General Farewell 100HP, hello 4x4

[babbo_umbro]

I surprised myself today by trading in my much-liked 100HP for an ex-demo 4x4. The new one's in that dark metallic green, which I thought I didn't really like, the fascia really is a 60s retro mess, and the overall design is a backward step into anonymous blobbiness in my view - but I really like the way it drives (TA motor) and it will open up some new motoring experiences, especially when we're in Italy.

I hope I haggled my way into a good deal - the 4x4 has done 350 miles, the 100HP is just coming up to five years old (so biggish service, MoT test and retax imminent) and the difference in price and trade-in is a nice round 10 grand.

 

[gtidriver]

Hi ya, hope you enjoy your new car. how did the journey go getting back from italy, with out any dramas i hope.

 

[babbo_umbro]

Hi ya, hope you enjoy your new car. how did the journey go getting back from italy, with out any dramas i hope.

Thanks very much for asking - trip was fine; I spoke to the specialist in Spoleto who said to stop every two hours maximum, and I also wore a "flight" pressure stocking on my left leg as well as the full length stocking on the offending right leg (the specialist - very attractive - lady dottoressa who prescribed the stocking suggested it was very sexy but I begged to differ). In the event we stopped every hour and a half or so for some flexing, and did three overnight stops en route instead of two. In the process of switching from Italian to UK medication but the prognosis is positive so far.

The 4x4 seems to have a slightly different seating posture than the 100HP - somewhat straighter leg without the need for gorilla arms - which used to be the classic Italian driving posture - so it should be kinder to the lower-limb circulation.

 

[AB100]

I surprised myself today by trading in my much-liked 100HP for an ex-demo 4x4. The new one's in that dark metallic green, which I thought I didn't really like, the fascia really is a 60s retro mess, and the overall design is a backward step into anonymous blobbiness in my view - but I really like the way it drives (TA motor) and it will open up some new motoring experiences, especially when we're in Italy.

I hope I haggled my way into a good deal - the 4x4 has done 350 miles, the 100HP is just coming up to five years old (so biggish service, MoT test and retax imminent) and the difference in price and trade-in is a nice round 10 grand.

£10k to swap sounds enough money but it is low miles - some of the demo Twin-Airs are hovering at £11k now.

Your comments on the looks and interior are spot on - and this is what has put me off (well that and the Alfasud factory build). I fear if I drove a Twin-air though I'd buy one.......

Be good to get feedback like "ohhh I can ride road humps at more than 10mph" or "the leaning in bends isn't so bad....." or even "the predicted 560mpg has proven in accurate and I get 37mpg like the 100hp"

 

[babbo_umbro]

£10k to swap sounds enough money but it is low miles - some of the demo Twin-Airs are hovering at £11k now.

Your comments on the looks and interior are spot on - and this is what has put me off (well that and the Alfasud factory build). I fear if I drove a Twin-air though I'd buy one.......

Be good to get feedback like "ohhh I can ride road humps at more than 10mph" or "the leaning in bends isn't so bad....." or even "the predicted 560mpg has proven in accurate and I get 37mpg like the 100hp"

The 100HP has given around 38-39 mpg and I don't really expect the 4x4 to achieve much more than that - though 40 would have a nice round sound to it. 30 quid road tax sounds good as well, though it's such a tiny part of the overall cost of having a car that it's not really significant.

Our recent trip to and from Italy emphasised yet again how little of the time you can set your own speed these days, even on comparatively sparsely packed roads on the mainland - traffic and - especially in France - speed cameras set the pace. I have kept logs of journey times for many years - several sections that could show an average of 70 mph - or even 75 - are now down to 65 or 60 - so it will be interesting to compare these.

Umbria is full of interesting white roads, many of which I wouldn't even contemplate in the 100HP, and would be very cagey in Mrs b_u's Panda 1.2, but the 4x4 should be in its element.

