Today I test drove this...

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:22 pm

So I need a daily runner having sold the Saab. Criteria:
5 doors
Cheap to run
Decent handling

Having read all the positive reports I tried out the Panda 100HP....not something I put on my shortlist which included the Focus ST170, Astra SRi and Leon Cupra.

Initially impressions is it's quite "cool"....well sort of. It's a small car but doesn't feel tool small inside. I'm 6'2 and had plenty headroom. It's a 1.4 16V with a 6speed box which is very direct. Group 5 insurance and tax will be cheap. Of course it's not fast but punchy. Turn in is quite good but it is a little bouncy over country roads probably down to the springs ( I read the Evo review who were trialling different springs to try and cure the problem) and the short wheel base.

Here's a few pics. I'm still undecided....

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 6:17 pm

I like the wee suzuki swift that seems a nicer car inside but far harder to spell

Skyenet · Post by **Skyenet** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:02 pm

I seem to remember Uldis buying a Fiat Panda as a runaround after being impressed by my wee Punto on MexiTowers. Mine was just a base model but was very pleased with it, especially on our Europe trip. Was a bit nippier than my new base model Corsa as well, but still prefer the roomier, more modern Corsa. I had a test drive in the 4x4 Punto and liked it but a bit slower and about £3,000 more (I think) than the base model Punto I ended up getting new for less than £6000

Bada Bing! · Post by **Bada Bing!** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:37 pm

I like the Swift, but I would be tempted to wait until the new year and buy a 500 with some lowering springs, than a Panda.

smee · Post by **smee** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:41 pm

Honestly try the swift, I had a shot in one and was very impressed.

Bada Bing! · Post by **Bada Bing!** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:56 pm

The Swift is a cheap BMW Mini, minus the c0ck of an image, IMO.

woody · Post by **woody** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:03 pm

Bada Bing! wrote:The Swift is a cheap BMW Mini, minus the c0ck of an image, IMO.

IMO, it's not remotely in the same league as a mini, the interior is tat and poorly put together.

New Fabia? I'd eat one.

Bada Bing! · Post by **Bada Bing!** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:09 pm

Would you really rather drive a Mini though? Christ they're tragic.

caleebra · Post by **caleebra** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:44 pm

woody wrote:
Bada Bing! wrote:The Swift is a cheap BMW Mini, minus the c0ck of an image, IMO.
IMO, it's not remotely in the same league as a mini, the interior is tat and poorly put together.

I for one am glad the Swift is not in the "same league" as the bulbous overpriced 0.5 Series. The fit and finish might not be up to German standards but that does not make it a bad car!!

There is nothing wrong with the interior, it's a step above most jap efforts (not hard I'll grant you) and in the BASE SPEC model you get driver, passenger, and side airbags, 6 speaker MP3/WMA stereo, ISOFIX kids seat mounts, 60/40 folding rear seats and stereo controls on a nice small steering wheel (would be better trimmed in leather though...).

The 1.3 deisel comes with the highly regarded Fiat multijet engine, but I'm getting 40-odd mpg from the 1.3 16V petrol. No rocketship obviously but it revs willingly and is a different kind of fun! And my first service will cost me £90.

I wanted a Panda but ultimately could not persuade SWMBO on the looks, so the Swift was a compromise. Both are exceptionally cheap new cars. Gillanders were decent to deal with, haggled a good price. I'd have loved to get a Sport, but for all I need the car for (commuting and the odd shopping trip, winter motoring etc) the base model was all I needed.

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:47 pm

I'm amused by elise owners debating the interior standard of other makers

woody · Post by **woody** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:12 pm

Bada Bing! wrote:Would you really rather drive a Mini though? Christ they're tragic.

Yup, to be honest I would, even though i think the mini dosen't live up to the hype. I have experience of both, when it comes down to it the seating height alone in the mini compared to the swift would win it for me. Thats all given that it's a new mini we're talking about and not a new new mini, which are

My 1/4 of a million mile BM is probably, water pump aside, the best car all round car I've had, minis, MINI & elise included, for pure comedy value it wins the day.

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:15 pm

I quite like my panda

one of my dads mates is a fiat dealer and he was saying they get more warranty claims on toyotas (he also has toyota and alfa) than he does on new fiats.

if you can live with the image the panda is excellent. don't pay more than 8.5k for the 100hp tho

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:15 am

Bada Bing! wrote:Would you really rather drive a Mini though? Christ they're tragic.

Mini's a great car - I don't give a monkeys about image. Best FWD car I've ever driven.

Panda's good, the Swift's ok apart from the steering which is a but too much like Angel Delight (light and fluffy).

The 500 will be stupid money for a sensibly specced when it comes out.

max1966 · Post by **max1966** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:59 pm

G

the fabia Vrs is still the best everyday runaround I've ever had, not punchy just downright fast, economical, always, well put together and excellent residuals.

The only thing that lets it down is the light grey interior, but there are black leather retrims available

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:13 pm

max1966 wrote:G

the fabia Vrs is still the best everyday runaround I've ever had, not punchy just downright fast, economical, always, well put together and excellent residuals.

The only thing that lets it down is the light grey interior, but there are black leather retrims available

Before I say this...I have ruled out the Panda. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about... but the Skoda...it's a Skoda. Sometime it can look sporty but other/most time...it's looks like the base model. Engine is mega though.