Need to "downgrade": Ford Puma?
Discussion
I've only owned the MR2 Turbo for a couple of months now, but I'm afraid it does seem as if it is going to need a fair bit of TLC, and I just don't have the money to run it. I only use my cars now on a weekend, so the high cost of insurance, as well as the sub 20 MPG thirst (the way I drive it anyway), I can no longer justify. I do love them and may return to one some day when things look up, but for now, I need a car that can be run on a tight budget, but still provide grins.
So, after doing much research, I'm leaning towards a Ford Puma. Being a Ford, parts will never likely be a problem, and will be cheap. It should return much better MPG and not need super unleaded, and it will probably cost a fair bit less to insure I'm guessing. To be honest, I'm not a great lover of its looks, but as someone who is more interested in the driving experience than the looks, its hard to overlook its sweet engine and brilliant handling. I've driven one before, and to be honest, from what I remember of it, I don't think I would feel too hard done to by swapping for one of these.
So, I know about the rust issues these have, but do you think I'll be able to find a decent one for £1k, and what other issues should I look out for?
And, are there any other alternatives that I have not thought of? I did think also about Saxo VTS (too boy racerish), 106 GTI (seemingly very hard to find a good un for £1k or less), Rallye (impossible to find for less than £1k) and Clio 172 (had one before, probably very difficult to find for the price and they dont handle as well as I remember the Puma doing).
My only requirements for the car is that it is reliable, cost effective, small, and grin-inducing.
So, after doing much research, I'm leaning towards a Ford Puma. Being a Ford, parts will never likely be a problem, and will be cheap. It should return much better MPG and not need super unleaded, and it will probably cost a fair bit less to insure I'm guessing. To be honest, I'm not a great lover of its looks, but as someone who is more interested in the driving experience than the looks, its hard to overlook its sweet engine and brilliant handling. I've driven one before, and to be honest, from what I remember of it, I don't think I would feel too hard done to by swapping for one of these.
So, I know about the rust issues these have, but do you think I'll be able to find a decent one for £1k, and what other issues should I look out for?
And, are there any other alternatives that I have not thought of? I did think also about Saxo VTS (too boy racerish), 106 GTI (seemingly very hard to find a good un for £1k or less), Rallye (impossible to find for less than £1k) and Clio 172 (had one before, probably very difficult to find for the price and they dont handle as well as I remember the Puma doing).
My only requirements for the car is that it is reliable, cost effective, small, and grin-inducing.
acf8181 said:
Why not just get a non turbo mr2? In some ways they can be more fun as you can be more cocky through corners...they also are massively more reliable. (I've had both turbo and non by the way)
I know they are just as good on the corners, and I am sure they are more reliable, but I can't help but feeling they would feel like quite the downgrade after a turbo.... but I guess I'd have to drive one to see.RemainAllHoof said:
TameRacingDriver said:
Saxo VTS (too boy racerish)
You say that... I haven't seen a Saxo VTS in ages let alone one that's been chavved up. Have they all been crashed?But yeah, I haven't seen one in months.
Maybe it's ok to get one now. What are they driving these days? Golfs with the "rat look"?I'm mainly involved in historic cars and don't get involved in the 10 year category of cars. I had the fortune to get involved in a problem of water loss from a Puma Zetec..Turned out to be the air con defrosting on the matrix,but i was further asked to service it..Most impressed and it says on the packet it does 135 mph!!
It has 90000+ on the speedo and is sweet as can be.
If i had to sell my 4 year old vehicle i would love to have it as a replacement.The body shape does grow on you and it must be aerodymanic.Classic Frank Costin design looks.
It has 90000+ on the speedo and is sweet as can be.
If i had to sell my 4 year old vehicle i would love to have it as a replacement.The body shape does grow on you and it must be aerodymanic.Classic Frank Costin design looks.
Do it!
But accept the fact that it will have rusty arches.
The only problems I had with mine was a clunk from the rear suspension which I never bothered fixing and it had a slight oil leak from the engine somewhere.
Apart from that it ran faultlessly, would take plenty of abuse and could return 37 MPG on a combined run if driven averagely.
I'd still have it today had I not needed space for little'un.
Also you'll learn to live with its looks!
But accept the fact that it will have rusty arches.
The only problems I had with mine was a clunk from the rear suspension which I never bothered fixing and it had a slight oil leak from the engine somewhere.
Apart from that it ran faultlessly, would take plenty of abuse and could return 37 MPG on a combined run if driven averagely.
I'd still have it today had I not needed space for little'un.
Also you'll learn to live with its looks!
I bought a Puma just over a month ago, though this one has the wrong engine for insurance purposes.
Took it to the Lake District for 7 days last week and averaged 48mpg there and back. Took it on a few mountain passes and had no problems with power, so i'd imagine the 1.7 must be a real hoot. Even on budget tyres i thought the handling was excellent.
Service parts are cheap as you'd expect from a ford. ~But rust on the rear arches is a common occurence.
Took it to the Lake District for 7 days last week and averaged 48mpg there and back. Took it on a few mountain passes and had no problems with power, so i'd imagine the 1.7 must be a real hoot. Even on budget tyres i thought the handling was excellent.
Service parts are cheap as you'd expect from a ford. ~But rust on the rear arches is a common occurence.
Puma good plan for anyone downgrading but still want some fun when driving
£1k = bargain basement will just come down to luck finding a good one
£2k will get you a really nice one now.
40 mpg on a steady run
Look out for
Rear suspension bushes
Cambelt due at 60k not 100k (£250 min)
Rusty rear arches (cosmetic issue - who cares for £1k?)
Millennium edition nice as the recarro seats sort out the high seating position you get in regular pumas
£1k = bargain basement will just come down to luck finding a good one
£2k will get you a really nice one now.
40 mpg on a steady run
Look out for
Rear suspension bushes
Cambelt due at 60k not 100k (£250 min)
Rusty rear arches (cosmetic issue - who cares for £1k?)
Millennium edition nice as the recarro seats sort out the high seating position you get in regular pumas
RemainAllHoof said:
You say that... I haven't seen a Saxo VTS in ages let alone one that's been chavved up. Have they all been crashed?
I saw one the other night, came bombing past me down a dual carriageway on the way home, took a while to accelerate at the 70mph+ speeds but it looked great! Lowered right down on coilovers and it have a massive exhaust, which was among the loudest I've ever heard, but it looked ace. Chav yes and not a performance monster by any stretch of the imagination, but probably a total hoot to drive.That said, I have seen a few crashed, including one which crashed at a traffic light crossroads right outside where I work - 40mph head on with a Punto doing 30mph, the Saxo looked like a bomb had gone off in the bonnet, completely and totally smashed to bits. Not a crash proof car at all!
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