My '05 Panda MJ has just passed 44,000 miles and while it doesn't do that many lessons now, has spent quite a lot of its time reversing round corners and doing Turns in the Road and so far hasn't had any problems with its exhaust. In March it passed its 2nd MOT.
The diesel is a great learner car and if I was doing the job full time it's the one, whether 500, Panda or GP. It's economical, difficult to stall, can be manoeuvred on the clutch only and can be made to get moving pretty quickly.
As for driving techniques, during normal driving you shouldn't have to look over your shoulder when changing lanes in a built up area as proper use of mirrors should suffice and even on the Motorway I always used to advise using only mirrors before lane changing, but some cars, for instance Vauxhalls from the '90s had magnifying RH door mirrors and changing lanes without the "lifesaver" would be near suicide. Unfortunately the Panda also has poor door mirrors.
There are times when shoulder checks or "effective all-round observation" are needed, for instance just before moving off from the kerb either forward or in reverse and when carrying out maneouvres
I've only had A/C on the Focuses and Fiestas I had at the AA and even then only used it 3 or 4 times a year. We don't have it on either the Panda or the Stilo.
I joined BSM when they were still using the A Series Metros. The alternator, starter motor, clutch and battery were all non-standard items. One from a Maestro van and the others were Police spec. When we got the slightly longer 1.1 and 1.4 models came out they were a different proposition altogether. In fact they and the later Rover 100 became one of my favourite all time cars. They would also make excellent first cars.
I'm surprised BSM didn't choose the GP and even more surprised that FIAT didn't push it simply because the 500 has been getting great reviews and the GP has become a bit of a forgotten car, and doesn't often appear in any road tests now. Another reason I'm surprised that BSM didn't go down that route because when the AA started they looked at almost every aspect of what Instructors didn't like about BSM and one of those was the car. The AA started with the Polo Coupe which was more prestigious than the Metro and in fact actually went to the Rover 100 for a while before moving onto the Fiesta.
The Fiesta was the 1.25 16v Ghia with A/C and metallic paint, and after a short time alloys as well. It was an excellent car both to learn in and live with as a personal vehcile. It was succeded by the Focus Zetec 1.6 which the pupils really loved. This had A/C, alloys, CD radio and electric mirrors and seat height adjustment as well as heated front screen. I think the idea of letting some ADIs have an Astra was by way of a reward for loyalty, in which case, some are going to be well hacked off as they might have to actually buy themselves a new car as lots go on their hols in the tuition car and run the family around it it. The 500 won't be any good for that sort of thing, plus
there isn't any room for maneouvre in giving long serving Instructors a more upmarket model. 1.2 Pop to 1.4 Sport/Lounge isnt' exactly a quantum leap forward. The GP would have given them the choice of 2 or 4 door, Active, Dynamic or Sporting automatic or manual.
Many pupils who learn on a manual then switch to an auto value moving between cars which are identical with the exception of the 'box.
Then there will be the problem of trying to get a big fat Supervising Examiner in the back for Check Tests. I've actually had an Examiner in the front passenger seat plus a Senior Examiner and a Supervising Examiner in the back. Should be good for a laugh. I hope their personal hygiene is up to
scratch.
