Aygo 'sport' Or Panda 100hp

[Lauren]

Okay.. .it looks like i'm going to sell my bmw 325 coupe. Lovely car, but not too economical.

I've just qualified as a social worker, so will be doing lots of short trips and buzzing around town all day.

Hence the leaning toward a car that is cheaper to run. Also i want to treat myself to a new car as i've been studying for years for this and i need a treat. ;)

Add to this i need a car that is reliable as its essential for my job.

I test drove the Aygo when it first came out (some may remember my test drive article on the cat and fiddle)... I liked it... of course it wasn't exactly fast (not that i expected it to be) and the handling was fun, though it could have been more fun i always thought.

Haven't driven the Panda as of yet so can't really comment on that. However it has had some brilliant reviews.

Most of my driving will be local stuff, though i do like the odd trip to london (family) plus my friends are scattered around the UK so weekends often involve long-ish trips.

Obviously i expect some bias given its the toyota forum... but i'd be interested in your responses. Particularly so about the handling and how much fun it is to drive and also how it copes with longer trips and i guess basically what the car is like to live with.

Also i would be interested in those of you that tried the panda as well and why you settled on the aygo.

I'm just trying to see if i can have my cake and eat it you see. ;)

[SMW]

Well I haven't driven a panda so can't compare. I use the Aygo for about 30 k a year and it's fine. You get wind buff but would imagine you would in the panda as well.

You can realistically expect about 50mpg, and of course group 1e insurance and £40 a year road tax.

I wouldn’t go for a sport as the fog lights on mine keep breaking so they are actually a pain- if you can live without a rev counter or fit after market.

I like the handling and the noise - only down point really is there are not many parts about yet if you want to mod a little and there are also a few niggles - these and much more covered in the FAQ.

TOC Aygo FAQ

HTH

Steve

[Lauren]

Cheers, Steve,

Well i want a rev counter and don't really want to be faffing around with aftermarket ones so it'd have to be a 'sport' really (i say 'sport' because it isn't really!).

Trouble is my partner is a bit of a toyota fanatic so he naturally wants the aygo... add to this he is going to inherit the car in 3 years time.

Insurance isn't a mega issue as i'm 35... so don't expect there to be a lot of difference between the aygo and the panda.

I'm really not interested in modding have been there and done that with the various mr2 SCs i've had. I've come to the conclusion that modding is a mugs game really.

I can see the aygo is going to be more economical than the panda, though the panda has a better spec and is obviously a bit more nippy.

the road tax on the aygo is good... its a pity the panda has a co2 of 154 which tips it into band D. :(

[Jazzy Jase]

Had the Panda been around when I was buying my Aygo I would have had the same decision to make.

I haven't driven the 100HP, but my Fathers girlfriend has a regular panda and it is very nice.

The interior plastics are similar quality to the Aygo, but the Aygo has more design flair. Same for the outside, the Aygo looks sportier.

Having lived with my Aygo for nearly a year now, I yearn for more power and the 100HP has over 30 more BHP than the Aygo.

The Panda also has a lot more standard equipment and a larger boot, but is also more expensive.

If you like the looks of the Panda and can afford it then go for it, I'm personally not that keen on the looks of the Panda, but the new Fiat 500 is out next year and will use the 100HP engine. I don't suppose you can wait that long, but my Aygo is being traded for one!

[Lauren]

Cheers for your reply.

I think i had ruled out the panda on cost, but have heard that a decent discount can be had from Fiat dealers and getting one for around 8.5K is apparently do-able... this brings it into the same price point of an Aygo Sport with AC.

Obviously i'd expect money off the aygo, but expect i'll get a fiat panda at a bigger discount.

I do agree i prefer the looks of the Aygo. I wouldn't call it sporty, but more cheeky than anything else. The panda is a bit more awkward in the looks department (though the 100hp is a vast improvement over regular pandas) and i do wish there was a 3 door option.

30bhp is a massive amount at that level, well its 50% more power than the aygo, well nearly.

If toyota offered a real Aygo Sport, ie with uprated engine, suspension, wider track, revised geo, it'd be ideal.

[ytareh]

Funny I also had to choose between these 2 cars in the last 6 weeks also.Went for the Aygo as it was way cheaper here in Ireland 11k Vs 16.5k euro(and Panda wasnt released yet anyway)

Handling and sound are great but youd have to drive like a nun on sedatives to match official mpg figures.I get 51-52mpg on mix of motorway andA/B road driving(NEVER city).Would have expected and liked 10mpg more....

