General replacement for multijet

[tinmar49]

My Multijet is 11 years old with only 76000 miles on it. I have replaced the shocks, springs, wishbones etc, the gearbox was rebuilt last year and a new clutch fitted. The car goes well, but I think that next year, I will get something newer.
I have difficulty getting in and out of other cars due to them being so low, do I have any choice other than a newer Panda?
I want to stay in the super-mini size range or only slightly bigger.

 

[leroya500]

Dacia sandero step way/ panda 4x4 although now you've spent that much on the panda I'd be tempted to keep at least a couple more years

 

[Sweetsixteen]

I would not recommend a Stepway.

A friend has one, and although it is reliable it is a horrible thing to drive after the sweet Multijet Panda - noisy, uninvolving and crude.

If you really must change (and if it was mine I would keep it another year or two yet) how about another dose of the same - a newer Panda?

 

[tinmar49]

You are probably right, another Panda looks likely. I've heard that the 500 is not too good for tall people.
The car will probably last a couple of years and it's not worth much at 11 years now.

 

[Wee Smurf]

My Multijet is 11 like yours. It's got a few more miles under its belt than yours at 117K miles. I have no intention of changing mine as yet. Yours is capable of running on for a few more years yet given its low miles. Keep it!

 

[DaveMcT]

The book price is not a reliable way to decide if an older car should be repaired. Yes the cost might be more than 50% of the car's value but taken in pounds and pence it's very often a lot less money than the cost of a new or new-er car.

When something large needs doing the issue is always what else is going downhill and what will the total cost be over (lets say) the next 12 months. At some point the lack of a car to drive, the hassle of repairs and finally the money will add up to needing a new car.

 

[SB1500]

Personally I'd avoid trading it in or switching to anything other than a nearly new car.

Anything which is marginally newer, as in up to 5 years newer is still quite 'old' and likely to have problems of its own, and may not have been cared for as much as your current car. So think twice about deals and opportunities like this.

I've been tempted myself, but by the sounds of it your Multijet is in good shape and you're more just looking for a refresh?

I know where I am it's hard to sell a Panda for what it's worth because most people simply don't like them for one superficial reason or another. Great for buyers, bad for sellers!

 

[tinmar49]

I have also replaced the brakes, TRW brake shoes and Brembo discs and pads. I was leaning towards a 2 or 3 year old Kia Picanto 1.2 with lots of warrantee left. The seat height is still a major requirement.
The car is going well at the moment," the devil you know" is always a powerful incentive to keep going, I would probably sell privately if I did get rid of it, the buyer would get a pretty good car.

 

[leroya500]

Warranty is not always worth the paper it's written on, remember consumables ( brakes clutch plate etc) won't be covered and having a car in the garage whilst warranty work is carried out can be a pain. Check out the Kia owners website to read the problems with picanto gearboxes.

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

My 2006 1.3 MTJ Dynamic was starting to have more problems than I could be bothered with so, after having a look around, I went for a good deal on a new 4x4 MTJ Panda in March. It is a really nice motor, but because it is a bit bigger and much taller, it isn't nearly as much fun in the twisty bits as my old MTJ Dynamic. Whilst we are getting on fine, I do miss the old girl and the new one hasn't quite managed to grab me yet like she did. Personally, I wouldn't touch a Stepway. Neighbour has one and I really don't like it. The phrase modern-ish Lada springs to mind!

So, what would I do today. I'd probably go for a great deal on a new, or nearly new, MTJ 4x4 again, or maybe the MTJ Trekking. The reason is that I can't see any other motors available that is are as small, as roomy or any better.

There is the issue with the diesel particulate thing on these modern MTJ units, which you may wish to consider before going further. It can be a pain in the bum because once the light comes on you are supposed to keep driving at reasonable revs until the light goes off. If you do decent length journeys you would probably be OK. If not then maybe the TwinAir might be better and you then have the whole Panda range to choose from. Some folks love Pandas with TwinAir engines. I took a 4x4 for a test drive, but didn't like the characteristics and didn't think we were going to get along. Horses for courses.

