Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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...purchased on eBay by mistake. Was up cheap, threw in a cheeky offer well below asking and it was accepted.   (only got eBay pics at the moment) The reason for which soon became clear... It's a surprisingly rust-free example - the sills and arches look okay and if they've been blown over it's a pretty good job. 80k on the clock, I'm only the 3rd owner (!). It was listed with a broken brake bulb and electric window not working...however the owner's keenness to shift it on began to make sense half an hour into the journey home when the clutch started slipping. A lot. So I nursed her home, parked her up and - with the help of Hairymel of this parish (and when I say 'help', I mean he took the lead ;-)) replaced the clutch last weekend. At that point it was clear that both outer CV boots were fubar, and the brake discs and pads had all the thickness of an Italian pizza. Thankfully ECP had a sale on (I KNOW right!?!) and because it's basically a Fiesta with a bigger engine parts were cheap and now we have a fully working Pooma! Drove it to work today and it was a right hoot - exactly what I was after for my morning commute. Responsive, stiff and grippy around the corners (it's 20 miles of B road), not too thirsty and with a lovely engine note. Still needs the rear brakes looking at and the handbrake adjusting, and I'll have to investigate the electric window. And the rear view mirror fell off this morning. Oil change is high on the list because I don't think it's seen a great deal of love in its life. Most importantly, lowering is on the agenda (some spring fettling will be occurring this weekend) and it would benefit from a wash inside and out. Previous owner was a dog owner who apparently let the dog sit up front!?! |
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Last Edit: Sept 9, 2018 19:09:59 GMT by Paul
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They are great little cars but many are falling into the bangernomics category now with virtually no maintainence.
When did it last have a cam belt?
It's another item which regularly gets ignored on these (bit of a pain to do and you need to lock the VVT correctly).
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A glorious little machine...
These are becoming rare now and I reckon in the next 5 years they will be even harder to find!
I shall look forward to seeing this with added lowness...
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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looks like a fun little curse word to drive. congrats on your accidental purchase!
I would say take a close look at the important things it needs, like that cam belt, and you should be good for the long term.
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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1998 Evilbay Pooma 1.7peteh1969
@peteh1969
Club Retro Rides Member 107
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Looks a good car but it's metallic blue.
May be its the pictures but that don't look Purple.
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Looks a good car but it's metallic blue. May be its the pictures but that don't look Purple. But then my alliterative title wouldn't work? :-) It's Merina (sp?) Blue for sure...although it still looks like purple to me. |
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Dec 23, 2017 18:54:15 GMT
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So this thread's been crying out for an update, but this has been used as my commuter since purchased in October so I've had little time to do so. As previously mentioned she benefitted from - new clutch
- new slave cylinder
- new outer CV boots
- front pads
- front discs
not long after purchasing...but there are a few more jobs needing doing. First was upgrading the weedy headlamp bulbs - put in some Osram Nightbreakers and they're much better than the nonames that were in there. Here she is looking vey sorry for herself now I've finished work for Christmas  The handbrake and rear brakes have been pretty poor ever since purchasing but I've lived with it so far - pulled the hubs today... This one wasn't too bad  This one, however, is leaking - so I've added a pair of cylinders to the Santa list  So had to down tools on the rear. Thought I'd set about some jobs on the front instead. Grotty track rod I'd noticed was split when the clutch was pulled  In for a penny, the rear wishbone bush was cracked and splitting, so although it doesn't look too shabby here I thought it was worth doing  MAY have shat a brick when this happened, assuming that the bolt had sheared...  All done - new track rod end, ARB link and wishbone in. Looks pretty clean down here all told  Tomorrow I should be able to get the rear cylinders replaced, and move on to the other side - may as well replace the wishbones, track rod etc whilst I'm here... Will also be upgrading the 15" Team Dynamics for 16s on Continental rubber, and I've got plans to replace the stereo with something more...enjoyable... |
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Last Edit: Dec 23, 2017 19:08:12 GMT by Paul
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düdo
Part of things
wide as house
Posts: 770
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Dec 23, 2017 19:31:48 GMT
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There's a purple Puma like this appeared around here recently - a very 90s colour. If it wasn't a direct Tigra rip off by Ford it was certainly inspired by it and aimed at the same market segment. It's meant to drive better in standard form than the Tigra? Article from '97 Lowering will improve everything. |
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Last Edit: Dec 23, 2017 19:37:26 GMT by düdo
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Dec 23, 2017 20:09:10 GMT
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I've driven a Tigra - although I think it was a 1.4 - and the Puma is a much better car. The article suggests a convertible was mooted - I can't imagine how that would have looked, and the extra weight to reinforce the chassis would have killed the sprightliness IMHO.
