Friday 5th April 2013

SOTW: Ford Puma 1.7

A super-clean example of Ford's cute coupe can now be had for Shed money

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In the worry-free world of Shedonia, different rules apply. We aren’t looking for ultra-rare specimens or primped show queens: we’re looking for sub-£1k cars that will give decent service, plus a smidgen of PH style, while incurring minimal ownership costs over and above the purchase price.

As Pumas go, this one looks pretty tidy

Even the most cynical Shedman wouldn’t expect a super-clean vehicle in exchange for such a small amount of cash, but this Puma could be the exception that proves the rule. It looks right, the spec is right, and if you press your hooter right up against the monitor, it even smells right. When a car’s as clean as this one seems to be, liking or disliking the make and model becomes almost irrelevant. You’d snaffle a car like this on condition alone.

Happily, it’s a win-win situation because there’s plenty to like about the Puma. It was launched on the back of a brilliant TV ad featuring Steve McQueen. This 2001 car will be one of the last ones off the line at Cologne. Read into that what you will about build quality; if nothing else, the shutlines still look tight.

Interior looks just as clean, too

Shed fondly remembers his first Puma-helming experience. The pumped-up Racing Puma got 155hp from its motor versus the standard Puma’s 125hp, but you won’t feel short-changed in the regular car as the excellent chassis encourages full use of what power there is. All the 1.7s came with traction control, which was much more of a talking point then than it is now.

The Nikasil-linered 1.7 engine is picky about what it’s fed by way of lubrication, and if its oil’s overheated, or not enough’s been used, it’s liable to throw a bearing – knocking or tapping noises are a giveaway sign, and a good reason to steer clear. Core plugs (sited near the spark plugs) can leak coolant, but if the engine is running too hot or too cold it might just as easily be a busted thermostat. The cambelt and tensioner are changed on a five-year/80,000 mile schedule; this one’s been done.

1.7-litre Sigma engine is enormous fun

That old favourite the coil pack features on the list of potential electrical problems, as does the exhaust oxygen sensor, a particular weakness on the 1.7. Poor idling or hesitancy will signify failure of either, or both. The earthing strap connecting the back of the engine to the bulkhead can get rusty, along with the bodywork itself of course – a general Ford trait that Shed’s tame mechanic will grumpily confirm. Wheel arches, door edges and sills are all hot spots for rust. Perished wiring grommets in that bulkhead will allow water into the driver’s footwell, while a loose aircon drain pipe will dampen the passenger carpet. The heater controls are as dodgy in the Puma as they are in the Fiesta from whence they came; the heater producing either no heat or too much points to a heater control valve, while a fan that doesn’t work in certain positions suggests a duff resistor pack. Both are reasonably cheap fixes, though.

At the back end, tailgate struts get tired, and the parcel shelf can fall into the boot space, but that’s easily fixed by wrapping tape round the locating pins. Electric windows are known for sticking, especially if the car’s been in any sort of shunt. 

A Shed that's not a shed, and plenty of fun too

For someone less thick-skinned than Shed, the metal gearknob could be painfully cold on a winter’s morn, but that’s nothing that a piping hot mug of builder’s tea lodged in the crotch ‘cupholder’ can’t put right.

Overall there’s nothing much to dislike here. The worst thing about the Puma, if we’re being really picky, is working out what it is. It’s not really a four-seater, a two-seater, a sports car or a family hatch. The fact that it was succeeded by the truly horrid StreetKa emphasises its identity crisis, but none of this matters to we Shedly folk who simply want a robust drive spiked with a spot of personality. Buy with a smile on your face and, if the weather doesn’t improve soon, a glove on your hand.

Here’s the ad:

FOR SALE IS MY FORD PUMA 1.7 16V 125BHP MODEL. ONLY 83000 MILES
ONLY 3 OWNERS

IT HAS FULL SERVICE HISTORY WITH CAMBELT REPLACED AT 71000 MILES.
IT HAS 2 KEYS AND ALL THE ORIGINAL BOOK PACKS INCLUDING SERVICE BOOK.

IT HAS 12 MONTHS MOT
VERY CLEAN TIDY CAR WITH NO BUMPS,SCRAPES,DINGS OR DENTS.

THE COLOUR IS PACIFIC GREEN AND THE PAINT IS IN GREAT CONDITION.
THE INTERIOR IS IMMACULATE WITH NO RIPS IN THE SEATS AR CARPETS.
THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS AT ALL ON THE DASHBOARD.

THE SPEC IS;
ALLOY WHEELS
REMOTE CENTRAL LOCKING
HEATED QUICK CLEAR WINDSCREEN
ELECTRIC WINDOWS
ELECTRIC MIRRORS
AIR CONDITIONING
SPORTS SEATS
POWER STEERING
ABS
AIRBAGS

THE CAR DRIVES 100% WITH NO KNOCKS,BANGS OR CLUNKS.
IT IS VERY RELIABLE AND SMOOTH TO DRIVE,PLENTY OF POWER AND STRONG GEARBOX AND CLUTCH.
ITS GOT A BRAND NEW CLUTCH FITTED AND ALSO AT THE SAME TIME HAD A GEARBOX OIL CHANGE.

VERY RELIABLE SOLID CAR.

OVERALL ITS A VERY CLEAN TIDY PUMA THAT DRIVES 100% AND EVERYTHING WORKS ON THE CAR.
GOOD TYRES AND BRAKES.

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK   07790673171

£890

[Shaw Tarse]

I think there are a few Puma fans on PH, me included.

[cadoganpier]

That would make the perfect station car.

[Krikkit]

Good shed, hate the colour. Had a Focus in that, briefly, and hated it (the colour).

[Maxus]

That does look tidy.
I'm surprised about the traction control being on every 1.7. Ours spins its front wheels very easily.
Great little cars.

[Michael77]

I think the Puma must be the car that's appeared most as a SOTW? This is at least 3 times I think.

Great handling little go-carts and a lot of fun. Sadly the car rot on the rear arches is setting in on mine and I'm looking at replacements. RenaultSport Megane 225 trophy/cup is current favourite, but will it be as fun?

[Rollcage]

All of the 1.7s certainly didn't come with traction control. I've had two early Pumas, neither of which had it.

[J4CKO]

Block capitals on an ad always makes it seem more like a ransom note.

Car looks good though.

[M@1975]

Tidy little car that, aren't they essentially a rebodied Fiesta though?

[Michael77]

They don't have traction control, they do have some form of torque limiting at lower revs in the first couple of gears.

[Mogsmex]

fantastic cars, think at last count I have owned 9, 4 of which of the racing variety, first one brand new, last one (a Racing) left my garage for pastures new last weekend

that reads spot on for £900 they are great fun to drive, cheap to use, and the styling has'nt dated badly either

if your in the market for a sub grand car leave your prior perceptions at home and try one, you WILL like it

that all said the arch's all fall off, and as per ad you MUST keep an eye on the oil, some like to drink a little

top shed'ing

[mr2j]

http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/product-Ford-Puma-Wide-...

[Steamer]

sounds great - horrible colour though

[fathomfive]

M@1975 said:

Tidy little car that, aren't they essentially a rebodied Fiesta though?

Yes.

Great cars.

[Riggers]

Shaw Tarse said:

I think there are a few Puma fans on PH, me included.

I can think of at least one more *cough* me *cough*

Former SOTW and PH Fleet Puma is still going strong... (although I've replaced the clutch. And the starter motor. And some suspension parts...)

Absolutely love it to bits, though

[Blackpuddin]

Michael77 said:

They don't have traction control, they do have some form of torque limiting at lower revs in the first couple of gears.

Isn't that traction control? As opposed to Traction Control, which means something a bit more sophisticated nowadays.

[Krikkit]

Good to hear Riggers, get out in it much?

[richb77]

I drove one of these when it was a couple of weeks old.

I thought it was a little twitchy, having quite a bit of grunt and such a short wheelbase.

That being said. It was HUGE fun.

Good mileage, a nice colour and under a grand...Whats not to like to be honest?

[Shaw Tarse]

Top Gear also liked it

[Vince70]

The paint maybe tidy, but I bet the arches and sills are looking under the weather,
I like the puma but like a lot of fords of that era they do rust, quality was not a priority.
So it's also a good idea to buy a cheap welder and a gallon of hammerite.

I looked everywhere for a decent one about 5/6 years ago but to no avail, I ended up going for the cougar instead as they don't rot like the puma.

[pSyCoSiS]

Nice little car for the cash.

Always heard good things about them regarding the handling. Never had the chance to drive one, though...