ubereglu Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Well, having thought I'd settle with buying my sister's 3dr Vauxhall Corsa, I'm potentially considering a Fiat Panda Pop, 1.2 petrol, and wondered if any of you have one and what your thoughts are, as I've found a 2012 model for under £3000 near me, with 55k miles on the clock and it looks like it could be a good deal, so... How reliable have you found them? What are they like to drive? Would it unexpectedly go wrong and cost me a lot of money? Pointers of things to look out for when viewing? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 A friend had a Panda rather older than the one you're looking at and I hated it. It was a proper tin box on wheels and scared the bejeezers out of me on the motorway. He loved it and talked endlessly about how economical it was. It was also trouble free for the 3 years he had it (handy as parts are strangely pricey). Personally I'd definitely rather have the Corsa - more comfy, cheaper parts, easier to work on Will ask SO who is a mechanic when I see him next for any words of wisdom tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Over the years had 3 of them, 2 black and 1 white! First one over 100 k miles no probs the 2nd one killed by a deer !! and the third was an automatic one, I drove 20 mikes twice daily to work and loved my Panda. Then I went a bit up market and bought Subaru and these days drive a Toyota Yaris and and love them. Its a great wee starter car and very economical to drive and insure etc. A fun wee car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I had a Fiat panda some years ago. I got it from new. I had endless trouble with it and do agree it was a bit rattly. I too am a great fan of Toyota. I had a verso which lasted years, I only changed as I needed stronger tow car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Goody - this is my chance to say that our neighbour in Portugal has an ancient Panda with 330,000 kilomoeters on the clock and still going strong It had to get something repaired last week (first time in at least 4 years) but whatever it was cost 25 euro! However, having been in both I'd choose the Corsa for comfort, but like the others say, a Panda is a good fun first car. My SIL had one, it did always feel like a tin box on wheels, but it was practical, cheap to run and got you from A to B with no problems. Because the car is lightweight it always feels like you are going faster than you are. We've had a number of Corsas as hire cars over the years, and I thought they were great. Enough room to stow stuff, comfortable, economical and easy to drive. Once we had a turbo diesel small van (not requested) and it was fabulous, although diesels are a bit of a no-no now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 The newer Pandas are fantastic little cars. We had our first one about 8 years ago, then upgraded to a 4x4 version, which was just the best thing ever! Sadly we sold it before moving to France, but I still hanker after one for me, to drive here. WI must say that we have never ever had the tin box on wheels feeling from one! My eldest daughters first car was also a Panda, but one of the first original ones. She loved it & when she got a full time job she bought a new version, which she gets on with really well. They are cheap to tax & insure, very economical & really quite nippy, as well as being lots of fun to drive & easy to park. You might say I am a bit of a fan....the Husband who is tall & big built also loves Pandas & finds them as easy to drive as I do I would go for it Liz. Certainly my daughter has never regretted her choice for a moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I keep reading this as flat pandas and my opinion is that I don't think I'd like a flat panda. I think they should be round and cuddly looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 The mechanic says go with the Panda - less trouble than a Corsa. Am surprised! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 Well...in the end I went for neither...I decided on a Suzuki Swift GL 5dr 1.3 Petrol, 2007, with 65k miles from a user car dealer. I pick it up on Saturday! I spent most of yesterday in disbelief, and strangely feel very much like a grown up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Well done, many miles of happy motoring to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I think you will have a lot of fun in that - I test drove one and had a ball, responsive and fairly nippy, and in our experience Suzuki is a very reliable make indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I've heard they're really good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I think you've made a good choice there. I've been looking at buying a Suzuki Swift and the OH has an old Grand Vitara which he absolutely loves and has been very reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
