RE: Ford Puma: Catch It While You Can

[Jay_87]

The wife and myself have owned 3 between us over the last 10 years and I've had my current one for 9 of those. I was 19 when I had my first one and I fell in love with them instantly, my current one has been turned into a pure track day car and I love it. I certainly can't see me selling it any time in the near or distant future.

I am massively biased towards the Puma and I owe a huge amount of my life to the little Ford. I met my wife through Puma ownership.

I do regret not buying an FRP when prices we're around 5/6k... Might have to invest in a Millennium to restore at some point.

[J-Tuner]

sc0tt said:

Superb gearbox. Better than an MX5.

Didn't the puma share a lot of its parts with the fiesta of the time? I had a 2000 vintage Fiesta Zetec S when they first come out and although the change was good i don't feel its a pleasing as the MK1 Mx5 gearbox. Just felt a bit more mechanical, like sliding a rifle bolt

For that time period my money would be on a 106 Gti. I swapped my Zetec S for one. Noticably faster!

[Jay_87]

J-Tuner said:

Didn't the puma share a lot of its parts with the fiesta of the time? I had a 2000 vintage Fiesta Zetec S when they first come out and although the change was good i don't feel its a pleasing as the MK1 Mx5 gearbox. Just felt a bit more mechanical, like sliding a rifle bolt

For that time period my money would be on a 106 Gti. I swapped my Zetec S for one. Noticably faster!

Puma lump into the Zetec S would've cured that!

[Richair]

I bought one back in November, cost me £250 with 11 months MOT, a few niggles and not a lot of rust! Bought as a cheap track car to keep my eye in whilst my (substantially quicker) race car is out of action. I'd always fancied one and it doesn't disappoint, particularly on the handing front. Sure its not that quick, but it's a great thing to chuck about and the good things about cars like this is you need to work hard to keep them on the boil and preserve momentum. Great fun and almost disposable!

[8bit]

An ex of mine had one, I never got to drive it but she loved it. I still think about getting a cheap-ish one as a project/daily hack.

Weren't Ford doing a new version a few years back? I guess that fell by the wayside...

[wildcat45]

When I met the future Mrs WC45 she had one. A 1.7 in metallic green. She loved it but to me it was a bit - Meh.

A wonderful little engine and fun on the B-roads, but I just thought there were too many things let it down.

I like the shape but details round the front end for some reason just turn me off. I think the interior nicked from a Fiesta let it down.

I see what Ford were trying to do, I just think in standard guise it didn't work for me, but I'd certainly not discourage anyone from getting one based in my prejudice.

The Racing Puma on the other hand just looks great, inside and out.

[amancalledrob]

trickywoo said:

Its a fun car to drive but having owned one there are too many niggles for me to want one again.

In no particular order:

- Seats are hard and uncomfortable
- Torque limiter in first and the 'traction control' (up to 6mph or whatever) are a joke
- Brakes are weak
- Can't open the boot with the engine running, if its raining the boot will fill with water pretty much no matter how you open it
- Rust
- Leaks. There is a rubber grommet engine side of the bulkhead which brings in a lot of electrics. Its mounted on the horizontal! Leaks unsurprisingly.

I think I've solved all of these problems by putting a Puma 1.7 lump in my Mk4 Fiesta, which I was given for free. Time will tell...

[dunnoreally]

I bought a fully MOT'd 1.6 for £500 about a month ago following the unfortunate departure of my MR2. Like the article says, it ain't exactly quick, but it doesn't feel much worse than the Toyota round a corner.

So far as bargain bin motoring goes, I'm quite happy with it, but I doubt I'd pay real money for one. Enjoy 'em while they're cheap, forget 'em once they aren't, I say

[Charlie Croker mk2]

I still have my 1.4 that I bought new almost 18 years ago in 1999 , its on 130K its been ultra reliable and durable just consumables and a air con pump . Dont drive it much these days but when I do it puts a smile on my face , yes its not a 1.7 but its plenty quick enough . Should I keep it forever ?

[Mr2Mike]

amancalledrob said:

I think I've solved all of these problems by putting a Puma 1.7 lump in my Mk4 Fiesta, which I was given for free. Time will tell...

Unfortunately Mk4/Mk5 Fiestas are not immune from rust issues.

