2002 Ford Puma from UK and Ireland - Comments

Hi Puma people! I have owned a 1.7 puma four years now. I was upset by the level of under-steer when I went for a high speed night drive. road in question was the snakes pass or to those not in the know the a57 Manchester to Sheffield. The A57 will pull apart any chassis and test grip and compliance. I sold the car not long after this run, but was still fond of the puma. When my wife needed a new car I punted for a 1.4 puma. I recently took said car down the same road and wow what a difference. With less weight in the nose under-steer was non existant. This is one of the best cars I have driven including Clio 182, too Heavy! Peugeot 106gti a little scary in the wet. Anyway what I'm trying too say is less weight more fun. People your thoughts please!

Hi CTR owner back again, just thought I’d check up on proceedings and to my amazement (or amusement!) we’re still debating!

It makes me laugh how the author keeps going on about it not being about “outright speed” or “0-60 times” when lets all remember how this whole thing started. Your claims to slay other cars in the 0-60 and handling department. Now that everyone has had a pop at you (and justified too) you back out and say its “not all about outright speed”. What a load of rubbish!

So if it’s about handling bring you Puma 1.7 to a handling course or even a track day. I would be well up for a little blast (Clio owner also invited, obviously) to see what you’re raving about. From what I can remember the racing puma I previously owned wasn’t that special!

If its then not about speed or handling and we forget about your previous claims (resulting in this little debate) then what is it about? No offence, but I was embarrassed to say I owned a Puma (then have to explain it was “a racing one though”) so what’s your excuse in a standard 1.7 version?

Look, Its almost getting to the point where I feel sorry for. Just give it up and go buy yourself a decent car, I understand from your previous comments you can afford it! Then I’m sure you can start off some other pointless debate!

To Mr CTR Owner.

You do know what a rod you are making for your own back!

Soon you won't even be able to go for a pint of milk without a Puma on your tail.

You have never felt the chill of driving down your favourite road and seeing a pair of lights with a strange blue hue catching you.

So you put your foot down and still the car is gaining!

Now your front tyres are melting as you try to put down all that V-tec power.

Oh no you catch first sight of that unmistakable outline.

Like a Great White stalking a surfer!

Then it starts to sink in - maybe all those people were right.

Before you know it, the little coupe is on your tail. Like a Jack Russel with a stick it can't be shaken off.

You hit the brakes for a corner the Puma doesn't even notice.

Now your worst fears come true as the little coupe howls by.

Now the chase is on, but the bumpy road is throwing the CTR off line. The Puma glides into the distance never to be seen again.

Time to drive home in shame, knowing all the other Pumas know about the CTR and are looking for it.

Look out all GTIs, the Puma is hunting tonight!.

Now I'll respond and tell you what is amusing:

1 - Despite you apparently owning these other super cars, you "just happen" to come to a specific site reading a review for a car you "just happened" to own. Yeah, right.

2 - Despite you accusing me of not responding to your comments, I haven't wasted my time because they are just wrong. You are reading other wrong comments and adding to them. I never said my car was faster in a drag race; I said my car handled very well and was enjoyable; to give an example I talked about the time that I raced a BMW 3 series. SO, I ask again: show me where I said I could win the 0-60 time anywhere? I thought so. Well don't worry there, sasquatch, we'll all pretend part 2 of this comment doesn't exist so you can just go on with your machismo-back slapping.

3 - You have not responded to my comments. The Civic, again and again, is written as lacking steering feedback. The Puma is, more and more, seen as an under-appreciated gem; a classic that deserved far more success than it got, but the "fickleness of the car-buying public always demanding the new lead to its early demise" (Autocar). So it comes from the fiesta body? SO what? A CTR comes from an MPV-like shopping trolley! "Chassis lacks fizz" ("Car" magazine). I have also said that the modern hot-hatchbacks are very good accomplished cars, but at some 6-7 grand more than the Puma was it is not difficult to make a 'better' car, if you define 'better' as faster. I don't. Neither do people who enjoyed their Puma ownership. They define 'better' as more fun.

