I fear my ancient Smart is not long for the world, and so I'm searching for a replacement. I've been leaning towards a Fiat Panda, and would like to hear from other owners. I'm especially interested in the Panda 4x4, but wonder if it is worth the extra cost.
My requirements in a car:
- Cheap.
- As small as possible, so I can squeeze into my postage-stamp sized parking space - but I'd also like to be able to stuff at least 3 medium-ish sized dogs inside.
- Enough power to actually make it up windy mountain roads.
- Something that feels less like a death-trap on highways than my Smart does.
- Automatic or semi-automatic. (I know, I know... )
- As energy efficient as possible.
- Reliable. (I know nothing about car mechanics, and wish to remain in blissful ignorance.)
- Did I mention cheap?
My car's primary function is that of kennel-on-wheels, so style and amenities are of little importance to me. I don't do a lot of driving now (maybe 100km a month), I just need something simple and reliable. I hope to move further out into the boondocks soon-ish, thus the need for something safe when driving hilly roads in winter.
So, Panda owners, are you happy with your car? If not, may I ask why? And, how safe do you feel on snow-covered roads? Any and all comments would be helpful.
Or if anyone can suggest alternatives, I'd be most grateful.
I actually got in a small accident in a Panda once- the other car was a Honda CRV and it had more damage! I think that was an exceptional case, but I've liked Pandas ever since.
We used to have a Ford KA. Drove over here with it, a couple of cats in the back plus various other stuff, also drove over a couple of mountain passes in the summer (minus the cats), then drove it back to the UK before the year's grace was up. Always ran well and surprisingly nippy and fun although you wouldn't want to back yourself overtaking uphill with a load onboard. Economical in the main although thirsty at anything above 70mph but that will cost you in more ways than one over here. This was the old version (2003) and I believe it has been revamped since then so can't comment on the latest model. And I never drove it in the snow here. But I would advise you to have a look. Cheers and good luck (am currently in the process of buying a car so understand your desire to research thoroughly).
Our smart in the uk was hit up the arse at traffic lights, pushing it into the car in front (a proton or hyundai), the car in front was written off, the car that hit us was written off, but the smart was fixable. Very strong little cars.
Do a google for the smart crash tests, there is one of a smart hitting a big merc head on, the driver of the merc would have died, the smart driver would have walked away.
I drove a panda while on holiday in Tenerife. It went up the 2500+ metres vulcano with no problem, always felt safe and not really under powered. My only gripe was that it was a bit narrow with an intrusive dashboard, not a lot of sitting room.
Have you looked at the new renault twingo though ?
Me and the misses liked this one much better (rented also on Tenerife). It is a little bit wider (6 cm) and longer (7 cm) but feels much roomier inside because it has a less intrusive dash. Also you can easely remove the two back seats to have a two-seater with oodles of room for your poodles in the back. We found it a much nicer car than the panda.
Best of all, the cheapest automatic version is cheaper than the panda.
So, definately have a look at the renault twingo !
Another car to check out is the suzuki swift 4x4, we looked at all the small cars available this time last year, the panda was just too small, no boot space and the passengers literally sit on the back door (not nice in a crash) and for what it was I thought it was overpriced (but not as overpriced as the fiat 500!!!)
anyway we bought the swift 4x4, very nice little car, lots of standard equipment - satnav, airbags all over the place (8 I think), aircon, keyless entry etc etc. It sticks to the road like poo to a blanket amazing levels of grip
Only down side is its only a 1.3 so you have to rev it quite hard at times (like most jap cars) and that can be a bit noisey.
I live in the mountains and the postman has a 4x4 Panda and it has never yet failed to get to our door and we get a lot of snow. I think it is remarkable. His old Panda (old shape) was sold to someone in one of the higher villages and I regularly see it motoring around. I am probably as snobby as some of the other posters about Fiat/Alfa etc but then I had a Golf which was nothing but trouble.
I also had an Alfa which fell apart but at least it was a joy to drive!
Try it and if you like it, buy it - there is certainly nothing wrong with the 4x4 as far as I can see.
I've never drove a panda, but in the past Fiat and reliable didn't fit together.
With the new fiat director (Marchionne) it seems there is an improvement.
Nowadays the car company are just assembling pieces, so there is no big difference between german, french, italian or japenese car actually, the difference will be on the support, on the interior side and price.
If you can't get hold of the Panda, I can recommend a Subaru Justy 4x4. Some friends of ours have one as a second car and can get anywhere in any weather conditions with it.
Not sure what it's like roomy-wise but they are both "comfortably built" and don't travel light.
They bought it second hand 6 years ago, call it Jimmy, and have never been let down by it.
What about a Suzuki Swift? I drive one of these back home and its economical. Very spacious inside despite it being a compact car. Will definitely fit your 3 dogs. Never driven a FIAT ever, so cant help you there. Sorry MC.
I drove a few years ago a Fiat (Cinquecuento), but I would say as well "Don ́t touch it", lol.
Then I shared a Renault Twingo for more than 10 years with my (now ex-)husband. The Twingo still exists (not the relationship ) and I really loved to drive it.
You must really hate the OP. The Twingo was the worst car I ever drove and I have quite some experience with low end hatch backs... and now we read the requirement again: Three medium sized dogs. In a Twingo. No way!
I am pretty sure that Top Gear had a year or two back a challenge for cheap cars and the one that fitted the dog the best was a Skoda Roomster. Death cheap, practical and big enough to not turn into a death trap instead would we a Dacia:
have been zipping around in the snow & ice in one of these, pretty impressed, although quite spartan interior. But it has five doors & seats down has a shedload of space.