Ford Puma

[PastyBoy]

I'm possibly in the market for a second car to use as a communting tool and possil for the odd track day.

Budget of under as far under the grand for something decent as i can go.

Having looked at Saxo VTR's (yes i know...but they ARE cheap!) the insurance seems to be ridiculous (i got quoted more for a standard one than for my modified Fabia!) almost like the yoof of today have given the car a bad rep.

Having looked at other cars nothing took the trackday bait other than high mileage 316 Beemers or anything massive and tatty (Mazda MX6 or Vectra Estates anyone)

However I've heard good things about the Puma and having done a bit of research they seem to be around my budget if you go with a slightly leggy one or one that needs a bit of rust remedy.

I hear the chassis is great and would be a hoot on track days but am more concerned that it'd fall apart

My other experience with the "blue oval" was a 1995 Escort TDI which broke down.....lots.....then a bit more.....then once more for luck!

Anybody know anything about Puma's; or turn of the Millenium Fords for that matter?

[sausage roll]

I had a puma for about a year. It was the best handling car as standard that I have ever owned (by a country mile)!!!

1.7 zetec 16v engine loved to be revved all day long. I never sounded like it was struggling even at the red line.

Leave the 1400cc engine alone if you can, just doesn't have the same kick. :S

Never gave me moments trouble. I have had quite a few fords and they have all been reliable for me.

If it had not been for space issues as is quite a small cabin inside and wanting even more power then I would not have got rid of it.

If you are going to look at one here is a list of things to look out for:

* Cambelt Change. The cambelt is due for removal every 5 years or every 80,000 miles, whatever comes first. The cost of a cambelt change is around £250 and often the Water Pump also requires changing at the same time, which would add just over £60 to the cost.

* The front suspension bushes will perish after a while and will need replacing, this is a potential MOT failure. Powerflex upgraded bushes are recommended replacements.

* Rust. The main area suseptible to rust is around the rear arches, even a well cared for car can be affected. In most cases the corroded area will need to be cut out and new metal welded on.

* Check for spare tyre under the boot, will be a steel rim and not alloy as standard.

* Check for jack and towing eye. This is located inside a pocket on the left handside of the boot.

* Check that you get at least two keys, full remote and manual key, third would be a 'T' bar key.

* Set of Ford manuals including audio key code, any missing manuals can be purchased from Ford.

Engine:

Type Zetec-SE

Capacity 1679cc

Bore/Stroke 80mm x 83.5mm

Compression Ratio 10.3:1

Max Power 123bhp at 6300rpm

Max Torque 115lbf.ft at 4500rpm

Cylinders Four, in line

Cylinder Head Alloy

Block Alloy

Installation Front-mounted, transverse

Valve Gear Four valves per cylinder, operated by belt driven overhead camshafts with variable inlet camshaft timing controlled by solenoid-controlled, hydraulically-actuated spur gear system

Induction Ford EEC-V engine management, sequential electronic fuel injection

Transmission:

Type Front wheel drive

Gearbox Five-speed Ford Manual, type IB5

Internal Ratios 1st, 3.15:1; 2nd, 1.93:1; 3rd, 1.41;1 4th, 1.11:1; 5th, 0.88:1

Final Drive 3.82:1

Suspension:

Front MacPherson struts, lower L-arms mounted on seperate subframe, anti-roll bar

Rear Semi-independent twist beam with strut-type coil/damper units

Steering:

Type Variable-rate rack-and-pinion. 2.9 turns lock-to-lock

Brakes:

System -Vacuum servo-assisted dual-circuit hydraulic

Front -240mm ventilated discs

Rear -180mm drums

Wheels & Tyres:

Wheels - 6 x 15 alloy wheels

Tyres - 195/50 VR 15

Body:

Pressed steel three door coupe body based on Fiesta floorpan

Performance:

Max Speed - 126mph

0-60mph - 8.8secs

HTH

[curleybar]

Pretty much agree with all the useful info above from Sausage.

As said, cam belt change is vital.

SWMBO has owned her 1.7 for the last 7 years (looking at it now as I type this !!) and she still loves it. No real issues in all that time , but it is looked after like one of the family !!

Worth bearing in mind though if you are after a cheapie that both insurance and road tax are fairly high (tax is £200 this year !)

