Embarrassed to even ask, but....

[Zangie]

I have just joined the forum and I do not yet own a Puma.

I would like to ask a question which I know will result in a lot of eye rolling and folk tutting with a "dear oh dear", and undoubtly some hopefully, friendly abuse coupled with " if you have to ask then you don't deserve an answer".
So here goes: Why should I buy a Puma instead of a Puma engined Fiesta.....Or more specifically why shouldn't I buy a really cheap rusty old MOT failure Puma and pop the engine into the rust free, Mk 5 Fiesta that I already own along with a few quids worth of suspension bits?

Is the handling of the Puma so much better than a Fiesta that it's worth the welding each year for the MOT?

Advice and Abuse both equally welcome but please don't give me the silent treatment!

Thanks.

 

[John Woodward]

I have just joined the forum and I do not yet own a Puma.

I would like to ask a question which I know will result in a lot of eye rolling and folk tutting with a "dear oh dear", and undoubtly some hopefully, friendly abuse coupled with " if you have to ask then you don't deserve an answer".
So here goes: Why should I buy a Puma instead of a Puma engined Fiesta.....Or more specifically why shouldn't I buy a really cheap rusty old MOT failure Puma and pop the engine into the rust free, Mk 5 Fiesta that I already own along with a few quids worth of suspension bits?

Is the handling of the Puma so much better than a Fiesta that it's worth the welding each year for the MOT?

Advice and Abuse both equally welcome but please don't give me the silent treatment!

Thanks.

As far as I'm aware, there a quite a few differences in the way the Puma was set up by FORD, who put a lot of effort into the way the Puma handles, for example the rear ride height was set higher to improve the drag coefficient and lowering the rear, makes the stance look better, but apparently to the detriment of the handling.
FORD developed the Puma as a sports coupe, and the Fiesta as an everyday car for the masses.
I'm sure others will comment, with far more knowledge than me.

 

[RICHARD MANSFIELD2]

What about the aesthetics of the shape?

 

[st220kyle]

I have a fiesta mk5 with a 1.7 puma engine which I fitted myself.
I bought a complete 1.7 puma as a donor car.
I wouldn't have it any other way,

Just saying......

 

[Cubatoo]

It's up to you but Pumas are prettier and more unusual these days

 

[Zangie]

Looks aren't that important to me (you should see the wife!) I really enjoy tearing around in the Fiesta but it's just a 1.4 so not exactly sparkling on the performance front. 120 odd horsepower in the Puma is ideal. Enough to make it interesting but not so much to spoil the fun.
Yes it's prettier than a Fiesta but still no oil painting. What I do like is that they are getting rarer, and that there is a Puma community out there and they are becoming, if not already, modern classics. But I'm weighing that up against the inevitable rust problems that will come sooner or later as we all know the design is flawed and the older they get the more that will play a part.

How much do I want a classic, well sorted driver's car against, well, just a boring, well sorted driver's car.
I need convincing.....

 

[Cubatoo]

The marque is over 25 years old, in my book that makes it a classic now!
Personally, I'd hate to see another proper Puma die but unfortunately, I don’t have room or the money to buy them all.
Rustproofing is available but of course it takes time.
However, your choice!

 

[Zangie]

The jury is still out for me at the moment. Thanks for all your comments.

 

[Simonavis]

Rather than commit another puma to the graveyard in the sky, why don’t you just by yourself a Fiesta ST150, that’s what Ford thought should be their fast Fiesta. Puma’s and parts are becoming harder to come by so any puma should be left to the Puma community and not used to stuff into a fiesta, just me being honest.