Faults:

The rear parcel shelf is always coming loose, dealer tried to fix it twice unsuccessfully.

Rubber behind front body skirts was loose, fixed once by dealer, but came loose again, fixed by my boyfriend with 2 rivets!

Rainwater leaks into the boot when opened.

Passenger seat sliding mechanism is awkward.

General Comments:

This is my second Puma - I upgraded from a 1.4 and it is much quicker and fun to drive.

Very economical to run with the Zetec engine being powerful, but not thirsty.

However, my first Puma was a write-off after a sideways impact that caused the air-bag to inflate and I've just had a rear shunt that caused £3,000 worth of damage leading me to believe these are not safe or well-built cars.

Faults:

Niggles really, nothing worth ranting about so far - just the regular:

- rubbish wipers

- seat won't go low enough for me

- rain in the boot (poor design hatch)

- tiny tank

- dodgy parcel shelf design.

Oh, and the battery went. Normal for the mileage and previous owner's use though.

General Comments:

Before I tried one of these I thought the badge and that PR-girl image thing made it simply a dressed up Fiesta...

How wrong I was...

Great handling with seriously good turn in. Short wheelbase makes it nice and lively, yet still with a good ride. Never fails to bring a smile. Tight twisty roads were made for it. The engine suits it's light and flighty nature too. When you don't want to play it'll give you about 39mpg.

Couldn't think of better cars for the secondhand money. Now they've stopped making them, and they only made something like 5000 a year, a future classic possibly?

Just don't stick anyone in the back. Oh and refuse any relatives offer to knit you a cover for that alloy gearknob.

Faults:

Faulty tyres replaced at 10,000 miles. 35% credit given.

Ignition coil pack failed at 20,000 miles.

Battery failed at 3 years old.

Air conditioning failed at 22,000 miles.

Paint work (Radiant Red) fading badly on plastic parts.

Steering rack currently leaking. Estimated cost of repair £500.

Rear shock absorber now rattling. Should be replaced.

Sticky and noisy electric window winder.

Numerous body and trim rattles. Have given up trying to fix them.

Exhaust system now badly rusted and needs replacing.

Third gear now getting difficult to engage.

General Comments:

An enjoyable car to drive although not particularly comfortable and rather noisy.

Rear visibility very poor.

Poor build quality has spoiled the Puma experience for me.

Faults:

This car suffered three expensive oil leaks simultaneously at 22,000 miles. In the process of fixing this problem, the Ford dealership bent a valve and had to change the cam belt; this took five weeks.

The petrol tank is far too small.

The parcel shelf falls into the boot space.

Headlights are not very powerful.

General Comments:

This is a very quick, safe, spacious and impressive little car which handles itself beautifully; you must try it.

I can live with the problems.

Faults:

Only the usual Puma grumbles. Feeble wipers, rain water gushing into the boot when you open it, gets uncomfortable over long distances. Fuel tank too small.

General Comments:

The most fun car I have ever driven, and that includes sports cars at twice the price. In town, on the motorway and, above all, on twisty B-roads she's like a puppy begging to be taken for a walk.

The engine manages to be quiet but rorty-sporty at the same time, just as the ride manages to be firm but comfortable. An amazing balancing act.

Faults:

Headlight went out and stayed out - no it was not the bulb!

General Comments:

Next car - probably the Boxster or SLK - No Fords in the range till the Jaguar!