[etypedave]

Have 2 one silver metallic and one Millenium.Issue with brakes easily resolved with decent pads and ST150 caliper/discs.Driving them in the rain is a revelation and they can stay with cars that on paper are much quicker.Rust is a major issue but if it's tackled properly these little cars should last a good few years.If you find the seats a problem then Millenium Recaros solve that problem.

[Squirrelofwoe]

yonex said:

I never got the Puma, I thought the engine in the one I drove was pretty ropey and I don't recognise the traits described about it being 'zingy' at all. A poor relation to the DC2 is how I'd sum up the Puma.

I wonder whether there was something wrong with the one you drove perhaps? Having owned a DC2 and driven several (okay, 3) different Puma 1.7's I wouldn't call it a 'poor relation' in the slightest. Obviously it's not for everyone granted, but I'd have thought anyone who's enjoyed a DC2 would enjoy the Puma.

An absolute riot to drive, the engine just encourages you to rev it more & more (and sounds great too), the gear-change is the best I've experienced this side of a Type R Honda, and the 'wheel on each corner' chassis is just crying out to be chucked around. Certainly not a fast car by any kind of modern standard, but one of it's outstanding traits is it's ability to make you feel like you are going incredibly fast whilst travelling at very modest speeds. The only thing I dislike about them is the high driving position.

I've owned (and absolutely loved) both a DC2 Integra and an Accord Type R, considered two of the best handling FWD cars made, and I still jump at the chance to drive a Puma at any opportunity I get, they are that much fun.

Whilst not as fast/hardcore as the Hondas, the Puma feels every bit like a 'junior Type R' in my opinion, and not a poor relation by any stretch. Huge fun.

[MrMoonyMan]

Very much spurred on by PistonHeads I bought my girlfriend one of these to run through winter a few months ago.

Turned out to be a great decision so far: cost buttons to buy, does over 30mpg round town and is enormous fun to drive!

Ford really did get the handling/ chassis feel right with this one. And the Yamaha engine is lovely too.

On top of that its doors close with a lovely heavy 'thunk' and all the electrics and air con work well. In fact, if it carries on behaving it'll get put into storage over summer and brought out again next winter.



Downsides: One wheel bearing failed fairly spectacularly, but was fixed for usual Ford prices.. Ie. Mega cheap!

Seats, they're not great for me for a long distance and in the same vein motorways are not its thing.

Also, the headlights. I really like the look of them but even having been polished and with new bulbs they're rubbish.

Overall though - super little car. Definite future classic. Crazy value for money.

[amancalledrob]

Mr2Mike said:

amancalledrob said:

I think I've solved all of these problems by putting a Puma 1.7 lump in my Mk4 Fiesta, which I was given for free. Time will tell...

Unfortunately Mk4/Mk5 Fiestas are not immune from rust issues.

Of course, metal cars tend not to be. On the basis that you can't see the road from inside it without looking through a window, though, I'm confident that it's doing better than the donor car

[Gallons Per Mile]

Brilliant cars! See my '£50 Puma shed' thread in Readers' Cars for explanation. Most fun I've had at shed budget.

[Granitemc]

Have my Puma sitting at the house but reading this has made me go home tonight and go for a drive! Fantastic handling and just puts you in a happy place.
Agree that low prices are changing as more people are being in the "once driven your Bitten" club.

[molineux1980]

I have a Mk5 Fiesta Zetec S, great little chassis, and I have the urge for the 1.7 engine out of a Uma. Not sure which will come first, the engine, or the rust on the arches......

[lee_erm]

molineux1980 said:

I have a Mk5 Fiesta Zetec S, great little chassis, and I have the urge for the 1.7 engine out of a Uma. Not sure which will come first, the engine, or the rust on the arches......

Clean under the arches and then put some waxoyl under there, that way the engine will come first!

[Chris71]

yonex said:

I never got the Puma, I thought the engine in the one I drove was pretty ropey and I don't recognise the traits described about it being 'zingy' at all. A poor relation to the DC2 is how I'd sum up the Puma.

I must admit, I was slightly underwhelmed the only time I drove one, but isn't a decent DC2 three or four times the price? I can see this being a good smiles-per-pound proposition.

[Squirrelofwoe]

Chris71 said:

Isn't a decent DC2 three or four times the price? I can see this being a good smiles-per-pound proposition.

And the rest!

from someone who sold their DC2 at 5 times the price of a Puma back in 2012 when DC2 prices were near enough the lowest they had ever been - I've never timed car sales well