Puma ST experiences?
Discussion
I've found myself looking at these lately, but haven't been able to find any worthwhile real life owners reviews.
Currently have a Megane RS Trophy, but my circumstances have changed slightly since I got it and I now do less 'fun' driving and a 50 mile commute twice a week, so a car slightly cheaper to run and with a few more creature comforts would be welcome. Particularly miss my heated steering wheel, heated seats & panoramic sunroof from my previous cars.
I've ran my man maths spreadsheet as I always do when looking at changing cars, and it would cost me exactly the same (around £7k per year) to keep my almost 4-year old Megane or change to a brand new Puma. Those calculations don't factor in any repairs, so the warranty on the Puma would probably make it cheaper to own over the period.
I'm not too concerned about losing a third of the power, it'll be plenty quick enough day to do (I might even consider the new 1.0 auto if I can test drive one), but how do they like corners? I know being a Ford it will be reasonably well sorted, but I don't want it to feel clumsy and top heavy after the sharpness of the Megane.
Need to drive one, but strangely no local dealers have a demo available.
Currently have a Megane RS Trophy, but my circumstances have changed slightly since I got it and I now do less 'fun' driving and a 50 mile commute twice a week, so a car slightly cheaper to run and with a few more creature comforts would be welcome. Particularly miss my heated steering wheel, heated seats & panoramic sunroof from my previous cars.
I've ran my man maths spreadsheet as I always do when looking at changing cars, and it would cost me exactly the same (around £7k per year) to keep my almost 4-year old Megane or change to a brand new Puma. Those calculations don't factor in any repairs, so the warranty on the Puma would probably make it cheaper to own over the period.
I'm not too concerned about losing a third of the power, it'll be plenty quick enough day to do (I might even consider the new 1.0 auto if I can test drive one), but how do they like corners? I know being a Ford it will be reasonably well sorted, but I don't want it to feel clumsy and top heavy after the sharpness of the Megane.
Need to drive one, but strangely no local dealers have a demo available.
Can't see the appeal but, if it helps, I recently hired a new Focus ST-Line and didn't like the infotainment screen and ultimately thought that if I had bought one new, I would be disappointed.
So try another Ford to see if you like the concept. I loved my Mk 7 Fiesta ST and still miss it but the Mk 8 left me cold.
So try another Ford to see if you like the concept. I loved my Mk 7 Fiesta ST and still miss it but the Mk 8 left me cold.
My wife's had hers for 2 years now, she went to this from a Macan GTS (simply toooo big)
I get to drive it occasionally and I love it for what it is, great down a country lane.
Same size inside as the Fiesta though, so it'd be tight if you're tall (I'm only 5' 5")
The megabox in the boot is really handy, and you can spec the electric opening tailgate.
If the car had of been for me I'd have gone 3 door Fiesta ST, but she had to have electric tailgate after having it on the Macan.
Ford servicing is very reasonable, and they add Ford Assist at each service after the first year expires.
Ours has been totally trouble free in two years, 18,000 miles.
The earlier cars had proper Recaro seats, later ones a Ford creation, see which you prefer.
Any questions, ask away.. We've had loads of lovely cars, and we both love the Puma ST
I get to drive it occasionally and I love it for what it is, great down a country lane.
Same size inside as the Fiesta though, so it'd be tight if you're tall (I'm only 5' 5")
The megabox in the boot is really handy, and you can spec the electric opening tailgate.
If the car had of been for me I'd have gone 3 door Fiesta ST, but she had to have electric tailgate after having it on the Macan.
Ford servicing is very reasonable, and they add Ford Assist at each service after the first year expires.
Ours has been totally trouble free in two years, 18,000 miles.
The earlier cars had proper Recaro seats, later ones a Ford creation, see which you prefer.
Any questions, ask away.. We've had loads of lovely cars, and we both love the Puma ST
LuS1fer said:
Can't see the appeal but, if it helps, I recently hired a new Focus ST-Line and didn't like the infotainment screen and ultimately thought that if I had bought one new, I would be disappointed.
So try another Ford to see if you like the concept. I loved my Mk 7 Fiesta ST and still miss it but the Mk 8 left me cold.
I'm a Ford guy, owned 5 of them over the years. I tried a Mk8 Fiesta ST a few years ago and really enjoyed it, but I'd just taken new job which halved my annual mileage so I bought a BMW M2 instead. Before the M2 I had a 2017 Focus ST diesel from new which was one of the first cars with Sync 3 infotainment and I really liked it, although I had to leave it permanently in night mode as the white screen was way too distracting otherwise. I'm not sure if this has changed since then.So try another Ford to see if you like the concept. I loved my Mk 7 Fiesta ST and still miss it but the Mk 8 left me cold.
Trevor555 said:
My wife's had hers for 2 years now, she went to this from a Macan GTS (simply toooo big)
I get to drive it occasionally and I love it for what it is, great down a country lane.
Same size inside as the Fiesta though, so it'd be tight if you're tall (I'm only 5' 5")
The megabox in the boot is really handy, and you can spec the electric opening tailgate.
