Let’s say your drive a Ford Focus, and you’re out and about. How many other Ford Focus do you pass that day? Given the car’s popularity, the number will be higher than it would be if you drove, say, a Honda S2000. Of those Focus’ you passed, how many would give you a thumbs-up, or engage in passing conversation at a traffic light?

Chances are, it’ll be absolutely zero. The reason isn’t snobbishness or nervousness, it’s because almost all those owners purchased the car because it offered safe, reliable transport for the right price. Not because they loved it.

It’s the opposite with cars like the Panda 100hp, a car few people in their right minds purchased because it was overly fuel-efficient, or was particularly great value, or offered the best ride in its class. It’s a car chosen because the new owner fell in love with the way it looks, handles and performs; and they’re happy to put up with its faults. The very essence of an enthusiasts car, and an enthusiast owner.

Here’s what prompted me to write this. Over the weekend, I was on my way to pick up my wife, and saw a black Panda 100hp slot in behind me. We drove in tandem until my turning, when I was stopped by a traffic light. The other Panda stopped alongside me, and the driver and I exchanged nods of approval, which led to a short but excellent conversation about our cars.

Although this has happened in the past, this was the first time in a long while, and was a positive point in an otherwise regular day.

The Panda has even prompted conversations on Twitter (I’m @AndyBoxall, by the way) in the past, with people I’d never normally have met.

Of course, the Panda 100hp isn’t the only car like this, but it’s one of the few modern cars — certainly within its price range — that falls into the category. Most cars over a certainly age, when they’re obviously cared for, will attract not only fellow owners, but fans of the car too. Who hasn’t wanted to have a quick chat with the person behind the wheel of a Lotus Cortina, or an Alfasud, or a spotless 80s Porsche 911?

The Panda 100hp may not be as collectible as these examples, but it’s niche enough to have a decent following, and unless you’re into cars, it can look like just another Panda; and who’s going to want to chat about one of those?

Over the years, only a few other cars I’ve owned have fallen into the same category as the Panda. It was extremely rare I would see another Westfield driving around, but the car did get plenty of attention in petrol stations and car parks, and fellow MR2 owners would almost always flash their lights as we passed. It helped that at the time I owned mine, the Japanese import scene was only just beginning, and they weren’t all that common.

Strangely, it was the MX-5 that proved to be the most social out of all the cars I’ve owned. It wasn’t an unusual sight on the roads, but I would often get a thumbs-up or a flash of the headlights when I met another car, and with the roof down, people passing by while I was sitting in traffic would comment on the car.

If you drive an enthusiast’s car, whether it’s a Panda 100hp or something else, next time you pass another, make their day by offering a sign of recognition, as there’s a good chance they bought it for the same reasons you did.

Walking to the car one recent Saturday morning, I pressed the unlock button on the fob, heard the central locking activate and pulled the door handle.  It didn’t open the door, so I looked at the remote and pressed the button again, thinking I had pressed the wrong one the first time.  Still nothing.  That’s when I noticed the slightly odd angle the door handle was sitting at.

Yes, someone had tried, unsuccessfully, to break into the Panda, presumably to steal it as there was nothing of any value on display and the car still has the original head unit.  Crouching to examine the lock, you could plainly see where a screwdriver had been inserted and wiggled about with increasing force.  So much so, in fact, that the lock section of the handle has been lifted away from the door and left a dent underneath!

This has resulted in my being unable to open the driver’s door and therefore, unable to use the car until it has been repaired.  It couldn’t have happened at a worse time, as plenty of work and a business trip has made it impossible to take it to Fiat for repair.  Well, I say that, but wrong information given by the service centre saw us use the only time we had to visiting the wrong place.

The Panda is now booked for the 29th October at the correct location, where I imagine a hefty bill awaits.

Seeing as it was 2008 when I last updated the blog, I thought it was about time to add a little something about the Panda.  In the eight or nine months since the 20,000km service, I have completed another 5,000kms and had no problems whatsoever!  As always, I hope this statement doesn’t jinx my run of good luck!

As summer is now in full swing, I’ve noticed my tyres really are on their last legs.  Not because of available tread – of which there is quite a bit – but due to the poor tarmac quality robbing them of grip, especially under acceleration.  Seeing as I’m still on the originals, I can’t complain too much about the impending bill to change all four, but it will need to be done before the winter or any long journey.  I will probably go for the Eagle F1’s again, as I consider 25,000kms to be a decent figure for one set, and the performance they offer when at their peak is excellent.

In another 1000kms or so, it will receive the scheduled oil change, plus I really hope to get it professionally valeted, as the interior would benefit from a good clean.  Outside there is a scuff on the rear corner which needs to be addressed, but as I’m responsible for this one – rather than one of the millions of careless parkers in Athens – I’ll have to swallow my pride and take it in.

As the car is two and a half years old, I shouldn’t complain about a scuff joining a tiny parking ding on the base of the passenger door.  There are far newer cars in far worse condition here!  The Panda continues to be the best car purchase I’ve ever made, and it’s still great to drive.

It has taken a while to get there, but the Panda has finally amassed 20,000km’s under its wheels and with that figure came the message ’service coupon expired’ on the dash display along with a little picture of a spanner.  I had booked an appointment with Spicar in Alimos when the car was on 19,900, so only a few days wait was needed before the car went in.

Duly delivered at 08:30, we left the Panda and went about our days business.  Since we have had the car for well over a year now, it had a  minor service at 15,000 so it was running perfectly well, however the brakes had started to squeak and the tyres (still the original Eagle F1’s) have given up some grip thanks to a couple of very hot summers, so I was predicting the worst when it came to these two items.  The alarm had also begun to emit an odd sound a few moments after it was set – intermittantly of course – so this, along with the other two points were mentioned when we handed over the keys.

The car was completed at 4pm and upon collection we were told the brakes still had a good 6,000km’s in them, the tyres were fine and they could find no problem with the alarm.  Otherwise, the full service had been carried out and we paid just over 250 euro for the work, 100 of which was labour.  The experience at Spicar was far better than our first visit and I found them helpful and prompt.

Driving the Panda since them has been a different experience.  It has felt livelier, with more linear acceleration and considerably more punch.  The brakes have benefitted from their fluid change and feel far better under foot and my confidence in them has returned.  Prior to the service, the 100hp had felt less perky than it had, so clearly the service was much needed, despite my diligence when it came to oil changes and attention to driving style.

The alarm has continued its odd behavior and it will have to return again, but as the problem doesn’t occur each time it’s set, the chances are when I go, it will be fine.  Still, it doesn’t seem to affect its operation, so it’s not a big concern at this stage.  Spicar recommended a further visit in 5-7,000km’s time for an oil change and the next big service to take place at 40,000km’s.  A recent change in circumstances has seen the Panda used even less during the week, so it may be sometime before we head back to Spicar!

I know there has been a lack of updates on onehundredhp recently, but there is a very good reason for that; I simply haven’t been doing the mileage!  Since the service back in May I have done no more than 1000kms and all that has been made up by work runs – the same road everyday.  Of course, the massive cost of petrol here puts me off just driving about, as a tank now costs nearly 45 euros!

Despite this restricted use, the Panda is running fine but it does feel like it needs a good thrashing to wake it up.  A planned getaway in August may require a car journey, so perhaps it will be then.  Its friend the Suzuki Swift is away on a road trip in Europe at the moment, which the Panda no doubt is jealous of!

Anyway, rest assured the Panda is still great and problem free and this blog is still up and running!