[Jon.etheridge]

Awesome cars, i'm a massive fan. I've been an active user on www.pumapeople.com for the last 2 years from when i bought my Ford Racing Puma - basically a wide arched track ready edition of the Puma.

There is a recent project post i've been following on Pumapeople where someone has recently bought a second Puma for a track car on 100k and still going strong, saw it going round the track at Ford Fair at Silverstone a couple of weeks ago and it did very well.

I'm not sure how far you'd get with 1k budget, as said careful with rust on the rear arches, and bottom of doors. Budget for coilovers (AP's and Weitec are a popular choice) + a proper set up and corner weighting, polybushes all round will cost £200 ish and probs worth grabbing an exhaust system, manifold + de-cat/sports cat and cat back - miltek and Piper are popular, for brakes you can get a 300mm disc and pad set up cheaply enough from a mk3 Mondeo - again a common upgrade. All depends how far you want to go.

You may also consider a Mk5 Fiesta Zetec S for a similar experience, i was impressed with the 2 i owned but the 1.7 in the Puma and VCT really do make a huge difference to the 1.6 in the Fiesta.

If you consider the Fiesta Zetec S a popular engine conversion is infact the 1.7 from the Puma - keep an eye on eBay they can be bought cheap.

I've also been an active member on www.zsoc.com for the past 6-7 years and both the mentioned sites are full of useful info and as the cars have become cheaper the last few years more and more project threads are popping up about "conversions" to track cars.

Edited 24 August, 2010 by Jon.etheridge

[mrbushrat]

Awesome cars, i'm a massive fan. I've been an active user on www.pumapeople.com for the last 2 years from when i bought my Ford Racing Puma - basically a wide arched track ready edition of the Puma.

There is a recent project post i've been following on Pumapeople where someone has recently bought a second Puma for a track car on 100k and still going strong, saw it going round the track at Ford Fair at Silverstone a couple of weeks ago and it did very well.

I'm not sure how far you'd get with 1k budget, as said careful with rust on the rear arches, and bottom of doors. Budget for coilovers (AP's and Weitec are a popular choice) + a proper set up and corner weighting, polybushes all round will cost £200 ish and probs worth grabbing an exhaust system, manifold + de-cat/sports cat and cat back - miltek and Piper are popular, for brakes you can get a 300mm disc and pad set up cheaply enough from a mk3 Mondeo - again a common upgrade. All depends how far you want to go.

You may also consider a Mk5 Fiesta Zetec S for a similar experience, i was impressed with the 2 i owned but the 1.7 in the Puma and VCT really do make a huge difference to the 1.6 in the Fiesta.

If you consider the Fiesta Zetec S a popular engine conversion is infact the 1.7 from the Puma - keep an eye on eBay they can be bought cheap.

I've also been an active member on www.zsoc.com for the past 6-7 years and both the mentioned sites are full of useful info and as the cars have become cheaper the last few years more and more project threads are popping up about "conversions" to track cars.

All the right info been a member of puma people for a few years too. Road rallyed my puma for 2 years with no probs. Still got a mondeo brake setup in my garage that i never got round to doing. My dad now has her with 129k on the clock and runs sweet as!

I would love a FRP would get rid of the octy no problem for one!!

Graeme

Edited 25 August, 2010 by mrbushrat

[vRSy]

never owned one but i have driven both the std puma and the racing puma. the standard one is excellent fun if a little gutless. The racing puma though is absolutely phenominal to drive. and it looks absolutely awesome, nd could easily handle another 100Hp of power with ease, the chassis is litterally that good

awesome residuals as well.

Edited 25 August, 2010 by janner_Sy

[PastyBoy]

Thanks to all

Some really useful info there and reports saying stuff doesn't break is exactly what i was after!

While the second car is intended to be a communting tool rather than a track weapon i want something that would satisfy is the track day bug bit; and the Puma seems idea.

Not sure if my budget is realistic or not but there do seem to be some quite leggy, visually slightly rough 1.7 examples for around £800!

Didn't realise tax would be quite so much but would hope to get the seller to throw that in!

FRP would be awesome - actually saw one complete with bright blue mud flaps and B19 FRP number plate in town yesterday but simply don't have the readies.

Time to track down a local example and see if a test drive is on the cards