Looking at a Puma (1.6 Model)

[Don B]

Hi all

Looking at a late model (2002) Puma for my mum and hoping to see if anyone had experience in what
I should be looking out for?
The car is a 1.6 litre model with 60k on the clock.

Any obvious things to check? I know rust in the rear arches is a weak point, but anything else major?

It's going to be a cheap car, so not expecting it to be perfect, but at the same time, want to avoid large
bills in the immediate future.

Thanks in advance!

Edited by Don B on Wednesday 19th September 00:11

[drmotorsport]

Apart from the obvious rust issues, i would want to make sure there has been a cambelt change as although the belts are lifed for 80k miles, a 10yr old one would be bad news. Only other point of note is the lower arms need replacing often, and rear axle bushes. Be prepared for the joke of a parcel shelf that finds it own way around the car. Otherwise the 1.6 is a great engine but you may regret not getting the full 1.7 Puma experience.

[Funk]

I've got one for sale right now.

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...

It's bang tidy, PM me if interested OP and I'll give you the full specs and info.

However, as mentioned the arches and sills are where they 'go', and the rear brake pipes suffer terribly from corrosion; the rear bushes and brake pipes on my mum's were done to get it through the MoT.

And yes, the parcel shelf is cack.

Edited by Funk on Wednesday 19th September 13:56

[NiceCupOfTea]

Make sure the belts were done by somebody reputable too. Ours had had the belts/tensioners done and went 10k later because it had been poorly fitted by a fast fit muppet.

Check the service interval for the 1.6. The 1.7 was revised to 60k miles/5 years IIRC. A lot have been underserviced (generally to miles rather than interval). Look out for rust as said, the interior isn't terribly well put together - if it has the 6-shot CD player in dash, make sure it works, most won't.

[Don B]

Good info there guys thanks. Turns out the timing belt hasn't been done and seller isn't going to do it before sale.
Rules it out unless it's a cheap fix I'm afraid! Is there a ballpark figure of what a timing belt change on a puma would cost?

Wouldn't make sense to buy in the uk, as I'm in Irl.

Edited by Don B on Thursday 20th September 08:14

[drmotorsport]

Don B said:

Is there a ballpark figure of what a timing belt change on a puma would cost?

At a garage i would expect it would be £200-300ish. Last one i did myself for about £70 in parts but involves taking half the engine bay apart.

[Don B]

drmotorsport said:

At a garage i would expect it would be £200-300ish. Last one i did myself for about £70 in parts but involves taking half the engine bay apart.

Thanks for that. I think it's definitely a no go now, as it'd make a bargain car not such a bargain.
Thanks all for the advice!

[4340BB]

Go for the 1.7 engine as it's a yamaha engine and pretty bullet proof. As said just make sure timing belt has been done.
Rocker cover gaskets can weep a little as they will have age hardened.
I just bought a 51 plate car. No rust at all, 1 owner and servicing and belts done at correct intervals.
Brilliant little car for a runaround.

[simo2k2000]

4340BB said:

Go for the 1.7 engine as it's a yamaha engine and pretty bullet proof. As said just make sure timing belt has been done.
Rocker cover gaskets can weep a little as they will have age hardened.
I just bought a 51 plate car. No rust at all, 1 owner and servicing and belts done at correct intervals.
Brilliant little car for a runaround.

Pretty sure the 1.6 is a yamaha engine as well. Same engine as Fiesta zetec-s