1998 Ford Puma from UK and Ireland - Comments

I bought my 1.7 Puma new in 1999. I have experienced the poor lights and water pouring into the boot (stop the boot opening so quick by holding it and the water drains down the channels), front tyres wear quicker than expected (but my brother's Celica and uncles 3 series and Golf do the same).

It has just failed its first MOT due to corroded break pipes, and a blowing exhaust. But hey, it's 10 years old and to be expected.

I have been looking to replace it for a few years now, but can't find a car I like anywhere near as much. Celicas are to refined, I like the raw go-kartishness of the Ford. RX8 - just the sales person put me off with his "ours is the best coupe ever attitude" and TTs are just too expensive.

I wish Ford would repeat their winning formula with another modern Puma; no bigger, no more refined - just a better lights and boot lid design. Amazing value for money, real "ear-to-ear-grinning-like-a-lunatic" motoring. Fabulous!

Brought my 1.7 Puma today, 120,000 miles '97 plate for £900. Thought it was an absolute bargain. Drove like a dream, was a bit worried about reversing with not very much rear sight, but thought I'd get used to it... this evening the clutch went...

Cushdy reading some of them posts LOL.

Well must say I bought my first Puma in 98, it was one year old and of course a 1.7. I had that baby 9 years, yes 9 years, had lots of other cars at the same time too, but never sold my trusty Puma.

All that moaning from peeps is just so funny. First note if the car ever needed anything, I just did it ASAP. It never broke down, it never asked for a thing. And no I was no driving Miss Daisy :). I hammered the crap out of it for 9 years. In return I put on racing suspension all round, changed all the bushes, 4-2-1 manifold, decat pipe and stainless exhaust, induction kit and a bluefin chip (gives more bhp and raisies limiter), fast road racing clutch, 17" rims, and a stoffler body kit with proper spoiler from puma rally team. Bet you're all smiling LOL.

And you know what, I bloody loved it. It was wicked. The gears - oh my god, gearbox took some stick I tell ya, double clutching and all that.

Eventually I sold it as I had 4 motors and was moving home with not enough parking :(. I had a 330 beemer since kicking the crap out the back tyres is great fun. but you want to know something... 3 weeks ago I bought another Puma because just can't beat the go-kart feel. Still got me beemer thou LOL. Best value for money and smiles in its class.