Ford Puma...Any good
Discussion
Pick a colour and Fill your boots.
Cheaps as chips to run and maintain. Clutches are a weak link, expect no more than 75K out of the OE one and don't skimp on the replacement (replace the pressure plate and concentric slave cylinder, will save storing up trouble for the future).
Make sure the Cambelt has been done (5 years or 80K).
Smiles/pence per mile I think they are just about impossible to beat. Can embaress far more exotic stuff along a twisty B-road even if they aren't a road burner off the traffic lights.
Only grumble would be the brakes (not the strongest-prone to fade), although later cars had bigger front discs (258mm) and are much better. If that still isn't enough the ST Fiesta brakes are a bolt on with 280mm discs and it'll all still go under the Puma's 15" wheels. If you want ultimate handling, don't mess about with wheel diameters, tyre widths or offsets. Ford got this car so right on its OEM set-up it doesn't need buggering about with.
I've had mine over 5 years.... That I hope speaks volumes. If I do replace it, it'll have to be an FRP
edited for spellink
Cheaps as chips to run and maintain. Clutches are a weak link, expect no more than 75K out of the OE one and don't skimp on the replacement (replace the pressure plate and concentric slave cylinder, will save storing up trouble for the future).
Make sure the Cambelt has been done (5 years or 80K).
Smiles/pence per mile I think they are just about impossible to beat. Can embaress far more exotic stuff along a twisty B-road even if they aren't a road burner off the traffic lights.
Only grumble would be the brakes (not the strongest-prone to fade), although later cars had bigger front discs (258mm) and are much better. If that still isn't enough the ST Fiesta brakes are a bolt on with 280mm discs and it'll all still go under the Puma's 15" wheels. If you want ultimate handling, don't mess about with wheel diameters, tyre widths or offsets. Ford got this car so right on its OEM set-up it doesn't need buggering about with.
I've had mine over 5 years.... That I hope speaks volumes. If I do replace it, it'll have to be an FRP
edited for spellink
Edited by FWDRacer on Wednesday 3rd October 10:17
There great little cars I love mine its loads of fun to drive. As with any car you get niggling faults so make sure you buy a good one that has been serviced and looked after. One of the most common problems I’ve heard of is the heater control valve failing but it’s a relatively cheap and easy fix. I think some earlier Pumas did have issues with cam-belts so the change interval was reduced to 5years or 80,000 so make sure it’s been changed.
Although I haven’t had mine long, reliability has been good for me, remember that there based on the Fiesta chassis so parts and maintenance are relatively cheap, build quality is never going to rival a German car but it’s substantially better than anything French of that era.
The only negative for me is the poor rear visibility but that’s really not much of an issue as you get used to it. I would advise going for a later car as many of the problems will have been sorted out.
There’s a good buyers guide on the puma people website http://www.pumapeople.com/index.php?showtopic=2002...
Although I haven’t had mine long, reliability has been good for me, remember that there based on the Fiesta chassis so parts and maintenance are relatively cheap, build quality is never going to rival a German car but it’s substantially better than anything French of that era.
The only negative for me is the poor rear visibility but that’s really not much of an issue as you get used to it. I would advise going for a later car as many of the problems will have been sorted out.
There’s a good buyers guide on the puma people website http://www.pumapeople.com/index.php?showtopic=2002...
Many thanks guys.
Hopefully another owner before christmas.
Just annoyed at the Millenium yellow edition being another insurance group higher.
Its not like you could miss it.
I dont think much could disuade me now, I liked them when i first saw one on top gear in 1998
(i think)That was when i was 10.
Hopefully another owner before christmas.
Just annoyed at the Millenium yellow edition being another insurance group higher.
Its not like you could miss it.
I dont think much could disuade me now, I liked them when i first saw one on top gear in 1998
(i think)That was when i was 10.
Lovely Recaro seats in the millenium but I'm not a fan of the yellow paint.
I think topgear liked it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3QuH7z1Z1o
I think topgear liked it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3QuH7z1Z1o
Superb cars. I love mine for so many reasons, but I'll list a few:
1 - Steering. It's superb. Beautifully weighted and nicely direct. I didn't really know what good steering was until I drove this car. And no nasty FWD torque steer.
2 - Handling. It's like a little go-kart. I've always championed RWD, but this thing handles like a dream.
3 - Engine. It's sweet. Mines a 1.7 and for an 'iccle 4-pot, it pulls nicely and is energetic.
4 - Economy. I usually get high 30's to 40 mpg.
5 - Looks (although it sits too high).
6 - Stereo. For a bogo setup, it beats a few aftermarket systems I've had before.
Downsides?
1 - As mentioned above, the heater valve thingies can stick. Mine does occasionally, meaning you get hot air no-matter what setting you're on. As this is an intermittent fault, I've not got it fixed.
2 - Driving position. When I first bought it, I thought I wouldn't get used to it. It just felt I was sitting on, rather than in the car. But after a bit of fiddling, I now find it very comfy. I'm 6ft and often drive 4 hours from Newbury to Leeds and feel fine at the end of the journey.
3 - The interior is pure Fiesta. Is that such a bad thing?
4 - Er?
I bought mine nearly a year ago for just over £2k. Sure, it's got high miles (135000) but you really wouldn't know.
BTW, my other car is a 2005 Mustang. The Puma is NOT a let down after driving a 300bhp muscle car.
Buy one, you won't regret it.
1 - Steering. It's superb. Beautifully weighted and nicely direct. I didn't really know what good steering was until I drove this car. And no nasty FWD torque steer.
2 - Handling. It's like a little go-kart. I've always championed RWD, but this thing handles like a dream.
3 - Engine. It's sweet. Mines a 1.7 and for an 'iccle 4-pot, it pulls nicely and is energetic.
4 - Economy. I usually get high 30's to 40 mpg.
5 - Looks (although it sits too high).
6 - Stereo. For a bogo setup, it beats a few aftermarket systems I've had before.
Downsides?
1 - As mentioned above, the heater valve thingies can stick. Mine does occasionally, meaning you get hot air no-matter what setting you're on. As this is an intermittent fault, I've not got it fixed.
2 - Driving position. When I first bought it, I thought I wouldn't get used to it. It just felt I was sitting on, rather than in the car. But after a bit of fiddling, I now find it very comfy. I'm 6ft and often drive 4 hours from Newbury to Leeds and feel fine at the end of the journey.
3 - The interior is pure Fiesta. Is that such a bad thing?
4 - Er?
I bought mine nearly a year ago for just over £2k. Sure, it's got high miles (135000) but you really wouldn't know.
BTW, my other car is a 2005 Mustang. The Puma is NOT a let down after driving a 300bhp muscle car.
Buy one, you won't regret it.
Edited by Twin Turbo on Wednesday 3rd October 21:56
Old dears got a 1.7 in melina blue , and it felt "rubbery" to drive after my MX-5 but after afew miles it all dropped into place , fantastic little thing the puma , the brakes are bloody awfull and thats being kind , an upgrade to wilwoods and grooved discs will help , the 1.7 loves to sing and certainly dosent hang about if you poke it with a stick , and you can have fun with left foot braking
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