Is The Fiat Panda The Best Italian Car EVER? (1993 Panda 900 Road Test)
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- Опубликовано: 11 янв 2022
- Think of Italian cars and you might think exotic supercars, but Joe reckons Italy's best automotive achievement was the far humbler Fiat Panda!
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My first car was an '89 Panda 903cc - so many memories!! IIRC, it was a demon in the snow - it went up hills like a mountain goat when 'superior' metal was left floundering. Great car.
I'm running a 900 cc version I imported from Italy seven years ago as these little fellows have become very rare here in Germany. No question, it's brilliant and great fun to drive and every trip feels like a short holiday in Tuscany.
What ! Like a short holiday in Tuscany ?
Exactly so !
I don't know if it's the best Italian car....but surely it's the most useful ....greetings from Italy by the owner of a 1997 Panda 4x4
This car is much more than a car, it's a philosophy of building a car that works in the simplest and most effective way without balloons and whistles. This is sorely lacking nowadays, there are no such simple cars on the market. Perhaps Dacia has borrowed a bit from this philosophy for their cars. I would like to be able to buy a new and cheap basic car, without AC, without navigation system, without android auto or apple car play, and finally without technology... and with metal interiors!!!🐼🐼🐼
It is indeed. The Panda was our Mini. Economic, rugged and it was better then a bus or a bicycle.
In the end that’s exactly what it comes to.
Economical, reliable ….. and better than the bus !
One of FIAT’s finest little cars. Always wanted one, but never took the plunge. I like the original utilitarian design with the pressed steel front grille myself. My uncle bought a brand new one when they first launched, and I thought it was great. Unfortunately FIAT’s woeful reliability, and premature rust meant that it wasn’t kept for long, being replaced by a mk1 Metro within 18 months.
Same here but I've 2 cinquecentos so don't really need a panda. Nearly bought one once but at the time I was very skint and it would have needed lots of welding which I couldn't do then...
3 year old 45 Comfort, as a first car, by 6 yrs the bottom of the drivers door was flapping and there was rust on the inside under the windscreen.
It was scrapped at 7 years, the year after I got rid of it. The straight lines offered no rigidity, if you parked it with a rear wheel in the air (cart leaf axle made that easy to do on uneven ground) the doors were hard to open and shut. Despite all of this I have a fondness for it's design as a practical car.
I own a 2014 Fiat Panda. It has weld in the rear hatch. Done by the previous owner. Other than that, it's a great car
Sugar! This is my ALL TIME FAVOURITE car! Thanks for the upload. This car really did it better and they were an absolute joy to drive, fun and thrash them - and they could handle it.
SUBSCRIBED and greetings from Norway.
The Steyr Puch 4x4 model was very popular in Austria in the late 1980s.
Great video, again guys! The panda does exactly what it was set out to do. Fantastic design and simple to fix and cheap to run. Used to see these a lot as a kid and thought back then it was quirky for the time. 👍🏻
Thanks Will! There's something charming about the simplicity, isn't there?
Thanks for highlighting the Panda. I was turned on to them thirty years ago for all the reasons you stated, and have never been without one for the last eighteen years.
It’s not always stunning bodywork, crazy performance, or ultimate luxury that makes a car great, as you pointed out, it’s how brilliantly the Panda meets its design brief that makes it an icon.
Is there any back up websites for spares in the UK?
@@R-bobo Ricambio International Ltd are good for many parts, otherwise good old eBay.
I think Guiguiro was a genius, I love all of his designs. ItalDesign styled the Golf and Polo too.
Giugiaro
@@carloduroni5629Di solito i suoi commenti mi piacciono ma credo che, qui, lei stia esagerando.
Thanks for another enjoyable video. I had three Pandas back in the 90s. Not the lap of luxury but brilliant practical, economical, simple cars. In my experience, certainly the best Italian car ever!
I also had a Marbella - just under £5k new but as the basic Panda was £5,500 it was an easy decision. You were driven by money at that price point not a fancy back axle instead of one from a Roman chariot lol.
I was also very familiar with the 903cc OHV engine which helped - did 40k miles in just under 3 years in that car and regularly travelled from Manchester to Bournemouth in it without issue. In the end I got a job with a company car and sold it - regretted doing so ever since.
