What to look out for on used Ford Puma?

[Mark M]

I have got to go and look for a Ford Puma 1.7 for my Wife's best friend on Saturday.

Problem is, I only really can spot the obvious stuff on this car. I know next to nothing about known faults or inherent problems with the model.

I am in the car trade (BMW Main Dealer Sales), but taking one in PX is a bit different to sourcing one for a friend who is in the house every other day....

Anyone out there able to give me a steer on this one?

All help appreciated.

[fwdracer]

Cambelt change at 50K and make sure the clutch has been done if the car is leggy. The clutch appears to be a bit of a weak spot.

Make sure you drive the car before parting with readies, it should be saloon car smooth and shouldn't have any vibrations. The ride handling set-up is fantastic, it'll grip really well, and still be compliant. Don't muck about with aftermarket wheels and springs. If the car has any front end vibration that isn't through the steering wheel (accelerating up around 60mph in 4th/5th) then the driveshaft could need a look at. The Pumapeople website is top resource.

[Mark M]

FWDRacer,

cheers for the steer.

Cannot agree more about the drive, sold a few over the years and been really impressed. Just very nervous about buying a car from an unknown source for someone who is almost family.

Will give Puma People a go.

[deevlash]

definately use puma people ist ace. The 1.7's can have cylinder lining problems if theyve not been run on proper oil, im not sure how you check for that butpuma people has stuff about it (mines a 1.6 so i didnt look it up). Look out for rust especially around the doors and panel joints as the swoopy shapes have been known to settle and rub, mines got a wee bit on the passengers side but i think i got it early enough

[DennisTheMenace]

Oil consumption on the 1.7 because of the nikseal linings in the bores , clutch , rear wheel arch liners can cause rust due to rubbing the paint off , and just make sure everything works , my old dears got one a melina blue t plate and its a fantastic little tool .

[space_cowboy]

fwdracer is wrong cambelt is 80k miles or 5 years down from 100k and 10 years what ford originally set. look on www.pumapeople.com for more info

[fwdracer]

Guilty as charged! Cambelt - 5 years or 80K it is.

[Pat H]

DennisTheMenace said:

Oil consumption on the 1.7 because of the nikseal linings in the bores

Yep.

Girl at work had one with 90k on the clock.

We kept a gallon of oil in the office because it burned so much of the stuff.

I suspect that lack of sensible servicing caused the problem.

The car was mechanically quiet and didn't smoke, so you need to be pretty careful to spot this problem.

They are a great drive and I expect that they will be a future classic.