Discussion
So tomorrow I have to make the choice between a Focus and a Puma. I've managed to slightly stretch my budget from my last topic to just about to afford these both.. just! I'm after a reliable car, daily 16 mile commute, and weekely 120 mile round trip. I don't need the space of the focus, but it would be useful from time to time. Reliability is the key as I really can't afford to keep throwing money at my car like I have done on the previous one. So this is the condition of the cars I found...
Focus
1999 1.8 Zetec, £1200
123,000 miles
Comes with a new MOT, service and recent cambelt
Bodywork okay, few scratches, not perfect
Good service history
Puma
1998 1.7i 16v £1350
90,000
New MOT, service, Recent cambelt and clutch
F/S/H
Bodywork is good (very honest dealer says that the arches have has the tin worm which he has fixed, but he pointed out it will more than likely reappear at some point)
A few points to add....
The Puma has had one lady owner who was the cousin of the dealer that I am buying it from. She part exchanged it for a car from his garage and it seems most of the work in the last few years was done with him, all of which has been documented. (I see this as a good thing as the dealer seemed a straight up kind of guy and the car appears well looked after)
The focus is is Surrey (my parents decided to help me look) and I live in Leeds, so that adds the hassle of getting it up here. I alo haven't seen it, but I do trust their judgement.
Insurance on the puma is a little more, but I can deal with that when I get to it.
The focus is probabaly the sensible buy, but I like the idea of the puma quite a lot. Bit different and probably a lot more fun in the twistys.
I'm fairly sure the focus is a safe bet, any hidden costly issues with a puma?
Hopefully I have seemed inpartial as I want honest opinions however I am swinging one way at the moment. I'm hoping thi will help me make a decision. I couldn't do a poll, it won't let me!
Chris
Focus
1999 1.8 Zetec, £1200
123,000 miles
Comes with a new MOT, service and recent cambelt
Bodywork okay, few scratches, not perfect
Good service history
Puma
1998 1.7i 16v £1350
90,000
New MOT, service, Recent cambelt and clutch
F/S/H
Bodywork is good (very honest dealer says that the arches have has the tin worm which he has fixed, but he pointed out it will more than likely reappear at some point)
A few points to add....
The Puma has had one lady owner who was the cousin of the dealer that I am buying it from. She part exchanged it for a car from his garage and it seems most of the work in the last few years was done with him, all of which has been documented. (I see this as a good thing as the dealer seemed a straight up kind of guy and the car appears well looked after)
The focus is is Surrey (my parents decided to help me look) and I live in Leeds, so that adds the hassle of getting it up here. I alo haven't seen it, but I do trust their judgement.
Insurance on the puma is a little more, but I can deal with that when I get to it.
The focus is probabaly the sensible buy, but I like the idea of the puma quite a lot. Bit different and probably a lot more fun in the twistys.
I'm fairly sure the focus is a safe bet, any hidden costly issues with a puma?
Hopefully I have seemed inpartial as I want honest opinions however I am swinging one way at the moment. I'm hoping thi will help me make a decision. I couldn't do a poll, it won't let me!
Chris
Puma is excellent fun, my gfs one has been pretty cheap and reliableto
run, as it's basically a fiesta zetec s with a different body shell and the bigger vct 1.7 engine. Especially with those milage ithink you'll get more use from the Puma, just check how much rust the rear arches have.
run, as it's basically a fiesta zetec s with a different body shell and the bigger vct 1.7 engine. Especially with those milage ithink you'll get more use from the Puma, just check how much rust the rear arches have.
or I've always thought so at least.Puma was in Evo's top ten FWD handling cars, and only just missed the final 5 shootout.
Mind you, the Focus brilliance was that even the bog standard models were good to drive.
I'd say both make good all rounders for that sort of money... But I think the Puma will give you more enjoyment, the Focus the more dependable. The Focus also seems to suffer less rust, especially around the rear arches.
Mind you, the Focus brilliance was that even the bog standard models were good to drive.
I'd say both make good all rounders for that sort of money... But I think the Puma will give you more enjoyment, the Focus the more dependable. The Focus also seems to suffer less rust, especially around the rear arches.
pinchmeimdreamin said:
Puma all day long for me, alot more fun than the Focus nice and comfy and handles the twisties really well.
