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I'm back in a Fiat... #1667296
08/09/2023 15:16
08/09/2023 15:16
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
Forum veteran
Nigel  Offline OP
Forum veteran

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Seems I couldn't stay away from rusty Italian cars for more than a couple of years....

My Aston still feels special every time I drive it, clean it or even look at it. However, using it as a daily is a bit daft, especially as it does about 15mpg around town.

So - the hunt was on for a shed - something that I'm not worried about leaving in dodgy parts of town. Something that's already a bit shabby so I don't care if it gets a scuff and most importantly, something that is so slow and noisy that I still use the Aston whenever it's a viable option. I also like a bit of photography, especially during winter, and a Vantage on Michelin PS4S was never going to get off the drive, never mind halfway across Wales.

So, I trawled Autotrader, Ebay, Gumtree and countless other sales site for some inspiration. Dacia Duster, Skoda Yeti, Audi Allroad and Volvo XC70 were all discounted as they were too good (and the Aston would never come out of the garage). I had the chance to buy back my old Alfa GT, but the insurance company wanted twice as much as I was paying for the Aston.

In the end, a really poorly worded advert on Preloved caught my eye and a couple of days later (and £1,100 lighter) I was the proud owner of another of Fiat's cult cars - the mighty Panda 4x4. 59bhp (when new) of tarmac-rippling power, dished up through tiny little mud & snow tyres.

A quick clean had it looking OK, although when you get up close, its full of scratches and small dings. However, after I'd spent the same again at Motormech as it cost me to buy it, I now have a mechanically sound car that will go almost anywhere, but that I really don't need to care about getting scuffed.

It even coped with strapping two 20+ kg e-mountain bikes to the roof and travelling a 320-mile round trip to deepest Wales and back....

I'm not going to mod it - definitely NOT going to mod it, I really shouldn't mod it.... Ah heck - how much is a lift kit?....

Attached Files
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IMG_1449.JPG (223 downloads)
IMG_9766 - Copy.JPG (221 downloads)

[Linked Image]
Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667300
08/09/2023 15:30
08/09/2023 15:30
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 17,523
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 17,523
Auld Reekie
This reminds me so much of samsite999. When I picked up the BumbleBee from him back in 2010 he showed me this poor hedgeling of shreds and patches resting in a shed, which to his credit he slaved away at until roadworthy, documenting everything on the FiatForum.

I don't think it was his last, either.



You won't be able to help yourself wink


BumbleBee carer smile
Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667348
09/09/2023 19:29
09/09/2023 19:29
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 588
Guildford
wink Offline
Enjoying the ride
wink  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 588
Guildford
I recently had a Panda as a loan car while the Coupe was having its brakes sorted, and I loved it. Nippy around town, easy to park, great visibility.

Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667363
10/09/2023 21:16
10/09/2023 21:16
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 87
Norway
ePiFaNT Offline
Club member 1413
ePiFaNT  Offline
Club member 1413
Reaping the fruits

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 87
Norway
Originally Posted by Nigel
I'm not going to mod it - definitely NOT going to mod it


Do stay well clear of sites like https://www.rialzi4x4evo.store/en/spessori-panda-ii-serie or https://pneumaticipanda.it/negozio/... laugh
They are proper fun cars. And the glove box is cavernous. At least on my LHD. Have you discovered the small compartment under the passenger seat?

click to enlarge

I bought mine this may. Bags of fun. I think I could live with the Coupe and the Panda as a seasonal two car garage. The original, hardly worn 13(!) year old winter tyres will have to go though... New ones already ordered in good time for norwegian winters.


Last edited by ePiFaNT; 10/09/2023 21:18.
Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667472
14/09/2023 16:32
14/09/2023 16:32
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,006
Dorchester
R
respace Offline
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,006
Dorchester
What's the most power anyone's got out of a Panda, so far? I wonder how long before there's one with more?

Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667491
15/09/2023 07:23
15/09/2023 07:23
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,727
Berlin
barnacle Offline
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
barnacle  Offline
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
Forum Demigod

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,727
Berlin
One might have a word with Jake Knight, who's tuning small Fiats at Joe's place. Last time I was there we were kicking ideas around for twin turbo and V8 castings... Don't have a contact for him but I'm sure he's into this modern bookface stuff.


[Linked Image]
Don't get no respect! Coupe Fiat 1994-2000 - an owner's guide <-- clicky!
Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667492
15/09/2023 07:24
15/09/2023 07:24
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 40
Brackley
barchetta_ms Offline
Club member 2004
barchetta_ms  Offline
Club member 2004
Discoverer

Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 40
Brackley
I think this might qualify as one of the quickest Pandas

https://youtu.be/6omLFgu4kRg?si=6-e5N6AnM8H5Usb3

Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667500
15/09/2023 11:39
15/09/2023 11:39
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 87
Norway
ePiFaNT Offline
Club member 1413
ePiFaNT  Offline
Club member 1413
Reaping the fruits

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 87
Norway
laugh

this is slower, but has 4x4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQPNw7R2Zq0

Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667512
15/09/2023 17:15
15/09/2023 17:15
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,727
Berlin
barnacle Offline
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
barnacle  Offline
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
Forum Demigod

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,727
Berlin
Looks like the roadholding isn't always all it might be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaYHUpnYPlg


[Linked Image]
Don't get no respect! Coupe Fiat 1994-2000 - an owner's guide <-- clicky!
Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1667593
19/09/2023 08:22
19/09/2023 08:22
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,581
Glasgow,Near Florence..If only...
paul Offline
My life on the forum
paul  Offline
My life on the forum

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,581
Glasgow,Near Florence..If only...
Ha Nigel enjoy love , I keep looking at the 4x4 version as well ...............have done for years now ,but I also keep saying no more no more
hired one in italy years ago and loved it , as you say great fun


was Paul S,now just paul...Member since Oct 2000,Coupe may be FATALLY injured - :(oh no it's not smile
Re: I'm back in a Fiat... [Re: Nigel] #1669977
02/02/2024 18:03
02/02/2024 18:03
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,836
Haslemere, Surrey
M
Mark_S Offline
Forum is my job
Mark_S  Offline
Forum is my job
M

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,836
Haslemere, Surrey
Total bargain, enjoy


997 C4S

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