Reckon 0-62mpg MAY actually be 11 secs as Autocar test suggested(4th and 5th gear are very 'dead' however)

Panda looks soooo primitive beside Aygo,it really has pretty ,curvy lines.

Beware permanent fixed high boot which makes loading a pain

[Jan van de Wouw]

I think i had ruled out the panda on cost, but have heard that a decent discount can

be had from Fiat dealers and getting one for around 8.5K is apparently do-able...

You're only looking at the purchase price. If you also take the ownership/runningcosts

into account you'll see that the Aygo is WAY cheaper on probably all counts (roadtax,

maintenance, fuelconsumption and insurance

[Lauren]

You're only looking at the purchase price. If you also take the ownership/runningcosts

into account you'll see that the Aygo is WAY cheaper on probably all counts (roadtax,

maintenance, fuelconsumption and insurance

I know hte panda would cost more to run. Like i said insurance isn't an issue for me.. any aygo would come in at £250 for insurance... my 325i coupe (gp15) is £500.. so a panda isn't going to be that much more than an aygo really.

I agree tax is going to be more for the panda and fuel consumption won't match that of the aygo, but it will still be far cheaper to run than my 325i.

I don't think maintenance costs will really differ though apart from tyres being more expensive.

I guess what i'm trying to weigh up is, will the panda be that much more fun to drive to warrant the extra cost of ownership? Also the panda will no doubt be better on longer journeys which i do do every few weeks as a rule.

[DangerMouse]

I think you are answering your own questions.

I went from a SEAT Leon Cupra (180BHP) to an Aygo Sport. The decision was based on a couple of years dirt cheap motoring, combined with top notch reliability. Don't buy an Aygo or a Panda for that matter if you want a car more suited to long relaxed journeys (not saying it can't be done - before i get shot down).

Big things to weigh up:

Running costs

Road Tax - probably £60/70 difference

Petrol - rough guess depending on miles driven for me £5-10 difference per week

Insurance - £50 -£100 difference

Running costs - How do Fiat do on reliability surveys - not good, look at spending some money on bits falling off or sell as soon as warranty expires

If you want a fun car keep the BMW, rear wheel drive, big engine, etc, no match for

Just my opinion :)

[daveyjp]

Not driven a Panda, but if long motorway journeys were to be a regular event I wouldn't have an Aygo. Whilst it copes well with motorway journeys I find it tiring as you don't have that punch of power you sometimes need. I've done long distances in a smart and this is similar, although our was rempapped so in top it would pull away.

[Lauren]

hmmm. I recently drove the outlaws yaris 1.3 to london and back... i must admit, i was surprised how much more tiring it was on a long journey, the engine was buzzing at 80mph.

I guess i expect a loss of refinement on longer journeys, obviously the bmw is made for it, it just cruises along.

The idea is to get a car that is good for city driving for my job and to put up with a loss in refinement on the odd long journey. I think i can handle that. I'm not sure if the panda would be that much more refined than the aygo, though of course its engine would doubtlessly be a bit quieter at motorway speeds, a six speed box and longer gearing would ensure that.

Whilst just about anything would save in costs over the bmw i'm sure the aygo would be cheaper to run... i guess at the end of the day i'm wondering whether the panda will be that much more fun to drive than the aygo to warrant slightly higher running costs. From what i've heard it did actually do quite well in the surveys with regard to reliability etc.

We have opted for caterham hire for trackdays for the next couple of years, so we will get our fun on occassion, I think i'm just wondering whether i'll get frustrated with the aygo as though it'll be dirt cheap to run, i do like a car to be fun to drive.

[daveyjp]

Nipping round town and comfortable on a long journey with no buzziness at 70+ and cheap running costs. If you like Toyotas I'd seriously consider a Yaris diesel. Should get 40+ when you are doing your visits and into the 50s on a run and still have enough poke. 90 bhp too so handy for motorway work.

I did have an A2 1.4TDi 75 PS and it was one of the best performing cars I've had in terms of flexibility. Happy to pootle round town, but so comfortable on motorway journeys and I returned a min of 45 mpg with mid 50s easy and 60 quite possible when I was sensible. 23,000 miles between services too!

[Lauren]

Nipping round town and comfortable on a long journey with no buzziness at 70+ and cheap running costs. If you like Toyotas I'd seriously consider a Yaris diesel. Should get 40+ when you are doing your visits and into the 50s on a run and still have enough poke. 90 bhp too so handy for motorway work.

