Ford Puma

[kevino]

Due to a Ranger tail ending and writing off my 2020 Skoda I am in the market for a small SUV with high fuel economy.
By a quirk of fate the insurance coy rental is a Puma St and it suits me quite well.
So I m tossing up whether to buy a Vw T Cross or a Puma near new or new.

But

The thing that worries about Puma is that’s it’s a bit of an only child in this market. It’s seven speed dct and three cyl engine is Ford specific and limited in numbers sold.

Where as T Cross with the seven speed dsg and three cyl 85 tsi motor has been sold in that spec in thousands of vw Skoda and Audi products- people know them can fix them etc etc
Also Ford are also quick off the draw in axing models so I m a bit wary of Puma


What’s your thoughts forum members.

I need an SUV now due to age and old joints catching up with me and I need fuel economy and low purchase price.

[kevino]

Puma st line sorry

[Bossxr8]

Would be much cheaper to repair than a VW. It has a 5 year warranty though, how long will you keep it?

[Seasoned One]

mate just traded his new ish polo, loves his puma

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by kevino

Due to a Ranger tail ending and writing off my 2020 Skoda I am in the market for a small SUV with high fuel economy.
By a quirk of fate the insurance coy rental is a Puma St and it suits me quite well.
So I m tossing up whether to buy a Vw T Cross or a Puma near new or new.

But

The thing that worries about Puma is that’s it’s a bit of an only child in this market. It’s seven speed dct and three cyl engine is Ford specific and limited in numbers sold.

Where as T Cross with the seven speed dsg and three cyl 85 tsi motor has been sold in that spec in thousands of vw Skoda and Audi products- people know them can fix them etc etc
Also Ford are also quick off the draw in axing models so I m a bit wary of Puma


What’s your thoughts forum members.

I need an SUV now due to age and old joints catching up with me and I need fuel economy and low purchase price.

Right off the bat - I'm going to vote no to the SUV, no to VAG and no for anything with a DSG trans

I would suggest Kia Picanto GT or Suzuki Swift Sport, both come in manual,

HOWEVER, I see you have become old and now you require the SUV (my condolences, another taken too soon from our small car fraternity).

So if its down to these two I'm putting the vote in for the Puma ST Line as much as I dislike both DSG and SUVs, its the best of the options in its class.

As someone who has had too much experience with VAG products, its not something you want to keep out of warranty, and if you do buy one then take it to a VAG specialist workshop, they're like the red headed stepchildren of the automotive community, you need to have something wrong with you to solely work on VAG products, but they know their stuff.

[Fordman1]

We have a ST-Line V it’s 18 months old and hasn’t missed a beat. It’s a zippy little car, with nice features and handling, my wife loves it.

I wish it had the glass roof (which is an option).

[FTE217]

yer bugga any V W running costs extra taxs and repairs.

Pumas are nice little rig.

I'd also be looking at a CX3.

[kevino]

Damo /Franco
I knew I would cop a deserved serve from you about age and the suv club joining.
I also note driving an auto suv has diminished my driving quality … my parking is not quite on line and not having to change gear etc means I m playing with the touch screen etc.
I agree putting age and joints aside that picanto gt and Swift sport manual are the remaining options in the manual small car turbo area.
I may not be lost to the manual drivers club as I m also watching a couple of 6mt Skoda Kamiqs which while technically an suv look like a station wagon.


But back to the Puma. The seven speed dct makes me nervous very. We had a 2012 Fiesta till last year with a six speed dct powershift and ford rebuilt that auto three times all under a seven year warranty. The Puma is only five year warranty and I ll probably keep my next car for ten plus years.
The vw while possibly problematic can be fixed as the dct and motor has been sold in the thousands in various Skoda vw Audi models.
And if I get the dct serviced. By the best automatic specialist on the Gc I might be ok.
Thanks for the feedback so far appreciate it and more is welcomed

[EBSXR6]

My Sister had a Tiguan from new what a piece of Junk.
Spent so much time at the dealers and on the back of tow trucks.
The dealer had run out of loan cars and dropped her off to get a rental.
The guy from the Rental Car Depot told her that the VW Dealership was their best customer they had 30 Vehicles out on rent to the VW dealer.
A mate had a Golf was okay for the first few years then the electrical gremlins started, got rid of it and got a Subaru.

