Ford Ka or Fiat Panda?

Rookie145 · 02-02-2009 11:47AM

MYOB wrote: »

Great engine, the soundproofing in the car isn't as good as in the bigger cars with it so when you've got the radio off or quiet at idle you are very much aware its a diesel there though - at least compared to in a Grande Punto with the same engine.

I'm willing to sacrifice the fuel efficiency for the more level power output and better spec I've got on my current Panda though, which is why I'm driving it and not the diesel!

I trust you're aware that the same engine is in the Opel Corsa cdti, another strong contender.

EPM · 02-02-2009 12:18PM

Rookie145 wrote: »

I trust you're aware that the same engine is in the Opel Corsa cdti, another strong contender.

The problem there being that the rest of the car comes with the engine:D

Panda all the way if you ask me

RobAMerc · 02-02-2009 12:34PM

I would have to say Panda - even though I have never driven one.
Fact is the design is 10 years newer and will have come on a long way in terms of chassis dynamics and safety too.

Although admittedly I am a huge fan of the Ka - I just cannot see it matching the Panda for just about anything bar driving fun.

mowgli-mcnob · 02-02-2009 12:39PM

A hard decision to make! like a lot of people I would say the panda. There is not much to part these two so it really only depends on what you think you'd like to be seen in and like to drive for a few years without getting sick of it. The Ka's looks might help you like it for longer.

Drummerboy08 · 02-02-2009 12:44PM

Ka all the way for me.. My oul one used to have a Ka Luxury - Leather, Spoiler, AC, all the bells and whistles!

The only problem i can see with a Ka is the engine size. As a 1.3, your insurance will be higher. Motor tax will also be higher.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1304024
I know the one above is sold, but if you want a Ka, then thats the one to go for.

If you're just looking for a small car, can i suggest this?...
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1217849

You will get one at a better price, but this compared to the Ka means cheaper road tax and insurance -1.1 opposed to 1.3 - and they are great fun to drive. If its small and french, its hard to go wrong.

Cionád · 02-02-2009 12:49PM

Panda all the way for me, more practical and you'll get a newer one for next to nothing.

I've driven the 1.1 and it's suprisingly nippy.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1204571

Rookie145 · 02-02-2009 12:52PM

EPM wrote: »

The problem there being that the rest of the car comes with the engine:D

Panda all the way if you ask me

It really comes down to a matter of preferance in the end. While I've never driven a Panda, the idea of one with a diesel engine is very exciting.
But Opel are a very good car too with or without a diesel.

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 01:39AM

No no no no NOOOOO!! for the love of the children please buy something deasent... maybe a polo??

Bluefoam · 03-02-2009 08:05AM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

No no no no NOOOOO!! for the love of the children please buy something deasent... maybe a polo??

Get back in your box! Polo, ha ha :rolleyes:

EPM · 03-02-2009 10:08AM

Rookie145 wrote: »

It really comes down to a matter of preferance in the end. While I've never driven a Panda, the idea of one with a diesel engine is very exciting.
But Opel are a very good car too with or without a diesel.

But having driven a few Corsa's in my time - not owned mind - they aren't a patch on either of the two cars IMHO. Not a model of reliability either. I'd agree about the diesel Panda though, I'd love one for around town.

Coincidentally, a neighbour of mine has just bought a silver 2009 Panda. He already has a 06 or 07 one and this replaced his wifes 06 Micra.

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 12:27PM

Bluefoam wrote: »

Get back in your box! Polo, ha ha :rolleyes:

I actually drive a VW Golf..

I was recomennding a polo as a starter car for some one.. as in my opinion and we are alowd opinions around here arnt we.. Pandas and Ka's are not exactly the nicest thing to be seen in.. think of 4 people in a little ka with a 6ft driver. very uncomfotable I tell ya..

Cionád · 03-02-2009 12:43PM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

I was recomennding a polo as a starter car for some one.. as in my opinion and we are alowd opinions around here arnt we.. Pandas and Ka's are not exactly the nicest thing to be seen in.. think of 4 people in a little ka with a 6ft driver. very uncomfotable I tell ya..

There is a lot more to a car than how nice it is to be seen in!

The Panda is far cheaper than a Polo for a start, and the build quality and reliability are excellent.
http://www.topgear.com/content/carsurvey/2006/fiat/panda/

As for the Polo...
http://www.topgear.com/content/carsurvey/2006/volkswagen/polo/

I know which one I'd prefer!

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 12:45PM

Cionád wrote: »

There is a lot more to a car than how nice it is to be seen in!

The Panda is far cheaper than a Polo for a start, and the build quality and reliability are excellent.
http://www.topgear.com/content/carsurvey/2006/fiat/panda/

As for the Polo...
http://www.topgear.com/content/carsurvey/2006/volkswagen/polo/

I know which one I'd prefer!

Let Jeremey Clarkson do the buying for ya..

Bet he wouldnt be seen dead in either of them!

Cionád · 03-02-2009 12:47PM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

Let Jeremey Clarkson do the buying for ya..

Bet he wouldnt be seen dead in either of them!

It's results of a survey, not the opinions of Jeremy Clarkson.

James May has a Panda

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 12:53PM

Cionád wrote: »

It's results of a survey, not the opinions of Jeremy Clarkson.