Oddly enough the 100HP has been easy on tyres - must be lucky with the suspension alignment on mine - changed the original Goodyears for - much superior - Vredestein Sportac 3s at (I think) 24000 miles or so and they've got thousands left at 49k. Also the - expensive - brake pads were changed for the first time, along with timing belt, water pump, aircon belt - in October at 41k - so the 100HP hasn't been costly to maintain.

On the other hand, there are a few sections of road where I know I can give the 100HP its head; approaching the bottom of a long curvy hill at 85 and reaching the top at 100+ has a good feel to it (sorry - should be would have a good feel to it)....

 

[AB100]

Umbria is full of interesting white roads, many of which I wouldn't even contemplate in the 100HP, and would be very cagey in Mrs b_u's Panda 1.2, but the 4x4 should be in its element.

On the other hand, there are a few sections of road where I know I can give the 100HP its head; approaching the bottom of a long curvy hill at 85 and reaching the top at 100+ has a good feel to it (sorry - should be would have a good feel to it)....

Know what you mean - been on some nice 'white' roads in Marche which in fact were basically gravel. Same in Garfagnana - really some should not be on the map. The advantage of the hire car is there's a natural lack of worry.

The 100hp is fearless on corners - marvellous. Just a bit wearing on some of Derbyshire's less smooth roads. You can't go fast for fear of that bouncing effect that makes you look like Ted Heath shrugging in a pimped and hydraulic'd Latino Cadillac.

Would love the Twinair though - it must be a gas.

 

[babbo_umbro]

Know what you mean - been on some nice 'white' roads in Marche which in fact were basically gravel. Same in Garfagnana - really some should not be on the map. The advantage of the hire car is there's a natural lack of worry.

The 100hp is fearless on corners - marvellous. Just a bit wearing on some of Derbyshire's less smooth roads. You can't go fast for fear of that bouncing effect that makes you look like Ted Heath shrugging in a pimped and hydraulic'd Latino Cadillac.

Would love the Twinair though - it must be a gas.

Yes, we often venture into Le Marche via the tunnel above Norcia that brings you down past Ascoli Piceno, and we frequently go to Forca Canapine and the Piano Grande which are on the borders. The state of the roads in Italy does emphasise the 100HP's "firm" ride - there are holes in the road in the streets of Spoleto that I've been avoiding - or crashing into when there's no option - for the last 25 years, they've almost become old friends, though, like me, some of them have expanded in the interim. The adjustable Konis on the back control the pogo effect.

 

[Jerseywurzel]

Thanks very much for asking - trip was fine; I spoke to the specialist in Spoleto who said to stop every two hours maximum, and I also wore a "flight" pressure stocking on my left leg as well as the full length stocking on the offending right leg (the specialist - very attractive - lady dottoressa who prescribed the stocking suggested it was very sexy but I begged to differ). In the event we stopped every hour and a half or so for some flexing, and did three overnight stops en route instead of two.

Glad you're ok (though we've not met!), I was wondering how you were. Having a little break does make a difference to your concentration too, though I've not driven as far as you have (yet! - see Panda to the Vendee)

Is this a Panda 4x4 you`ve bought? Must admit, since I got my 1.2 I`ve been learning the difference between the various models, though not driven any other type. The 4x4 does look good.

All the best.

 

[babbo_umbro]

Glad you're ok (though we've not met!), I was wondering how you were. Having a little break does make a difference to your concentration too, though I've not driven as far as you have (yet! - see Panda to the Vendee)

Is this a Panda 4x4 you`ve bought? Must admit, since I got my 1.2 I`ve been learning the difference between the various models, though not driven any other type. The 4x4 does look good.

All the best.

Thanks very much for your good wishes - as the trip down was suspected to be a contributory factor to putting me in intensive care, I was a little nervous about the journey back but all went well.

Yes it's a 4x4 TwinAir, which I pick up next Wednesday.

 

[boozyjay]

Nice to see some pics when you get it. I love them

 

[Dan Friel]

Shame to lose the 100HP, but for very good reasons..