2001 Ford Puma 1.7 i16v review from UK and Ireland

Touch wood, nothing serious has gone wrong so far. Only slight rust from chipping damage and the volume dial on the CD actually increases the volume as you turn it to turn down the volume! However this only seems to happen at lower volumes and only intermittently.

The Puma is one of those cars you actually look forward to driving day after day. The main reason for this is the handling and the lively engine response.

I recently drove a new mini cooper 1.6 and was expecting great things from it. I was shocked to find that the Puma beat it on all counts.

Acceleration is great for overtaking with ease, as there's plenty of oomph when going up from 50mph to 80mph... and then, once your in 5th gear, the variable valve timing V-Tec engine lets you know that there's more power on tap. Fifth gear is not so much of a cruising gear on the Puma as on other cars and responds more like the average fourth gear. I do feel that a 6th gear for cruising would be welcome.

It just wants to go!Acceleration is more instant in the Puma than the 1.6 Mini cooper (though I fancy the extra power of the Racing Puma now!!) It handles 80mph as if you were going at 50mph.Effortless and smooth.I've driven larger cars that feel as though you're travelling much faster than 70 to 80 mph, but in the Puma, you feel cocooned and safe at 70-120mph. (off the road naturally).

It holds the road brilliantly in the rain as well as in the dry. Though, the car's superb handling can sometimes lull you into a false sense of security. I sometimes get lazy on tight bends and expect the Puma to handle them at daft speeds. Be warned.

The Puma feels more refined and quiet than the mini did. Engine noise in the Puma is not a problem and neither is road noise. Cabin styling is curvey, simple and fun - though not really classy. The 6 disc CD player has great old fashioned dials and nice large switches, though the top end of the sound could be sharper to my ears (but it's loud enough).Though many seem to report rattles and the like in the cabin, I have no problems at all. The whole car body feels solid and tight.

The ride is firm, but not overly hard. A nice mix between an all out sports car and a more comfortable car.

The boot is large enough for a Vox AC30 guitar amp and a guitar. (or two suitcases and four plastic shopping bags to non musicians!) The back seat can carry two adults on shortish trips. The roof is actually higher in the back seat than in the Ford Cougar. Though getting into the car in the morning needs care as not to bang your head on the door frame (I'm 5ft6 and have no problem with the cabin space - once I'm in!)

It looks distinctive, fuel economy is great for the performance, though the smallish petrol tank does tend to give the impression that the Puma is a thirstier beast than it actually is. Once you're aware of this you'll see that it uses no more than your average 1.6 car. Even when thrashed the fuel consumption is still on average the same as with steady driving. Average mpg is around 31 -34.Great!Insurance is very reasonable.

Don't leave anything on the passenger seat as it'll fly off on the first bend! Though you won't feel the pull.

I've had the Puma for a year now and it still has that novelty feel of a new car. Hmmm, I think I'll go for a drive.