If I was young again, 45 miles each way in the Panda would sound fun. Now it sounds like torture. That's a lot of miles in a small car.

Will a panda's small 1.3 engine be durable enough to cover about 18k miles a year on the motorway? It's a city car, will it wear out prematurely and start causing high repair costs vs the bravo with its less stressed engine?

The Fiat 1.3 engine is a better and more durable one than the 1.9... and more economical as well.

Pandas are well built despite being made by Fiat..

Other Fiats are less so and I certainly would not buy any Fiat but a Panda.. although Punto quality has improved a lot in the past 5 years. Bravos quality is indifferent I believe.

Having said the above, I drive a Yaris and would not entertain a Panda.. a backwards step.

Edited by madf on 29/02/2012 at 11:47

Sister/boyfriend/new job? Within 12 months she'll be "with child" and planning her maternity leave so the Bravo for the expanding family and associated accoutrements ;-)

She bought the panda diesel today. It looks brand new, and has been garaged every night by an OAP who recently died. She reset the trip computer and got 62 mpg on a ten mile journey today- that is pretty good in my eyes. £30 tax should help aswell.

No need to worry about room, as the boyfriend has a doblo! She is just hoping that it will be comfortable enough for the long drive, otherwise she will p/ex it for something comfier! thanks for your opinions!