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I've been looking out for another little runabout since the theft of my Nova. Now SWMBO thinks that we should buy a "sporty" car for her and I can use the "main" car. I managed to put her off an MGF, but there are many alternatives. Favorite at the moment is a 1.4 Ford Puma. Do any Backroomers have a view on this choice or suggest an alternative with similar running costs?
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The Puma is a superb handling car in my opinion but is basically just a quick Fiesta.
However, I'll be honest, I think the 1.4 lacks the get up and go that you'd expect and need. If it were me, I'd plump for the 1.7 and I guarantee you'll love it.
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Adam
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My three personal favourites are the Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo, Peugeot 406 V6 Coupe and the VW Corrado VR6. You should be able to pick up a decent example of any of these for under £5k
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I would have suggest a Corrado b_h but similar running costs to a 1.4 Puma?
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Adam
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Virtually all of the mechanicals of the Corrado are similar or the same as the Golf which means cheap parts from the likes of GSF and Europcarparts - also lots of independant VW specialists out there to do the servicing.
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I was thinking petrol but yes - agreed. The Corrado VR6 = drool.
:-)
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Adam
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It would be the Pug 406 coupe for me everytime BUT I note the words "runabout" and "Corsa". This suggests you are not likely to be on VR6 territory.
If you are looking for something a little more interesting than a Corsa (but not much) then you could look at an Astra Coupe or the Civic Coupe. Again, you should find examples in your price range.
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For "Corsa" read "Nova".
- Now where's that edit button? -
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Just checked Autotrader and a 1.6 Hyundai Coupe is in your budget. Don't know if is a better car than the Puma though...
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It would be the Pug 406 coupe for me everytime BUT I note the >> words "runabout" and "nova". This suggests you are not likely >> to be on VR6 territory.
If you read the original post his wife will be having the sporty car and he will now be having the "main" car so no runabout required.
Just checked Autotrader and a 1.6 Hyundai Coupe is in your budget. Don't know if is a better car than the Puma though...
No it's not a better car than the Puma, the words sporty and 1.6 hyundai coupe do not go together.
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Puma 1.7 every time. The civic coupe at that price point is likely to have been Max-Powered and hasn't half the handling (and will be more expensive to insure and maintain). Pumas tend to get more respect from their owners in my experience.
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Pumas tend to get more respect from their owners in my experience.
Not the ones that were thrashed around the Stow part of Silverstone to within an inch of their lives when Top Gear Live were there a few years ago, of which I just happened to be driving one of those that were being thrashed ;o)
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Still think it depends on what "sporty" means. Archie- do you mean you want the fastest, best handling car for the money- or is your wife looking for something that looks a bit different to a hatchback, slightly sporty looking but will cost no more to run than a 1.4 hatchback?
If this is the case I still think the Hyundai is a good choice. No, it may not be the most dynamic car- but I know 2 people who have owned them- both rated them highly. 1 came from a Fiat Coupe turbo, and the second is looking now to buy another Hyundai.
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As the MGF was on the original list, what about a Fiat Barchetta or a Eunos/MX5?
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£4500 will get you a nice Porsche 944
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Yeah, right.
A Barchetta is a right laugh and unusual. But then I am a bit biased.
The Puma is the best handling car I´ve ever driven. Unreal.
Happy hunting.
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Puma should be a good bet, no longer produced and should keep it's value if bought carefully. The zippy 1.4 and 1.7 Zetec engines need looking after with nice clean oil, timing belts last a long while. I have never driven one but having owned a Fiesta of similar age then if the Puma is even more sporty then it should be a brilliant drive.
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What about a Fiat Coupé, nice and cheap - easy to maintain. ????
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What about a Fiat Coupé, nice and cheap - easy to maintain. ????
Was that sarcasm? ;)
The Fiat Coupe does actually come in at this price range, and is a fantastic car. You'd need to accept that running costs would be appreciably higher than a Puma though. Mind you, if you're after comparable performance too, then you could go for a non-turbo Coupe, which would still be quicker than a Puma, but a lot closer to it in running costs.
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wife had a 1.7 silver puma 1.2 year ago.
fantastic motor, we drove from brum to dover.
the noise (normal exhaust) was great, driving position wasnt great but a 400 round trip i guess your wife wont be doing.
its a really sporty motor, i think they are great, would have had a new one, if they made them. wish they did with 2litre lump, now that would be a nice motor.
go for it, she will love it.
make sure its silver, as red/yellow wont keep the price as well.
oh and get reg and check with any ford dealer, make sure its not an import, as we found out 2 months after we bought ours.
audi wanted to drop price on trade in £300.
73 cars national at the moment between £5K-£6K silver on autotrader
you might be able to squeeze a 51 plate. from a private seller.
make sure you get it checked out.
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I had a Puma 1.7 for 3 years and it was great, apart from the small fuel tank (range around 300 miles). One thing I nearly got caught out with was my Puma had a front-end minor prang. When I went to part exchange they said that the repair was no good and would cost £2000 to repair. Evidently they are very difficult to repair and get all the joins aligned.
My experience is that they don't hold their value well, especially if they are 'high' mileage (but that seems to be typical of used cars at the moment). Bought my Y-Reg with 10k on the clock for £11k, 3 years later with 58k miles on, couldn't sell privately for any money (tried as low as £4,750), eventually had to part exchange for £4,350. So if you look around, you should get a decent one at a good price. Make sure you get the lux pack as well (heated screen/mirrors) There is a very informative Puma 'fan-site'. Search for it on the net.
Regards,
Nick
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Thank you all for your advice. I've decided to get the Puma after all, just got to get Archie to get his wallet out now!
Mrs Archie
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Get an XJS for £3k and spend the rest on petrol and repairs....
O
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Jaguar XJS V12 - comes with free personalised oil tanker.
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Get an XJS for £3k and spend the rest on petrol and repairs....
But what is she supposed to do after the first fortnight of ownership? ;)
::BB prays that Orson doesn't know how much Fiat Coupe cambelt changes cost::
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You're safe!
I do, however, know exactly how much it costs to have the camcover oil seals and the spark plugs changed on the Jag. It ain't pretty!
O
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Jaguar XJS V12 - comes with free personalised oil tanker.
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