Ford Puma. Talk to me

[RobDickinson]

Merry said:

If anyone could give me a ball park figure for a timing belt change that would be helpful too.

http://www.pumabuild.co.uk/serv_puma.htm

[1BJ]

Puma build are on the steep side IMHO.

[RobDickinson]

Probably, but he asked for a ballpart and there supposed to be the best (for puma), so dont pay any more I guess.

[tommobot]

RDE said:

tommobot said:

Had a FRP, later followed by a DC2. As the above post said, the FRP is very darty, very light and very good into corners. Monumental grip. But very little feel through the wheel. However, DC2 seems a bit 'saggier' at first, but steering weights up as you apply more lock, and although it wasnt as good into corners the way it charged out of corners was phenominal. Had a Clio Trophy aswell between owning the two, and although I found it boring (too refinded) it probably had the best bits of both of them. But with woeful brakes.

You valuable resource, you! DC2 vs. Trophy will probably be the kind of decision i'll hopefully be making in a years time or so. Do you think the Trophy is the best all-rounder then? Or is the DC2 more special as an ownership prospect?

Tough question really. I guess the best way to answer would be to consider which I would like to go back to. And well, its easy. The Puma. Preferably with a LSD (mine didn't have one) The Clio would probably be the fastest a-b but it has a woeful seating position, naff interior, sloppy gear change, rubbish brakes and the engine hasn't got the same excitement as the Puma nor the DC2.

The DC2, is brilliant but is a bit on off. What I mean is you can't really drive it 60%, its either all or nothing. To have fun, I think, you really need the noise and when you don't get that, which you don't in not VTEC in the DC2 then a lot of the appeal's gone. Saying that, lovely interior, best driving position, sweet gear change, and brilliant engine (when you want it to be)

The Puma though, just - from what I remember - was always game for a laugh. There was just something about it, that you could always hoon about in it, even without having to rev the balls of it. And when you did, the reserves of grip where immense. Don't ever remember getting under steer at all in the dry, regardless of how silly I was being. Also, sweet gear change again, an engine nearly as good as the DC2, and they way the thing looks!

Basically, I'd say the Clio was probably the best, but the Puma is the one that I'd want to own again!

[TomE]

Just thought I'd contribute to this topic as it had a very large sway on persuading my o/h to buy a puma a couple of weeks ago.

After looking at a few tatty examples we found a nice clean v reg one just up the road from us (silver unfortunately - prefer the dark grey or black myself) 76,000, FSH, 2 lady owners, no real rust to speak of.

Ended up paying a bit more than others on here though - £2k, but the dealer carried out the service it was due, changed the belt, put it through its MOT (two new tyres needed) and taxed it for 6 months so I don't think it was a totally bad deal (at least I hope it wasn't!!), plus it gave the o/h some piece of mind.

Anyway, what a fantastic little car it is! Its a bit harsh over the speed bumps round by us, but on country roads its amazing, sharp turn ins and always gets you smiling when you drive it!

Edited by TomE on Monday 23 November 13:51

[RDE]

tommobot said:

RDE said:

tommobot said:

Had a FRP, later followed by a DC2. As the above post said, the FRP is very darty, very light and very good into corners. Monumental grip. But very little feel through the wheel. However, DC2 seems a bit 'saggier' at first, but steering weights up as you apply more lock, and although it wasnt as good into corners the way it charged out of corners was phenominal. Had a Clio Trophy aswell between owning the two, and although I found it boring (too refinded) it probably had the best bits of both of them. But with woeful brakes.

You valuable resource, you! DC2 vs. Trophy will probably be the kind of decision i'll hopefully be making in a years time or so. Do you think the Trophy is the best all-rounder then? Or is the DC2 more special as an ownership prospect?

Tough question really. I guess the best way to answer would be to consider which I would like to go back to. And well, its easy. The Puma. Preferably with a LSD (mine didn't have one) The Clio would probably be the fastest a-b but it has a woeful seating position, naff interior, sloppy gear change, rubbish brakes and the engine hasn't got the same excitement as the Puma nor the DC2.

The DC2, is brilliant but is a bit on off. What I mean is you can't really drive it 60%, its either all or nothing. To have fun, I think, you really need the noise and when you don't get that, which you don't in not VTEC in the DC2 then a lot of the appeal's gone. Saying that, lovely interior, best driving position, sweet gear change, and brilliant engine (when you want it to be)

The Puma though, just - from what I remember - was always game for a laugh. There was just something about it, that you could always hoon about in it, even without having to rev the balls of it. And when you did, the reserves of grip where immense. Don't ever remember getting under steer at all in the dry, regardless of how silly I was being. Also, sweet gear change again, an engine nearly as good as the DC2, and they way the thing looks!

Basically, I'd say the Clio was probably the best, but the Puma is the one that I'd want to own again!

Really useful post, thanks very much.