis. Zippy little thing.

 

[sandeel999]

SB1500 I was glad I saw some of them before cleaning as the red 8000 miler at Bury St Edmunds was green everywhere and had 2 inches of mud in all arches. Even after cleaning the inside edge of the arch is still full of mud. The ignis was uncleaned when I saw it and looked mint. Had to go for lunch while they prepped it.
Yes the ignis is nice, fast compared to the panda and a much nicer place to be. Only niggles window ledge not as wide for arm to sit on

 

[SB1500]

SB1500 I was glad I saw some of them before cleaning as the red 8000 miler at Bury St Edmunds was green everywhere and had 2 inches of mud in all arches. Even after cleaning the inside edge of the arch is still full of mud. The ignis was uncleaned when I saw it and looked mint. Had to go for lunch while they prepped it.
Yes the ignis is nice, fast compared to the panda and a much nicer place to be. Only niggles window ledge not as wide for arm to sit on

I've went to the dark side myself (owning a Japanese car) and it's been fairly trouble free, most of my trouble coming from dealers/warranty or my own damage .. oops. If it wasn't for the financial implications of me trading in so many times, I'd buy another Panda tomorrow. But the new price is just so steep for what you get (especially when the dealer can't promise the likes of a leather wheel / gear knob / speakers etc), they don't want to cut a deal and then there's no decent used ones near me.

The joy of owning an Italian car is superior still, and speaking personally, I quite like the odd little excuse to get my hands dirty. Something I missed when I got rid of my 05 Panda Dynamic. Thankfully we've still a 2015 Pop in the family and I get to do the maintenance on that to give me my Fiat fix, along with the forum.

Not one of the various Facebook groups or other make forums can hold a candle to the Fiat Forum though, still indefinitely indebted to this forum for everything I've learnt from the long serving, experienced and lifelong Fiat owners of the forum

Have you still got a Fiat on the drive? (notice you mentioned 'second car')

 

[boozyjay]

SB1500 I was glad I saw some of them before cleaning as the red 8000 miler at Bury St Edmunds was green everywhere and had 2 inches of mud in all arches. Even after cleaning the inside edge of the arch is still full of mud. The ignis was uncleaned when I saw it and looked mint. Had to go for lunch while they prepped it.
Yes the ignis is nice, fast compared to the panda and a much nicer place to be. Only niggles window ledge not as wide for arm to sit on

I've heard the Ignis is underpowered compared to a Panda TA.

 

[sandeel999]

Well having driven 3 TA on extended test drives, I can say the ignis is a much nicer quiter, less gear changing place to be. I wasn't impressed by the tractor noise, didn't think it was that quick and definitely not refined. I went looking for one having seen so many reports on how great they are, but it did nothing for me at all. The 3 I drove were all full fiat history and 18000 to 27000 miles all at fiat dealers. All seemed nowhere near as nice as my 1.2, I'll probably get slated by the TA lovers but that's how it was for me.
Yes I still have a panda 1.2 14 plate easy which I love but pound for pound the ignis was cheaper than a second hand panda with dealers seemingly adding £1000 to £1500 on book price and hoping.
Also found the MHEV awful when I test drove a couple when they first came out when looking at buying a new one but went with another MR2 roadster instead.
The wife loved the abarth which I ditched for the MR2 I didn't really rate that unless you was on a decent road, in the back end of Norfolk the roads are terrible and it was so choppy on bad roads it was impossible to keep in a straight line and would jump all over the place.

 

[Leroypanda]

I've went to the dark side myself (owning a Japanese car) and it's been fairly trouble free, most of my trouble coming from dealers/warranty or my own damage .. oops. If it wasn't for the financial implications of me trading in so many times, I'd buy another Panda tomorrow. But the new price is just so steep for what you get (especially when the dealer can't promise the likes of a leather wheel / gear knob / speakers etc), they don't want to cut a deal and then there's no decent used ones near me.

The joy of owning an Italian car is superior still, and speaking personally, I quite like the odd little excuse to get my hands dirty. Something I missed when I got rid of my 05 Panda Dynamic. Thankfully we've still a 2015 Pop in the family and I get to do the maintenance on that to give me my Fiat fix, along with the forum.

Not one of the various Facebook groups or other make forums can hold a candle to the Fiat Forum though, still indefinitely indebted to this forum for everything I've learnt from the long serving, experienced and lifelong Fiat owners of the forum

Have you still got a Fiat on the drive? (notice you mentioned 'second car')

Yep I've been stupid too, sold my 35k 2013 panda and got a 2019 Clio, that went well, 7 months later that's been swapped for a semi broken Punto Evo, and I keep looking at Matthewsons auction catalogue for something not broken too.

