2002 Ford Puma from UK and Ireland - Comments

If we are after the ultimate hot hatch, then you have to include the modern turbo cars like the Leon 225BHP Cupra, Focus ST 225 and RS, Astra VXR et al. The Integra is a mighty fine car, but I'm not sure it can whip them all!

However back in 1997 the Integra was an outstanding acheivement, shadowed only by the 1.7i Puma!

I have downloaded video clips of the integra vs leon cupra R and the teg pulled away comfortably, the figures for the new ST focus are close, but not quite to the teg... its the type R's very low weight that helps not the power. and on fifth gear or top gear can't remember which they took focus RS and civic type R round a track and the civic won...just, and the integra type R is faster than the civic around a track, again being lighter with an LSD. standard integra type R has 0-60 of 6.2..the focus RS is about the same with equal top speed of around 147/148 the new ST has 0-60 of 6.5 again top speed about the same I think and the leon cupra R 0-60 about 6.9 and tops out about 143.

I know all the figures for these cars are very similar and its all about personal choice which 1 you go for and depends what you want from the car. If you just want to thrash it every day and throw it into corners at silly speeds get the type R or the focus RS, if you want to cruise in something a bit softer get the new ST or the leon R.

I nearly bought an Integra R instead of the Clio 182, but the Clio is just as fast, has many more goodies and 2 and a half years warranty for a similar price.

Integra is a future classic and will hold its price better, but didn't fancy a 5 year old car with the mileage I do.

I am now waiting for a Puma owner to claim that he can keep up with an M3.

There is no way a Standard Puma could even Beat a 182 or CTR in the real world unless you are on Gran Turismo 4 lol.

So why bother comparing A Puma to a 182 or CTR. The Puma's League is C2 VTS and 106 GTI and 206 GTI 138. 2.2i SRi Astra MK 4.

My Puma has beaten an M3!

An E36 EVO M3 tried to keep up with me and my Cousin Kaleb on a track day at Knockhill. Cousin Kaleb was taunting him out the back window every time he closed up on the straights, but as soon as we came to a corner we were back away again.

Mind you, my Puma has been superchipped to over 300 BHP, and has 16 inch Fox Racing alloys and 225/50/16 Firestone Firehawk tyres on. These rims really fill the arches, but I fitted a set of spring clamps too for that low rider look. Cousin Kaleb painted the writing on the wheels General Lee style and the car really looks the business and goes it too, just ask that M3 driver!

I have kept up with an M3. There you go I said it. Its not true, but I said it.

I just get a buzz out of coming back and seeing 80+ comments on a review I wrote about 3 years ago! Seriously, of course my car review 3 years ago is out of date and thus new cars are going to, on average, be more "competent". I was just making the same argument that I made back then: in theory, if you are after enjoyment then it is up there with the best of them.

I think your comments are mostly hit-and-miss. They hit in the fact that the Puma is out-performed in many leagues, but they miss in that the fact still remains that FOR ME it is more fun that SOME of the cars you have mentioned in these comments (namely the CTR). For the same reason that people still mentioned old GTIs etc, even though some of those cannot keep up in pace and some cannot keep up in handling; they have a certain laid-back and easy and fun spirit to them. That is all I was trying to get through in the original review and subsequent comments.

Now, I will try to keep away because the last 15 comments have been comparing cars I couldn't car less about. I am sure, however, that I will get that niggling little urge to see the comments jump to over 100 so I will check back in another few years! A suggestion though: if you want to talk about hot hatches in general just get a forum somewhere. Its easy enough to do.

I have a racing puma with an lsd 162bhp 1.7 zetec and it is just awesome fun. just posting my opinion not comparing it to anything else, it's just so much fun. but as for speed it wasn't the issue on this on going debate can we just accept that or we will have to get me dads noble 3ltr twin turbo out to give your m3 a good licking.

As this seems to have turned into a 'my car's faster than yours' debate, I just thought I'd comment on my experience of a Puma 1.7. I've owned one for almost 2 years now and no, its not hugely quick, but it is a good laugh, and the handling is fantastic. Save the racing for the track though guys.

