Super sporty hot hatch (Fiat Panda)

Member Name: janewinlow

Product:	Fiat Panda
Date:	29/10/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: nippy and economical

Disadvantages: only 4 seats

I have a 2008 58 reg Fiat Panda 100hp 1.4 liter engine, i have had a number of different cars in the four years i have been driving but this has to be one of the best for quite a low price.

The pandas are small and quite boxy giving them a retro eighties feel, however their is nothing old feeling inside with a grey curvy dashboard and large dials it look really cool the seats are black and grey and very comfortable although might feel a bit restrictive for a larger person, one downside is they are only a four seater, with plenty of leg room in the front but not that great in the back okay for kids but not 6ft tall men.

as well as the retro exterior shape they have tinted rear windows and lovely alloy wheels .

Inside theare are all of the mod cons, climate control, bluetooth for your phone it tells you if you have a light out no seatbelt on or a door open as well as your mpg and all of the other information you never really look at.

The main benefit of this car is that its light body with 1.4 litre petrol engine equals a lot of fun it corners magnificently sticking to the road like glue even when you know you are taking it a bit hard. it is nippy and small enough to fit through any gap in the traffic ideal for the daily commute. It is cheap to run i get about 40mpg, and cheap to insure £210 a year fully comp for me yet still can keep up with at least some of the big boys you often see people react and can picture them thinking "how am i being overtaken by a panda".

The downsides are tyres are quite expensive and either i am unlucky or the car seems to go through them i have had 3 in the past 6 months puncture and at about £80 each theay are not cheap. Servicing is EXPENSIVE my car is i for its second service 24000 miles and i thought it would be a bit cheaper after the first one was £150 but no this one is £185 even worse.

The only problem i have had with the car is the drivers seat has had to be replaced 4 times as the back rest keeps collapsing and fabric rips because of a sharp bar in the lumbar region of the back rest however that should be fixed once and for all after today.

The parcel shelf has 2 rubber plugs on the fixings which often work their way loose resulting in an awful squeaking noise but superglue fixed that one.
A definite car to consider if you are looking for something to commute in but do not want to lose out on power and speed.

Summary: a must have for commuters who want a bit of pace

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