 

[KPat]

Yep I've been stupid too, sold my 35k 2013 panda and got a 2019 Clio, that went well, 7 months later that's been swapped for a semi broken Punto Evo, and I keep looking at Matthewsons auction catalogue for something not broken too.

Maybe they still have this?

 

[Marcus Daly]

I'll probably get slated by the TA lovers but that's how it was for me.

Not at all—it's a proper marmite engine. It's easy to understand why some folk just don't "get" them.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

After 4 months my search for a second panda is over.
It's ended with a suzuki ignis being bought. Nice little machine.
Still many rubbish pandas for sale in Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. Best I saw was corby rockingham garage. 0.9 27000 miles way overpriced but good condition. Many of the others are truly awful having seen many before they got cleaned. Best was norwich where after opening the bonnet and sticking my fingers up the duck bills the salesman saying "where did all that water come from" .
Anyway had the ignis 2 weeks now and it's panda sized, much quicker, about the same for comfort, turning circle slightly missing the city mode and the not so wide window ledge to rest you're arm but that's about it.
It's pre mhev 19 plate, 15000 miles, full suzuki history, 1 elderly owner and unmarked inside or out.
Would have liked another panda but 4 months of only 1 car was driving me and the other half mad.
We have the fiat main dealer manager of 20 years working part time at the club we run behind the bar, how he managed 20 years with such a hate for fiat's is truly amazing.

I'd be very interested to hear how you get on with the Ignis. My daughter had a Swift some years ago, bought new from our dealer up here who offered a better discount than their dealer down south and "grandad" got the pleasure of driving it from Edinburgh to Salisbury to get it to her. Although I was driving it gently to run it in, I liked it a lot. She kept it for years only trading it in for a Skoda Citigo when the floor went through! Actually the car was very reliable for years but very suddenly "hit the wall" needing a radiator, steering parts replaced and the hole in the floor all within months of each other. She decided to cut her losses before something too expensive cropped up.

Next year Becky (our 2010 Panda 1.2 eco dynamic) is quite likely to fail her MOT on the rear axle - she's had advisories on it for the last 2 years and it really does need done. Unfortunately I'm not able to do it at present being as how I'm waiting on a hip replacement. If that goes well - scheduled for September - I'm going to do a detailed assessment of her general condition and decide whether I'm able, with my new hip, to do it myself. I'm kind of thinking we probably should think of replacing her (I feel like an assassin even considering it) because there are other issues. All fixable, but where should I draw the line? Anyway, if we decide to replace her a "pre electric" Ignis is probably at the head of the short queue of vehicles I might go for.

Why not another Panda? Well, it would have to be a 1.2 and, as you say, there don't seem to be very many around although the place is littered with 500 varients. Our large, multi franchise, local Fiat dealer really is so disinterested in what he's selling that I hate going through the door. Salesman descend on you as you walk through the door and are only interested in selling a car to you, any car, especially if it's a KIA! As soon as they find you're in for parts etc they melt away without even wishing you a good day. Their parts department, thankfully, couldn't be more different and are just so helpful. The contrast is striking.

Our nearest Suzuki agent is part of a bigger group but this branch is quite small so has a nice "family" feel to it and is quite a nice place to visit being on the edge of the city with countryside views all round.

So any helpful stuff you might feel like sharing about the Ignis would be most appreciated.
All beat wishes
Jock

 

[sandeel999]