If the car had of been for me I'd have gone 3 door Fiesta ST, but she had to have electric tailgate after having it on the Macan.
Ford servicing is very reasonable, and they add Ford Assist at each service after the first year expires.
Ours has been totally trouble free in two years, 18,000 miles.
The earlier cars had proper Recaro seats, later ones a Ford creation, see which you prefer.
Any questions, ask away.. We've had loads of lovely cars, and we both love the Puma ST
It's always good to hear views from someone who's moved from a more expensive/premium/powerful car into the car you're looking at, as it gives a more objective view than someone who's just excited to have a reasonably powerful car for the first time. Your Puma looks great in that colour!I get to drive it occasionally and I love it for what it is, great down a country lane.
Same size inside as the Fiesta though, so it'd be tight if you're tall (I'm only 5' 5")
The megabox in the boot is really handy, and you can spec the electric opening tailgate.
If the car had of been for me I'd have gone 3 door Fiesta ST, but she had to have electric tailgate after having it on the Macan.
Ford servicing is very reasonable, and they add Ford Assist at each service after the first year expires.
Ours has been totally trouble free in two years, 18,000 miles.
The earlier cars had proper Recaro seats, later ones a Ford creation, see which you prefer.
Any questions, ask away.. We've had loads of lovely cars, and we both love the Puma ST
I'm 6ft, but fit into a Fiesta no problem. I will have the kids in the car on occasion but we have another car we use most of the time for family trips. I expected it to be similar in size to my Megane but forgot it was based on the Fiesta so perhaps it'll be a bit smaller, I may need to check that.
Is the power tailgate worth £400? I imagine it's useful when your hands are full and you don't want to put your bags in a puddle.
I personally prefer the look of the new seats, and I'd be going new anyway so I wouldn't have a choice! I'm not sure how comfortable they, but I generally don't have any trouble with back pain and don't do long journeys very often so it's not a primary concern.
I think the only way to answer my main question on how it drives is to try and track one down for a test drive, but I hate the awkwardness of test driving a used model I have no intention of buying. None of the Ford dealers near me have a demonstrator which seems odd considering how many I keep seeing on the road.
The power tailgate was essential for my wife.
Shes a teacher and approaches the car with a box of books in her arms.
Now she just waves her foot underneath the car and doesnt have to put the box on the floor to open the tailgate.
If you're buying new you can extend the warranty to 5 years, it cost us £400 two years ago.
The servicing is a little more expensive on the ST over the other ones, but not by that much.
I've grown to like the more simple cars nowadays, Puma doesnt have too many settings you have to play around with, one single button for sport mode gives you fruity exhaust, more reactive at low throttle, and nice red dials.
Agree with above poster about the bright infotainment, I put it in night mode sometimes.
Parked next to its last stablemate, another modern car without masses of settings.
Shes a teacher and approaches the car with a box of books in her arms.
Now she just waves her foot underneath the car and doesnt have to put the box on the floor to open the tailgate.
If you're buying new you can extend the warranty to 5 years, it cost us £400 two years ago.
The servicing is a little more expensive on the ST over the other ones, but not by that much.
I've grown to like the more simple cars nowadays, Puma doesnt have too many settings you have to play around with, one single button for sport mode gives you fruity exhaust, more reactive at low throttle, and nice red dials.
Agree with above poster about the bright infotainment, I put it in night mode sometimes.
Parked next to its last stablemate, another modern car without masses of settings.
Thought I'd add a little update for this thread.
Wife's car developed a knock in the steering, and it's bad enough they say it's going to fail it's first MOT
Turns out it's steering column bolts, or possibly steering rack?
First fix attempt is new bolts, and if that's not successful, new column, or rack.
Not sure if this is limited to the ST models, or all Puma's?
But Ford have issued a TSB, so ours not a one off.
So be very wary of buying a Puma that's got a steering knock, and is out of warranty.
Wife's car developed a knock in the steering, and it's bad enough they say it's going to fail it's first MOT
Turns out it's steering column bolts, or possibly steering rack?
First fix attempt is new bolts, and if that's not successful, new column, or rack.
Not sure if this is limited to the ST models, or all Puma's?
But Ford have issued a TSB, so ours not a one off.
So be very wary of buying a Puma that's got a steering knock, and is out of warranty.
My mother has gone Mini Paceman 1.6D > Mini Cooper 5 door 1.5 > Mini Cooper S > Mini JCW > Puma ST-Line X First Edition Plus 155. We all LOVE the car, tidy handling, smooth enough but firm enough ride for a good blend of comfort and handling - to me, it feels far more eager and peppy than the JCW. Two friends of mine both have ST-Line X 155s also and are very impressed, one uses his as a driving school car and has put 62,000 miles on in 18 months with very little bother, he even tows with it.
TL;DR - consider a non-ST in most potent 155 flavour. Look for a Ford Direct car, about 6 months old, a few thousand miles on and often loaded with kit.
TL;DR - consider a non-ST in most potent 155 flavour. Look for a Ford Direct car, about 6 months old, a few thousand miles on and often loaded with kit.
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