i bought a ford racing puma yesterday, dont worry i have not sold the scooby, it just sits next to it. i must say the puma is awesome! handles like its on rails and has such a neutral feel and the brakes are awesome, just wish it had some more go!! ive bin looking into a focus rs engine swap, just thought id tell you guys and see what you thought of them or if any of you have had experiances of them?
cheers

 

only concern really is rust,know what you mean about the handling though mate i was impressed when i had ago in one that came into my workshop not to long back,ford have got quite a good rep now for there handling in most of there range of cars,ive always liked the feel of the focus handling imho

 

These look great, never driven one. Must be rare now too.

 

yh i think there is only 280 left on the road!! i managed to get one with the optional limited slip diff,
i no what you mean about the rust! the arches have got little bits here and there, where is your bodyshop? as im after some work done quite soon

 

my mates have them engines in fiestas lol there fast really surprised me and pop lik a gooden lol

 

They look great.

I remember these on gravel rallys and they struggled cos their track was wider than all the other cars (ruts from 4wd creating serious problems).

On tarmac I would imagine the handling to be excellent

 

just be careful for body parts n all other parts to be fair, right pigs ear to get hold of.

 

Love the look of them, didnt like the drive though...

 

I never forget a few years back when I was looking at one of these for the other half. She loved it too but for the colour.

Just as we got the ball in motion was on the Test drive of a very nice guys Puma Racing (build #144 I think?) she spotted a Clio 172 Sport !!!

Guess what we went for in the end!!! Yup.......The Clio Sport piece of crap!!!

Love the Puma Racing for the arches. Ok it's a Ford but I'd still have one.


Steve

 

lol ive got a thing for fords, ive got the racing puma, a fiesta rs turbo (stays in the garage) a rs2000 mk6 and my Impreza!
i dont honestly think any car out of the 39 ive owned can even come close to the puma in terms of handling and stopping, its unreal. the only downside is it could do with 250 bhp then it would be a perfect all rounder! im getting more and more tempted to do a focus rs engine swap but the guys at pumabuild have told me to leave the car standard so im a bit confused now!
And mate i feel for you buying a clio, there virtually going for pennies these days in comparison with the pumas!!

 

never driven one but always thought they looked great

 

Post up some pics!!!

 

i wil post some pis up later as im going to the rs owners club show now, should be back around 5 or 6

 

I remember Auto Express saying it was better drive than a classic Scoob.

Mind, they have always *rse-licked Fords.

 

this thread needs photos,

 

Excellent choice mate. I owned a Racing Puma for about 3 years. It was brilliant. Exhaust sounds great, seats are really supportive (although some of my erm...bigger friends said the sides were uncomfortable).
Downsides are - availability and price of parts especially body parts. rust around rear arches and the sill under the door where the rear 3/4 panel is welded and lack of power.
have a look on pumapeople.com it is a superb site with some very knowledgeable people. There has been a Focus RS engine put in one and another has a Nitrous set up.

 

if you were thimking about changing the engine, a cheaper option could be a remapped focus ST engine with a decent exhaust system should be good for 280 region

 

Just recently sold mine, #441
Was a sad day when it was driven away
I agree with you, the handling and brakes are something else!!
Definately need at least another 50bhp

 

cosworth it coff coff

 

Dont change the engine....thats just sacrilage. Ford purists would hate that.

 

good job were not on a ford purist site then

 

My other half used to have one of these. Awesome little car, would be good to have the diff though, save on tyres. Also, watch out, when the back end gets loose its prone to swap ends! Like already mentioned, they sound great for such a little engine.

I think if you change the engine for a turbo unit there will be too much weight and will loose the handling abilities...

Sorry not the op pic but couldn't help myself...

 

just watch your head getting in and out!!!

 

Love the look of the FRP. I know its a Ford and all that, but I have a soft sport for most of the hot Fords - especially when they have fat arches!