 

[SB1500]

"There is the issue with the diesel particulate thing on these modern MTJ units,"

All modern diesels seem to have this mysterious problems, I know some people who are all around the country often as their jobs require moving people around and they're still having mechanics come back with no answers to the whole DPF thing.

I don't think I'll ever go for a diesel in general, but who knows. It's the repair cost and such for me that puts me off, other than that I admire that they're strong and last very long.

I'm also no fan of the TwinAirs or tiny-turbo petrol engines, I mean, cutting an engine in half and forcing twice the power through it?! Surely something has to give, personally I can't see these lasting either.

And FIAT is rumoured to be working hard on replacing the FIRE engine (1.2 / 1.1) which will probably be a revised / similar to TwinAir petrol

My advice: Keep your 169 Pandas!!!

A few people on here have called them 'the best car Fiat has ever built' and to be honest, I'm starting to genuinely think that too.

I love the look of the new models equally to my Panda now, but I hear so much negativity from owners and other Fiat fans that it makes me wonder if I'd regret buying one when the time comes.

 

[bob1969]

I would also point the Kia 5 year warranty is only worth it if the car has been serviced by Kia all its life and in the correct order. Otherwise it's worthless.

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

Keep your 169 Pandas!!!

A few people on here have called them 'the best car Fiat has ever built' and to be honest, I'm starting to genuinely think that too.

If it is viable to keep your old 169 going and you like it, then yes! If it isn't viable then you will have the same problem as I did. Unfortunately they don't make the 169 now, otherwise there would be diesel one on my driveway, so the next best thing is a new Panda.

 

[SB1500]

If it is viable to keep your old 169 going and you like it, then yes! If it isn't viable then you will have the same problem as I did. Unfortunately they don't make the 169 now, otherwise there would be diesel one on my driveway, so the next best thing is a new Panda.

I know, and I'll only ever replace mines with the newer Panda too, as by the time I hope to replace mines the only other 169s will be a brave age themselves.

You really have to love the car to invest in it once it gets to a set age, and as I've learnt that's probably only realistic if you can do the work yourself - which for a lot of people is a barrier I totally understand.

I think OP said his is in good shape, personally I'd say he keep it but I suppose he may not 'love' the car as much as others therefore his best option might be to move on.

 

[DaveMcT]

It's a simple car so unless there are terminal issues (like blown engine or rotting bodywork) just keep it going. Even then major parts are not silly money compared to new cars. My back axle cost me £200 all in and I'll get money back when I sell the old axle.

On the other hand my Renault Espace (2005) is pretty much dead. The failed clutch turned out to be less serious but everything on that car is a hassle and costly to fix.

 

[Dieselfan]

There is also another important issue to consider when replacing a current (decent) car to buy a new car and it takes the form of a quiz:

What is the most eco-friendly and environmentally responsible car you can own?


The one you own now.

 

[DaveMcT]

Failing that a Series Landcover. By far and away the biggest energy cost of nay car is its manufacture. The Series Landy was about as basic a design as possible so cheap to build and they last for a long time. They aren't cheap on fuel but the parsimonious manufacturing process more than offsets that.

Did you know that 80% of Land Rovers are still on the road? The other 20% went off road and some actually arrived.

 

[leroya500]

Failing that a Series Landcover. By far and away the biggest energy cost of nay car is its manufacture. The Series Landy was about as basic a design as possible so cheap to build and they last for a long time. They aren't cheap on fuel but the parsimonious manufacturing process more than offsets that.

Did you know that 80% of Land Rovers are still on the road? The other 20% went off road and some actually arrived.

And there all completely rubbish! ( I've owned 2)
They use more oil than the qe2 they use more fuel than oil, they breakdown every second Tuesday, it's dryer to walk on a rainy day than drive, they breakdown again, put the brakes on before you turn the engine on if you want to stop within two miles oh and it'll break down again!

 

[DaveMcT]

What do you expect with an old car!!! The Series III went out of production in 1985.

But fully rebuilt with single leaf parabolic springs they are almost as good as a 90. No farty electronics to crap out and as simple as it gets engineering.

If you want comfort go and buy a Merc or BMW.