Forgotten Fast Ford: The Racing Puma, Reviewed

[@adamthomas1323]

When I was 10 my dad had one of the first of the original Pumas and Ford really /really/ wanted him to buy a racing. So they sent him a lot of promo stuff; but the price never worked. I became obsessed, and 10 years later I got one. On paper it makes no sense; it’s a 90s fiesta in a dress with not enough power. But somehow it’s a much greater sum of its parts; oozing the passion of the small, focused team that put it together. It makes you work as a driver. The fact it doesn’t have much power means that a few more mph going into a corner make it difference down the next straight. The fact that the chassis and controls are so perfect mean you can drive the same bit of road over and over again making minor improvements and never get bored. It’s friendly too; overstep the mark and even 20 year old me could keep the thing out of the hedge. I’ve had a lot of special cars since the Puma; but I miss the little garish smurf an awful lot. This is the only review I’ve ever seen that gets close to getting what this car is about.

[@elloello_erm]

Jay's shirt looks like a bowling alley's carpet in the 90s.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Hahaha

[@hribc78]

It´s like James May was his stylist, haha! It´s a quirk and feature, as one certain youtuber would say, and the vids are great! loads of cool cars, hopefully loads to come!

[@NSX.R]

Or casino carpets. Making people dizzy and all before putting down crazy bets.

[@HQBProductions]

Perhaps Claudio Lugli...😎😎😎....a shirt to remember!😃😃😃

[@peterallam6494]

27/2 22. Puma & shirt from same era ? New Edge !

[@speedshed]

I had one for 8 years. Brought my two newborn boys home in it. It’s one that sticks in my memory for all the right reasons.

[@Reddsoldier]

I have a great anecdote about the Racing Puma. My dad helped wrap up production on these and managed to snag a box of unused "Racing" badges at the end of the production run. For years afterwards every household appliance was a "Racing" edition. My personal favourite being the Racing hoover that had a makeover into a similar blue to the Racing Puma. Another general Ford one for all fords of this era, was that the funny big buttons radio that everything from the Fiesta to the Mondeo got was known internally as the "Fisher price" radio, at least in my dad's department at Dunton.

[@mickmiller9936]

Racing hover 😂😂😂. That’s hilarious

[@stewester]

Had a normal 1.7 Puma as my first car after learning to drive. It was the only vaguely exciting car that I could insure for a sensible price. Even after Lotuses and BMW M cars it's still one of the best cars I've ever owned - handling, steering feel, gearshift all brilliant. I sold it to a girl who had just passed her test. She crashed it the very same day...

[@possibly8180]

Talk about going out with a... That's actually quite unfortunate.

[@Salgandarin]

I'm gutted the new puma is a totally different car and they didn't go for something along the same lines as this.

[@carolynhollingworth4082]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Steve-K.G.]

I don't think they ever intend to make anything like it again, they wanted another SUV and just used the name. I doubt it was meant to be a MK2. I don't mind it, but find another bloody name for it!!

[@andyb7788]

Yet another casualty of this all consuming addiction to lardy, heavy, less aero dynamic, needlessly thirsty SUV type vehicles that people demand these days. It can only be down to a perseived sense of 'status' that people want them as, in every other area they are flawed. In most cases, more usable space can be had from an equivalent estate, which will go faster, handle better, use less fuel and be generally easier on the eye. These buyers have all but killed off the coupe market apart from the german manufacturers. This current way of thinking also dictates that hot hatches have to come with 5 rather than 3 doors, well other than a Fiesta ST perhaps. Sad times😒

[@dungareesareforfools]

@@andyb7788 Couldn't agree more.

[@dungareesareforfools]

It's just a name, there's no other commonality. A bit like the 1960s Galaxie versus the Galaxy!

[@PT82]

Cool cars. The steering wheels degraded really quickly. Great chassis. Deserved the Mk1 Focus RS engine.

[@X_BILSON]

And even better, 4wd.

[@gusmicklewright8589]

Apparently it was originally meant to have a turbo and 180hp, but costs got out of control so they had to scrap that :/

[@dr_ovi_kintobor1408]

The steering wheels last longer than some might think, with mine it turned out to be gunked up with dead skin and grease but it looked bald and black! All that was needed was some warm soapy water, some squeezing and dabbing (no scrubbing!!!) and it came up quite well.

