Hi there everybody.
I've always liked the looks of Pumas but never actually considered buying on until recently. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, namely the gearbox pretty much dropping out the bottom of my MK3 Ibiza, I find myself in need of a vehicle quick and have set my sights on one of these wild cats!
So as a first time buyer I'm after a bit of guidance. I've read though the very helpful buyers guide and so am (hopefully) aware of what to look/check for. But my query kinda relates specifically to 3 examples I've already viewed.
For the sake of shorthand, I will refer to these as Car 1, Car 2 and Car 3 (and this is actually the order I viewed them in)
Rather than just posting links straight off the bat, I'll first list the key stats along with my amateurish first impressions. And then I'll pop links at the end.
Car 1:
Silver 2001 (X reg) 1.6 - 66k miles
Pros -
Newest of the 3, body is in very good condition, no visible signs of rust anywhere including the door sills and arches.
MOT till November, Tax till August. FSH. Original manual including Radio lock code. Brand new battery recently installed.
9 spoke alloys -again in great condition.
Cons -
Only 1.6 engine (more on this later)
The engine management light was on throughout the test drive. I made the seller aware (he's selling on behalf of his sister so said he wasn't aware of it) and he he said he would get it taken to a garage and looked at right away.
Some rattling from the back of the car when driving. When I stopped and had a look I found that the plastic surround on the rear windscreen was a little loose on the right hand side. It looked like the little nub that you connect the parcel shelf string to was missing and therefore not holding the plastic tight to the body of the boot lid.
The Door Open light on the dash stays on even when all doors are shut. ("apparently it's always been like that"?)
I don't know if it was just me, but it sounded a little 'airy' on my side when I was driving it, as though the driver's door window was very slightly open or the door wasn't shut properly (maybe this is why the dash light is on..?)
Only provided with 1 x 3 button key, no others.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Car 2:
Green 2000 (W reg) 1.7i 16v -60k
Pros -
FSH. Newly replaced (January) Timing belt, Water Pump and thermostat. Nicer engine. 2 keys, no warning lights at all, all electrics seem perfect.
Cons - Scratch on middle of the boot, about the size of a 50p, possibly where it's hit the roof of a garage when it was opened? Passenger wing mirror glass missing (he said someone must have kicked it when walking by? (it is in Camberwell!)) how much is this to replace?
Not really a fan of the 5 spoke 'swirl' alloys.
Missing the small plastic tab next to the right reflector on the rear bumper
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Car 3:
Silver 1998 (R eg) 1.7i 16v - 55k
Pros -
FSH - MOT till November, 2keys. nice wheels, all in excellent condition. Lowest Mileage..
Cons -
Oldest of the three, analogue odometer (due to it being the older model), few scratches around the body work. Not a complete FSH..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
So obviously a few issues with each. But my main question is this..
Should I be more concerned about age of the vehicle or mileage?
And also, as I'm new to 'sporty' cars (started with a K reg 1.1 Fiesta, then had a 1.6 16v Bravo and now a 1.4 Ibiza) will I notice much difference between the 1.6 and the 1.7i?
I know everyone says the 1.7 is the 'proper Puma' engine, but should I base my buying criteria on that?
Sorry for the huge post and I would really appreciate any feedback, advice and assistance anyone can offer.
Thanks
Dan
Oh, almost forgot, here are the links..
Car 1 :
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/stunning-2001-ford-puma-16-65k-only1-yrs-mot-tax-service-history-fully-loaded-excellent-cond/1009290554#gallery-item-full-3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Car 2:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302065216554/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/1000/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/transmission/manual/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/10/page/6/postcode/br34ep?logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Car 3:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302095272607/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/1000/model/puma/make/ford/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/br34ep/radius/10/page/1/quicksearch/true?logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I've always liked the looks of Pumas but never actually considered buying on until recently. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, namely the gearbox pretty much dropping out the bottom of my MK3 Ibiza, I find myself in need of a vehicle quick and have set my sights on one of these wild cats!
So as a first time buyer I'm after a bit of guidance. I've read though the very helpful buyers guide and so am (hopefully) aware of what to look/check for. But my query kinda relates specifically to 3 examples I've already viewed.
For the sake of shorthand, I will refer to these as Car 1, Car 2 and Car 3 (and this is actually the order I viewed them in)
Rather than just posting links straight off the bat, I'll first list the key stats along with my amateurish first impressions. And then I'll pop links at the end.
Car 1:
Silver 2001 (X reg) 1.6 - 66k miles
Pros -
Newest of the 3, body is in very good condition, no visible signs of rust anywhere including the door sills and arches.
MOT till November, Tax till August. FSH. Original manual including Radio lock code. Brand new battery recently installed.
9 spoke alloys -again in great condition.
Cons -
Only 1.6 engine (more on this later)
The engine management light was on throughout the test drive. I made the seller aware (he's selling on behalf of his sister so said he wasn't aware of it) and he he said he would get it taken to a garage and looked at right away.
Some rattling from the back of the car when driving. When I stopped and had a look I found that the plastic surround on the rear windscreen was a little loose on the right hand side. It looked like the little nub that you connect the parcel shelf string to was missing and therefore not holding the plastic tight to the body of the boot lid.
The Door Open light on the dash stays on even when all doors are shut. ("apparently it's always been like that"?)
I don't know if it was just me, but it sounded a little 'airy' on my side when I was driving it, as though the driver's door window was very slightly open or the door wasn't shut properly (maybe this is why the dash light is on..?)
Only provided with 1 x 3 button key, no others.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Car 2:
Green 2000 (W reg) 1.7i 16v -60k
Pros -
FSH. Newly replaced (January) Timing belt, Water Pump and thermostat. Nicer engine. 2 keys, no warning lights at all, all electrics seem perfect.
Cons - Scratch on middle of the boot, about the size of a 50p, possibly where it's hit the roof of a garage when it was opened? Passenger wing mirror glass missing (he said someone must have kicked it when walking by? (it is in Camberwell!)) how much is this to replace?
Not really a fan of the 5 spoke 'swirl' alloys.
Missing the small plastic tab next to the right reflector on the rear bumper
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Car 3:
Silver 1998 (R eg) 1.7i 16v - 55k
Pros -
FSH - MOT till November, 2keys. nice wheels, all in excellent condition. Lowest Mileage..
Cons -
Oldest of the three, analogue odometer (due to it being the older model), few scratches around the body work. Not a complete FSH..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
So obviously a few issues with each. But my main question is this..
Should I be more concerned about age of the vehicle or mileage?
And also, as I'm new to 'sporty' cars (started with a K reg 1.1 Fiesta, then had a 1.6 16v Bravo and now a 1.4 Ibiza) will I notice much difference between the 1.6 and the 1.7i?
I know everyone says the 1.7 is the 'proper Puma' engine, but should I base my buying criteria on that?
Sorry for the huge post and I would really appreciate any feedback, advice and assistance anyone can offer.
Thanks
Dan
Oh, almost forgot, here are the links..
Car 1 :
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/stunning-2001-ford-puma-16-65k-only1-yrs-mot-tax-service-history-fully-loaded-excellent-cond/1009290554#gallery-item-full-3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Car 2:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302065216554/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/1000/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/transmission/manual/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/10/page/6/postcode/br34ep?logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Car 3:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302095272607/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/1000/model/puma/make/ford/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/br34ep/radius/10/page/1/quicksearch/true?logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;