Excels in all its target areas (Ford Puma in general)

Member Name: Rizlah

Product:	Ford Puma in general
Date:	05/03/03 (818 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Handling, Economy, Power without trade-off for refinement

Disadvantages: Little rear space, Awkward boot

Firstly, just to set the scene a little: I am 18, and this will be my second car; both of which I shared ownership and costs with my mum (more ownership, less cost!). Without going into a review of my first car (the Micra), it was a reliable car, very easy to drive, fun to drive at low speeds due to its low weight, boring at everything else...

For my second car I wanted something special. I don't mean looks-wise. I don't care about looks. I didn't want a prestige-type brand of car. I don't car about reputation. I didn't want anything particularly practical, as for a lowish budget that I had, practicality comes at a price of fun. All I wanted was a car that brought my soul alive when I drove it.

AND IT DOES! From the moment the engine purrs into action (it is too refined to roar!) you just want to floor the gas. It is a car of two halves. One being a good smooth, pacey drive, and one the monster! I have the 1.7; the most powerful in the range and, whilst it may not keep up with many hot-hatches, such as Clio 172, it is far better at handling the corners and twisties. To my mind, the only car that handles corners better is the Mini. To be honest, the mini does it so well that, for me, all driving enjoyment had just gone out the window and it became gutless. The Puma strikes that balance between safety and outright fun. It really is special. The wheel responds instantly and smoothly, and the feel is straight from the fingers to the tyres. The acceleration is keen and punchy, although to get the best out of it in terms of performance, it is best to keep the revs above around 4,000 as an early gear-change can leave the car in that 'sticky' zone, where it needs a second or two to get sufficient momentum.

To summarise the drive, I would say:

It strikes the right balance everywhere. The suspension is not too tight at to be bumpy, but is still VERY responsive. The power is fast, without being
brash and uncontrollable... I could go on.

The thing about Pumas are that there are downsides. I could go into the practicallity, and mention the boot being a little awkwardly high, or the lack of rear space for anything other than short journeys. I'm not going to though. If you are looking at the Puma then you should already have your priority on what is important: the drive. Everything else is just mere detail to me. It is like complaining about a Ferrari not doing 50 miles to the gallon. If economy was the point, it wouldn't be a Ferrari.

Get it?

I would thoroughly recommend a Puma over its competitors, such as MG ZR, or Clio 172, just because it has the whole package in terms of style, performance...

On a sideline, Ford has a bad rep. I have heard of no problems with any of my mates cars, or my own, however at Allen Ford. They are thoroughly co-operative and helpful. That is not a plug, I just really think that they were excellent.

Summary: