Ford Puma - fun!

[0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Bored and house sitting today, i thought i'd borrow the family Ford Puma.

What a fun car, miles more so than the various M cars I've driven (bear with me). Refreshing to be able to utterly wring the thing out in the first 4 gears, a great gearchange and good steering. Why don't Ford make a coupe like this any more?

I was a Puma critic until I drove this car.

[cerb4.5lee]

I have always liked these,but never been lucky enough to drive one,the road tests always sung their praises.

[balders118]

I went out for a drive in mine today in the Dales with a ferrari TR, TVR, 260bhp focus ST, 3.0 z4 and a smart roadster. I was getting away from everyone in the twisty bumpy stuff because I could just throw it in, not worry about bumps and it's great through the twisties. Those in the faster, lower cars really struggled because of their ground clearence. So much fun to be had, and it only cost me £1350.

[soad]

Always liked these.
OP, I assume you had a go in 1.7 version?

[0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Yes, it was the 1.7 and I just took it out again - I'm still laughing now, as I got out all you could smell was rubber, clutch and brakes!

[0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

balders118 said:

I went out for a drive in mine today in the Dales with a ferrari TR, TVR, 260bhp focus ST, 3.0 z4 and a smart roadster. I was getting away from everyone in the twisty bumpy stuff because I could just throw it in, not worry about bumps and it's great through the twisties. Those in the faster, lower cars really struggled because of their ground clearence. So much fun to be had, and it only cost me £1350.

I was a real Puma pessimist, but on the roads round here I was shocked how fast it was. A mate owned a Cooper S that he let me drive, he now owns a Z4M and I don't think they would be of any use.

[Gdgd]

If I had a pound for every time I've heard a praise to our little cars I'd be a very rich man

[Rickyy]

Stop it, I miss mine terribly.

Used to cheer me up no end going out for a spin and wringing its neck! The speed you could carry into corners was incredible, coupled with such an eager engine it was an amazing drive for such a cheap car!

Sadly I don't think they could make another car like this if they tried, have you seen the size of the current Fiesta?

[0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Rickyy said:

Stop it, I miss mine terribly.

Used to cheer me up no end going out for a spin and wringing its neck! The speed you could carry into corners was incredible, coupled with such an eager engine it was an amazing drive for such a cheap car!

Sadly I don't think they could make another car like this if they tried, have you seen the size of the current Fiesta?

I've been banging on to the old man (who owns the Puma) how good the E46 M3 drives, yet I drive a "crap 4 pot hatchback" and I love it! It's refreshing to be able to utterly thrash a car. Cost me £10 in petrol though!

Edited by 0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa on Sunday 4th September 20:56

[FussyFez]

Ive been lusting after an frp for ages...

[SteveS Cup]

Puma engine in the Fiesta ZS. Much better looking package IMO that does the same thing.

But if you want a fun cheap car, the Clio Sport does it so much better... I've driven various Fiesta's and a Puma, I think they're fun but they're not "all that". It's turning in to the FWD equivalent of the MX5! which I really don't think it deserves.

[B.J.W]

I tried to buy one for the O/H when she was back for the summer. I set a budget of £1500, which I thought would be enough to secure a good one. It wasn't - and I looked at a lot of cars. Pity, because I..... :cough: she always fancied one (she thinks she had one 10 years ago but can't remember)

Other than general poor condition, the main issue was rust on the rear wings. I might have another look in a few months, but I think 2k is where it needs to be now to get a keeper. Shame because, I have always rated the Puma. Cracking little motor.

[0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

B.J.W said:

I tried to buy one for the O/H when she was back for the summer. I set a budget of £1500, which I thought would be enough to secure a good one. It wasn't - and I looked at a lot of cars. Pity, because I..... :cough: she always fancied one (she thinks she had one 10 years ago but can't remember)

Other than general poor condition, the main issue was rust on the rear wings. I might have another look in a few months, but I think 2k is where it needs to be now to get a keeper. Shame because, I have always rated the Puma. Cracking little motor.

I play the "rusty rear arch game" with the old man. His (er, car's) arches are perfect, but it seems 99% of pumas are now rusty there

A real shame, seems there were some major quality contol issues at the factory.

ETA if it's of interest it's a high spec late model, 40k miles, perfect body (the owner had the foresight to get it undersealed), cost £2k

[Rickyy]

I can't compare to the Clio as I've never driven one. But the Puma is a fun car, not a focused hot hatch.

Its down by about 50 bhp, the brakes on the Puma are woeful and I'd imagine the suspension set up is superior on the Clio.

[wackojacko]

A mate of mine runs a 1.7 Puma as his daily to keep the miles off of his MK1 Focus RS.

He has Toyo 888's and a whiteline rear ARB on it with standard suspension and it is huge fun !

[shambolic]

I don't get it tbh I had one for 3 years from new (1.7) and it always seemed to bounce the back end round corners?!?
The gear change was great but handling was wierd

[0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Rickyy said:

I can't compare to the Clio as I've never driven one. But the Puma is a fun car, not a focused hot hatch.

Its down by about 50 bhp, the brakes on the Puma are woeful and I'd imagine the suspension set up is superior on the Clio.

I don't deny it's slow, it just struck me as fun to drive in a way that a lot of cars have not.

[B.J.W]

0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa said:

Rickyy said:

I can't compare to the Clio as I've never driven one. But the Puma is a fun car, not a focused hot hatch.

Its down by about 50 bhp, the brakes on the Puma are woeful and I'd imagine the suspension set up is superior on the Clio.

I don't deny it's slow, it just struck me as fun to drive in a way that a lot of cars have not.

You have hit the nail on the head. I would describe my old 172 Clio Cup as fast and fun. However, it didn't put half as much of a smile on my face as the 1.2 Fiat Panda I had as a courtesy car last year. Took me back to my formative days driving Peugeot 205's and 106's. No power, but that was not the point. The 1.7 was a bit more rorty, but the concept remains the same. I enjoy flinging a battered old 147 T/S through the bends just as much as my Tuscan (with 400 odd BHP)

P.S - supports what I said about 2k being needed now to bag a good un.

[0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

B.J.W said:

0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa said:

Rickyy said:

I can't compare to the Clio as I've never driven one. But the Puma is a fun car, not a focused hot hatch.

Its down by about 50 bhp, the brakes on the Puma are woeful and I'd imagine the suspension set up is superior on the Clio.

I don't deny it's slow, it just struck me as fun to drive in a way that a lot of cars have not.

You have hit the nail on the head. I would describe my old 172 Clio Cup as fast and fun. However, it didn't put half as much of a smile on my face as the 1.2 Fiat Panda I had as a courtesy car last year. Took me back to my formative days driving Peugeot 205's and 106's. No power, but that was not the point. The 1.7 was a bit more rorty, but the concept remains the same. I enjoy flinging a battered old 147 T/S through the bends just as much as my Tuscan (with 400 odd BHP)

P.S - supports what I said about 2k being needed now to bag a good un.

I'm clearly wrong, I got driving enjoyment from my 1.0 Yaris! (I don't often admit it here)

[Rickyy]

0aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa said:

I'm clearly wrong, I got driving enjoyment from my 1.0 Yaris! (I don't often admit it here)

Some of the lowest powered cars I've driven have been the most entertaining.

That's what I loved about the Puma, the ability to have fun at legal speeds.