Dunc Maclean

Looking at buying my girlfriend one, but just wanted your opinions on them. I already know to watch for the rusty rear arches, as this seems common on them. Any other major things?

I'm looking for a 2000 onwards one (with the newer wheels etc), preferbly black, and without moon milage on, 70kish.

I've seen some go for what seems a bargain (like £2000 for a lowish mileage one in good nick) and then on the other end of the scale ive seen some people selling them for nearer £3500 for a simlar mileage/condition one!

whats the average price?

Dunc

MarkyMark

the early pumas come with either 1.4 or 1.7 engines, the 1.4 is the same as the fiestas of that year but the 1.7 is the better engine, devopled by yamaha. the later pumas 2001 onwards had just the 1.6 black top engine, same as the one found in the focus and fiesta mk5 zetec s

They arent a bad little car, def a birds car (not really made for tall blokes), they are worth a little more then a fiesta of the same year, so 2.5k should get you a nice example

Paulo P

I had one as a 1.7 as a company car and I loved it, it handled great & fuel economy was good Only thing I didn't like was the pisstake because of the image

As you say the rear arches can rust. I broke 2 gearboxes and 2 clutches but I think that was just due to how I drove it If it was mine I would have looked after it a bit better I would definitely have another one as a cheap runabout.

Psycho Warren

iTrader: (5)

1.7s were available throughout the production run.

the 1.4 was replaced with the 1.6 on later cars.

Has a birds car impression yet more blokes drive them. strange that.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

they are a cracking little car the gear boxes are mint. They are like short shifts. My friend has just bought 1 and he said its mint on fuel. His is a 1.6 16v.

It's Czech Mate

1.25/1.4/1.6 & 1.7 were ALL Yamaha/Ford Sigma engines

They are all extremely good. I dont know of a nother engine like the 1.6 which is 102bhp that you can cam and remap and get 150bhp from with no other mods, not even to the inlet!

1.6 was the runout model

All are ace on fuel and ace handling

It's Czech Mate

Both the Puma and Zetec-s fiesta mk 5 have a shorter throw linkage in the standard ib5 gearbox

Nicest gearbox i've ever used to be honest.

Psycho Warren

iTrader: (5)

agreed about gearbox! great change and good mix of ratios.

makes my mt75 feel like changing gear of a tank

only thing they lack is a decent diff.

matts1

have known a good few 1.4 lumps go at around 50k, was admittedly on fiesta's not puma's but when trying to get a 1.4 lump it was a nightmare and ended up letting the car go clanking rather than getting another lump.

Best bit was my mates misses saying should it sound like this, then reving it to red line from stone cold with it sounding like a bucket of bolts!!

Dunc Maclean

thanks for the replys people!

very helpful!

so all in all, good reports all round? just mainly the rear arches!

now, finding one!

Dunc