[@stephenbates8370]

I think you've hit the nail on the head there 👍

[@endlessroadie3131]

Bit much for a go kart but the 2L from the st would have been plenty of power in my humble opinion

[@leccybadger]

An incredible wee motor, owned a standard 1.7 which was just smiles per mile, had a drive of the FRP and never stopped grinning. Interiors are awful, the parcel shelf was laughable but all was forgiven. Swapped mine for a 3 series coupe, Hewn from granite in comparison but not as fun through the narrow country lanes... Hello to any former Pumapeople forum members reading this 👋🏻👍🏻😁

[@smilepermile888]

When I think of the Ford Puma, Tiff Needell's FWD stunt driving lessons from the 90s come to mind. Handbrake turns, J turns, scandinavian flick you name it... I'm sure a few years ago, they would've been great 'first cars' but the rust issues and the rear looking like 'Roz' from Monsters Inc put me off a bit. Have to say, the Racing Puma is a gem with those flared arches - dare I say Aston Martin like. I was intrigued with this car as Yamaha helped develop the 1.7-litre engine too.

[@MilitaryHistory2011]

Wondering how many Pumas got binned after people watched Tiff working his magic in one. Scary how easy he made it look

[@bst857]

Tiff is awesome, he spent a long time at Thruxton, driving people around in an M3 like a total maniac. He can't have earnt much money from it, but he just loves doing it, sharing it with people. I remember on track I was in a formula ford, and he shot past me and powerslid round the corner in front of me, tyre smoke billowing out the back, was a great day.

[@Lukec4ge]

The Ford Puma in standard 1.7 form is an excellent car- first time drivers, or otherwise. I’m about to sell my son’s silver one and my partner’s Black Edition, only because they are not ULEZ compliant where we live. Great handling cars, quicker than you think- they weigh about a ton- so they’re so agile. Tiff Needell immortalised it on film (stillgot the dvd). Evo rated the standard car higher than the Racing Puma. Just wish I’d bought a racing Puma for the looks, and their current value, when they were around for about £6k....

[@paulcarmi8130]

You lost all credibility when you mentioned monsters inc

[@smilepermile888]

@@paulcarmi8130 Why are you offended that I referred to the rear of the car looking like a character from Monsters Inc? I was making an assosiation and never seeked for validation about it. Couldn't care less about getting so-called 'credibility' from you, if that concerns you so much

[@unknowntm1724]

6:16 I’m assuming the TVR Sagaris will be appearing on a review at some point! Also the genuine joy on your face when you started putting the hammer down a bit, that was awesome, just goes to show you don’t need a huge engine to have fun.

[@myname6455]

Of course. Because in the video, he said the owner of the puma came with his father and his father came with a much cooler car, which he will review next. So that TVR should be it. Reference 5:03

[@andrewnorris5415]

@@myname6455 It's most likely agreed. But not 100% certain wise men careful of assumptions as you must know:)

[@leftyplayz6908]

I thought it was a T350 but then again it's a similar shape to a Segaris

[@bighands69]

TVR were pure sports cars that could wrap the wrong person around a tree. The Puma was a wannabe yuppie metrosexual car intended to show females how much they cared.

[@vinaychauhan7936]

The original Puma etched a permanent memory in my head when I was a Ford engineering summer intern at Dunton. Someone threw me the keys to do a 5 minute errand. I went missing for an hour. Was just soooo much fun, so easy to be a lift off oversteer hooligan in, handling that you could genuinely steer on the throttle and that zingy Yamaha engine. Managed to a VMax it on the a127 and I only stopped when i completely missed a turn loool on a country lane, as I’d been hammering the brakes so much they just went soft suddenly. What a car.

[@bighands69]

It was a horrible looking car that did not appeal to men. It was more ugly that the Ford Fiesta which is saying a lot.

[@vinaychauhan7936]

bighand69 I’m not mad about the looks, more about the driving, but at least you’re consistent - your username suggests a slight masculinity insecurity issue 🤣🤣

[@imaweerascal]

@@bighands69 I'm a man and it appeals to me. So much so that I've driven mine for 14 years. Everyone has different taste

[@bighands69]

@@vinaychauhan7936 Why would you think that about my user name?

[@bighands69]

@@imaweerascal There are men that wear high heels and lipstick I suppose.

[@DogsbodyFRP]

I've owned a Racing Puma for 14 years now. Been my daily driver and trackday car in that time.. it can still surprise me just how well it handles and how much speed it can carry through a corner.

[@LaceyTheVampire]

The Ford Puma is a car many of the Ford people of today refer to as the forgotten ford. Sadly many Puma’s have met cruel a fate. Either rust or their engines ripped out and put into a fiesta and occasionally a KA. None the less, it is on a brighter note that there is hope for this forgotten Ford. Several folks on the Puma owners group are restoring these unusual nuggets. Two have even wound up in Australia! It’d be sad to see these Ford fade into myth

[@Justin225]

I had a regular Puma 1.7 and did over 100k miles in it. Loved it. Spent most weekends thrashing it down my favourite countryside roads. The handling/chassis and the fun factor when driving it was truly great. I even preferred it to both the Clio 182 and Lotus Elise I owned afterwards which were both great cars and faster, of course, but somehow just not as fun to drive as the Puma was down a B-road.

[@MartinArgg]

6:30 that is the cutest sounding engine I’ve ever heard.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

The Puma* is exactly the car I'd love to see on sale today. *the original one, not the horrible SUV.

[@morganmorris2698]

Shame people don't buy these cars anymore, they are so cool. Also the big luxury saloon cars are dying aswell

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@morganmorris2698 It truly is. People seem so insecure they "need" SUVs and Crossovers, cars which are no good at anything.

[@neilwilliams8741]

mate had a black one I had a dull Vauxhall tigra..no were near as good or handled as good as the puma ..cost me 250 and I had it 18 months so good value..

[@morganmorris2698]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X ye really shame, however I do like the big suvs like range rover and q7 cos they are good all wheel drive cars but the mid size and small suvs are a complete waste of money

[@markwright3161]

@@morganmorris2698 I like the proper offroaders like Range Rovers too. Something like the Audi A6 Allroad is as close to a crossover as I would get, because they're an estate car with a bit of offroad ability. All the other rubbish that's just a looks package on a 'lifted' hatchback platform, the stupid crossovers that aren't even 4/AWD, if anything should be scrapped prematurely it's those.

[@wackythiefzg]

Love to see Puma getting some love in this day and age. I was a mere pre-teen when it came out, but I remember I fell in love with it the second I lay my eyes on it. Still is in my top 5 list of cars I'd love to own. Thank you so much for a trip down memory lane and doing an amazing job at reviewing not only Puma, but every car you review, Jay.

[@resnonverba137]

If you can find one without rust, you won't regret buying one. Have the suspension checked too. The standard 1.7 was a great car.

[@DanteICE]

Am I the only person who thought there was going to be a crash at 11:00? Because that silver car seems REALLY close!

[@benkirkham2017]

Yeah, that was really close... worth slowing down for tight corners

[@noseyparker6622]

No.....it only looked close because its being recorded on a go-pro sticking out on a mount outside the car.

[@der4815162342]

takes you a sec to realize the cam isn't centered but 10cm to the side of the car

[@bst857]

@@noseyparker6622 Yeah its no wider than the wing mirrors

[@richardcruickshank4026]

Yeah he was in the middle of the road as well has to remember these are public roads

[@willotoole4118]

Underrated Fast ford and great informative review of this Rare Puma

[@iainmurray9961]

6:14 is nice to see a TVR in it's natural habitat... Broken at the side of the road ;)

[@R-Tap]

Possibly the next video? 😂

[@TonyRule]

@@R-Tap Yeah, I figured that too.

[@Dan23_7]

It is his next vid but I bet you've watched it now

[@iainmurray9961]

@@Dan23_7 I've not watched it yet but I had my suspicions

[@Dan23_7]

Iain Murray Oops sorry mate. It's interesting 👍🏻

[@andrewnorris5415]

Jay: "You can be a hooligan in this car". And yet super cute looking. Reminds of me the "cute-em-up" computer games, cute looking enemies that play far harder than they could ever be imagined to have credit for.

[@SabotsLibres]

Don't forget, the poppy exhaust was something you didn't normally get in those days...and these days, it is a manufactured noise...

[@Matt-go7ss]

My gf had a regular Ford Puma. It's still one of the best handling cars I've driven. The steering and gearshift was brilliant. A cracking little car. Shame they didn't replace it and that most of them have rusted away

[@petelattimer6808]

gearchanges on all fords were like that before they changed over to teh shitty cable linkages. these had rods, and were far more precise

[@bighands69]

I hear wearing high heels is a great experience but I doubt that real men would wear them.

[@leebrady3640]

@@bighands69 need to drive a big man's car to compensate for something?? 😄

[@ChrissyThePoo]

I've seen way too many of the new 'puma' and it upsets me greatly.

[@OwainF]

I got an advert for one halfway through watching this and nearly threw up 😂

[@Mr.Marbles]

the sad thing is it could have been so cool. imagine the design from the new puma but as a small coupe/roadster so flatter and wider but still based on the fiesta with the 150hp 1L or the ST engine. that would have been so much cooler and actually close to what the puma was. why cant they just leave the old names alone when they want to make suvs?

[@TheMadTatter]

I think the new Puma is a decent looking car in its own right but its not a Puma, not even a bit.

[@sparky4878]

They even did it with bringing out the Kuga which is nothing like the Cougar. Never even been in a Cougar (Mondeo in a posh frock?), but I do like a saloon size coupe e.g. 406 coupe too.

[@TheMadTatter]

@@sparky4878 see also: Vauxhall Viva and Nissan Pulsar

[@rogerwennstrom6677]

That "Sorry, I sounded like Predator dying there, didn't I" was hilarious :)

[@MrMairu555]

I think many of us probably joined in with the Predator laugh at that point! 🤣🤣🤣

[@megapangolin1093]

Still have my 1.7 Puma after 20 years, garaged, start smiling from the off and don't finish smiling until arrive at destination motoring. Nothing beats it for UK B roads, including my Boxter S, small, nimble and dances around roundabouts. Utter joy.

[@rsjm5632]

I bought a 1.7 this year as wanted a GTI but 205's are crazy money and never a big Golf fan. Found a 2002 one owner mint 26k miler with no rust and haven't looked back. Great little fun machine and would 100% recommend one.

[@VoloKinProject]

6:14 a Sagaris wow, couldn't miss it.

[@tigermafiastudios401]

Yeah probably broken down lol 😆

[@jeremywilkinson2111]

I have never driven a FRP but this is one of the best delivered and most interesting test drives I have ever watched. Well done and thank you.

[@benistingray6097]

Never heard of a racing Puma, looks great with the wide fenders!

[@resnonverba137]

The main problem for this car, apart from price, was that the standard 1.7 was so good. I have fond memories of mine, and for fun per pound there were few that came close.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Like it's like the Clio 192 vs the Trophy.

[@chrisclark7181]

I owned #245 & loved it, sort of wish I'd kept it but I could say that for many cars I've owned over the years. Not sure if its still running but the FRP number plate is not on some boring renault megane 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Tombrosapien]

6:40 ZETEC JUST KICKED IN YO!

[@delidan1]

Zetec is just trim level

[@andyb7788]

Zetec is now just a trim level but was originally a name used for a number of Ford engines. These were previously known as 'Zeta' engines but apparently Lancia owned the trademark to Zeta and threatened legal action. Personally, I had a Fiesta 1.25 with a Zetec engine. The trim was 'L' however.

[@petelattimer6808]

except they were set up to give 90% of torque from 1500rpm (at least they were on the standard 1.7, and the 1.7 in the racing puma wasnt hugely different) so shouldnt have felt 'zetec' at all!

[@urbanpkrider31]

Andy Bergman These Zetecs are actually know as ‘Sigma’ engines. The inlet and exhaust are on on the opposite sides to the Zeta family, with barely any interchangeable parts between them. Lovely little engines, especially in 1.7 form.

[@gpzfan5272]

Sam Russell did you watch the video? The engine even has Zetec stamped on top of it.

[@N3onDr1v3]

"More wheel drive" excellent

[@dr_ovi_kintobor1408]

Thanks for finally reviewing one of these. So glad you enjoyed it. I had mine for 10 years and loved every second of it! They're so much fun!

[@stevenspilsbury9801]

I always remember Tiff saying that the racing Puma was an absolutely brilliant little car and I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure that top gear named it car of the year

[@MilitaryHistory2011]

Correct on both fronts. Theres a video of Tiff showing what tricks you can do in a standard version of one of these and the thing can fly.

[@matthewpumfrey2178]

I remember it well, the way he threw that car around has stayed with me forever!

[@superjody]

Love that you get to drive cars we can only dream of and here you are absolutely loving an old slow ford

[@ians2868]

Always wanted to drive one of these and your review has just confirmed it. Even the base 1.25 engined fiesta of this era was a sweet handling car. I used to love watching the faces of tailgaters who thought I’d be slow as they had a brown trouser moment at corners on the back roads. Audi drivers I’m looking at you

[@5amH45lam]

This was a belting little budget car, when I was coming up. My pal had one and I used to drive it often. It was great fun in our late teens/early 20s. An even more budget, fun Ford motor of that era, was the original shape Ka, with the 1.6 engine. Another pal had one of those. Man, that was fun as well! Ahh, memories!

[@andrewnorris5415]

Lovely exhaust note 6:23: Edit jay said a bit too poppy for his liking. Nice note though, I liked it a lot myself!

[@dungareesareforfools]

Yeah, and without any electronic fakery!

[@andrewnorris5415]

@@dungareesareforfools wonderful!

