Hi there,
I've been looking for a little while at getting a 1.7 Ford Puma based on how great they are meant to be to drive, and how much fun they are. I have a budget of £1500.
Although I always knew that rust was a potential problem for Pumas, I didn't realise the extent that it was a problem until I started looking! I initially thought I'd try to get a good one without any rust, but I now think that's perhaps too optimistic - every one I've looked at has had varying degrees of corrosion issues. I've let a couple go by recently based on the fact they had some surface rust and rear suspension corrosion, but they were the best I've seen so I'm wondering if I should have gone for them.
I'd still really like to get one, so my question to you all is, how must rust would make one not worth the purchase for me? I'm 21, and don't have too much knowledge about working on cars currently, although I'm enthusiastic and wanting to learn more. I'd want enjoy my Puma for a good few years at least, so it's not something short-term, and I'd certainly look after it - I just wouldn't want to get one that's far enough gone in terms of rust that it'd constantly give me expensive issues.
Is there a level of rust that you might deem acceptable for purchase in my situation, and are there then preventative measures I can take to stop it getting worse?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Alex
I've been looking for a little while at getting a 1.7 Ford Puma based on how great they are meant to be to drive, and how much fun they are. I have a budget of £1500.
Although I always knew that rust was a potential problem for Pumas, I didn't realise the extent that it was a problem until I started looking! I initially thought I'd try to get a good one without any rust, but I now think that's perhaps too optimistic - every one I've looked at has had varying degrees of corrosion issues. I've let a couple go by recently based on the fact they had some surface rust and rear suspension corrosion, but they were the best I've seen so I'm wondering if I should have gone for them.
I'd still really like to get one, so my question to you all is, how must rust would make one not worth the purchase for me? I'm 21, and don't have too much knowledge about working on cars currently, although I'm enthusiastic and wanting to learn more. I'd want enjoy my Puma for a good few years at least, so it's not something short-term, and I'd certainly look after it - I just wouldn't want to get one that's far enough gone in terms of rust that it'd constantly give me expensive issues.
Is there a level of rust that you might deem acceptable for purchase in my situation, and are there then preventative measures I can take to stop it getting worse?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Alex