4 - As you say, I can afford other hot-hatches, but just because I can doesn't mean I want them. They have lost sight of what counts. I would NEVER buy a hot-hatch because they have lost the spirit of the oldies: Peugeot GTI, etc. The only one I would come close to buying is the 182 because it is a small, cheap, fun go-cart. You really cannot say that about either the VXR, the Golf GTI, or any other £20k car you wish to mention.

Anyway, seriously, just do yourself a favour: stop coming back here! Really, why do you? It is funny how none of you owned Pumas until I commented that people that owned Pumas loved them. Then, LO AND BEHOLD, you all now own Pumas. Seriously, none of you can argue credibly.

Hear hear to the original author!

I think the author is having a laugh, this whole thing is a joke!

You own a Puma – get over it! As for the CTR – In your dreams!

Hello ALL!

I have just read most of the comments on this page.

Well I have to say you have had me rolling around my room in fits of laughter.

I especially liked the short story Puma v CTR.

Now I think I may have to buy a Puma and find out what all the fuss is about.

I also think there may be a job in TV or Radio for mr Puma and Mr CTR!

If you ever do meet to settle this I would pay good money to watch as I think the build up and trash talk have been top notch!

Please keep this debate up as I look forward to finding out what miracles the Puma has performed today.

Thanks for cheering me up, read you tomorrow.

To mr amusing.

I love pumas too.

A puma is for life, not just for christmas!

To the original author from Clio 182 owner. I have cut and pasted the following paragraph from your review.

In practical terms; this can beat most average cars off the lights. An MX-5 will be no problem for example. Neither will a Fiesta Zetec S. A BMW 330 is about the most comparable. (That was a very close race!) Performance on this side of things gets a 7.

You clearly state that you raced and kept up with a BMW 330, so stop pretending we are misquoting you and defend your claims or admit you are lying.

Why not meet up with me and the CTR owner, we will compare the cars and have a laugh, if you can outpace or outcorner us then great, we will be amazed. If you don't, then all I ask is that you admit it on here!

I live in the York area, how about you guys???

If you like this review, try the 1988 Vauxhall Carlton 1.8 that's fit for a Saudi King, must be the same author, or maybe his father!

Well I am buying a Puma, so I will race anything on the road. Who has the most bottle wins, end of story.

That's great, why not meet up with the Clio 182 and Civic R owners and show them your bottle on the dragstrip!

Unless it's a bottle of NOS, you will be left behind! Ha Ha Ha.

CTR owner here.

It looks there are quite a few people who find this debate amusing, not just myself! It’s the only reason that I keep replying to author and his amazing Puma. Waiting in anticipation to see what little trick or amazing stunt the Puma can perform (or was that out perform?!) next!

I’m glad the Clio 182 owner has actually quoted the author as that’s exactly what I was referring too. He has clearly made claims about his car and is now failing to back them up. As I’ve said before, this is the exact reason the debate started in the first place.

The only thing that I have claimed is that my CTR will outperform a 1.7l Puma (speed, handling, whatever) and I will be more than happy to prove the point.

I live in the Ipswich area…

I did like the little story by the way, made me smile!

Ford Puma 1996 - 2002 An Obituary.

"Never before has supercar styling, performance and handling been so affordable" Ross Kemp - International Megastar.

"We'll race them on the high streets, the dual carriageways and for car parking spaces" Jean Claude Van-Damme - Puma Owner.

"Sensational, unrivalled for track pace by anything my boys have ever produced" Enzo Ferrari - Factory Owner.

"Abandon the Integra R project, it is futile against such opposition" Toshihiro Honda - Factory Owner.

"Vorsprung Durch Technik ist krappe compared to Das Puma 1.7iVCT wit the big veelarch gaps" Geoff - Pub goer.

Interesting that Enzo Ferrari would comment on a car released 8 years after his death.

I guess the Puma is just that good...