Buying used Ford Puma - where from?

katebl

Hi all,

OH had an accident and wrote off our little Fiesta we had as a run-around, was a great little car (X reg 1.25 zetec, 107k on the clock, but still ran fine!), so now I'm reluctantly looking for a new car... Would like something a little quicker so was thinking a 1.6 Focus as they don't seem to be too high an insurance group and haven't had any problems with the two Fords we've currently got, but can't really stretch to more than £3,000. Have looked on autotrader but I really am wary of that site - can anyone else recommend good places to look, and what the best model I should be looking for is - have seen Zetecs, LX's etc and it's a bit confusing!

Thanks in advance. :beer:

stef73

You could try local papers if you dont want to use autotrader or local car sales . When you find 1 put the reg into this Ford website should tell you vin plate number and spec it its and also what extras it comes with. http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do;jsessionid=A88B1BDC47DF927C4C7BDFCEBDEE8775.dulv0677
If its was me id look for a zetec i used to have 1.

katebl

Thanks stef, am going to go grab some local papers at lunch. That link is great too. I also wondered if there was anything to look out for, any common faults I should keep an eye out for if anyone knows?

MX5huggy

Where you see the advert for the car is really immaterial, autotrader, eBay, local paper, dealer, auction, private sale, all have dodgy cars and dodgy dealers on them.

Have a reads of honest John http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/buy_sell/buying_used/the-two-golden-rules

kolin_2

i got my Ford Focus (1.8 TDDi - £1995 - '03 - 97K miles - LX) from an ex-police car dealer, came with a full and comprehensive service history.

The Models you refer to (if you are looking at an older focus) are the trim levels (from best to worst)
GHIA
Zetec
LX
CL

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CL gets rake/reach/adj PAS, c/locking, immob, airbags, 3pt/r/c/st/belt, e/f/windows, r/cassette, drivers/st/ht/adj and s/f/r/seat.

Zetec adds alloys, deadlocks and r/c/locking.

LX as Zetec plus s/roof, minus alloys.

Ghia adds air-con, e/adj/htd mirrors, e/drivers/s/ht/adj, f/fogs, htd/windscreen and lthr s/wheel.

the facelift models (the better looking ones) started in 2001, you can tell these because they've got the indicators in the headlights.

information from whatcar.co.uk, and get a likely valuation here http://www.whatcar.com/valuations?makeId=1&modelVersionId=166

katebl

Thanks all - am now thinking maybe a Puma instead (have done an insurance quote and not too painful) and it looks like fair examples can be picked up for around 2k - am now doing my research into them but if anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it?

Weirdlittleman

Puma's are just more expensive Fiestas/Focuses.
Stick with a Fiesta or Focus. A 3k one should be easily achievable. Plenty were made and sold, especially Fiesta Zetecs which are a favourite of the u25 and in plentiful demand. just watch out for trashed ones.

catflea

A puma is effectivly the drag queen version of the fester, not my cup of tea really.

Having had a fiesta, you might have a rough idea what to look for? Same things apply. Personally I'd have another fester and pocket the cash