If the classification of modern classics was an objective assessment, the original Ford Puma would surely be worth a small fortune. Think of all the cars that are collectable (and valuable) now, then compare their attributes to the little Ford’s: here’s a car that was popular in period and now much rarer, powered by a revvy 16-valve engine, paired only with a wonderful manual gearbox and blessed with supreme handling. The Puma looked good and didn’t - still doesn’t - cost an awful lot to run. There are cars of a similar age that tick fewer boxes which are offered at much more money.
It’s all very strange, if very good news for those that actually want to buy old cars and drive them. Yes, we’re a hot hatch-obsessed nation, but then look at how much some of the very last Ford Capris - made in the hot hatch’s '80s pomp - are now valued at. Fast Ford pocket rockets much less nice to drive than the Puma cost huge amounts more in vaguely comparable condition. For so long the Puma has been tipped as the next big thing in future classics; the Racing has gone berserk, though the standard 1.7 remains temptingly affordable. As in really quite cheap.
In the current climate, that’s welcome. Maybe prices will just remain low, and those who like them can buy and enjoy them without worrying about remortgaging to buy one or never getting behind the wheel for fear of harming the value. Take this Puma as the perfect example. It’s a 2002 1.7, so one of the latter cars made (production ended in 2003); it’s covered just 42,000 miles in that time, is with its second owner, and is said to come with lots of stamps and receipts in the history.
That there’s rust mentioned in the MOT history from a few years back feels like saying words have vowels - it’ll inevitably be there at some point. But it was seemingly addressed in 2018, and the tests before and since have been good. All the interior switches look decent, as do the seat bolsters and famously scratchable gear knob - all the stuff that wears in cheap cars has lasted really well.
And it’s £2,995. Three grand for one of Ford’s best-handling small cars ever made. Perhaps it doesn’t have the image or reputation of some of the Blue Oval icons, but there’s no doubting what a brilliant little driver’s car the Puma was. When there’s seemingly such a dearth of affordable, interesting, modern classic cars out there, it looks better than it ever has. It’s not modified, it’s seemingly not had any paint, and the last MOT was advisory-free (after some advisories were seen to). For little more than Shed money.
The value on offer with a Puma becomes clear when you look at other fast Fords available for anywhere near the same money. A Fiesta ST (which nobody really liked as much) at this money will have 100,000 miles or more; a Focus ST will either be the uninspiring 2.0-litre 170 or the turbo 2.5 with more than a dozen owners. Even the Mondeo ST220, forever the bargain of the bunch, is hard to come by at this sort of cash. The Puma won’t be tremendously fast, or sound like a rally car, but it’s hard to think of much else that provides so much fun for so little. Long may it continue - something old and good has to stay cheap, doesn’t it?
SPECIFICATION | FORD PUMA 1.7
Engine: 1,679cc, four-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 125@6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 115@4,500rpm
MPG: 38
CO2: 171g/km
Year registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 42,470
Price new: £14,550 (1997)
Yours for: £2,995
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