Fiat Panda 4x4 (2005 - 2010) 1.2 5d (2006/55) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I couldn't afford anything bigger?

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They thought it was sweet but there were plenty of "Fix It Again Tony" comments and rightly so...

Would you buy this car again and why?

NO. Underpowered for its weight with the 1.2 l engine and the diesel is not availabe as a 4x4 in the UK. Apart from that: quality of the car and customer service by the dealer and Fiat UK was terrible, bills were exceeding my worst expectations and a boot lock that keeps breaking and is known as one of the most common faults in Panda's cannot seriously be charged to the customers ???

What are you likely to buy next?

Suzuki SX4 4GRIP - no FIAT ever again.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£9,700

When did you buy the car?

January 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

I had found an internet dealer who offered the car new with door delivery for £8700 and asked the Fiat dealer to match the price. They did but scrapped the 0% finance that I should have got. I was only told though when I came into sign the papers that there was a 15.9% interest all of a sudden...

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I needed a small 4x4

What was the dealer like?

Obvioulsy very friendly when you walk in with the intention of buying a new car but over the last 2.5 years, their service was poor, no courtesy cars available when I had to hand the Panda in for (frequent) repairs, their bills were oon tha large side and customer service is not on their list.

What's it like to drive?

Off road doing ok for what it is On road very thirtsy, rarely better than 30mpg, up the hill with people and luugage on board will be a slow travel, overtaken by any- and everybody.

What's it like to park?

Easy

Have you had any problems with the car?

Boot lock broke in April 2006 - was replaced on warranty. Boot lock broke again in February 2008 - the very lock not even being 2 years old - no warranty on it this time. Full charge of £140 - and I wasn't informed that it would be replaced when they did it and that it would cost or I would have cerayinly told them to leave the broken one in - I hardly ever used the boot anyway.... Fiat UK Customer Service was not helpful either - start saving for the next bootlock then or what? Front tyres were alligned wrongly which resulted in complete wear of the tyres after only 1.5 years - I only discovered it accidentially and realised I had been driving for weeks with tyres that were not roadworthy at all. £300 with the 2nd year service for that - thank you very much...

What's most practical about your car?

Parks and turns on the smallest spots

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Lights will switch off when you turn off the engine