Faults:

Nothing wrong, been very reliable.

General Comments:

Great performance and handling, feels like a go-kart to drive, great fun. However, visibility is not great out of the back window and also the drivers front windscreen bar can block your vision when approaching roundabouts.

Running costs are good on this car, but the insurance can be a bit expensive.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong so far, as I have only had it 6 weeks this is hardly surprising!

I bought with confidence from a Ford main dealer, still under original 3yr warranty, and with an extra 2yrs purchased to run from when that expires.

General Comments:

Handling and performance has to be experienced to be believed. The speed it can carry through corners is awesome. I'm having to learn how to drive all over again! i.e. No need to brake, just turn the wheel and take the bend at (almost) whatever speed you like!

It just makes driving fun again, especially after 3yrs in an underpowered heavy estate car. Even compared to other modern cars I have driven (e.g. Golf TDI) the handling is streets ahead. So nimble, agile, confidence inspiring grip, SUPERB!

The only things I can find fault with is the drivers seat is too high for me (6' tall). Headroom isn't really a problem, but you just feel like you're sitting too high in the car. Rear visibility is poor, but I am getting used to using the wing mirrors more to park.

The rear seats are, of course, only suitable for children, but the boot is surprisingly spacious.

It is well equipped with air-con, CD player, electric mirrors and heated front screen (which is so much better at clearing the condensation than the blowers).

It looks fantastic in almost any colour, although silver ones are rather common. I was a little concerned about the "hairdresser" image, but now am content in knowing I have a superior car and anyone who mocks it is simply ignorant of its virtues.

Faults:

Rear quarter panel repainted under warranty as had been sprayed before I bought it and the laquer had started to chip. Ford or the supplying dealer would not admit spraying, but the dealer rectified the problem out of good faith.

Steering wheel is peeling.

General Comments:

I have found the car to be 100% reliable.

It handles & steers brilliantly.

Running & servicing costs have been low.

Cabin is only suitable for 2.

Water pours into boot if tailgate is not opened with caution.

Faults:

On first service front tires needed replacing as the tracking was out. Dealer contacted Ford and they replaced the tyres and adjusted the tracking free of charge.

My first Puma bought in August 1997, was virtually trouble free.

General Comments:

Excellent all round performance, a real drivers car, a pleasure to drive.

Braking is excellent, my first Puma had the front disc's replaced 4 times under the warranty. No trouble with this one so far.

Faults:

Severe stone chipping on bonnet.

Rattles in both doors. Drivers side window does not shut properly and unaligns itself.

Rear parcel shelf keeps coming loose, water enters boot when opened after a bout of rain.

Passenger seat rattles if there is no passenger sat in it.

General Comments:

This car is near perfect, but flawed. The paint finish is to be scorned, stone chips appear so easily I dare not drive on an unfinished road surface.

Inside space is quite tight, I'm 6' 2" and can barely squeeze into the seats, but once I'm in the legroom is OK. I just wish the back of my head would reach the headrest and that the steering wheel was adjustable for height. But the funny thing is you can ignore this because the handling is superb. Long journeys are OK, but not recommended. Forget the back seats, this is a coupe. The boot is useful, but useless in the wet, all your shopping gets sodden.

The interior has some nice touches, but interior quality is substandard. The materials are very cheap and phantom rattles can be heard all over the car.

The Puma has sold on it's reputation of great handling, superb engine response, and lighting reactions to driver input. On all these points I agree wholeheartedly. The gearshift is brilliant and the way you can chuck it through bends is awe inspiring. But I get the feeling I should have bought a VW Golf which though is inferior in the handling stakes and ultimate driver fulfillment, it has a more powerful engine and is better screwed together. And one more thing the dealerships should concentrate on helping their customers, not just try to palm them off.