General Automatic Panda as a first car?

[years]

Hi, I recently passed my test in an automatic, so am looking for an automatic/semi auto first car.

I have been driving my parents 02 corsa a tiny bit, just around the block really, but I don't like it, as I feel low in it even on a booster seat type thing (i'm about 4ft10) and I can't see the end of the bonnet! But this might not be an issue for some, I just have no confidence really, and am quite nervous (so will be going around with parents in car for a bit).

I wanted something with really good all round visibility, easy to park, and really small, so the panda sounded a good choice, and I really love the look of it! My budget is around 2500, so not sure if I can get one for that much in an auto? I think it's the eleganza or dynamic models I'm looking at because they seem to be the only ones in semi auto, but I see there aren't may around!

Do you think it's a good car for new drivers? Would you recommend? Does anyone have experience between this and the corsa? I hear it has very good visibility..

Oh and also sticking to the corsa isn't an option because they're getting rid of it so I need a new car.

Thanks!

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi, and welcome,

my Wife is exactly your test-pilot,
same size, and we've owned a 1.1 panda since 2004,
great tough little car..!!,
ours is a manual , but we've had dealings with a few of the "duologic" semi-auto's and they are fine,
(probably better systems out there), but works well , and the issues are generally cheap and easy to remedy..,

as I advised somebody last week,
look in Autotrader,
find a few panda / 500 and Punto Dualogics and get test-driving..,

Charlie - Oxford

 

[daveofkent]

transmission choice aside. There is no modern car with visibility as good as the panda.

The newer Corsas are especially bad in comparison with really wide pillars.

My partner is a short arse too, it almost cripples me when i jump in the car too quickly after shes been in it. She doesn't like driving anything else now.

 

[years]

Hi, and welcome,

my Wife is exactly your test-pilot,
same size, and we've owned a 1.1 panda since 2004,
great tough little car..!!,
ours is a manual , but we've had dealings with a few of the "duologic" semi-auto's and they are fine,
(probably better systems out there), but works well , and the issues are generally cheap and easy to remedy..,

as I advised somebody last week,
look in Autotrader,
find a few panda / 500 and Punto Dualogics and get test-driving..,

Charlie - Oxford

Thank you, I have been looking online, and have seen some of varying prices, lowest being aound 1200 and for the same age, they go up to around 4000, which makes me think something may be wrong with with the cheaper ones? I know nothing about cars, will try them out but get someone else to come and have a good look as well!

 

[varesecrazy]

transmission choice aside. There is no modern car with visibility as good as the panda.

The newer Corsas are especially bad in comparison with really wide pillars.

My partner is a short arse too, it almost cripples me when i jump in the car too quickly after shes been in it. She doesn't like driving anything else now.

correct..
I'm only 1 foot taller.. but getting into the drivers position with 4 inches between seat and dash takes some doing
years.. seriously the panda is an excellent small / 1st car, :worship:
and the Duologic is actually NICE to drive,
I love the way it blips the throttle on downchanges..!!

 

[years]

lol! I can imagine! We have the old corsa so I thought I must be being picky because I like the look of the panda! But yes I keep hearing it has the best visibility which would be perfect for me/my confidence I guess! It's good to hear there are other short people like it! Thanks for your replies!

 

[years]

You're making me want it even more now! The only other think I've read is that the mirrors are too small to see out properly? Not sure if that's just rubbish but I think I will definitely try them out

 

[varesecrazy]

Thank you, I have been looking online, and have seen some of varying prices, lowest being aound 1200 and for the same age, they go up to around 4000, which makes me think something may be wrong with with the cheaper ones? I know nothing about cars, will try them out but get someone else to come and have a good look as well!

"test-drives" are FREE

drive AT LEAST THREE before parting with your cash..

then you'll be more used to what feel "right",

we had a beautiful dark Blue Metallic Panda Eleganza, ( auto)
but my mum couldn't get used to it..
had trouble getting a decent price for it..,
so assume the cheaper ones are just private sales.. in a similar position..,
you CAN buy your own car warranty -if required,
Charlie - Oxford

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Should do you well, Dads got a dualogic Eleganza and likes it

 

[varesecrazy]

You're making me want it even more now! The only other think I've read is that the mirrors are too small to see out properly? Not sure if that's just rubbish but I think I will definitely try them out

the later pandas had bigger mirrors.. think they are inter-changeable,

TBH never bothered us

Even at 1.5 metres tall you'll see over your should without issue

our panda has a fixed HEIGHT seat base ( some cars go UP = Down),

but works fine between 4'10" and 5'10"

Charlie

 

[Goudrons]

Strangely, we been looking at a car for our boy, as he's just started learning to drive (stay off the roads Thursdays and Sundays for gods sake!)

We couldn't really get him in a Panda of his own (feckin' shame as I have some pink paint spare), so we've been looking at Citroen C2's.

They do a C2 semi auto and I've test piloted one, though we are after a 1.1 (smaller even better, think I might steal a plug lead) manual , I couldn't pass up a test drive and I hate to admit it, it was good.

So much so I'm looking for a 125hp C2 with a flappy paddle shifter for myself for a bit of fun. (though methinks the biggest is 110hp)

I even think they fitted this semi auto to some 1.4 petrols and diesels as well.

I was impressed by the C2, 4* safety rating and some decent kit (if you ignore the base L model) and with a short wheel base with a fairly wide track (when compared to the wheelbase) make it really chuckable, though not as cute and I'm guessing a bit more mechenically fussy than a Panda.

As with any automated manual gearbox (as that's what they are) they do need a bit of timing to get a smooth change, you need to sense when it's about to swap cogs and ease up on the throttle a little to get the best out of it and they can suffer from actuation and clutch issues that aren't cheap to sort out.

 

[years]

I was considering a C2 for a minute! We had one a few years back, but it gave up when we had it for about two years (was 6 years old I think), not sure what happened to it, think its something to do with cambelt problem which ruined the engine?

Do you think the C2 is better than the Panda in terms of visibility and ease to drive/park? I know they are similar sizes..

Many thanks

 

[Matt100HP]

I was considering a C2 for a minute! We had one a few years back, but it gave up when we had it for about two years (was 6 years old I think), not sure what happened to it, think its something to do with cambelt problem which ruined the engine?

Do you think the C2 is better than the Panda in terms of visibility and ease to drive/park? I know they are similar sizes..

Many thanks

I have no idea about to auto-boxes on the Panda and C2, but the Panda is a much better overall car than the C2.

It's better to drive, more reliable and it's more practical as it has four doors and enough space for four normal sized, adult human beings.

On a more subjective note, the Panda is much less of a chav-mobile than the C2, too.