[@keirbourne5323]

I've driven round track alongside one of these and they are absolutely awesome. One of the best looking cars ever to come out of Ford too.

[@andyhowlett2231]

It's hard to believe that this cracking small sports coupe was scrapped and then came back as a bl**dy SUV. And Ford has the cheek to call it their 'small car'!

[@mattxr3i]

I like the way that you have said in previous videos that you are not a Ford person but i sense you are gradually coming round to them! As for the Puma, we had a 1.7 back in the mid 2000s and it was a cracking car, so much so - we bought another about 5 years ago for my wife to use as a track car. We used it for 1 track day, where she didnt really push it and is now tucked away in the garage as it didnt cost much and we use it for S & G (Sh*ts and Giggles). Such an epic car. Took me a while but i found one with no rust underneath with no prior welding, just a few bits on the rear arches. Great review

[@petelattimer6808]

turning circle, rear end looseness and following road camber was always better in the standard 1.7 puma. tyres were smaller so it balances the weight out on the tyres a little better, smaller wheels/tyres with narrower tyres also mean it doesnt tramline in the camber etc .

[@TheShinyShow]

Love these. My neighbour had a normal Puma and in the next street had a mk1 Vauxhall Tigra that was modded to the gunnels. Pearlescent paint and everything. Shame we don't really see this those types of car now

[@slideways8022]

I only remember this because of video games, it is so under the radar.

[@bighands69]

It was so under the radar because the car would not click with men. It was a call centre workers car that would out of the price range of most female call centre staff.

[@123willbishop]

That exhaust note is perfect 👌

[@petelattimer6808]

exhaust isnt standard.

[@GirlsYouTube1991]

Pete Lattimer was.

[@klasseact6663]

Thanks Jay, another gem we didn't get in the states, we got the Contour SVT 1998-2000 (Mondeo ST200) and in 2002-2005 the Focus SVT. The CSVT could've been so much better but the FSVT was better balanced.

[@danielfitzhugh9649]

I had a Mk5 fiesta zetec s 1.6 based on the same platform, was an absolute hoon! Probably the most fun car I've owned! Can see why the resale values are going up

[@jase_llan]

Any Fiesta with a Sigma engine in (at least up to a MK6, particularly the MK5 Zetec S like you say) is a great car to drive if you ask me.

[@Stormy177]

I had one of them in Imperial Blue. When I got beaten away from traffic lights by a couple of chavs in a G-reg 2.0 Astra I looked into upping the power (because the handling was razor-sharp), but the only serious upgrades seemed to be swapping out the 1.6 Zetec engine for a 1.7 from a Puma, and that was about £3k. As the Fiesta had only cost me £4.5k, I decided to pass.

[@WalkableBuffalo]

Couldn't have clicked on this any faster! A regular Puma is definitely something I'd like to acquire but you really need the right place and right time to get a good one. Thankfully prices are still very good for a normal model.

[@Mouse2113]

I've always loved them. Even my mums 2001 Fiesta Black had fabulous steering, possibly the best I've experienced

[@andrewonmyway8184]

Had two old pumas here in Sweden. 99 and 2001. What great little cars they were. Fantastic steering and handling. Very reliable engines some goes passed 200 000km. Pity about the rust. Still a classic and puts a smile on my face when I think back.

[@ackovski]

Got one. Modded ECU to 7200rpm, shifted earlier ignition, more gasoline added in the map, KN intake filter, gasiline valve regulator 2.7 bars, fuel pump from a Porsche, no catalysator... MS Design spoilers, front, sides, back... 70km/h in first gear! Gears: 70/115/155/190/5th gear is dangerous to go max, you should hear the sound of it... I love the car!

[@jasondunphy1170]

Not having race pedigree is not quite right yes it wasn't wrc but the fwd f2 s1600 maxi cars

[@bighands69]

It was not a real mans car.

[@markdoyle6414]

I've watched and listened to exhaust notes and gear changes on KZbin and that sounds brilliant. Way better than anything I've heard with a DCT/Auto box and it has a proper car sound. What a great sound. I had a 1.6 Focus estate and to be fare it was a great car to drive. Good time for Ford, shame about them rusting away in no time. It's probably really good because it never had to go around the Nurberg Rind in two and half minutes.

[@nickbitten6037]

Happy days- i recall when the stock version came out they used the Bullit theme and put Steve McQueens face in it. That was inspired.

[@AllTorque]

I actually still own a standard Puma 1.7 Thunder ... Which I loosely had on my channel some time ago. It's now going in for the usual arch and sill repairs .. rust has always been the killer with these ... I'm tempted with it not being a Racing Puma to make my own version with a custom build lol. Fantastic cars and still a vast amount of fun.

