The Puma saga

vix · 25-10-2010, 16:48

So, having had a few near misses last Winter, and having Humphrey as the fun car - I decided to be sensible and go to a slightly more modern, FWD, front engined car.

Yeah I know *yawn* so the criteria was that it had to be a little different.

Clio 172 was on the cards for a long time, til I discovered something else I really liked, which was cheaper on the insurance and cheaper generally.

Meet Clifford:

Clifford is a Ford Puma Millennium edition. 1000 were made and yes, they're all that colour! The main choice of this car was that the interior is firstly leather, and secondly Recaro, and also has lots of little extras like aircon, heated screen etc - perfect for those cold Winter mornings.

Clifford was quite cheap, and from a dealer, so you can imagine there are a few little things to iron out. He makes some kind of slipping belt noise, and we also think there is an engine mount gone. Still, nothing we can't handle. And he's been generally chavved - cannon exhaust, tinted windows but I like that a little bit

When we brought him home on Saturday, we couldn't get to grips with the fancy Clifford alarm (hence the name) - and at one point thought he'd locked us completely out with no chance of getting back in but that's all sorted.

Then on Sunday, we went to Snetterton and on the way out heard another new noise - to discover a flat tyre. The wheelnuts were on too tight, the wheelbrace was rounded off - so we ended up calling the RAC to change a wheel.

I've now decided I hate the wheels anyway - 17 inch is a bit ridiculous! So off to look at a cheap set loaclly tonight. Meantime I'm driving round on 3 17" alloys and a 15" spare - fortunately not a spacesaver.

I'm sure there will be many more updates to come - hopefully good ones! Pics to follow too when I sort his wheels out!

vix · 25-10-2010, 17:00

Oh yeah and does anyone want to buy an MR2?

LeperousDust · 26-10-2010, 00:15

Don't tempt me...

Stan_Lite · 26-10-2010, 05:34

I can sympathise with the near misses - mine hardly moves during the winter. Luckily, I don't need to use mine so it becomes a large road ornament for most of the winter. If I had to use a car in the winter, I'd have to get something more sensible too.

As much as I love mine, I'm seriously considering flogging it and getting a Jag of some description. Been thinking about it for a while but not sure I want to part with the old girl. Lots of fun but hugely impractical

I've been putting off spending money on the 2 because of it but I really need to make up my mind soon. She needs a respray but, if I shell out for that, I'm pretty much committed to keeping her as it would be financially imprudent to sell her after that.

PS: CHAV

vix · 26-10-2010, 08:05

Alex - tempt tempt tempt

Don't be put off by my talk of 'near misses' - I was on rubbish tyres but probably selling her on her good ones - and I did have to drive her in bad conditions

Stan - I love it

I bought some wheels locally last night - well I say bought. Went to the bloke that was selling them and he liked my 17" ones so I've got a free set of wheels and £50 - feel like I've come out of that rather well.

The wheels that I had were quite good ones but they are quite kerbed, and I'm just happy to get rid!

Only problem is poor Phil has to help me change them tonight when I get home from work at 9:30pm

Moley · 26-10-2010, 10:44

I've had two MR2s in the past and can definitely vouch for them - brilliant cars. Only ever lost the back end once and that was in my first one in a snow storm that started up halfway through my journey home and I ended up doing a 180 when turn right at a set of lights.

Checked the rear tyres next morning and they were looking a little worn and were crap make anyway.

Jonny69 · 26-10-2010, 12:57

Good choice. I've always liked Pumas and apparently they handle very well.

I quite like the stock alloys and tyre combo they came with. I've heard that the handling on these is so finely set up that changing the wheels and tyres can upset things quite a lot. Don't know how true that is or not.

vix · 26-10-2010, 15:17

I think the suspension has been changed too so god knows what the handling is like compared to the original!

LeperousDust · 29-10-2010, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by vix

Alex - tempt tempt tempt

Don't be put off by my talk of 'near misses' - I was on rubbish tyres but probably selling her on her good ones - and I did have to drive her in bad conditions

Haha, Deb's would love for me to get rid of my crap heap of an almera, and in a way so would i. But i know how incredibly impractical it would really be. Heart yes head no. That and i'm really trying to save from any major purchases so i can **** off for a year next year pretty much...

25-10-2010, 16:48	#1
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	The Puma saga So, having had a few near misses last Winter, and having Humphrey as the fun car - I decided to be sensible and go to a slightly more modern, FWD, front engined car. Yeah I know yawn so the criteria was that it had to be a little different. Clio 172 was on the cards for a long time, til I discovered something else I really liked, which was cheaper on the insurance and cheaper generally. Meet Clifford: Clifford is a Ford Puma Millennium edition. 1000 were made and yes, they're all that colour! The main choice of this car was that the interior is firstly leather, and secondly Recaro, and also has lots of little extras like aircon, heated screen etc - perfect for those cold Winter mornings. Clifford was quite cheap, and from a dealer, so you can imagine there are a few little things to iron out. He makes some kind of slipping belt noise, and we also think there is an engine mount gone. Still, nothing we can't handle. And he's been generally chavved - cannon exhaust, tinted windows but I like that a little bit When we brought him home on Saturday, we couldn't get to grips with the fancy Clifford alarm (hence the name) - and at one point thought he'd locked us completely out with no chance of getting back in but that's all sorted. Then on Sunday, we went to Snetterton and on the way out heard another new noise - to discover a flat tyre. The wheelnuts were on too tight, the wheelbrace was rounded off - so we ended up calling the RAC to change a wheel. I've now decided I hate the wheels anyway - 17 inch is a bit ridiculous! So off to look at a cheap set loaclly tonight. Meantime I'm driving round on 3 17" alloys and a 15" spare - fortunately not a spacesaver. I'm sure there will be many more updates to come - hopefully good ones! Pics to follow too when I sort his wheels out! __________________

25-10-2010, 17:00	#2
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Oh yeah and does anyone want to buy an MR2? __________________

26-10-2010, 00:15	#3
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Don't tempt me... __________________

26-10-2010, 05:34	#4
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	I can sympathise with the near misses - mine hardly moves during the winter. Luckily, I don't need to use mine so it becomes a large road ornament for most of the winter. If I had to use a car in the winter, I'd have to get something more sensible too. As much as I love mine, I'm seriously considering flogging it and getting a Jag of some description. Been thinking about it for a while but not sure I want to part with the old girl. Lots of fun but hugely impractical I've been putting off spending money on the 2 because of it but I really need to make up my mind soon. She needs a respray but, if I shell out for that, I'm pretty much committed to keeping her as it would be financially imprudent to sell her after that. PS: CHAV __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

26-10-2010, 08:05	#5
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Alex - tempt tempt tempt Don't be put off by my talk of 'near misses' - I was on rubbish tyres but probably selling her on her good ones - and I did have to drive her in bad conditions Stan - I love it I bought some wheels locally last night - well I say bought. Went to the bloke that was selling them and he liked my 17" ones so I've got a free set of wheels and £50 - feel like I've come out of that rather well. The wheels that I had were quite good ones but they are quite kerbed, and I'm just happy to get rid! Only problem is poor Phil has to help me change them tonight when I get home from work at 9:30pm __________________

26-10-2010, 10:44	#6
Moley Columbian Coffee Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 57	I've had two MR2s in the past and can definitely vouch for them - brilliant cars. Only ever lost the back end once and that was in my first one in a snow storm that started up halfway through my journey home and I ended up doing a 180 when turn right at a set of lights. Checked the rear tyres next morning and they were looking a little worn and were crap make anyway.

26-10-2010, 12:57	#7
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Good choice. I've always liked Pumas and apparently they handle very well. I quite like the stock alloys and tyre combo they came with. I've heard that the handling on these is so finely set up that changing the wheels and tyres can upset things quite a lot. Don't know how true that is or not. __________________

26-10-2010, 15:17	#8
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	I think the suspension has been changed too so god knows what the handling is like compared to the original! __________________

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