Faults:

Failed to start in cold weather due to fouled glow plugs.

Suspension parts need changing often as the diesel engine is heavy at the front, but these are cheap.

General Comments:

This is a brilliant car; I always fancied one because they look a bit daft.

The Multijet engine needs frequent oil changes with fully synthetic oil, but I have had no trouble with it. I get 50-65 MPG depending on how I drive. It struggles at 100mph, but sits very comfortably at 90-95.

The gear shift is one of the best I've used in any car, and unlike most small cars, it has normal sized pedals spaced properly. Nowhere to rest your clutch foot on long journeys (there's a cutout, but it's not usable).

Airy interior, everything is tough plastic, but it stays looking clean and doesn't scuff.

Tyres are very cheap, fuel very cheap (I use Shell V Power to keep my little engine clean and it's pennies more per tank). The fuel tank itself is small.

The boot is very small, but I remove the parcel shelf and pile things in. Two dogs here too! With the rear seat down (one piece, not split/fold on mine) I easily fitted a washing machine in there. The square shape helps.

I changed the battery and the glow plugs as it stranded me once, but has been fine since in subzero temperatures.

The seats are comfortable enough, but I drive long distances so have bought a coccyx cushion. Fiat 500 seats apparently fit, but it would look odd and I doubt they'd be more supportive.

The car does get blown about in high winds - I'm sure the flat sides contribute to this - and will crash through potholes due to the size of the wheels, but is remarkably comfortable on the motorway apart from that.

The front suspension is under stress in this front wheel drive car due to the heavy diesel engine, but replacement parts are cheap so it's not really an issue.

To be honest, for the driving I do, I should have bought a bigger car, but this little Tonka toy copes admirably with whatever you throw at it.

Final point - these have been very reliable generally and I think it might be because they are Polish built, unlike the newest model which is built in a new factory in southern Italy.

General Comments:

Always liked these particular models, and have finally got one! It looks in my opinion totally awesome, and is equally great to drive with a revvy eager engine, snappy gear change and oodles of feedback through the steering and suspension.

Practical, cheap to buy and run. So much space inside considering the exterior dimensions.

It'll be a cult classic, you mark my words.

Never fails to put a massive grin on my face. What more could you ask for from a tiny little economical five door city car!?

Being a Fiat, it'll probably have some issues at some point in the future, but on the plus side, being a Fiat, it'll more than likely be reasonably cheap to fix.

In the meantime, it's proving to be a hoot, and long may it continue!!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

What does 112 mph (on the speedo), averages nearly 56 mpg, and can fit a full grown Dalmatian and Boxer dog in the boot?

A Panda Multijet, that's what!

Brilliant little car that looks a bit crap is pretty much my assessment.

Want to surprise people in much bigger cars by blasting past them at a ton in a tin box on wheels with roof bars, or really annoy those blokes in Transits and Merc Sprinters who drive so close they obviously wanna join you in the cabin by out accelerating them in the sort of car only Grandad drives, get a Panda Multijet!

Want to drive the absolute nuts off your car, and it absolutely refuses to drop below 55mpg tank to tank (60+mpg driven normally), get a Panda Multijet!

Want to buy the best tyres available for only £50 a corner, or crap rubber for about £15, and then pay the equivalent of a family size Dominoes pizza in road tax each year, get a Panda Multijet.

Want to be doing motorway speeds, hit the "city mode" button for the steering and end up in the next county when you move the wheel an inch? Well, any Panda really!

Shear comedy value 10/10.

Wanna look cool? Don't buy a Panda Multijet!!

Faults:

Squeak from driver's seat from delivery, was fixed at no cost.

Rusted rear seat brackets, recognized as manufacturing fault, fixed at no cost.

Clutch shudders a bit when it's cold out, only lasts for a km or so until the gearbox has warmed slightly.

General Comments:

I test drove all the small cars available at the time, and the Panda just stole my heart.

Gets 5L/100km or better, no matter how hard I drive it.

Very eager turbo diesel, it's obviously no sports car, but overtaking maneuvers etc. are handled with ease.

Has yet to let me down even once, even in the freezing cold.