Last year I bought 2000 1.4 Puma at auction for €350.00 (€400) including fees etc.
I had spent months searching the classifieds for reasonably rust free model, I had almost given up when I spotted this one in local auction, had a quick look at it and although it wasn't too rusty ( just on the arches ) as I later discovered its faults were all quite small but plenty of them.
Here it is the day after I collected it: Quite literally a polished turd
Over the following weeks I discovered why this very presentable Puma had found its way to the auction house:
1. If you left the lights on pulled out the keys the engine wouldn't shut off ( Without doubt the biggest and strangest issue I have dealt with)
2. Central locking didn't work/ drivers lock didn't work ( I had to lock/unlock it on the passenger side )
3. Radio didn't work
4. Rear wiper didn't work nor did the water jet
5. Indicators didn't self cancel on the left side/ High beam had a mind of its own
6. Heater constantly on and only on hot (HCV)
7. Digital clock not working
8. Passenger window not working
8. Cosmetically is was good however a scrape on the the bonnet had been badly repaired.
I figured all of the above were annoying enough for someone else just to walk away from it, I am not so easily defeated.
So when an identical Puma with blown radiator came up for sale quite literally across the road from me I jumped at it!
For a measly €200 I now had all spare parts I could possibly want!
Parts car on the right
It only took a day or so swapping the indicator stalk, wiper motor, window switch etc and a couple of small interior bits. I bought an OE HCV from Ford after reading up on here its the best option, even though the heating works fine in the parts car, given how often they fail I figured the best job would be to buy new one. I took the key fob and reprogrammed it so that has sorted out the central locking issue. I also swap over 2 curbed alloys for 2 perfect wheels.
The only thing I needed professional help with was item number 1, the bizarre lights and key issue, I took it to a mechanic friend that traced it to an issue with the rear parking sensors install( Fancy ). After a couple minutes undoing the twisting and taping of which ever ape installed it he soldering everything correctly and all it cost me was a couple of pints in the local.
Absolutely every single thing now works as it should plus I have a whole car load spares, all that's left to do is swap the bonnets over.
I'll get some pictures of the finished car up soon.
Also a huge thank you to everyone that contributes to this site, I didn't have to ask many questions because 9/10 times I found the answer on here
I had spent months searching the classifieds for reasonably rust free model, I had almost given up when I spotted this one in local auction, had a quick look at it and although it wasn't too rusty ( just on the arches ) as I later discovered its faults were all quite small but plenty of them.
Here it is the day after I collected it: Quite literally a polished turd
Over the following weeks I discovered why this very presentable Puma had found its way to the auction house:
1. If you left the lights on pulled out the keys the engine wouldn't shut off ( Without doubt the biggest and strangest issue I have dealt with)
2. Central locking didn't work/ drivers lock didn't work ( I had to lock/unlock it on the passenger side )
3. Radio didn't work
4. Rear wiper didn't work nor did the water jet
5. Indicators didn't self cancel on the left side/ High beam had a mind of its own
6. Heater constantly on and only on hot (HCV)
7. Digital clock not working
8. Passenger window not working
8. Cosmetically is was good however a scrape on the the bonnet had been badly repaired.
I figured all of the above were annoying enough for someone else just to walk away from it, I am not so easily defeated.
So when an identical Puma with blown radiator came up for sale quite literally across the road from me I jumped at it!
For a measly €200 I now had all spare parts I could possibly want!
Parts car on the right
It only took a day or so swapping the indicator stalk, wiper motor, window switch etc and a couple of small interior bits. I bought an OE HCV from Ford after reading up on here its the best option, even though the heating works fine in the parts car, given how often they fail I figured the best job would be to buy new one. I took the key fob and reprogrammed it so that has sorted out the central locking issue. I also swap over 2 curbed alloys for 2 perfect wheels.
The only thing I needed professional help with was item number 1, the bizarre lights and key issue, I took it to a mechanic friend that traced it to an issue with the rear parking sensors install( Fancy ). After a couple minutes undoing the twisting and taping of which ever ape installed it he soldering everything correctly and all it cost me was a couple of pints in the local.
Absolutely every single thing now works as it should plus I have a whole car load spares, all that's left to do is swap the bonnets over.
I'll get some pictures of the finished car up soon.
Also a huge thank you to everyone that contributes to this site, I didn't have to ask many questions because 9/10 times I found the answer on here
