RE: Shed of the Week: Ford Puma
Discussion
Dave Hedgehog said:
Nurburgsingh said:
You know there's a one make race series for these things...
http://pumacup.com/
including rounds at SPA!!!
Its got to be the cheapest way you'll get a chance to stand on the podium at Spa...
why do half the drivers look like their other hobby is eating all the pies?http://pumacup.com/
including rounds at SPA!!!
Its got to be the cheapest way you'll get a chance to stand on the podium at Spa...
INNIT!!
I had one just like this, same colour and year.
It wasn't a bad car, bit too little. The gear stick was daft, in the summer it would be a million degrees and burnt your hand. In the winter it would sit around 0 Kelvin and freeze your hand!
The engine was a bit noisy but it was quite nippy and handled well.
Build quality was a bit questionable, mine didn't suffer the rust problems many of the ones I'd see on the road did but it needed quite a bit of mechanical TLC over the 3 years I had it.
It wasn't a bad car, bit too little. The gear stick was daft, in the summer it would be a million degrees and burnt your hand. In the winter it would sit around 0 Kelvin and freeze your hand!
The engine was a bit noisy but it was quite nippy and handled well.
Build quality was a bit questionable, mine didn't suffer the rust problems many of the ones I'd see on the road did but it needed quite a bit of mechanical TLC over the 3 years I had it.
Yep it's been bought by a Pistonheader... Me, well me and two mates.
I started a topic in the track day forum a week ago saying me and two mates had £1500 to find or build a track car.
My options were, civic type R, MR2, Bmw compact but a few people recommend the puma as a good start point.
This morning I noticed shed of the week, contacted the seller thinking it'll go sharpish and the rest was history, pick it up on Sunday.
The plan is to do the first track day, as it is, round Cadwell in June. I've had my old 350z and motorbike round there in the past and I think it'll be well suited round the tight track. We will then decide what's needing improvement (already thinking about a steering wheel and Toyo 888's).
It'll not be used for the road, purely for fun on track and hill climbs.
If people are interested we will look to put together a thread after the first outing including pics etc.
I started a topic in the track day forum a week ago saying me and two mates had £1500 to find or build a track car.
My options were, civic type R, MR2, Bmw compact but a few people recommend the puma as a good start point.
This morning I noticed shed of the week, contacted the seller thinking it'll go sharpish and the rest was history, pick it up on Sunday.
The plan is to do the first track day, as it is, round Cadwell in June. I've had my old 350z and motorbike round there in the past and I think it'll be well suited round the tight track. We will then decide what's needing improvement (already thinking about a steering wheel and Toyo 888's).
It'll not be used for the road, purely for fun on track and hill climbs.
If people are interested we will look to put together a thread after the first outing including pics etc.
I sourced one of these for a friend about 8 years ago.
Have always loved how they drive and how the 1.7 engine had just enough poke to keep you interested.
Fast forward 5 years and she was looking to move it on so I got hold of it for my nephew as something
Cheap but fun to run through uni.
Well yes the bodywork disintegrated but it never stopped going.
Earlier this year he wanted to recapture the fun so we found the best example we could
To preserve as a weekend car.
A great steer, as far as FWD goes can only think of a Clio 172 or perhaps a hot 306 running it close
For fun down a twisty road.
Not super fast, but to rate it for speed slightly misses the point.
Have always loved how they drive and how the 1.7 engine had just enough poke to keep you interested.
Fast forward 5 years and she was looking to move it on so I got hold of it for my nephew as something
Cheap but fun to run through uni.
Well yes the bodywork disintegrated but it never stopped going.
Earlier this year he wanted to recapture the fun so we found the best example we could
To preserve as a weekend car.
A great steer, as far as FWD goes can only think of a Clio 172 or perhaps a hot 306 running it close
For fun down a twisty road.
Not super fast, but to rate it for speed slightly misses the point.
Great shed, no humour needed here, just a top drivers car at a bargain basement price.
What happened was that the styling team drew this awesome concept, but then the newly reinvigorated chassis team insisted on whacking up the ride height, because that was the only way to get enough wheel travel (with the McPherson strut Fiesta underpinnings) to make it drive properly. So the production car ends up looking a bit 'tippy' due to the ride height. Look at the Ford Racing Puma to get an idea what the original concept was meant to look like.
driftingphil said:
Might drive great but I've never understood the love for these, they just look wrong, Ka like. Were they based on a Ka or fiesta platform?
The Puma was designed when Ford was just re-discovering the concept of "suspension", under Richard Parry-Jones. What happened was that the styling team drew this awesome concept, but then the newly reinvigorated chassis team insisted on whacking up the ride height, because that was the only way to get enough wheel travel (with the McPherson strut Fiesta underpinnings) to make it drive properly. So the production car ends up looking a bit 'tippy' due to the ride height. Look at the Ford Racing Puma to get an idea what the original concept was meant to look like.
3795mpower said:
I sourced one of these for a friend about 8 years ago.
Have always loved how they drive and how the 1.7 engine had just enough poke to keep you interested.
Fast forward 5 years and she was looking to move it on so I got hold of it for my nephew as something
Cheap but fun to run through uni.
Well yes the bodywork disintegrated but it never stopped going.
Earlier this year he wanted to recapture the fun so we found the best example we could
To preserve as a weekend car.