Had one in the late 1990s.
Was brilliant little Car
My first new car was a red H-reg Panda Dance, which had those rainbow seats but with the "Dance" logo on them. Had it for 7 years and was excellent for chugging to Uni and back full of my worldly possessions.
Fab little car. Even modern Pandas, which aren’t particularly well received by motoring journalists, are great fun to drive. I had one as a rental car in Sicily a few years back and it was so much fun. Although, most rental cars are fun as I do tend to give them a good thrashing! But I do find small, light cars a lot of fun to drive.
Brilliant Cars, my sister had a B reg Mk1 903 cc "face-lift " Super one ,and I had an L reg 1100 CL ..both of them were In the same bright Red .
I used to love working on them when I worked in the trade many years ago they where so straightforward and simple great we car very economical cheap to run and reliable 😁👍
Loved my 1996 fire engine Panda with its Mary Poppins dashboard shelf !
Had one of these briefly, an old F-reg, back in '98. In white, had the massive vinyl sunroof. Was fun and I wish that I still had it ! Thanks for posting this video
My sister had an Italia 90 - all white - sunroofs and wheel trims that looked like footballs. She gradually wrecked it and its only now I realise what that could have been worth. Sad.
Somehow knew that Joe would be hosting this one........."we are going to review the FIAT Panda" - Joe " hold my pint and stand back "
Yeah...nobody else was getting this one! -Joe
Thanks Joe, I’ve always liked the 1st Panda, basic and charming with that choice of fizzy Italian engines.
I’ve never owned one but I have owned a Cinquecento and Seicento and if the Panda is anything like those two cars, what a box of fun!
Top Gear magazine tested one of these in 1995/6 against three other small hatchbacks that were getting close to their sell by dates: the Rover Mini, Renault 5 Campus & Peugeot 205. There was a running theme in the feature involving dinosaurs.
Panda was a brilliant car (apart from the rust) it was a vast improvement and much more usable than my 2cv.
At 6'4'' I found the upright seating very comfortable and the car was a great load-lugger once I had removed all the seats.
I would have bought a brand new one later but, because we drive on the wrong side of the road, they were no longer in production.
Great little cars, nearly had one as my first car, always regretted not buying one! If I ever come across a 4x4 I may have to buy it!
I did have a Seat panda a few years ago. Still have the radio and speakers for one.
I learned to drive in 1990, in a 1987 Panda 1000CL which we'd bought new (our first ever new car). It had the brilliant little FIRE engine. The only problem was that it wouldn't stay in tune - it just pinked all the time. We sold it on when I went to Uni as it just wasn't suitable for 300 mile motorway runs!
Do you know if your car, still on the road, was it a, 4x4 drive or, two wheels drive, do you wish you kept, the fiatpanda, they're are, going ☝️, in, value, I just wondered if your car, still on the road,
@@elainegoffid3191 2 wheel drive. Looks like it was scrapped in 2000. 13 years old for a really cheap car of that era isn't bad.
Even beyond the mounds of personality of the lovable little box, it's interior isn't just reduced to a minimum, it's perfected, when you sit in one things just fall into place, even if it's the first time you are in one you don't need to look for things, they are right where they should be, even the offset pedals feel strangely natural!
Then there was the Lancia Y10 Turbo ie, a Panda on steroids with a fake tan and designer clothes. I went up Vesuvius in 1998 and there was a Panda 4x4 half way up at a cottage, just looked so right.
I am a great fan of simple utilitarian cars. I have owned my Austin 7 Ruby (1936) for over 25 years. I love the original Mini design. And the French pair you mentioned. I certainly believe the original Panda is right up there as a seriously practical, but pleasant, car. Love them. However, the best Italian car ever?? Not sure about that. If we are ignoring supercars etc., I think I would favour the original Fiat 500 over the Panda. The way it opened up car ownership in Italy was truly historic. And the practicality along with the ability to put a smile on your face is just incredible. And how you can fit 4 people in such a tiny car is so clever. If you have not had the pleasure of Fiat 500 motoring, I strongly recomend it. However, I would recomend having someone to teach you how to double declutch. They have no synchromesh on the gearbox. Learning to change the gears quietly is so rewarding. If you find the car, I will offer my services with the gear changing.
