Driving on the edge of oblivion? (Ford Puma 1.7i 3dr)

Member Name: Jimster14

Product:	Ford Puma 1.7i 3dr
Date:	29/08/01 (913 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb Handling, Safety, High Specification

Disadvantages: Poor Vision, Lack of boot space, Small Rust Patches

The look is unmistakable. The driving experience truly unforgettable.

I have owned a Ford Puma 1.7 for nearly a year now and am not disappointed. The Puma is a car set-up for those of us who just like to drive fast. Nothing does the Puma like more than to be driven quickly around old country roads with those dangerous tight bends on a nice Summer's day.

Sit in the cockpit, start the ignition and just drive and your everyday worries seem to diapppear as you become absorbed with the whole driving experience. Accelerate hard through the gears on the straight and as you approach a tight bend simply go down the gears, turn hard into the bend and slam your foot on the accelerator and be amazed at how well the car grips. The grip on a Puma around bends is simply amazing when you consider that it is a front wheel drive car and I consider that everyone should experience the Puma effect.

But be warned, don't be overconfident and respect the car particularly in the wet. I drove the car quickly around a bend in the wet, lost control and spun into stationary cars parked at the side of a road. The car seems to grip so well and all of a sudden you are on the limit and driving on the edge of oblivion. Fortunately, I was unharmed and escaped from the crash with no injuries which is largely due to how well the car absorbed the impact.

Other good features about the car are its reliability and its CD Stereo which is excellent. I like the comfy driving position, the colour of the dials and the handy position of the controls. The heated front window and heated mirrors are excellent and the air conditioning is a must on a hot day.

On the down side, the interior of the car is a bit plasticy and tacky. The chrome gear knob does look good but unfortunately is too hot to touch in Summer and freezing cold in Winter! My only real disappointment with the car is that I have noticed a small amount of just on the drivers door w
hich is unacceptable on a car less than a year old.

Can I recommend a Puma to a friend? Definitely - for driving experience, price and value the car cannot be bettered.

Summary: