Fiat Panda (2004 - 2011) 1.3 Multijet Dynamic 5d (2008/08) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Frugal mainly I suspect! Not sure other tha that. However, the new Ford Ka is all panda under the skin, the corsa has the same diesel engine nad the Fiat 500 is all the same under the skin also.

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

Most of them think its kinda nice and are reasonably impressed after being drive anywhere in it.

Would you buy this car again and why?

So far I would. It does exactly what I wanted it to do and is fabulously frugal on diesel. This is my first Italian car and based on this one (although they are built in Poland) I would be likely to go again for the fun (really!), frugality and value of it.

What are you likely to buy next?

We may need a 7 seater at some point, possible with 4 wheel drive, so may look at Hyundai santa fe. However, if we can get away with the 4x4, would certainly look at the Fiat Doblo with the same 1.3 diesel engine.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£3,495

When did you buy the car?

July 2014

Did you get a good deal and why?

I believe we got a great deal from our dealer. It was the used car arm of a Fiat main dealer in Canterbury, so the car had a full service history and some warranty at a very fair price.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I was looking for a car that was very economical, low CO2 emissions for car tax reasons, reasonably cheap to buy and run and relatively new and reliable.

What was the dealer like?

Generally very good. Provided full details of the car over the phone and sent as many details as I asked for. I was a long distance buyer (Ireland) so I had no opportunity to test drive before I arrived. would purchase from them again.

What's it like to drive?

Better than you think it would be. 70 BHP and a nice chassis means it will handle. It does need working through the gears and revs in order to "make progress". also, it will understeer if pushed hard, but you have fund with it!

What's it like to park?

Unbelievably easy. Hardest bit is not getting out of the car and finding you left 2 meters from the back of the car....

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing has gone wrong in 4000 miles / 3 months. It does 90 miles+ per day in a mix of country, fast a road and dual carriageway 5 days per week (commute). The only worry I have is that the Debica tyres on the front are wearing at about 1mm per 1000 miles. I believe this can happen with the diesel Panda, but the tyres (although gripy) aren't the best lasting.

What's most practical about your car?

Mileage. I genuinely get 66 mpg out of it on my weekly commute. That is calculated (not from the trip) over 450-500 miles and 4-5 days. It definitely feels a bit Tardis - feeling like a much bigger car in the inside and it has a comfortable "sit up and beg" driving position.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

To be honest, there aren't any really - not even split rear seats or a light in the boot! But it does have a reasonable stereo and a trip computer, heater works well too :).