Panda Diesel

rev_henry

Went to see this today for my mother. What do you think?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140638840616?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1410wt_1270

Seems tidy, FSH. My only concern is that the NS rear tyre is on the wear indicator on the nearside, but on the offside has several more mm left. The back tyres are original to the car though. Fronts are brand new.

Any thoughts, pricewise or otherwise?

mikey72

What do they say about the tyres?
Swopped them around, used the spare?

rev_henry

mikey72 wrote: »

What do they say about the tyres?
Swopped them around, used the spare?

He's said he thinks they may have swapped them front to back. Fronts and spare are brand new. He's taken it in px for a caravan (his main business) and offered to put 2 new rears on for me.

Reading things like this:
http://www.fiatforum.com/panda/239544-rear-tyre-wear.html

makes me think it may be nothing to worry about.

Trebor16

The price looks competitive judging by a search on Autotrader here:-

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/fiat/panda/postcode/m45aa/radius/1501/maximum-mileage/up_to_40000_miles/price-to/6000/sort/locasc/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_4_years_old

Ranger8

Not the bargain of a lifetime, you don`t want to pay anymore than £4k for it.
The tyre is probably run off because the tracking is out on the front due to kerbing.
Same basic engine as in the Astra 1.3d (the wife had one) and new Ford Ka amongst others and is quite a reliable motor.

grizzly1911

Ranger8 wrote: »

Not the bargain of a lifetime, you don`t want to pay anymore than £4k for it.
The tyre is probably run off because the tracking is out on the front due to kerbing.
Same basic engine as in the Astra 1.3d (the wife had one) and new Ford Ka amongst others and is quite a reliable motor.

We have a 1.3CDTI Corsa with 75bhp and it is a nice little engine can't speak long term yet though.

Doesn't James May rate Pandas... and another poster recently sung their praise even doing a high annual mileage

rev_henry

An offer was put on the table today for less than the auction start price, so no I certainly won't. Ah hadn't thought of that, duh. Well as I said, new tyres all round so something to keep an eye on; neither tyres nor tracking will break the bank, and after 36k its not too bad really.

Grizly, yes think he has the basic petrol one. My father actually had an identical one for about a year, between, ahem, proper cars, and thought it was great. IIRC he managed to, with practice, get the MPG up to 73 on his way to work.

agrinnall

I've had a 1.2 petrol Panda from new since July 2008, it's just been in for its 60K service, the only problem I've had was a suspension fault that was spotted at the 48K service and the shocks replaced under warranty. Unless it's different on the diesel the spare wheel is a space saver. Certainly sounds like the tracking may be out but it shouldn't cost much to fix, and new rear tyres should be less than £100 for good quality ones. I'd go for it as long as you don't mind being the slowest accelerating vehicle around, and don't pay any more than £4K.

rev_henry

agrinnall wrote: »

I've had a 1.2 petrol Panda from new since July 2008, it's just been in for its 60K service, the only problem I've had was a suspension fault that was spotted at the 48K service and the shocks replaced under warranty. Unless it's different on the diesel the spare wheel is a space saver. Certainly sounds like the tracking may be out but it shouldn't cost much to fix, and new rear tyres should be less than £100 for good quality ones. I'd go for it as long as you don't mind being the slowest accelerating vehicle around, and don't pay any more than £4K.

Thanks. How much was your service if you don't mind me asking? Though its probably irrelevant as its never been to a main dealers and we probably won't take it to one. Which throws up the question of whether any possible recall work has been done?

Such as this: http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=BABF247992AC6DCA802575FD00426755&freeText=Blank&tx=

Or this from honest john:
February 2008: TSB on Indian built 1.3 Multijet diesel engines to replace the head gaskets. Engines affected are serial numbers 2451169 to 2582915. Parts to fix in FIAT dealers from 3-3-2008.

agrinnall

Mine has always been serviced at main dealers so far. Up to 36K I had a prepaid service plan which came as part of the initial purchase wheeler-dealing. The 48K service was a full service which cost £208. Because the warranty came to an end before the most recent service I just went for a basic one which was done at the Fiat garage but cost £75 rather than the £150-odd they quoted for an intermediate service. I may get rid of it (possibly for a new Panda when they appear next year) before the 72K service as that's the one when the cam belt has to be changed so I'm expecting it to be expensive.

I'm a bit surprised that the owner of the one you're bidding on didn't get Fiat servicing for the first 3 years as that would have invalidated the warranty, it would make me a bit suspicious and certainly reduce the amount I'd offer for it. I wonder of Fiat have a database of vehicles that could be checked to see if any recall work is outstanding for it?

rev_henry

agrinnall wrote: »

Mine has always been serviced at main dealers so far. Up to 36K I had a prepaid service plan which came as part of the initial purchase wheeler-dealing. The 48K service was a full service which cost £208. Because the warranty came to an end before the most recent service I just went for a basic one which was done at the Fiat garage but cost £75 rather than the £150-odd they quoted for an intermediate service. I may get rid of it (possibly for a new Panda when they appear next year) before the 72K service as that's the one when the cam belt has to be changed so I'm expecting it to be expensive.

I'm a bit surprised that the owner of the one you're bidding on didn't get Fiat servicing for the first 3 years as that would have invalidated the warranty, it would make me a bit suspicious and certainly reduce the amount I'd offer for it. I wonder of Fiat have a database of vehicles that could be checked to see if any recall work is outstanding for it?

Thanks, not too expensive then. Diesel is chain cam so no need to worry about that. Hmm, though the block exemption rules mean the warranty shouldn't be invalidated. I am going to have another look at the service history.

Yes I'll give Fiat a call in the morning I think. If not I presume one can just go to a Fiat dealer and get it done for free?

On another note, does anyone know any way I can get the V5 filled in in someone elses name? I'd be buying it and taking it back home to my mother in Cumbria, so she can't be there to sign it. Only way I can think of is persuading him to give me the whole V5...