They should bring back bog standard, bare to the bones cars like this back. Obviously with the latest eco features. Also sell them at a realistic price
I had the 4x4 model back in the late 90s in silver , unbelievable in the snow.
I had a Fiat Panda J Reg 1992 in that Shape in Black nice little Car I’d own all the Fiat Panda’s 80’s & 90’s Early 90’s Fiat Panda Cars including the Seat Marbella & Seat Malaga / Fiat Regata
My first car was a 1988 Panda 1000S ❤️ I've also owned a 1991 Selecta , 1995 Parade, 2008 Panda Eleganza, 3 Stilo's, a Cinquecento and a Doblo.
Character car the Panda I had it's bigger brother the Uno an 1983 45 ES Super 903cc and 5 Speed gearbox great memories of it as an 18 year old back in 1992 was rusty in places but many replacement panels later it lasted till 1997
Still looks fresh as a design. Nice video
Ahh! Huge pangs of nostalgia watching this as a Panda was my first car, exactly as show in the video at 2min 38sec. I loved that car, had simple but decent Sanyo stereo fitted, and had it serviced at ex-F1 driver Tony Brooks Fiat dealership in Surrey. I sold it when I got my first company car...a Metro! The 80s eh...?!
What memories!
Very first version (1980-83 )
903 cc 45 HP or
652cc 30 Hp
I have a 1998 4x4 as my fun and pleasure car. It was a FIAT's big mistake to replace it with a totally different model instead of continuing the evolution of the old model.
Agree, like the classic❤
I owned two Pandas in my life, and I loved them. The first one was the original 650 ccm 34 HP model, the second the slightly more upmarket 45HP model. Combined, I had them between 1986 and 1998. They were super basic, super reliable, and super slow. The front seats were so pared down that after a long distance (say, 450km) drive you might as well forget doing fancy things afterwards, like walking erect.
We hired one in Greece many years ago.It was a great wee car.Hopefully when FIAT launch the new Panda it wont cost an arm and a leg,like theyve done with the 500!
I would never say that this car is outdated, its a little gem and fiat should start getting these off the assembly line.
Really love it
My uncle had a Panda. He also had the Seat version but said it wasn't as good as the origional for some reason. Can't recall why.
The fact that you could turn it instantly into a bed was very practical 😉
Unless you have owned one, it is easy to get misty eyed over such a cute looking car. I owned a Fiat Panda 1000s from new and it is the only car I have ever owned of which I have no fond memories.
How did I know Joe was going to present this? 🤣🤣
Love it!
Great little car 😊👍
Very beautiful. Panda fan! 🐼😍🐼
You’re not going to win a lot of races in a Panda, but you are going to have a lot of fun not winning them …… haha ha !
Isn’t that what a car should be all about ! 😊
I have had a lot of Fiat's over the years, at the moment I have three. 124specialt, punto, Tipo street.
I remember going for a test drive in one many moons ago, unfortunately it wasn't a well cared for example and the dealer came across as an idiot which put me off. However, I still fancy one, even the modern (undoubtedly better but not particularly cheap) Pandas have something about them. Despite the bad jokes about reliability and rust this little car has a touch of genius about it.
the Panda in between the one featured and the current one - sort of around an 09 plate type of thing - is a banging car. The 1200cc is nippy and economical and robust. My Dad loves his
Cracking little car (says this owner) and severely overlooked still (do get one while they're cheap)
never seen a Panda 900 before. The follow up to the first gen 34 and 45 were the 750 and the 1000 (in Europe). Perhaps the 900 was UK specific. I believe the 45 / 45 S Panda's were the best, I mean those before the 3 digit renaming indicating engine displacement.
The 4 x 4 version is cool
Just re-watching this - red is THE colour for Italian cars isn't it? I bought a new Marbella in 1992 - I got offered for immediate delivery - Black - too grown up - pale blue - hmmm I am a Man City fan - red - hmmm I am a Man City fan and own no red clothing.......... I bought a red car - what a car though
My granny had one she hated the no power steering
A Dutch classic car magazine had the guts to compare the Panda and the Metro. Good idea.
