General please, an advice about buying a Panda trekking

[diasomie]

Hello for everibody
first excuse my poor english, I am not an native english speaker

I have a "problem"
I need a car for the following needs:
1) I make small deliveries in my city ( i have a small bussiness)
2) I will have a baby in 2 month and i need transportation
3) i need a car for the weekend trips with my wife ( she love to go on the montains an di have to follow she )

I have an offer to buy a used fiat Panda Trekking 4x4 from Italy : year 2001, only 6000 km ( i am not joking) from a (old man ) friend on my mother. I see the car papers and the revisions papers. In excelent condition.

The price is about 2000 EURO. It is worth the car?

My ideal car it is a 4x4 ( not too big , but not too small) something like Suzuky sx4 , with smal fuel consuption and with no problem in winter on snow.....( but sadly i like also some confort on a car ...it seems that panda do not offer too much)
For the moment I do not have money to invest in a such car ( about 14000 euro) and I do like a transition car, something for 1-2 years without big investment.
I did not see a real panda car never. I am 1,88 m tall ( 88 kg) I am afraid that the car is too small for me and my wife...
Also ...sincerly and do not be angry I consider its design and confort more spartan. ...

But my main concerns are:
The price is good? If i will do not like the car, can i resell it after a while without to loose money?
It is enough space for me inside...? I see many pictures on the net but there are not relevant regarding the dimension... How small is comparing to the new panda ( after 2003)?

thank you

 

[ivantate]

Its fine and plenty of people in Italy are still using the old Panda everyday. Not alot of space for family trips to the mountains.

I think 2000Eur is a cheap price for the car looking at the prices in Italy as the Panda 4x4 is still loved.
If you really dont need 4x4 a Punto would probably serve you better.

 

[CLXCraig]

You should buy it, it will suit your every need.

2000EUR is good price in italy for such a good car.

They are very big inside and comfy too. im about the same size as you and have loads of room when i'm driving. If you need big space in the back, the back seats come out very easily and you have a small van!

Craig

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Having driven both types of Panda (new and old) I'll say that inside they're about the same size.

I'd certainly go for it with such low KM on the clock!!

Jon.

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

From what I've seen of prices in the rest of Europe that sounds like a very good buy for a Trekking with such low mileage. Obviously, a Panda is a small car. BUT, you'd be amazed how practical and roomy they are. If you want a small 4x4 for a good price it's a no brainer (hope that translates!). Your English is great by the way. Go for it:slayer:

 

[diasomie]

thank you for the answers

I will keep you in touch..
If i will have questions I will post them on this threat..

regards

 

[sutjeska]

Hi!
Iasi, Romania?
We've been in Bucovina (Suceava and polish villages - Solonetu Nou, Cacica etc.) on our annual club's trip this year. Not far from you
I'll give you a mail to 4x4 owner from Cluj - Napoca by PM.
Regards from Polish Fiat Panda Club!

Sutjeska
www.panda.fiat.prv.pl

 

[diasomie]

I have alot of questions
I thanks to all that could give me few answers for them...

1) max speed for panda teoreticaly is 160 , but what is the max speed for driving safetly with a such car ?
With my last car i usualy drive with no more than 120 km/hour For me it is a good speed.
2)what is the fuel consuption in the city and outside the city ( at 100-120 km/hour) I know that depends from car to car but ..an average answer it will be useful
3) the panda i saw on youtube climbing on mountains are stock cars or are modifieds cars? I do not need to climb the mountains, but what are the capacities on this car unmodified, untunned..? I just need a safe car on bad roads, mud, ice on road, snow .....an simple 4x4..
4) the engine is noisy? (on normal /city drive)
5) the engine operate well at low temperatures? Here in Romania I often have in winter temperatures below -5, 0 degrees.
6) there are easy to find replacing parts for the engine? or this aspect is dificult...
7) wher can i find some pictures ( on the net) whith panda 4x4 near some usual cars ( in oder to make some comparisions)

@sutjeska Yes I live in the NW Romania, near those monasteries and 150 km from Suceava and polish villages
thank you for the ID
Regards to all the forum members.

Vi ringrazio a tutti
Buona note

 

[sutjeska]

Hi!

1. Max speed for 4x4 Panda is about 130, safe speed is 100-110 (IMHO).
2. City about 9l/100km, country 7-8, off-road 10-12.
3. 4x4 Pandas on youtube are mostly modified, especially if they are from Portugal Club But normal 4x4 is also very capable, more capable than majority of people think. But you have to have good M+S tyres, for example polish Dębica S-30. 4x4 Panda with such 155R13 tyres will tackle most of romanian backroads in winter (except Transfogaras and Transalpina)
We use our 2WD Pandas for romanian trips, and for summer they are perfect, better than old Dacias. Do you know Costinesti? There's a steep road to the beach there, near the "Evangelia" wreck. Romanian driver in 4x4 Dacia Pickup had to engage 4x4 to go uphill there, we made it in FWD Pandas with no problems
4. Yes, the engine is noisy, but the drivetrain is noisier That's why we use 2WD Pandas for long trips.
5. We have -15 sometimes, no problems.
6. The engine is the same as in Uno (or Punto), but I know, Fiats are not popular in Romania
7. Below you have a comparison of my 4x4 with Rayton-Fissore Magnum, huge Italian 4x4, bigger than Landcruiser HDJ, I suppose
And a link to polish club galleries: http://fotogalerie.pl/galeria/galeria_telesfor1
Passwords are : panda.

