Puma Millennium
Discussion
Nearly a year ago I bought a cheap little Puma off Ebay - it's story is told here.
As it's turned out to be a great little car, I thought I'd buy another one - only this time one of the special editions. The main one that offers something different seems to be the Millennium, by virtue of it's unique paint colour and the special leather Recaro seats.
I've been on the lookout for a cheap one for a while, but one that isn't an absolute shed has been difficult to find, but a couple of weeks ago one popped up on Ebay, a mere 140 miles from me. No tax or test, which didn't unduly bother me, and a quick phone conversation with the vendor revealed that there were no significant mechanical woes apart from a blowing exhaust, and that it hadn't been put through an MOT test when the old one had run out. Photos seemed to reveal a bit of rust in the usual Puma place on the rear arches, but not too bad compared to most of the cheaper end of the market Millenniums, and most importantly the Recaros are in good nick with no rips or tears or wear.
A deal was struck, and last week a friend and I nipped up the M5 armed with nothing but hope, optimism and an Ifor Williams!
The journey there and back was uneventful, and once the little Puma was unloaded back at base a good look over revealed a car that I'm more than happy with. The rear arches are starting to rust, and look like they have been painted before and the exhaust needs repairing as the backbox has a big hole in it, but other than that it looks like it starts, stops and steers OK, so the short term plan is to fix the exhaust and chuck it through an MOT to see what else I need to do!
Longer term I'll get the arches done properly with fresh metal and probably get it resprayed at the same time - the sills all look solid, so hopefully it won't need welding for the MOT.
It's done 120k, and has three previous owners, and has a reasonable service history, with a cambelt done at 75k.
I'm sure a suspension refresh will be warranted, so I'll probably replace the shocks, springs, wishbones and rear bushes at some point, providing they don't need doing for the MOT of course!
As it's turned out to be a great little car, I thought I'd buy another one - only this time one of the special editions. The main one that offers something different seems to be the Millennium, by virtue of it's unique paint colour and the special leather Recaro seats.
I've been on the lookout for a cheap one for a while, but one that isn't an absolute shed has been difficult to find, but a couple of weeks ago one popped up on Ebay, a mere 140 miles from me. No tax or test, which didn't unduly bother me, and a quick phone conversation with the vendor revealed that there were no significant mechanical woes apart from a blowing exhaust, and that it hadn't been put through an MOT test when the old one had run out. Photos seemed to reveal a bit of rust in the usual Puma place on the rear arches, but not too bad compared to most of the cheaper end of the market Millenniums, and most importantly the Recaros are in good nick with no rips or tears or wear.
A deal was struck, and last week a friend and I nipped up the M5 armed with nothing but hope, optimism and an Ifor Williams!
The journey there and back was uneventful, and once the little Puma was unloaded back at base a good look over revealed a car that I'm more than happy with. The rear arches are starting to rust, and look like they have been painted before and the exhaust needs repairing as the backbox has a big hole in it, but other than that it looks like it starts, stops and steers OK, so the short term plan is to fix the exhaust and chuck it through an MOT to see what else I need to do!
Longer term I'll get the arches done properly with fresh metal and probably get it resprayed at the same time - the sills all look solid, so hopefully it won't need welding for the MOT.
It's done 120k, and has three previous owners, and has a reasonable service history, with a cambelt done at 75k.
I'm sure a suspension refresh will be warranted, so I'll probably replace the shocks, springs, wishbones and rear bushes at some point, providing they don't need doing for the MOT of course!
Potto said:
99% Sure thats my old car!
Registration end with RJ?
You'll find it has some polybushes under there. And for some reason a lock barrel to lock the gearshift.
I loved that car, spend sooo long trying slapping ACF50 on those wheelarches.
I love PH sometimes! Yes, sound like the same car. Showing 80k now. When did you own it,If you dont mind me asking?Registration end with RJ?
You'll find it has some polybushes under there. And for some reason a lock barrel to lock the gearshift.
I loved that car, spend sooo long trying slapping ACF50 on those wheelarches.
Potto said:
The smoked indicators and yellow brake calipers were a giveaway, however the fact that the yellow was still bright and vivid and also the fact that it had no rust gave it straight away. Pumas with no rust are like rocking-horse poo nowadays.