A great steer, as far as FWD goes can only think of a Clio 172 or perhaps a hot 306 running it close for fun down a twisty road
Not super fast, but to rate it for speed slightly misses the point
Of that era, I'd add in the little French twins - VTS and 106 Gti - gear change was better in the Puma but the chassis was just as fun on the French pair.Have always loved how they drive and how the 1.7 engine had just enough poke to keep you interested.
Fast forward 5 years and she was looking to move it on so I got hold of it for my nephew as something
Cheap but fun to run through uni.
Well yes the bodywork disintegrated but it never stopped going.
Earlier this year he wanted to recapture the fun so we found the best example we could
To preserve as a weekend car.
A great steer, as far as FWD goes can only think of a Clio 172 or perhaps a hot 306 running it close for fun down a twisty road
Not super fast, but to rate it for speed slightly misses the point
Edited by s m on Saturday 21st May 12:19
soad said:
Dave Hedgehog said:
why do half the drivers look like their other hobby is eating all the pies?
They're older, no longer skinny teenagers. Pies, burgers, pizza, chips, beer do take toll on a waistline. 
Which he did, but unfortunately pressed the -20% button, and the resultant car came out too small, hence anyone over 'diminutive female size' (a bit like SWMBO at 5'2"), looks vast. That, or they do actually do eat too many pies...
sc0tt said:
Best gearbox in anything that I have personally owned. Better than an MX5 I had.
You're not the first to say this but I struggle to comprehend how. Isn't the gearbox the same as ones in Fiestas of that time?Personally, an MX5 has the best gear change I've experienced (next to an EP3 CTR). Could this be described as a mini DC2?
Its not the same gearbox as in the Fiesta (although they were good too)
I think it's an Aisin 'box?
It's got a lovely action, probably one of the best i have used, too. The alumium ball probably helps on the tactile side of things.
I used to work for Ford in 2005-6 ish and the only car that i think had the same 'box was the StreetKa. Lovely action. Shame the rest of the car wasn't as good!
(The SportKa of that era may also have had, but i can't confirm.
I've driven 2 or 3 Pumas over the years, working in the motor trade....
I've wanted one for ages, but never had one.
However....im very happy to say that i will soon be the owner of a '99 V Puma 1.7....
I think it's an Aisin 'box?
It's got a lovely action, probably one of the best i have used, too. The alumium ball probably helps on the tactile side of things.
I used to work for Ford in 2005-6 ish and the only car that i think had the same 'box was the StreetKa. Lovely action. Shame the rest of the car wasn't as good!
(The SportKa of that era may also have had, but i can't confirm.
I've driven 2 or 3 Pumas over the years, working in the motor trade....
I've wanted one for ages, but never had one.
However....im very happy to say that i will soon be the owner of a '99 V Puma 1.7....
3795mpower said:
I sourced one of these for a friend about 8 years ago.
Have always loved how they drive and how the 1.7 engine had just enough poke to keep you interested.
Fast forward 5 years and she was looking to move it on so I got hold of it for my nephew as something
Cheap but fun to run through uni.
Well yes the bodywork disintegrated but it never stopped going.
Earlier this year he wanted to recapture the fun so we found the best example we could
To preserve as a weekend car.
A great steer, as far as FWD goes can only think of a Clio 172 or perhaps a hot 306 running it close
For fun down a twisty road.
Not super fast, but to rate it for speed slightly misses the point.
Nice colour for them, that.Have always loved how they drive and how the 1.7 engine had just enough poke to keep you interested.
Fast forward 5 years and she was looking to move it on so I got hold of it for my nephew as something
Cheap but fun to run through uni.
Well yes the bodywork disintegrated but it never stopped going.
Earlier this year he wanted to recapture the fun so we found the best example we could
To preserve as a weekend car.
A great steer, as far as FWD goes can only think of a Clio 172 or perhaps a hot 306 running it close
For fun down a twisty road.
Not super fast, but to rate it for speed slightly misses the point.
I did like my £300 Puma. It had rotten paint and scabby arches but it drove beautifully. That engine was a little cracker. Not sure about the metal gearknob on cold mornings, mind.
I now have a hot 306 (one of the first Phase II GTi-6s) and I think its handling and ride shade the Puma's, but the Puma had the better gearbox (my 306 has done moon miles, though) and if I'm remembering it properly slightly better steering feel too.
BeirutTaxi said:
I'm sure I'll get stick for this: I think the Puma is more rewarding to drive than the MX5. It just feels more tight and engaging at low speeds.
One thing I don't like about the Puma is the brakes. I couldn't get on with either the lack of stopping power or numb pedal feel.
One thing I don't like about the Puma is the brakes. I couldn't get on with either the lack of stopping power or numb pedal feel.
I did comment the last time there was a sotw puma that I'm pretty sure mk3 mondeo front brakes will fit if you re-drill the discs to four stud, would be a very cheap upgrade although you would also need at least 16" wheels to fit over them.
BeirutTaxi said:
I'm sure I'll get stick for this: I think the Puma is more rewarding to drive than the MX5. It just feels more tight and engaging at low speeds.
One thing I don't like about the Puma is the brakes. I couldn't get on with either the lack of stopping power or numb pedal feel.
I've owned a 1996 MX-5 and a 2001 Puma, and I'd say they were both great to drive. I couldn't choose between them on dynamics, so I'd pick the MX-5 for build quality and open top!One thing I don't like about the Puma is the brakes. I couldn't get on with either the lack of stopping power or numb pedal feel.
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