There is a video with a "race " between a Panda and a DAF 3600 turbotwin ....probably the one that won 1987 Dakar ....
Pity we never got the old Panda in Au. I would love to have the 4x4.
Originally the Panda 4x4 was at first only made for the Carbinieri in the Alpine region of Northern Italy.
Those small 4x4 ideal for the narrow mountain roads in all wheater were later also requested by other goverment/public services and farmers in the entire Alpine region.
Thats why the Panda 4x4 got its nickname the mountaingoat.
Guess who designed and made the 4x4 system for the Panda?
Neighboring Steyr-Puch in Austria who also builds the Mercedes Unimog and the military version for the Mercedes G wagen.
getting a good Panda 4x4 of the early 80's batch is now more expensive then buying a brand new Panda 4x4.
Standard early panda's are also going up in price fast.
@@obelic71 OK cool. Thanks for the info 👍
@@CathodeRayNipplez if you love 4x4's and ofroading, its quite normal also having a soft spot for the nimble moutain goat.
@@obelic71 On that topic I'm ironically picking up a Suzuki SX4 4x4 softie tomorrow as a beach n bush runabout. Would much rather a Panda but alas.
@@CathodeRayNipplez Trust me Suzuki also builds good 4x4's.
Lots of old LJ, Jimneys are converted for 4x4 trialruns. SX, Vitara's etc are used for hauling horsetrailers.
The new Jimny is in huge backorder worldwide. Used ones are more expensive then new ones!
Cars that are build pure for purpose often get an iconic status. (f.e. VW bus, Ute, Landrover/cruiser etc.etc )
Small cars are more at home in Europe due to the very old city centres who were once designed for ox and later horse carts.
Had a silver 1984 model . They were great little cars but within two years it had rusted to dust around me . Rumour had it that they kept the steel at the docks to ensure that it was already rusted before it was used to make the cars ! Shame , a well designed and engineered little car .
Little italian LEGO car :)
Ur alive 😆
Yes is the short answer
Don't need to watch the video, YES! The Panda is a fiery exotic btw😂
Is SEATs Marbella not the Panda's sister car?
It's almost a twin ...lamps are slightly different ....Marbella was produced only with 843 and 903 cc engines
you could revolve the rear washer jet through 180 degrees and squirt the car behind........endless fun
Am I being really stupid; what’s the difference between the Panda & the Uno?
Basic versions of both shared the same engines and gearbox, otherwise everything else is different.
Most obvious difference is that the Uno has a more streamlined body with curved glass, and the Uno was also available as a five door, the Panda only three.
@@13Pandam thank you. But within the lineup; weren’t they both in the same category? Or was the uno bigger?
The Uno was the next one up in the range, superseded by the Punto if that helps. The Panda, at best, remained basic in comparison.
@@13Pandam perfect! Thank you. I was getting so confused because I always thought the punto succeeded the tipo. But now I’m assuming that was the brava/bravo. That’s where I was getting confused. Thank you
Yep, you’ve got it. 👍
3:46
It's not even thirty years old !
👍🏻
🇮🇹😃🥇👍
The only pands you should have is the last one injection fiat pands Ie ex super i had was odd as no one new why it had injection powerd lol was best ever and better seats and all the bita to look better lol the 4x4 was bit ugly lol
Maybe you mean 1108 cc multipoint engine (2001-03)
FIAT PANDA 1,100 CC TOP !!!!!!!!!
It was the fiat 127 replacement
No it wasnt Fiat 127 was sold till 1983 Fiat Panda was Introduced in 1980
Uno was the 127 replacement
Mmmhhhh ...it's not so easy to say....approximately Panda 30 652 cc engine replaced 126 whereas uno 45 and panda 45 903 cc replaced both 127
Lancia/Autobianki Y10 better
The 127 was a better car .
Horrible things,remember going in a brand new one of these in the 80s,didnt even have a proper back seat in it.right flimsy cars.
La peggiore
Your voice is very hi pitched annoying
Love that car❤ One of the best cars i owned, sadly it was stolen🥲