When it was bought new by the first owner (previous to my brother) it was one of his 4 cars, he was a proper petrolhead as well. It only did about 20k miles in the first five years IIRC and was garaged all that time hence the reason it looks in such good condition.
Car collected and driven back without too many problems, though it does sometimes seem to almost cut out when driving along, so that will need investigating.When it was bought new by the first owner (previous to my brother) it was one of his 4 cars, he was a proper petrolhead as well. It only did about 20k miles in the first five years IIRC and was garaged all that time hence the reason it looks in such good condition.
It now does have some surface rust on the OSR arch, though not much, but it is on it's way, for sure.
Interior is in decent condition, exterior has the usual problem of differing fade rates on the panels - the drivers side is three different shades, though it's not too noticeable. I probably only see it because I'm used to looking at car's paintwork with a critical eye!
Certainly notice the difference polybushing makes - car has little give in the suspension at all, going over cats eyes produces a noticeable "thwack", but it isn't too bad.
Exhaust sounds good, and the interior is OK as well - haven't had chance to see if it's with it's Milly mats still yet! (Found a few of your posts on PP!)
)A big box of bits is on it's way - plugs, coils pack, leads, TPS unit, camshaft sensor and fuel filter, ready for a service over the weekend. TPS being replaced as I think it might be causing some of the poor running problems.
Also ordered some yellow/black gel badges to replace the standard Ford ones.
Also ordered some yellow/black gel badges to replace the standard Ford ones.
Having fitted all my new parts, the car is now running really badly. Pretty much undrivable at the moment! Not really sure what the problem can be right now, it's very strange.
It now is very difficult to get cleanly off the line or drive at all in fact - feels like the fuel is being cut, it just stops firing for a few seconds and then chugs back to life. I'm wondering if the new camshaft sensor is faulty, as I'm getting P1381 fault codes for it - valve cam timing over advance.
The new gel badges have arrived, they look quite good - just hoping they are the right size!
It now is very difficult to get cleanly off the line or drive at all in fact - feels like the fuel is being cut, it just stops firing for a few seconds and then chugs back to life. I'm wondering if the new camshaft sensor is faulty, as I'm getting P1381 fault codes for it - valve cam timing over advance.
The new gel badges have arrived, they look quite good - just hoping they are the right size!
Poor running was traced to a cheap MAF, presumably an Ebay Chinese copy one, as it looks new. Replaced with a Ford one and the car is now running as it should, thankfully.
It has a bit of an oil leak, which is possibly down to a leaking rocker cover gasket, which I will hopefully get round to before the MOT runs out next month.
Also, bought a pair of metal arch repair sections, which are now available on Ebay and are very reasonably priced. These will get used on the first Milly I bought, which is still sat waiting for some attention at my mates workshop. If they are any good, I'll get a couple of sets now for future use, just in case!
It has a bit of an oil leak, which is possibly down to a leaking rocker cover gasket, which I will hopefully get round to before the MOT runs out next month.
Also, bought a pair of metal arch repair sections, which are now available on Ebay and are very reasonably priced. These will get used on the first Milly I bought, which is still sat waiting for some attention at my mates workshop. If they are any good, I'll get a couple of sets now for future use, just in case!
I'm sorry? A Thunder for £200? Top buy!
Arches are on Ebay, on my phone at the moment so difficult to post a link.
ETA link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131214558010?_trksid=p20...
Arches are on Ebay, on my phone at the moment so difficult to post a link.
ETA link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131214558010?_trksid=p20...
Edited by Rollcage on Tuesday 24th June 12:43
Thanks for the links, interesting reading.
Mine was reversed into and pushed a good 4 feet down the road just before it's MOT, but thankfully a quick strip down and re-alignment of the bumper and headlights proved enough to get it a new MOT with a clean bill of health. Went straight through!
Furious about the knock though. can't get it back right at all!
Mine was reversed into and pushed a good 4 feet down the road just before it's MOT, but thankfully a quick strip down and re-alignment of the bumper and headlights proved enough to get it a new MOT with a clean bill of health. Went straight through!
Furious about the knock though. can't get it back right at all!
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