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What To Upgrade To in June from a Mk II Panda?

  • 05-01-2017 5:17pm
    #1
    Kintarō Hattori
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,039 ✭✭✭✭


    Hey Folks,

    Last year I bought a car for work. I was mainly on regional roads, local roads etc so I settled on a 2005 1.1 Fiat Panda petrol. It's been great but back in October I started a new job which sees me doing 41km each way to work so 80km each day, down the M1 and then the M50 so the auld back is starting to ache as the Panda isn't built for long distance driving!

    Unlike last summer where I knew I really really wanted a Panda, I'm unsure what to get now. Does the distance justify a diesel? Do I want to keep to a small car as they are relatively cheap to run and laughably yep the Panda is a doddle to park anywhere. I'm also not sure whether I spend a little and buy a secondhand car outright or do I put some more money towards it, take out a motor loan and get something like a 132 Panda etc.


    What I like about the Panda:

    Despite having a woeful 54HP engine it's actually a lot of fun to drive on twisty roads
    With 5 doors it's practical
    It's relatively economic and generally inexpensive to run
    It's really easy to find a parking space


    What I don't like about the Panda:

    It's not comfortable over a long distance and I end up with a sore back
    My model at least has no aircon so on a hot summers day it's not fun
    It's lacking a little in comfort: no lumbar support, no anything really


    I had been thinking that a 2005/2006 1.6 litre S40 would be a nice upgrade. I don't need lots of power and would value comfort more than power. As the Panda was my first car and I'll have had just one year of driving on a full licence I'll probably be a bit restricted with what I'll be able to get insurance on anyway. Whatever I get it'll need isofix as there's a baby coming along around the end of May.

    I had been thinking of spending €3000-4000 but maybe I'm better off spending more, taking out a loan and getting something like a newer small car such as the updated Panda etc?

    I know it's a good way off yet but I'm so unfocused as to what to get, I'm looking for some clarity.


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