Thoughts on a Puma ST Line automatic

Thoughts on a Puma ST Line automatic

Author
Discussion

Nyloc20

Original Poster:

735 posts

78 months

Yesterday (15:41)
quotequote all
We’re getting ready to change our manual Fiesta ST Line X after 4 trouble free years and 40k miles. After running a couple of auto Mercs and an auto Boxster a few years ago (obviously big engines) I’m tempted to try an auto Puma but I’m a bit concerned how the gearbox copes with the 1.0 engine (presumably ok or they wouldn’t sell them) Any comments appreciated.

wyson

3,475 posts

119 months

Yesterday (15:57)
quotequote all
New or 2nd hand? Heard terrible stuff about older Powershift transmissions with the 1.0 . Was the worst combination. Wet belt engine as well.

Not sure if these issues have been fixed now.

wyson

3,475 posts

119 months

Yesterday (16:02)
quotequote all
https://lemonlawexperts.com/ford-transmission-sett...

Some info about the class action law suit above against the powershift transmission. I think Ford were sued in the US and Australia.

Try googling Ford 1.0 wet belt issues. There was even a BBC Watchdog program about it.

Edited by wyson on Friday 4th July 16:08

paul_c123

788 posts

8 months

Yesterday (16:38)
quotequote all
This car almost completes a line of bingo, for bad things:

1. Ford Powershift - see above, has design flaws and virtually all are faulty and unfixable
2. Ecoboost wetbelt
3. "Puma" nameplate used to be on a sporty little coupe, but was recycled and now on a boring small SUV
4. "ST Line" trim level trades on the ST trim level, but obviously isn't an ST. But it creates an amount of confusion, eg on searches


TheDrownedApe

1,394 posts

71 months

Yesterday (17:18)
quotequote all
The MHEV version? Had one of these as a hire car and the "braking" when I wanted to coast was particularly annoying.

Perhaps you can turn it off but.....

loskie

6,250 posts

135 months

Yesterday (18:11)
quotequote all
I had a rental one 2 months back. Took me from Scotland to Stafford and back. I quite liked it.


paul_c123

788 posts

8 months

Yesterday (18:31)
quotequote all
Nyloc20 said:
It ll be almost new, whether we go for Manual or auto. The Fiesta was almost new, 70 plate, and has been absolutely faultless. Weren t the wet belt issues with earlier cars? ( not wanting to start yet another wet belt discussion btw)
Yes but only because the earlier cars are older, so further into their lifespan. A newer car - and to be fair ANY newer car - still needs the cam belt or cam chain (because the tensioners go brittle and fail, some more likely than others of course) changed at regular intervals, its just further away. AIUI it wasn't just the wet belt which caused issues in the Ecoboost, and it wasn't just downstream issues from the belt gradually breaking up. But since its on my "do not buy" list, I don't concern myself with further details.

Nyloc20

Original Poster:

735 posts

78 months

Yesterday (19:53)
quotequote all
wyson said:
New or 2nd hand? Heard terrible stuff about older Powershift transmissions with the 1.0 . Was the worst combination. Wet belt engine as well.

Not sure if these issues have been fixed now.
It’ll be almost new, whether we go for Manual or auto. The Fiesta was almost new, 70 plate, and has been absolutely faultless. Weren’t the wet belt issues with earlier cars? ( not wanting to start yet another wet belt discussion btw)

trevt

127 posts

161 months

Yesterday (20:06)
quotequote all
Drove one to Sheffield, via motorway & snake pass Weds/Thurs, 25 plate on hire for work trip. Really didn't enjoy it mostly because you can't switch off "driver assistance" - lane control in particular.

Really lost confidence in handling as it was quite aggressive "correcting" steering as soon as i got anywhere close to the white line, to some extent it felt dangerous on a bend at 50 with the car feeling like it was swerving left midway round. As such it just became a tool with no driving enjoyment. In town traffic i found the auto stop/start slow reacting and clunky moving off as a result. Again you can't switch it off. That said, on a couple of occasions, it did accelerate quick enough trying to pass drivers who like to do 30 in a 50.
On the motorway, it felt ok at 70 - 80 but didn't feel like it had an awful lot more to give.

Interior wise it felt just like a bottom of basket cheap ford. Wife's 18 yr old Mini Cooper fells much better and comfortable to sit in.

Personally i wouldn't even look at one.


loskie

6,250 posts

135 months

Yesterday (21:05)
quotequote all
I don't recall not being able to turn it off BUT I do remember it going back on as default any time the car was restarted.


Sadly these driver "aids" are here to stay.