Panda New Panda

[jasper]

Hi all,

Yes my short affair with Alfa ownership has come to an end....I decided I didn't want to live with the running costs of the shiny 156 Sportwagon so I sold it to a friend and got my self a poverty spec Panda instead!!! Really one big car was enough but I'd always fancied the Alfa. But the Panda is something else; it's absolutely fantastic and so far it's put more of a smile on my face than either the Alfa or my Stilo Abarth!

Spec is 1.1 Active Metallic Black 13 inch wheel trims!!!! Bags of character!!

 

[Bob in disguise]

nice one jasper you gotta love the panda looks a great little car but must feel slow compared to the abarth and the alfa?

 

[jasper]

Hi Bob,

Here's another pic - of the interior. To be honest it doesn't 'feel' slow, of course in real world terms with 54BHP and 60lb's Torque IT IS slow. The Alfa felt slower at about 1320kg with only 140BHP it felt like I was crawling compared to the Abarth. The Alfa also had ****e low speed ride quality and the build quality was diabolical - don't forget this was a 2001 car - Having said that, to be fair, I think it had had quite a tough few years. But, I would seriously think twice before buying even a factory delivered Alfa (this is only my opninon of course) I know there are lots of very satisfied Alfa owners out there and I'd still take one over German rivals etc just for sheer charisma.

Anyway back to the Panda - this is a seriously well thought out little car in terms of chassis balance and handling, interior design, build quality - everything... I can not tell you how seriously impressed I am with this car!!

 

[Bob in disguise]

my dad bought this bloke at his work an alfa 156 as a company car every time he drove it something went wrong on it its just parked round the back of his workshop now no one will touch it think its broke as well so...Anyway glad you like the panda i love the little things

 

[jasper]

Cheers Mate ...P.S I'm still bringing the Stilo to Brooklands...

 

[twincamms]

Nice Panda Jasper......................

FIAT do that best you know, shoeboxes on wheels......................

Glad sense provails and you're taking the Abarth to Brooklands!

 

[jasper]

I couldn't agree more Twincamms - that is what Fiat do best...

 

[twincamms]

It's true....................

which other maufacturer makes a better small car ???

 

[jasper]

None that I can think of at the moment - especially considering I picked mine up as a pre-reg 04 plate with 14 miles on the clock for a shade over 5k!

I put 10 quid of petrol in and did 136 miles before I even had to consider putting anymore in. When I did so I filled it right to the top - it cost me £23 for a full tank - I'll let you no when it needs refilling. I wouldn't put it past the Abarth to siphon it's petrol in the middle of the night!!

Here's another little story - my wife and I work in the same office - but different hours so occasionally we take both cars to work. This morning we did so; I took the Panda and she followed me in the Abarth... there is a very twisty road on the way to the office and I threw the Panda down it ...at the end of the road is a big roundabout and I nailed the Panda to it she was nowhere to be seen. Now my wife drives quite hard and when we met up in the car park I said "did you struggle to keep up with me" her reply was "yes"!!! Of course in a straight line 9.9 out of 10 cars will crucify the Panda but in the twisties you could surprise a lot of big boys!! oh yes it was also raining - heavily...

effin brilliant!!

 

[StiloBoy]

My mate was so taken with my Stilo, his folks bought a Punto and now he's bought a new Panda, i've never seen him look so chuffed.

Its his first "new" car, he always owns mingers, i can't wait 'till he lets me have a shot!

 

[jasper]

You wont be dissapointed Stilo Boy...Don't get me wrong, I still think Stilo's are the dogs danggly bits too..It's just that I'm really enjoying my new toy (in case anyone hadn't guessed by now)!!

 

[Liam]

Nice one Jasper, I like it!

If I was to buy a new Panda it would be in he light sky blue colour with roof rails, v nice.

Enjoy.

Liam

 

[twincamms]

Bloom...........................

would it have a 'girlie button' to match the 'girlie colour' ?????

 

[jasper]

Cheers Bloom...I like that colour too the garage had one in that colour in Eleganza spec when I picked mine up.

Tc The girly button is sooo girly in the Panda - like who needs the steering to be even lighter - in a Panda?!!

 

[twincamms]

Bloom might............................

cause he likes girlie colours!

 

[Liam]

Very Funny.......................

The correct name is "Dry Turquiose".

Liam

 

[imola_fowkes]

has anyone modded a panda yet
​

 

[jasper]

I don't think anyone has modded a 'new' Panda yet. I was looking at Novitec's website the other day and they do some cracking stuff for it. I know K&N have done a 57i kit for the 1.2 but not the 1.1 at the mo. To be honest the only mods I'm thinking of will be aesthetic not mechanical. I'd like to get the Fiat 13inch alloys, Leather steering wheel and gear knob, alloy pedals and silver trim effect, oh and I'll probably get an aftermarket CD player fitted. I want to concentrate on the Stilo 1st though...