[@deans6571]

All Torque I had a green Puma myself, loved the car but as you say, the rear wheel arches were VERY prone to rust sadly.

[@MilitaryHistory2011]

Such a shame these had next to no rust protection from the factory.

[@sparky4878]

Not helped by those big arches just stuck over the stock ones, horrendous rust trap.

[@GirlsYouTube1991]

Sparky was not stuck over standard ones you fool lmao

[@NobodyI991]

@@GirlsKZbin1991 STFU.

[@worldhello1234]

@6:07 Off course you do, because fun to drive and comfort features aren't mutually exclusive. :)

[@GirlsYouTube1991]

My fiesta with this engine the seats and wheels on completely stripped out what memory’s. Wish I had it it’s not all about huge power cars.

[@NobodyI991]

No you never kid.

[@SharpblueCreative]

There is a Ford Puma sport regular Ford Puma & a Ford Cougar less than 100 yards from where I sit.

[@djsammy.b]

I almost bought one😢this is the most fun I've seen you reviewing a car. Brilliant. If the was a love button I'd press it. Keep em coming J!

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

It's like the Lancia Stratos of Ford

[@jimthegun69]

I had one of these when I was in my early twenties and absolutely loved it. Great content as always 👌

[@5amH45lam]

And, if you have a wee bump, you won't plummet into despair and need to take out a bank loan. Top car.

[@camrunner6633]

These will shoot up ovrt the next 5 years, all 90s stock is going to explode

[@Gentleman...Driver]

Assett prices (cars, houses, stocks, precious metals, artwork, etc.) are always the first thing that will go down if we hit a global recession. The only reason why the Assett prices are that high is because all the central banks are pumping money into the market.

[@Tom_Hadler]

@@Gentleman...Driver If asset prices threaten to go down the government and central banks make money printer go brrrr and that means tangible stuff such as cars and houses will - in nominal terms - increase in value. It's a mess

[@Gentleman...Driver]

@@Tom_Hadler Thats the point. They did this already. In the end, the car is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

Most rare/exotic things approaching 25 years old will rocket as that's when people in the US can import them. Expect S1 Elise prices to go up quickly soon. Classic cars are actually a safe place to invest in a recession as they don't tend to drop.

[@keirbourne5323]

These things are already worth loads. They are worth around £25-30K. Nothing as reliably valuable as a Fast Ford !

[@bst857]

I have a Puma with the FRP bits on (wide arches, FRP suspension, track, etc), kind of an unofficial FRP. I like it though because I don't feel bad about modifications. If I had a real FRP I'd want to keep it standard... and that gets boring for me. I think you hit the nail on the head Jay when you said it's fun, that's why I like it. On paper it doesn't look like anything special, but when you drive it, its just addictive, and in its proper habitat the speed isn't a big issue, its like how a good steak doesn't need any sides to compensate for a lack of flavour. I feel that today, a lot of cars are trying to be a jack of all trades, and when that dampens the fun, they just compensate for it by adding more speed. But speed gets boring after a while, and you're left with something that is kind of dull. I had a Mk3 TTS and it would DECIMATE the Puma anywhere, any time, rain or shine. But its too refined, its too easy, you have to go crazy to get a thrill from it, whereas the Puma is fun doing half the speed. Having said that I am putting a small turbo on mine, kind of an experiment to see if it makes it even more fun.

[@jimjamz.]

Nice. Do you still have your wide-arch, wide-track Puma? How much did that cost to do? Any further mods you've had done?

[@joemacleod-iredale2888]

Loved my normal 1.7 puma, super entertaining, used it for big toad trips with four people, as a silly van and got it to go jolly fast on the M6 toll as an uncle told me there was no limit on there!

[@computerrefurbishment9748]

'....pretty cheap 1990s...' = Easy to use unlike a million settings for air con and a daft big screen on the dash as modern day examples. Great review though on a very underrated car.

[@davependrill2897]

Great cars.i had a black one.

[@rodfrancis9160]

mine black also...1.7

[@TheOmniscientAtheist]

I remember seeing a few Pumas when I was a kid but they weren't that common, that was back when every other car on the road was a silver 2003 Focus.

[@faizaanahmed1540]

The true forgotten fast ford

[@dravde7325]

Faizaan Ahmed u r everywhere!!!

[@keyser_söze23]

Fun Ford, not fast, I know as I have one in my garage.

[@Brickinasock]

Nah man not fast. Cheap crap.