Hi Jock,
Well it's only been 2 weeks and I'm really enjoying it, the extra hp over the panda is nice, gear change smooth, although prefer the panda gear stick position its been an easy transition. The ride seems smoother than the panda but that could be because the panda is still on all its original suspension and 35000 miles more. Rear passenger space is a little more comfy with more legroom and the boot is a little bigger.
It's an sz3 2019 so not loaded with all that stuff I never seem to need or use, about the same as my Easy model panda, but does have a Bluetooth radio and electric mirrors.
I do miss the city steering but like the panda the steering is light without it.
A bit higher ground clearance and a slightly higher roof but sitting side by side in the double garage size difference looks minimal.
It's easy to park although rear visibility isn't quite as good.
Overall I'm very pleased with it, a Panda would have been nice but I still drive the one I've got often anyway.
It was bought 80 miles from me in Boston, Lincolnshire and the suzuki dealership was excellent, made all my trips to fiat ones look awful. I turned up on a whim with no appointment and was treated superbly, offers of drinks and use of the loos. keys brought out and Troy (sales) found all the details, service history and any information I asked for. An immediate 10 miles test drive was very good on town and bumpy back roads proved to be lovely. Back and the dealership more drinks were offered and it was explained that the car hadn't been prepped yet, (still cleaner than all but one panda I saw at fiat after prepping) it had been sold by them and serviced by them, one owner. The car looked immaculate but for a little dust from the mornings rain, doors shuts all round immaculate, bodywork unmarked, Interior as new.
Still had a almost full tank of petrol and I imagine must have been garaged through its life so far.
Deal done we headed off for a pub lunch while they prepped it.
Returned after 90 minutes to find it gleaming inside and out and more drinks offered. Troy was superb nothing was too much trouble.
All went smoothly and was away in 15 minutes to an 80 mile drive home in the rain.
Lovely drive home and as said before very happy with it.
Had 2 calls from Troy to see how I'm getting on, and said he would follow up in a few weeks. I just wish they were closer as my local suzuki dealer was previously desira fiat Norwich.
Hope that helps 2 weeks in and can't fault it.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I took my old Sedici to the local Suzuki dealer to get an issue diagnosed because they were just better.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Hi Jock,
Well it's only been 2 weeks and I'm really enjoying it, the extra hp over the panda is nice, gear change smooth, although prefer the panda gear stick position its been an easy transition. The ride seems smoother than the panda but that could be because the panda is still on all its original suspension and 35000 miles more. Rear passenger space is a little more comfy with more legroom and the boot is a little bigger.
It's an sz3 2019 so not loaded with all that stuff I never seem to need or use, about the same as my Easy model panda, but does have a Bluetooth radio and electric mirrors.
I do miss the city steering but like the panda the steering is light without it.
A bit higher ground clearance and a slightly higher roof but sitting side by side in the double garage size difference looks minimal.
It's easy to park although rear visibility isn't quite as good.
Overall I'm very pleased with it, a Panda would have been nice but I still drive the one I've got often anyway.
It was bought 80 miles from me in Boston, Lincolnshire and the suzuki dealership was excellent, made all my trips to fiat ones look awful. I turned up on a whim with no appointment and was treated superbly, offers of drinks and use of the loos. keys brought out and Troy (sales) found all the details, service history and any information I asked for. An immediate 10 miles test drive was very good on town and bumpy back roads proved to be lovely. Back and the dealership more drinks were offered and it was explained that the car hadn't been prepped yet, (still cleaner than all but one panda I saw at fiat after prepping) it had been sold by them and serviced by them, one owner. The car looked immaculate but for a little dust from the mornings rain, doors shuts all round immaculate, bodywork unmarked, Interior as new.
Still had a almost full tank of petrol and I imagine must have been garaged through its life so far.
Deal done we headed off for a pub lunch while they prepped it.
Returned after 90 minutes to find it gleaming inside and out and more drinks offered. Troy was superb nothing was too much trouble.
All went smoothly and was away in 15 minutes to an 80 mile drive home in the rain.
Lovely drive home and as said before very happy with it.
Had 2 calls from Troy to see how I'm getting on, and said he would follow up in a few weeks. I just wish they were closer as my local suzuki dealer was previously desira fiat Norwich.
Hope that helps 2 weeks in and can't fault it.

Thank you, that was great. Sounds like you've had a very good experience with them. It reminds me of how the old Skoda and Daf garages used to be. small family garages with great personal service because repeat business was important.

I was trying to find out a few things about the Ignis this afternoon so rang the main dealer. I was wanting to know more about the Dualjet. I was wondering whether, with two injectors per cylinder, whether maybe one was situated in the cylinder - a true direct injection - and maybe one in the inlet manifold for keeping it clear of carbon build up (VAG do this on some of theirs). It seems however they both inject directly into the cylinder. When I told him why I was wondering about this he said they've never yet had to do an inlet cleanup on one. I also wanted to know if it's possible to carry a spare wheel if the expanded polystyrene slab in the boot is removed. They recon you can get a spacesaver in although noone's ever asked them to do this. I was surprised when he then volunteered that he's got one new one in the showroom and there won't be any more as Suzuki are stopping production to concentrate on EV's. Wonder what spares will be like in a few years? Worries me just a little as it's a far more complex power unit than the Panda.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I've heard the Ignis is underpowered compared to a Panda TA.

