Fiat Panda 1983
  • Economy

    Value

    5 out of 5 5.0

    I paid £280 for my 45k mile minter in Jan 2003.

    Costs

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Superb fuel economy, cheapest tax, group 1 insurance, and parts are inexpensive too (not that i needed any). Probably the cheapest car you could possibly own.

  • On the road

    Driving

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Loads of roll, non-existent brakes, and a bumpy ride. But its nimble enough for driving around town.

    Performance

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Not good, but no worse than any other 1.0. I did manage to get mine up to 100mph once or twice though... Downhill.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    5 out of 5 5.0

    I had mine for a year and nothing ever went wrong! Apart from when the fuel pipes split and it cought fire... but that was my fault because i ignored the smell of petrol for days. Only cost £25 to fix anyway.

    Image

    2 out of 5 2.0

    You wont attract the opposite sex very easily in a panda... but i liked the retro image. Stick a load of fog lights on it, maybe some bull bars, and it gets a cult following!

    Comfort

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Seats are very flimsy, but they do the job. However, the seats seem to be designed to make the loose change fall out of your pockets. Its also freezing cold on a winters morning because of all the bare metal inside.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Not really a car someone would want to steal. It has locks and that about it. I reckon I could have forced the door open with my bare hands. I didnt really care, it was so cheap that its practically disposable.

    Service

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Never went to a main dealer

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    No problems at all.

    Other

    Suspension is notoriously weak, mine broke from the slightest of bumps. Not economical to replace, so it went to scrap. I love disposable cars!

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    No

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes