2000 Ford Puma 1.7 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Fastest point to point car available
Faults:
When the A/C is on, slight hesitation is felt. Noticable only at motorway cruising speeds. Contacted local dealer - they in turn contacted Ford and confirmed that this was normal and that a slight hesitation would be felt at cruising speeds and at idle with A/C on.
Water enters the boot when opened if it's been raining.
Sometime the automatic boot opener doesn't work if the boot hasn't been used for a few days.
General Comments:
Brilliant all round performer, superb stereo and build quality (as good if not better than my previous car).
Lotus Elise is the only car that comes close for handling and fun per mile.
Seats aren't overly comfortable over long journeys and it isn't that economical (if you bother to work out the mpg).
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th July, 2000
23rd Apr 2001, 14:49
Don't you think that could all come down to driver skill?
The car is merely a tool that works for the driver and all those cars handle well so it's what the guy behind the wheel does with it.
9th Jul 2003, 09:16
The Elise demands a lot of skill to drive quickly, unlike say the Impreza Turbo. Pushed hard, an Elise will initially understeer, but will snap into oversteer in response to a closed throttle. You can balance it in a gentle transition between the two, or even hold it tail-out, but it takes a lot of practice, and a lot of spins before you even get close.
A well driven Elise is more than a match for an Impreza, make no mistake about that. Obviously in the wet, the 4wd system, ABS equipped brakes and softer responses gives the Impreza a big advantage, especially in unskilled hands.
31st May 2004, 12:55
Give me an Elise anytime!! True drivers car.
19th Jun 2007, 16:36
Vx220 turbo anyone?
12th Apr 2001, 07:13
The Elise doesn't handle as well as people make out, I went for a drive in an Impreza turbo with 2 friends - one in a new Toyota MR2 and another in an Elise, it was pretty wet and the Toyota kept up but the Elise got left WAY behind. The Puma is a good budget driver's car, but please don't compare it to genuine performance cars like the Impreza, Honda Integra Type-R, MR2 etc.