I tried one and after the TA it was inadequate. I couldnt see it as a competitor in performance yerms. If you change from a 1.2 it ought to feel good as it has more power. I liked the car but hated its screen controls. It will be reliable but parts may be very hard if you need something unusual. Maybe they have improved this these days. The new price pales the Panda new price into insignificance. No doubt Ignis has some very strong plus points.

I bought one of our 2 'new' Pandas from Attleborough and one from Southampton. So far both seem OK. Norfolk car was immaculate, but was little used and duck bills were blocked. The other came from Havant so needs axle treatment asap. It was pretty clean but has been completely greennot so long back. Ineeds to REALLY clean it.

 

[sandeel999]

I also wanted to know if it's possible to carry a spare wheel if the expanded polystyrene slab in the boot is removed. They recon you can get a spacesaver in

I've had a measure up and I reckon a full size will go in most probably. Will check at some point as I'd rather go that way like on the panda, which had a full size spare in when bought.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I've had a measure up and I reckon a full size will go in most probably. Will check at some point as I'd rather go that way like on the panda, which had a full size spare in when bought.

Do let us know if a full size fits. definitely the way to go if it will.

 

[SB1500]

reminds me of how the old Skoda and Daf garages used to be. small family garages with great personal service because repeat business was important.

Wish it was this way today. Every dealership seems to be run the same regardless of brand. Aftersales (or lack of) is what I'm talking about mostly. Can't say there's one bit of difference in the Lexus dealer compared to our old Fiat one or any other... all get you in, get you out, at an extortionate cost and try their hardest to resist giving you a deal, a convenient time slot etc. Only difference is the tiling on the floor and the kind of coffee machine, and whether or not it works and the logo above the door these days.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I've had a measure up and I reckon a full size will go in most probably. Will check at some point as I'd rather go that way like on the panda, which had a full size spare in when bought.

175/65x14 is the largest size that will go in the well. I biught a wheel ET35 recently for £20. Jack kit is slightly harder to come by.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Wish it was this way today. Every dealership seems to be run the same regardless of brand. Aftersales (or lack of) is what I'm talking about mostly. Can't say there's one bit of difference in the Lexus dealer compared to our old Fiat one or any other... all get you in, get you out, at an extortionate cost and try their hardest to resist giving you a deal, a convenient time slot etc. Only difference is the tiling on the floor and the kind of coffee machine, and whether or not it works and the logo above the door these days.

To be fair to our local Arnold Clark multifranchise branch, within which is the Skoda saleroom, I actually had a pretty good experience. Although I must say I've previously had no better than indifferent to frankly slightly insulting behaviour on the part of sales staff. On this occasion though I struck really lucky with a chap who was a migrant from somewhere down in the Croatia area. He picked up on me the second time I went in, having only visited briefly previously to sit in a Scala and "kick the tyres" just to see if it was a goer - noone came near me on that visit. On this second occasion I really got stuck in including lying on the floor for some time having a good look at all the running gear. As I opened the bonnet he came up and offered me assistance as the bonnet is quite heavy he said. It is, but not too excessively - heavier by a fair bit than the Ibiza was though. I started looking around in some detail, immediately noticing the now all metal water pump/twin thermostat housing and the all metal cam belt top cover - both plastic on the Ibiza. He asked what I was looking for and we got talking. Turns out he's very keen on older BMWs and restores them himself as a hobby. He actually knew what I was talking about and we got on well together. I didn't commit to buy on that occasion and he wasn't particularly pushy when it became obvious I wasn't ready instead giving me his card and asking if I'd ask for him if I decided I needed more info or was going to buy - Ok, I know, he wanted to be sure he didn't miss the sale and I'd have done the same when I was selling cars, but he was just so nice about it. As I was leaving I apologized for taking up so much of his time when he could have been selling to someone else but he said it wasn't time wasted as he would be surprised if I didn't buy in the end and anyway he'd found it so nice to be speaking with someone who really knew what he wanted rather than someone who was buying because the car "looked nice" or they liked the colour or the alloys are nice or the infotainment system is "awesome" - which he said is often the case. I continued to deal with him all the way through the buying process and we almost became "friends" by the end of it. Have to say though, this has to be the exception where main dealer service is concerned in my experience. He also rang twice, a fortnight and roughly a month after I got the car, to inquire as to whether all was well with it. We used to do that, especially the DAF garage I worked in, but I don't think it's all that common now?