Fiat Panda (1983 - 1995) 1000 4x4 Sisley 3d (1991/J) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That i am different. not like most young lads who just want speed and fast acceleration. a sensible car for a sensible young driver. people may laugh, but are they driving the car that they have always wanted to own?

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

They all think its ace. everyone likes what i have done with it. it is unique for this modern age so stands out. people often comment on how good it looks and that they had fond memories of the one they had years ago.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes! so much so i have rescued 2 more. a Seat Marbella "fun" from a scrap yard now put back on the road, and another Fiat Panda 4x4 that was offered for free from farm use. needs a lot of work though. search "John Dragon Man" for any restoration help on these cars.

What are you likely to buy next?

To be honest, i plan to keep this car for a long as i can. should i ever have to get another car it would be replaced with another fiat panda 4x4. however if i had a choice of modern cars i would choose the 2013 Suzuki Swift SZ4 DDiS 1.25l diesel. its running costs are so low!

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£547

When did you buy the car?

April 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

I bought my Sisley from a well known auctioning website.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Childhood dream car. (laugh all you want!) Wanted one for a restoration project.

What was the dealer like?

Following the rules of the online auction, everything went well. friendly when i arrived to pick up the car.

What's it like to drive?

Fun! i love the thing. standard tyre size is 145/80/13, but stick some 165 tyres on it and it will go around any corner at speed. it has leaf springs on the back so the ride is a little bouncy. adds to the fun if you ask me. gear change is how you expect. its a little tough to get into 1st if coming to a stop. have to come to a complete stop sometimes then put it in 1st. feels fine on motorway speeds, the engine revs high due to it being geared down more. small price to pay for the 4x4. seems quite stable at 70mph. you sometimes have to change down going up hill. not so much when it is just the driver in the car. it is a fantastic town car. when the snow hits, this will be about the only car able to get through it, often putting large 4x4's to shame. (talking from experience!).

What's it like to park?

An absolute dream. you can see everything. on standard tyres the steering is light but if you stick wider tyres on it does become more heavy.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The car was a restoration project used on a farm off the road for 10 years. it was far from road worthy. after restoration the car has preformed flawlessly. 3rd gear crunches but that is common amongst 4x4 panda's of that age and nothing to worry about.

What's most practical about your car?

The boot space, the 4x4 system (which is amazing in the snow), the way the seats fold down, it is easy to repair if anything should go wrong, the visibility (like being in a greenhouse), and the fuel economics which are quite good for a 4x4.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The inclinometer. a device that sits on top of the dash and tells you how the car is sitting in relation to flat land. great for hill climbing! the 4x4 system is also really nice and works well. Roof rack is factory fitted Bull bars are optional from factory but can sometimes be found for sale online. 4x4 pandas using the 999cc FIRE engine have 5 hp extra over 2 wheel drive models.