Apparently I now collect girly cars

[Pete C]

So here's my new runaround to *ahem* complement my MR2...

A Ford Puma Thunder in ltd. edition Magnum Grey (one of 1000) with full leather, 6-CD changer, heated front screen (best thing about the car tbh), and cool multi-spoke wheels



Best pic I have at the moment, more maybe if it ever stops raining and I get a chance to clean it...

[Hugh Janus]

awesome cars, my gf had the 1.7 for a few years until the cam belt went.

not the most powerful but the handling more than makes up for it

[Si]

First mod: bucket seat on the floor.

Didn't want to disappoint Mark.

How's the body for tinworm?


Oh, and odd question - do these have ISOfix in the rear? Trying to find a hack that's fun and can occasionally transport mini-me.

[Pete C]

First mod: bucket seat on the floor.

Didn't want to disappoint Mark.

How's the body for tinworm?


Oh, and odd question - do these have ISOfix in the rear? Trying to find a hack that's fun and can occasionally transport mini-me.

Good point on the bucket seat, the driving position feels very high after the Toyota!

The body is pretty rusty TBF but it's mainly cosmetic, it's just passed it's MOT. A mate rebuilt the rear arches with new metal before it went back on the road as they were basically missing

What does ISOfix look like? I can't see anything other than the usual seatbelts.

[Mark]

Wont be isofix, pretty sure Mk3 Mondeo was the first Ford with them.

fun cars but the massive A-Pillars can create a huge blindspot when approaching roundabouts

[Pete C]

Can anyone confirm if I can replace the battery in the key without needing to re-code it? It's a 3-button job (later type I believe).

[Slamz]

Changing the battery should be fine, had to do it a few times in my old Fiesta, never needed re-coding.

[Mark]

Yep no issue with changing the battery.

[Yakko]

Lovely, my favourite FWD car in the best spec and the best colour. Unbelievable that the youngest Pumas are 13 years old now.

They're weirdly tyre sensitive, if it feels funny, play with your pressures. Keep an eye on the oil, the 1.7 likes a drink.

(Total Puma fan-boy).

[Zornyan]

Ive always wanted to try one of these! Just cant see how they handle any better than a fiesta since thats esentially what they are?

[Pete C]

They're weirdly tyre sensitive, if it feels funny, play with your pressures. Keep an eye on the oil, the 1.7 likes a drink.

(Total Puma fan-boy).

It feels lovely actually, I love my MR2, don't get me wrong, but I've never felt like I know what the steering wheels are doing - you definitely do in the Puma! I think the Japs overdo the power assistance in their cars, was the same with all the Nissans I've owned.

And thanks, I've been meaning to check the oil.

[Mark]

Check the rear beam bushes as well, they eat them every 40k or so. I fitted poly ones to ours, its a bit of an arse getting the old ones out though.

[Slamz]

Yea poly bushing the rear beam helps a lot for such a small mod!

[Pete C]

Would I notice rear beam bushes when I'm driving or is it a case of getting under the car and poking around?

[Mark]

If they havent been done they will need doing They can knock over bumps

[Pete C]

One more question, if opening the bonnet is a two man job (as in one needs to pull the release while the other lifts the bonnet), what's the likely fix?

[Mark]

Try lubing the catch

[Pete C]

When I say the release, I mean the lever under the steering wheel, not the one under the bonnet, just so we're clear.

I'll see if it helps, cheers

[Mark]

Yer the catch is probably not releasing when you pull the lever so just try and free it up.

[Pete C]

So I took it to my local Polish - never used one before but I was very impressed with the results...