As has been said The arches will almost certainly need doing again but replacement arches are readily available.
From the advert it sounds like 'bodged with filler and blown over'..... avoid.As has been said The arches will almost certainly need doing again but replacement arches are readily available.
But the Focus doesn't sound great, either - ISTR a Zetec of that age will be fairly sparsely equipped and came without aircon, which is an essential, IMHO.
Defo not the puma. Very honest dealer that says the rust will return? What are you thinking?
Focus is a much better all-round vehicle. Not sure what you get for £1200 though. I traded a 2000 2.0 zetec with 110,000 miles in 2005 for about double that. Loved that car, shouldn't have let it go!
I think I'd be wanting to save a bit more to buy something around 5 years old with 60-80k miles...
Focus is a much better all-round vehicle. Not sure what you get for £1200 though. I traded a 2000 2.0 zetec with 110,000 miles in 2005 for about double that. Loved that car, shouldn't have let it go!
I think I'd be wanting to save a bit more to buy something around 5 years old with 60-80k miles...
Aaah, Sarah said the Stilo died... Focus is a good bet, but as with most (all?!) others, PUUUUUMMMMAAAAA!!!
ETA: Though it costs more it's got a fresh MOT and the cambelt is already done, so there's a fairly expensive cost that you don't have to worry about!
ETA: Though it costs more it's got a fresh MOT and the cambelt is already done, so there's a fairly expensive cost that you don't have to worry about!
Edited by Waugh-terfall on Wednesday 25th August 01:26
checkmate91 said:
Defo not the puma. Very honest dealer that says the rust will return? What are you thinking?
Focus is a much better all-round vehicle. Not sure what you get for £1200 though. I traded a 2000 2.0 zetec with 110,000 miles in 2005 for about double that. Loved that car, shouldn't have let it go!
I think I'd be wanting to save a bit more to buy something around 5 years old with 60-80k miles...
He stated his budget and choices quite clearly. How much extra do you suggest he saves to buy something 7 years younger and with tens of thousands of miles less? He might not have the option, hence the stated budget. Focus is a much better all-round vehicle. Not sure what you get for £1200 though. I traded a 2000 2.0 zetec with 110,000 miles in 2005 for about double that. Loved that car, shouldn't have let it go!
I think I'd be wanting to save a bit more to buy something around 5 years old with 60-80k miles...
The puma is much more fun to drive but you cant go wrong with either.
Check you feel comfortable in the Puma as the early ones the seat is too high up even at its lwoest possition and if you are tall you will have your head in the roof.
Do they both have aircon (working)? I'd probably take the one with aircon if they dont both have it.
As for the rust rear arches - well they all have rust on the rear arches even the late cars are now over 8 yrs old and can be quite rusty, so of course an old R plate Puma will have rust.
At this price range I dont see what's wrong with it having been repaired cheaply. At least he is honest enough to point out itt will come back again. Its just a cheap car and its simply not worth replacing rear arches ie a decent body shop will have done a decent job (at a price) ok it wont last for long, year ot two mabye, but dont expect the car to last that long either.
Have a sense of perspective are not talking about a classic car here its an old £1000 puma - of course its going to have rust issues. Just enjoy driving it!
Check you feel comfortable in the Puma as the early ones the seat is too high up even at its lwoest possition and if you are tall you will have your head in the roof.
Do they both have aircon (working)? I'd probably take the one with aircon if they dont both have it.
As for the rust rear arches - well they all have rust on the rear arches even the late cars are now over 8 yrs old and can be quite rusty, so of course an old R plate Puma will have rust.
At this price range I dont see what's wrong with it having been repaired cheaply. At least he is honest enough to point out itt will come back again. Its just a cheap car and its simply not worth replacing rear arches ie a decent body shop will have done a decent job (at a price) ok it wont last for long, year ot two mabye, but dont expect the car to last that long either.
Have a sense of perspective are not talking about a classic car here its an old £1000 puma - of course its going to have rust issues. Just enjoy driving it!
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