Sutjeska

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

I have alot of questions
I thanks to all that could give me few answers for them...

1) max speed for panda teoreticaly is 160 , but what is the max speed for driving safetly with a such car ?
With my last car i usualy drive with no more than 120 km/hour For me it is a good speed.
2)what is the fuel consuption in the city and outside the city ( at 100-120 km/hour) I know that depends from car to car but ..an average answer it will be useful
3) the panda i saw on youtube climbing on mountains are stock cars or are modifieds cars? I do not need to climb the mountains, but what are the capacities on this car unmodified, untunned..? I just need a safe car on bad roads, mud, ice on road, snow .....an simple 4x4..
4) the engine is noisy? (on normal /city drive)
5) the engine operate well at low temperatures? Here in Romania I often have in winter temperatures below -5, 0 degrees.
6) there are easy to find replacing parts for the engine? or this aspect is dificult...
7) wher can i find some pictures ( on the net) whith panda 4x4 near some usual cars ( in oder to make some comparisions)

@sutjeska Yes I live in the NW Romania, near those monasteries and 150 km from Suceava and polish villages
thank you for the ID
Regards to all the forum members.

Vi ringrazio a tutti
Buona note

Hi again

1) I'm sure there are a few on here that maintain that kind of speed (and more) in a Panda. Personally, although it will easily do that, I like to go a bit slower as an average. The 2x4 Panda sits very comfortably at 70mph - just below 120KPH I think. The 4x4 will, however, the grearing of the 4x4 is less well suited to higher speeds and distances than the 2x4. It'll do 120 no problem but it'll be noisy and might get on your nerves over long distances (it's possible the Trekking is better - we never had these later models over here!)

2) Fuel consumption of the 4x4 is not particularly good: about 35 - 40mph (I'll leave you to work that out)

3) Don't know about the Pandas your talking about on YouTube but the Panda is very capable despite it's size and relatively crude system. If you just want it for mud and snow then it's perfect. I've not done any serious off roading but I can vouch for the Panda in snow. Really good and maybe better than a lot of other much more expensive 4x4s.

4) See above. It's an 80s car. It'll be noisier than a modern one + the 4x4 is a bit on the noisy side (but we love the noise they make)

5) Don't see why the engine shouldn't work well at low tempertatures as long as you maintain it properly wih correct fluids etc. These things are very popular with Alpine farmers!

6) Availability of parts depends on where you live. It's getting more difficult to find some of the parts for them - especially 4x4 - in the UK. Depends how many were/are on the roads where you live. Fiat have stopped supplying some of the parts now - especially for the 4x4.

7) Have hunt around on here for pictures. There are loads!

Hope that helps.

 

[diasomie]

thank you for your very good answers
just one think:

in some ( unoficial) technical specs and also from the internet i saw an 6-7 l/ 100 km fuel consuption in the city. I think that a new car ( 2001 and also with just 6000 km will "eat" not so much fuel..
Sincerly 9 l /100 in the city it seems a little to much

thank you again

 

[sutjeska]

I had 6l/100 once, on a trip not exceeding 80 km/h. In Warsaw (traffic jams) 9l/100 is normal. Maybe these 6-7l/100 km in the city is for 2WD Panda. I have both, and 4x4 is 1-1,5 l/100 km thirstier in the same conditions. But its from 1997 and has 180000kms on the clock.

Sutjeska

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Standard Panda 4x4's are very capable off road!!!

Here's mine, the hill it went down, it also went up very easily (sorry about my friends bad lanuage )



Jon.

 

[s5jst]

If you are going to be daddy in one year then it is better to look for something bigger...believe me I can hardly squeeze trolley in but there is no room for anything else. The "offroad" trolley (3 wheeler - Hartan Skater) fits in only with folded back seats...no room for baby seater .

There is one solution - you can use roof rack, but this will raise your's car consumption.

The price for panda is normal for such reg.date but there are some faults:
- too low at front (lower than my astra G )
- pedals to close together (for bigger people)
- no limousine travel effect (bumpy road, take me home, to the place I belong....)
- with kid can be used only for 30km range (without suffering)
- bad ADAC crash test results


Panda is the best second (city/weekday) car as it is nippy, small, easy to drive can. As a family and 4x4 car I think that it is better to find some Suzuki Vitara 1.6, 95 reg. or Baleno Wagon 4x4, Toyota Rav 4, Honda CRV/HRV, ... (15 or more years old). They all have 6-10L/100km consumption (as panda) and are bigger and city used cars (except Vitara)

 

[diasomie]

thank you s5jst for yor correct answer.
Yes I will be dady in 1 month ( not in one year)
also my wife want to have place for the baby.
I also like more and more that car.
You have right regarding the space , but also i do not have money for a newer one , a more expensive and a more confortable car.

I will analize alll the answer I received here ( and thanks to all) and will take a decizion. I will speak with the owner of the car and see also the last price and the status of the Panda.

Regards to all.

 

[sutjeska]

I agree with s5jst - Panda is not a big car. But Nuova Panda is no bigger inside, and original Vitara has smaller boot than classic Panda.
We managed to make a three weeks (4500 kms) journey around Poland last year, four people, tent and luggage, with roof box on 4x4. Of course, the journey wasn't comfortable, and average daily distance was about 200 kms, but we managed
I think more important is avaiability of parts in Romania. You should talk with David.

Sutjeska