[@keyser_söze23]

@@Brickinasock Fun doesn't need to expensive, Mr Edgelord.

[@huzcer]

They were fun, but not fast.

[@jagmaster25]

Desperately miss my two Thunders. Used to rent a workshop 40 miles away and would do late night runs to and from using the Sussex and Kent backroads in the Pumas, simply so much fun and character. Biggest negatives were rust and seating position.

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

The Puma was a great handling little car, my ex mother in law had a stock one and I loved driving it. The Racing exhaust sounds lovely.

[@solardiymadesimple.3779]

Another great honest review 👍 keep um coming jay.

[@KevinACarter]

If I get one of these in the US do I get to annoy my friends by pronouncing it "Pyuma"?

[@technicalscience]

Depends if you want to pronounce it correctly.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

As opposed to pooma? 😜

[@bighands69]

Why on earth would somebody buy a Puma living in the US?

[@nomii5531]

Im importing my puma to the US lmao

[@carlkeig5640]

@@JoeMaranophotography hahaha👌,they think we say jaguar wrong too, jagwar 🙈😂

[@justinjay6930]

best B road car to drive ..nice exhaust crackle, the engine calibration guy must have been smart :-)

[@charlieodonnell1709]

I picked one up after having a brand new E46 M3 for a year back in 2003. The Puma remains the only car I regret selling. I done knockhill, Donny & Anglesey in mine and all it ever needed was 2 services and a set of front brake pads. The thing was a joy and very cheap to run but after Impreza & M3’s it just didn’t have to power to keep me interested as a early 20’s lad.

[@dct1]

Nice one Jay! I used to see 2 of these regularly in Stirling, Scotland but that was a long time ago. My parents had the same coloured normal 1.7 version. I’ve always wanted a puma but the rust issues put me off 😩

[@benday1218]

I once went on a weekend to France '4 up' in a Puma. I'm just under 6 foot and I survived the journey ok in the back! I was younger and thinner then...

[@liamschannel6294]

My step dad used to have one these when him and my mum first met, would have been 7 at the time but even back then I genuinely couldn’t fit in the back without my legs being squashed😂.. can’t remember the exhaust sounding that good though, sounds amazing in this video!

[@Clones_and_coffee]

Was happy to see a review on this car! I always wanted a racing puma back in the day. Wish I had purchased one as when I wanted one they could be picked up for around 5k lol. But I did own a 1999 1.4ltr Puma as my second car, it was fantastic. To this day it's still the car I have owned for the longest, about 7yrs, and two engines. Unfortunately rust combined with the second engine blowing, along with some muppet putting a huge dent in the side of it at a car park, meant its time was up. I moved on to V Spec mx5 afterwards, and I felt although MX5's are rear wheel drive they did feel remarkably similar in characteristics.

[@JonsTunes]

Great car for the smaller British roads, lots of fun. Shame the engine wasn't just that little bit bigger. Even with the standard 1.7 engine Ford made the engine in England, shipped it to Japan where Kawasaki striped it down, did there stuff (cams etc), then they shipped it back for Ford to put it in the car.

[@BillyBoy444]

Fords biggest mistake with the FRP was leaving the Turbo in the parts bin..... Even the standard Puma was a great little car and heck even a MKIV Fiesta or KA were great little handling cars - Ford really turned it around in the 90's.

[@bighands69]

The Puma was a horrible looking car that no man wanted. Rarely did men have the car and only females of mid level career positions would go for the car. It was out of the price range of working hairdressers, call centre staff or admin staff. Most of the women who desired the car could not actually afford it which defeated the purpose of the car. To give you an idea of how confusing the car was the advertisement had Steve Mcqueen driving but it was a womens cars.

[@Dazza2292]

That's why i ripped a puma engine out and stuck it in my mk5 fiesta shell. Brilliant engine always smiled until the rot hit. Still got the car jusy not got time fo repair the shell

[@BillyBoy444]

@@bighands69 Writing the Puma off as a hairdressers car would be a big mistake..... drive one, then drive a Vauxhall Tigra and then you'll know what a hair dressers car really is - The Puma was a good as any hot hatch of it's time, with great handling.

[@BillyBoy444]

@@Dazza2292 Yep sadly the MKIV / V Fiesta never got an engine that their chassis deserved, which is why the Puma engine was a popular conversion and I've even seen some with the 2.0 Duratec engine from the Fiesta ST or 2.0 Mondeo / Focus Zetec. Sadly the late 90's and early 00's were when insurance costs were astronomical and nobody young could afford to insure anything with a 1.6 or bigger engine. Hence XR and RS models got killed off in the UK..... but the Fiesta ST was still badged as a Fiesta XR4 I believe in Australia.

