General Buyers Advice Panda 100HP

[Bonair]

Hi Panda Fans,

I am currently searching for my first car, a Panda 100HP. I have seen this one (link below), which has only been uploaded three days ago, so I quickly responded and will have a test drive next week. Could anyone please give me some advice as to whether or not this seems like a good deal? I have spoken with the seller and the car has a full service history with services every year. Only downside he tells me about is the paint damage on the roof, but is this a big problem? I am not the biggest car expert but definitely a great enthousiast, that's why i am asking.

Thank you!!!

Fiat van € 3.000,-

Vind je Fiat € 3.000,- op autoscout24.

www.autoscout24.nl

 

[jrkitching]

Only downside he tells me about is the paint damage on the roof, but is this a big problem?

We often see peeling lacquer on older red Fiats; it seems to be particularly bad with this colour.

It's caused by the clearcoat delaminating from the rest of the paint. Years of exposure to sunlight hasn't helped.

Unfortunately this deterioration is going to get worse and is also likely to affect other panels on the car in the future.

The only way to fix it is to respray the affected panels, and on a red car that's almost twenty years old, it's gong to be very hard to get a colour match.

 

[Bonair]

We often see peeling lacquer on older red Fiats; it seems to be particularly bad with this colour.

It's caused by the clearcoat delaminating from the rest of the paint. Years of exposure to sunlight hasn't helped.

Unfortunately this deterioration is going to get worse and is also likely to affect other panels on the car in the future.

The only way to fix it is to respray the affected panels, and on a red car that's almost twenty years old, it's gong to be very hard to get a colour match.

Thanks for the quick response,
Is it possible to stop the peeling by applying a sort of protective clear coat over it? I don't really care about how it looks but more about if it will cause damage like rust or rot. It is my first car so cosmetic damage is no problem to me haha. I only care about the durability of the roof.

EDIT: I see all the problems with old red paint. But is sanding and repainting an option to do myself? I have enough garage space and am willing to put in the work. Like i said, as long as it doesn't look horrendous i am cool with it
Thanks again!

 

[GaryinAmsterdam]

My red 2008 panda has the same clearcoat issues. I tried buffing the clearcoat off in certain spots. The holes or bolts in the roof from the missing luggage bars do not look good, but can be easily covered with the correct plugs. Shame they removed the rails.
These 100HP are hard to find, especially in NL. My 60 hp may have just hit the end of her life, I'm but not sure I want another Panda because of the Petrol and living in Amsterdam, I'm looking at Hybrid or EV.

Check out Daniel Drives Youtube. His earlier videos show how much he loves the 100HP Panda. So depends on your financial situation, but not sure how you can go wrong with this. I bought my 2008 with 160K on it for 2750 Euro, so yours is not a bad deal, IMHO. You can have it repainted or maybe new clearcoat. Would be a great second car. They are a lot of fun!

 

[Bonair]

My red 2008 panda has the same clearcoat issues. I tried buffing the clearcoat off in certain spots. The holes or bolts in the roof from the missing luggage bars do not look good, but can be easily covered with the correct plugs. Shame they removed the rails.
These 100HP are hard to find, especially in NL. My 60 hp may have just hit the end of her life, I'm but not sure I want another Panda because of the Petrol and living in Amsterdam, I'm looking at Hybrid or EV.

Check out Daniel Drives Youtube. His earlier videos show how much he loves the 100HP Panda. So depends on your financial situation, but not sure how you can go wrong with this. I bought my 2008 with 160K on it for 2750 Euro, so yours is not a bad deal, IMHO. You can have it repainted or maybe new clearcoat. Would be a great second car. They are a lot of fun!

Thanks man really appreciate it!!!

 

[rmjbn1]

Good choice for a first car Hope the test drive goes well.

There's no cheap easy fix with failed lacquer. Either an expensive professional respray, DIY bodge, cover up with black/carbon effect vinyl, or live with it being a bit scruffy (which is what I would do)

But it won't cause any rusting.

More important would be to check the rear sills and rear axle for rust. Here's where they go:

If it looks rusty, not necessarily a problem, quite easy to treat and rust-proof.
Check there's no deep pitting or cracks.

And make sure the fluids levels are all good.

 

[Bonair]

Good choice for a first car Hope the test drive goes well.

There's no cheap easy fix with failed lacquer. Either an expensive professional respray, DIY bodge, cover up with black/carbon effect vinyl, or live with it being a bit scruffy (which is what I would do)

But it won't cause any rusting.

More important would be to check the rear sills and rear axle for rust. Here's where they go:
View attachment 462424
If it looks rusty, not necessarily a problem, quite easy to treat and rust-proof.
Check there's no deep pitting or cracks.

And make sure the fluids levels are all good.

Thanks! I have just come back from the test drive and bought it! It drove fantastic and everything was great! Only problem was that it leaks coolant but that is an easy fix because it is the thermostat housing. One thing i noticed when driving back (oops) was the orange passenger airbag light blinking rapidly. It did not do this in the test drive but does anyone know what this means?
The car is at the garage right now and will get a full service including new timing belt and thermostat house and clutch. Then it is ready for a loooooong life!

 

[Bonair]

My red 2008 panda has the same clearcoat issues. I tried buffing the clearcoat off in certain spots. The holes or bolts in the roof from the missing luggage bars do not look good, but can be easily covered with the correct plugs. Shame they removed the rails.
These 100HP are hard to find, especially in NL. My 60 hp may have just hit the end of her life, I'm but not sure I want another Panda because of the Petrol and living in Amsterdam, I'm looking at Hybrid or EV.

Check out Daniel Drives Youtube. His earlier videos show how much he loves the 100HP Panda. So depends on your financial situation, but not sure how you can go wrong with this. I bought my 2008 with 160K on it for 2750 Euro, so yours is not a bad deal, IMHO. You can have it repainted or maybe new clearcoat. Would be a great second car. They are a lot of fun!

Ik woon heel toevallig ook in Amsterdam! Heb jij een advies voor een goeie garage waar ik heen kan voor mijn onderhoud en vooral nu een nieuwe distributieriem? Waar deed jij dat met jouw 100HP?