Posted By: B3nson
Panda 100HP - 06/02/2021 17:00
Hi everyone,
I've joined up the forum as i'm looking to get a 20V Turbo in the near future. In meantime, i thought I'd put up a little thread on my Panda 100HP.
After 14 years of driving I unforunately had my first proper crash last August, which resulted in my R53 Cooper S barrel rolling down a country a lane. As it was no longer Mini shaped following this, it was time to buy a replacement.
Being a bit of a fan of FWD (previously owned 172 Clio, EP3 Civic, Accord Type R, DC2 Integra..), no longer having a no claims bonus and also having a rule of never owning the same model twice, I decided it was the ideal time to try a Panda 100HP. I'd always fancied one since the early reviews in EVO magazine many years ago, but as it was a cheap, low powered Fiat it'd never got any further than that.
My budget was around £2000 as that is what I'd got back from the written off R53. I wasn't fussy about spec or colour, but wanted it to have good history, under 100,000 miles and no issues with the climate control/heater (as this is one of big issues with these).
I found one in Angelsey (only a 4 hour train ride away!) that ticked my boxes, and as the seller could actually communicate like a normal human being, this assured me enough to send a deposit based on a few photos and a video sent over Facebook.
It was obvious when I collected that although it had been well looked after, it had also been sitting for sometime during lockdown as the clutch was very stiff and jerky, the brakes sticky when pulling away and something squealed from the engine bay at high revs. Obviously I didn't bother driving it before handing over my cash so decided as it was a Fiat, an Italian tune up was the best resolution. Luckily my trip home took me across North Wales and past Snowdonia. By the time I had reached some fun B-roads the squeal had resolved itself, along with the sticky brakes. The clutch was still a little stiff but was alot better after some enthusiastic gear changes.
First impressions were that despite ste budget tyres it handled very tidily, and that despite only 100HP it really felt alot quicker than I expected. It also sounded rather nice at high revs, thanks to standard induction noise and a subtle aftermarket exhaust. The interior was pretty underwelming, the bluetooth in the standard radio didn't work and the coolant was getting up to temperature properly but I felt like an 18 year old again in that it was cheap, simple fun.
All of this for £1800 and I got 45mpg on average on the journey home.
As it's purpose is for 2 things, to commute a 100 mile round trip to work and to also be used for Autosolos (and hopefully later this year, Targa Rallies) I soon had a list of minor repairs and upgrades to work my way through, as most of us do on a long trip back in a new car!
I've joined up the forum as i'm looking to get a 20V Turbo in the near future. In meantime, i thought I'd put up a little thread on my Panda 100HP.
After 14 years of driving I unforunately had my first proper crash last August, which resulted in my R53 Cooper S barrel rolling down a country a lane. As it was no longer Mini shaped following this, it was time to buy a replacement.
Being a bit of a fan of FWD (previously owned 172 Clio, EP3 Civic, Accord Type R, DC2 Integra..), no longer having a no claims bonus and also having a rule of never owning the same model twice, I decided it was the ideal time to try a Panda 100HP. I'd always fancied one since the early reviews in EVO magazine many years ago, but as it was a cheap, low powered Fiat it'd never got any further than that.
My budget was around £2000 as that is what I'd got back from the written off R53. I wasn't fussy about spec or colour, but wanted it to have good history, under 100,000 miles and no issues with the climate control/heater (as this is one of big issues with these).
I found one in Angelsey (only a 4 hour train ride away!) that ticked my boxes, and as the seller could actually communicate like a normal human being, this assured me enough to send a deposit based on a few photos and a video sent over Facebook.
It was obvious when I collected that although it had been well looked after, it had also been sitting for sometime during lockdown as the clutch was very stiff and jerky, the brakes sticky when pulling away and something squealed from the engine bay at high revs. Obviously I didn't bother driving it before handing over my cash so decided as it was a Fiat, an Italian tune up was the best resolution. Luckily my trip home took me across North Wales and past Snowdonia. By the time I had reached some fun B-roads the squeal had resolved itself, along with the sticky brakes. The clutch was still a little stiff but was alot better after some enthusiastic gear changes.
First impressions were that despite ste budget tyres it handled very tidily, and that despite only 100HP it really felt alot quicker than I expected. It also sounded rather nice at high revs, thanks to standard induction noise and a subtle aftermarket exhaust. The interior was pretty underwelming, the bluetooth in the standard radio didn't work and the coolant was getting up to temperature properly but I felt like an 18 year old again in that it was cheap, simple fun.
All of this for £1800 and I got 45mpg on average on the journey home.
As it's purpose is for 2 things, to commute a 100 mile round trip to work and to also be used for Autosolos (and hopefully later this year, Targa Rallies) I soon had a list of minor repairs and upgrades to work my way through, as most of us do on a long trip back in a new car!