I've lowered it about 35mm on lowering springs, although it's impossible to see in the pictures at the moment.
Once I've finished all these jobs I'll give her a proper wash and post up some decent pics. Plenty of work to do though...
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düdo
Part of things
wide as house
Posts: 770
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Dec 23, 2017 21:24:39 GMT
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I think you'll need at least 60mm to get the effect - adjustable shocks. As for 'the Puma is a much better car' - being a Tigra devotee, I'll have to find a suitable response!  |
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Dec 23, 2017 21:37:08 GMT
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In defence of the Tigra I never drove a 1.6 - which would be a better comparison with the Puma I reckon. This particular 1.4 managed to do its head gasket within about 3 years despite being owned from new so my experience was a little tainted :-)
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düdo
Part of things
wide as house
Posts: 770
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Dec 23, 2017 21:52:24 GMT
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Yes, with Tigra power is lacking but good with lows'n' leather . Head gaskets for breakfast, constantly need feeding with oil and coolant
How about some interior shots? 90s coupes 4ever
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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1998 Evilbay Pooma 1.7ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Dec 24, 2017 10:31:47 GMT
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Good to see you are making progress with this. These are a cult car indeed.
I'd keep your old arms however given they have Ford bushes in ; I take it the new ones are pattern?
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Dec 24, 2017 13:24:19 GMT
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Looking goood. The headlight lenses actually just clip off the headlights on these so are nice and easy to wetsand and polish up (I see they are quite yellowed) also if those are pattern lower arms expect the bushes to last 2 years at max. ARB bushes are a common failure and polybush replacements are definitely recommended.
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Dec 24, 2017 13:45:08 GMT
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have to say, as much of a bad rep these micro coupes got (like the tigra) one my exes had a puma and it was a brilliant/fun car to drive.
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Badger
Part of things
Posts: 250
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Dec 24, 2017 14:24:18 GMT
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My mate got one of these a month or so ago as a hurried replacement for his MK2 Focus ST which burnt down - he loves it! To be fair I drove it and was surprised by how revvy and nicely handling it is.
We've just done both front wishbones and outer CV joints on his yesterday, but switched the riveted ball joints out for bolted on versions which allow them to be replaced. 'Twas a curse word of a job, not gonna lie!
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Dec 24, 2017 15:36:00 GMT
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I miss my old puma, they're a great car for point to point hacking.
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Dec 24, 2017 20:10:19 GMT
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Looking goood. The headlight lenses actually just clip off the headlights on these so are nice and easy to wetsand and polish up (I see they are quite yellowed) also if those are pattern lower arms expect the bushes to last 2 years at max. ARB bushes are a common failure and polybush replacements are definitely recommended. I've ordered a sanding kit for the headlamps, it's on my 'to do' list as they seem to come up really well after. There's definitely some light crazing/hazing that looks ripe for polishing. Although it doesn't look obvious the old rear wishbone bush is fubar and ready to pop out of the wishbone. Will definitely consider polybushing next time I'm down there! |
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Dec 24, 2017 21:35:51 GMT
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Nice wee cars these.
Going to be collectable to.
Every old Ford is...
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