Has the original author started his own pay-per-comment Web-site?? Or even a pay-per-race track?? Having read through the comments made I can only comment from my own experience! The Puma has its faults ie. limited rear-view and crammed interior. But I disagree that it is a hair-dressers car, if that was the case why not have Vidal Sasoon in the advert instead of Steve Mcqueen? I also don't have technical/stats, but can't see an untinkered with Puma keeping up with the like's off BMW'S and EVO's etc, but you get what you pay for. What Ford did was make a car that has fun performance, reliability, looks (to many!) and even now commands a reasonable second hand re-sale price.

Superchipped to 300bhp LOL, what planet are you on? You would need a turbo'd cossie lump to get that power.

I have a chipped puma that was reliably dynoed and gave a figure of 256 hp at the wheels, this car regularly trounces evos, ctr's and scoobys on the road and on tracks.

Ford kept quiet about the massive tuning potential of these engines for reasons I do not know, i live in the Sheffield area if anyone wants to come and sample its delights, but be prepared to be astounded.

Hi guys... just want to add my views...

I'm 36 years old and have owned and driven a few cars.

First hot hatch was a Metro Gti 16v group 13 insurance when I was 23 aghhhhhh. 1992-1993.

Then went on to Golf Gti 16v 1994.

Then went onto more sensible cars Rover 827sli 24v quad cam 1996.

Then onto Ford Escort Rs Coworth 1997.

Then Onto Subaru Impreza Wrx 2000.

Then last year Subaru Imprenza Wrx Sti 2004.

The fondest memories I had of the Puma was when I was entering the m5 moto way in Belfast in my Rover and the Puma was right up my ass... stayed that way...

Just bought my wife a 2002 Puma silver 1.7 something can't remember the name and only 32000 miles... turns more heads than any car I have ever driven... also in honesty the most exciting and fun car I have ever driven (all be it a bit of a hairdressers car)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7fmK5U56DQ

try this link.

Seems as though the Puma might some day be as iconic as the Capri or the Delorean... maybe some day with the right flux capacitor time travel will be possible.

This is so funny. All these reviews. Well might as well put my foot in!!

I was once like most of you in my cheap hot hatches - gti, cupra r leon, st170, type r - not mine, but I had it for a week.

All I can say is my dad has an M3 and during our decision to buy that, we test drove loads of performance cars. Only then do you realise just how crap and slow eveything else is, and how wrong you once were. Granted some of these cars are almost as fast, but there is no luxury. E.g stop driving a impeza fast and it's a noisy crap ride with bad fuel consumption. That said I love em!!

I now own a 330ci sport because of all round performance and the fact that its not a boy racer car. And I think I can say without ever even racing a Puma that my BMW would probably be OK.

The M3 costs more than twice as much as most hot hatches, so it does not suprise me that it is substantially faster and more luxurious.

330Ci is a good choice, sweet motor, decent build and handle alright too. No faster than most good hot hatches, but a good choice of motor all the same!

Watch out for those superchipped Pumas though!

My wife wanted a 1.7 Puma back in 2000 so I imported one from Spain as it was far cheaper then new than UK prices. We both loved the car for different reasons. She liked the looks and style.I loved the handling I was constantly sneaking off with it. The Pumas handling breeds confidence and allows you to get away with things that most drivers shouldn't be able too. Not the fastest car in a straight line, lacking a bit in low down torque, but nothing reasonably priced will touch it in corners. I like the way it lifts a rear wheel at the limit just like the original Golf gti. Only trouble with the car for blokes is that it looks too pretty. Anyway, as soon as we had kids the Puma had to go for something more practical. Fast forward four years and due to pressure from my wife I have just bought another Puma. And I tell you no lie, but the first time that I have felt a smile spreading across my face from driving since we part exed the last Puma was 5 minutes after I picked up the new one. It is going to be a modern

classic.