[@bighands69]

@@BillyBoy444 Women tell me getting their armpits waxed is great. I am just not doing it.

[@tobyhounshamkeys]

I drove one of these when they came out, utterly brilliant handling but a little underpowered. Your review is spot on Jay

[@pentagrammotorsport]

Many years ago I worked somewhere with a Puma 1.7 on the fleet. Everyone else always avoided it but I always insisted on having it. I loved that car, it was just so much fun. It was replaced by a Rover 75 diesel in gold with beige and brown interior. I was distraught. Given the availability of Pumas now, they’ve got to be one of those cars to just buy as demand has long since outstripped supply.

[@juanmj93]

6:15 I think we have a sneak peak if the next review

[@TheMadTatter]

Had all of the Pumas with the exception of the Racing Puma and the new one, which while fairly nice in its own right is a travesty to the Puma name. They are such a fun, well rounded mini-coupe and in my experience they really strike a good balance between being accessible, affordable and fun (the FRP doesn't really tick the affordable box admittedly) I think the Puma and the Cougar almost look good enough that they'd blend in with modern cars, the styling has really stood the test of time. While I wouldn't say it was in the same league as the Integra Type R in terms of being the best front wheel drive car, for the money (particularly for a standard 1.6/1.7) you'll find them hard to beat. And yes, for a small car they have the turning circle of an oil tanker, good old Ford in that respect. Thanks for a great video and review as always 👍

[@jase_llan]

Have a go in a MK6 Fiesta ST - 11.2m turning circle I believe, which is actually equally as bad as my parents' 7m long campervan...

[@titan-worldsoldestcat8657]

The puma is and always will be a fun car - ive had 5 - unfortunately not an frp - but the millies, thunders etc are still eminently driveable - shame that often people just use and abuse them and dont understand them and know that with a bit of welding and care they are prob one of the best cars you will ever drive ... i like them stock and try not to mess with them but if you do - do it properly and use quality stuff and you will find you have a stunning beast that isnt a hair dressers car and will make you smile - its the type of car that the stig should hammer around the Nurburgring track and make 100K + cars look stupid ( you will find a few cracking videos of ones like this on youtube and it always makes me smile ) - i can confidently say of all the cars ive driven over the years, and thats more than 30, the puma is still one that makes me smile ! Especially in 3rd going from 30 - 80...

[@ChampionBlueRacing]

Before Jeremy took over TopGear did him, Tiff, Vicky, and Quinton name this car as car of the year at one point?

[@rodfrancis9160]

yes,in 1997/98

[@R-Tap]

Always liked the FRP, great colour. Funny, I thought they had a cool looking big spoiler back in period.

[@DragosDreamer1989]

"sounded like Predator dying..." - LOL! Good one!

[@johnshepard8387]

The Ford Racing Puma was never sold in my country, so i get the regular 1.7L mk1, and it's still a very fun car !

[@NokorUK]

Love the 1.7 Yamaha developed engine in the standard Puma to this day, but sadly let down by all the faults of the then-fiesta and rust. Brilliant car to drive though, so the Racing Puma still tugs at the heartstrings.

[@DirkWaive]

Super handling car, I loved mine. Agreed, steering fantastic.

[@j4r4lly22]

Designed and engineered by the same team at Boreham that built the SS1600 and Puma Kit Cars (2001 British Rally Championship winner) this car has more right than many to wear an RS badge. An absolute guaranteed classic and brilliant to drive too.

[@poovaneswaransupramaniam19]

Cool car...nice throwback....used to read about this car when they were new

[@patrickdiks8930]

I got a 99 puma 1.7 myself. I love it the only downside is the small mirrors

[@technicalscience]

Cracking video! I've always liked the Puma, never had the chance to drive one. This one looks and sounds great.

[@ThunderChunky101]

I loved era. A girl I used to live with had one of these, and I had the Cougar X-PAC.

[@laskos02]

What does the X-pac offer?

[@ThunderChunky101]

@@laskos02 Very nice, heated leather seats. Cougar rims. Cougar badges.

[@ThunderChunky101]

They're actually very nice to drive too. Balanced. Track beautifully. Not quick 0-60, but 50-80 is pacey (again, not quick though). Basically a nice to drive version of the Capri. They're very lovely cars. And that V6 is one of the best cheapo small Ford engines they ever made. Lovely sound. And tuned, they're quick! Turnout and you have a beast, but no one ever does. A simple mod was to st220 chip it.