James May has a Panda

Captin Slow has a Panda.. lets all rush out and get one

If it was Richard Hammond maybe :pac::pac::pac:

Hey.. I'm not going to be converted Im a golf girl and staying like that..:D

Biro · 03-02-2009 03:50PM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

Captin Slow has a Panda.. lets all rush out and get one If it was Richard Hammond maybe :pac::pac::pac:

Hey.. I'm not going to be converted Im a golf girl and staying like that..:D

Just like all Golf girls...

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 04:00PM

Biro wrote: »

Just like all Golf girls...

And that is supposed to mean what??:D

Biro · 03-02-2009 04:16PM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

And that is supposed to mean what??:D

It's supposed to mean that you're like nearly every other "golf girl". Can't see past a Golf, ignorant to the pro's of other cars, and all you see is the "it's not a volkswagen" requirement that you'll never overcome.
Golfs and Polos aren't cool unless they contain the letters G60, G40 or R32. Only some GTi's are cool, and the Mk 3 and Mk4 aren't one of those.

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 04:24PM

Biro wrote: »

It's supposed to mean that you're like nearly every other "golf girl". Can't see past a Golf, ignorant to the pro's of other cars, and all you see is the "it's not a volkswagen" requirement that you'll never overcome.
Golfs and Polos aren't cool unless they contain the letters G60, G40 or R32. Only some GTi's are cool, and the Mk 3 and Mk4 aren't one of those.

Driving a VW Golf is much cooler than either the ka or the panda that this thread was started about.. I do not know any1 that would want either of those cars but know plenty of VW Lovers.. and by the way I am not in the mentality of "it's not a volkswagen" I have had a ford and an opel and would like a ford focas or an old mazda 323f as my next car.

Bluefoam · 03-02-2009 04:25PM

I heard that VW's are just rebadged Skodas

Biro · 03-02-2009 04:28PM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

Driving a VW Golf is much cooler than either the ka or the panda that this thread was started about.. I do not know any1 that would want either of those cars but know plenty of VW Lovers.. and by the way I am not in the mentality of "it's not a volkswagen" I have had a ford and an opel and would like a ford focas or an old mazda 323fas my next car.

There is nothing cool about a Golf. Just because there's plenty of VW lovers, doesn't make them any better or worse than the competition. Big Brother is very popular but it's the lowest form of TV shyte I've ever seen.
There's no point in coming on here telling someone who is choosing between the Ka which is a great handling little car and a Panda which is an award winning small car and telling them that they're both uncool and to get a Polo instead. The Polo is about as un cool as you can get.

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 04:31PM

Bluefoam wrote: »

I heard that VW's are just rebadged Skodas

Or Audis...

haha from what I hear from a skoda driver they have improved an aufal lot (woundnt of been hard :pac: ) since VW took them over.. But u still have the skoda drivers debadging there own car to try make it look like a vw.. :pac::pac:

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 04:36PM

Biro wrote: »

There is nothing cool about a Golf. Just because there's plenty of VW lovers, doesn't make them any better or worse than the competition. Big Brother is very popular but it's the lowest form of TV shyte I've ever seen.
There's no point in coming on here telling someone who is choosing between the Ka which is a great handling little car and a Panda which is an award winning small car and telling them that they're both uncool and to get a Polo instead. The Polo is about as un cool as you can get.

This is a discussion.. thus it is about opinions.. I give my opinion.. if u dont like it ignore it.. ur not buying the car..

Biro · 03-02-2009 04:41PM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

This is a discussion.. thus it is about opinions.. I give my opinion.. if u dont like it ignore it.. ur not buying the car..

This is a car forum. Leave your biased notions at the door before you come in. If you can't do that then your opinion is wasting other people's time.

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 04:44PM

Biro wrote: »

This is a car forum. Leave your biased notions at the door before you come in. If you can't do that then your opinion is wasting other people's time.

ur the one waisting your time arguing with me! I just recomended a car.. leave it at that!

Bluefoam · 03-02-2009 04:46PM

Biro wrote: »

This is a car forum. Leave your biased notions at the door before you come in. If you can't do that then your opinion is wasting other people's time.

Okay, time to back off. lisa_celtic is entitled to her opinion - right, wrong or indifferent.

Golfs & Polos are grand. However - horses for courses...

lisa_celtic · 03-02-2009 04:47PM

Bluefoam wrote: »

Okay, time to back off. lisa_celtic is entitled to her opinion - right, wrong or indifferent.

Golfs & Polos are grand. However - horses for courses...

Thank You.. :cool:

BTW I wouldnt drive a polo myself just recomending them for a starter :pac::pac:

Biro · 03-02-2009 05:57PM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

ur the one waisting your time arguing with me! I just recomended a car.. leave it at that!

Just recommending a car is one thing, slagging off the two cars the OP was choosing from is actually what you did.

L1011 · 03-02-2009 08:45PM

lisa_celtic wrote: »

No no no no NOOOOO!! for the love of the children please buy something deasent... maybe a polo??

I'd need to have had some serious brain damage to consider a Polo decent; and when you then count in the extra price to pay for the badge....

Alanstrainor · 03-02-2009 09:15PM

OP, the best thing would be to go for a few test drives of each, you've heard our opinions on the 2, only you can decide for yourself which you prefer.
That being said, get the panda:D:pac:

Ford Ka or Fiat Panda?

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