I did have an A2 1.4TDi 75 PS and it was one of the best performing cars I've had in terms of flexibility. Happy to pootle round town, but so comfortable on motorway journeys and I returned a min of 45 mpg with mid 50s easy and 60 quite possible when I was sensible. 23,000 miles between services too!

Well i like toyotas well enough... though a year of BMW ownership has changed my perception somewhat. I have to say i think the BMW is a much better car... though i'm comparing it with an MR2, so thats not surprising really.

So i certainly would look at other options other than toyota... my partner is a bit more stymied though as he's half toyota i reckon! ;) Seriously though the beemer has opened his eyes to how good other manufacturers can be. Whilst i'd love a new bmw... i simply cannot afford one (yet). The yaris diesel is an interesting option, though really its way too expensive.... annoying because you have to go for a T3 or above to get air conditioning. Sometimes the way toyota have no flexibility on options is just so annoying. This relates also to my annoyance that i had to get a 'sport' just to get a rev counter... In saying that though the panda is more expensive (but i'm sure discounts are better at fiat dealers) it has a much better spec overall.

Guess its going to all come down to how my re-aqquaintance with the agyo test drive goes. I will do a 2 day one to incorporate a london trip. Then i'll go drive the panda 100hp and see what i/we think.

[T V O R]

Well i like toyotas well enough... though a year of BMW ownership has changed my perception somewhat. I have to say i think the BMW is a much better car...

How can you honestly compare a BMW to a Yaris or Aygo?

They are two completely different cars aimed at different sectors of the public.

Chalk and cheese

[Lauren]

Well i like toyotas well enough... though a year of BMW ownership has changed my perception somewhat. I have to say i think the BMW is a much better car...

How can you honestly compare a BMW to a Yaris or Aygo?

They are two completely different cars aimed at different sectors of the public.

Chalk and cheese

I know its a totally different car. I was referring to it as a bench mark more than anything, especially so when you talk about refinement. Its what i'm used to so hence it is my benchmark. Furthermore i was illustrating that i'm open to other options other than toyota... just wish my partner was. :(

[Jan van de Wouw]

i'm open to other options other than toyota...

I hear that Citroen and Peugeot have cars

that are allmost equally good as an Aygo

[matty_aygo]

haha yea but they just look awful

i know the 107 is nicked named city bug but who wants to be seen in a car that looks like an oversized bug

[thunderT]

Well having got the bmw and the T Sport I still enjoy getting in thunderT and zipping around, the only time I love the beemer (2L 3 series diesel) is that relaxed top gear, the yaris is frenetic on the motorway and needs two extra gears. I had a punto which was good fun with its 60hp before it and failures were huge; new disks, new emu (325) one week after warranty, Battery, starter motor, clutch (twice), flywheel and that was all in 4 years so Fiat will deff cost more and be in the garage more than Aygo or Yaris

[T V O R]

Panda 100

Better seats, 6 speed box, rear disc's, tinted glass, 1.4 engine, sport button, option of ESP, 15" alloys, sideskirts foglamps

I fancy one myself

[Jan van de Wouw]

IMHO that center console looks hiddeous...

[Lauren]

Panda 100

Better seats, 6 speed box, rear disc's, tinted glass, 1.4 engine, sport button, option of ESP, 15" alloys, sideskirts foglamps

I fancy one myself

Option wise i really like it. Would forego ESP though... i really don't like driver 'aids' and i've heard it interferes with the fun factor.

Spec wise it is very tempting for sure. Particularly like it that Climate control (rather than just AC) is standard. Also the 6 speed box is a nice touch, am intrigued by the 'sport' button.

[Lauren]

Red 100hp:

Black and White Panda ;) (actually it kind of works):

I've got to be honest, the performance and spec is definately swaying me toward some pandemonium.

[T V O R]

am intrigued by the 'sport' button.

The weighting of the steering is adjustable, a Sport button reducing the Panda’s power assistance by 20% (and sharpening up the throttle, too). It’s the only setting to have it on, the normal steering is arcade game light, the additional resistance in Sport doing little to increase feel, but ensuring decent weighting.

For price spec and performance it's a no contest... Panda

[BadBoyVTEC]

if it was any other car than a fait and it actually looked good i might THEN consider it

[matty_aygo]

yea it just looks awful!