[kevino]

Good to know !
Puma option is warming!

[In Focus]

Not sure if it eases or increases your concerns, but the same 7DCT300 gearbox is used in a few of the "cheaper" BMW's and Minis.

https://www.just-auto.com/news/magna...atform-models/

[kevino]

Thanks In focus hope its better than their 6 speed dct in Fiesta,

[Swordie]

How about CX3 as another option? It has 2.0 NA motor and conventional auto. There is also SUV Yaris.

[GASWAGON]

I've been a passenger a few times recently in a new Puma.
I'm sure it was Ecoboost the low end torque and quick gear changes were great.
Also had that idle stop/start which i'm not a huge fan of.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by GASWAGON

I've been a passenger a few times recently in a new Puma.
I'm sure it was Ecoboost the low end torque and quick gear changes were great.
Also had that idle stop/start which i'm not a huge fan of.

yes its a pretty snappy gearshift typical dct.
I ve discovered it s got 4 drive modes.
Eco Normal Sport and Trail
Now that I have got it in eco its easier not to speed and definitely uses less fuel. Sport makes it a v8 (sort of!)
The lane keep assist can be turned off on a stalk and set and forget.
The auto start stop can be turned off but at the start of each trip...which I religiously do.
I hate those features.
sadly cruise control does 'nt hold down hills.
Yeah torque comes in at 1500 so its quick away from stop.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Swordie

How about CX3 as another option? It has 2.0 NA motor and conventional auto. There is also SUV Yaris.

Naturally aspirated engine in 2022 is stale and lame IMO but could be a safe bet because the traditional slushbox.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Swordie

How about CX3 as another option? It has 2.0 NA motor and conventional auto. There is also SUV Yaris.

I would suggest, budget permitting, looking at the CX-30 instead of the CX-3. The CX-30 is overall a newer, better made product. My sister has a related 3, for the price it's built superbly, the interior especially. The CX-3 is getting on now and is TINY inside.

Originally Posted by kevino

Thanks In focus hope its better than their 6 speed dct in Fiesta,

From memory, and this would be something to look into, but the troublesome 6-Speed PowerShift DCT's were of the dry-clutch type. The newer DCT's are the more reliable wet clutch setup.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Naturally aspirated engine in 2022 is stale and lame IMO but could be a safe bet because the traditional slushbox.

Unless it's a high revving V8...............no lameness there!

[EBSXR6]

[QUOTE=DFB FGXR6;6759852]I would suggest, budget permitting, looking at the CX-30 instead of the CX-3. The CX-30 is overall a newer, better made product. My sister has a related 3, for the price it's built superbly, the interior especially. The CX-3 is getting on now and is TINY inside./QUOTE]


Cx3 is a jacked up Mazda 2. CX5 is jacked up Mazda 3.
Dodgy marketing by Mazda.

[cycle myth]

I was given a Puma as Europcar hire car for my last work trip.

Surprised in a positive way.

Good driving position, quiet, smooth and reasonable content.

Fuel consumption was outstanding at 5.0 / 100, with mostly highway driving. For comparison the usual hire MG 3 was gets 7.2 and struggles to perform as well. (I don't get to choose - I would not buy one of these MG3's or the ZS SUV things)

Puma was a smooth drive with more power than expected until you push it and it doesn't.

Not sure if VAG product / VAG customer service can be trusted.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by kevino

yes its a pretty snappy gearshift typical dct.
I ve discovered it s got 4 drive modes.
Eco Normal Sport and Trail
Now that I have got it in eco its easier not to speed and definitely uses less fuel. Sport makes it a v8 (sort of!)
The lane keep assist can be turned off on a stalk and set and forget.
The auto start stop can be turned off but at the start of each trip...which I religiously do.
I hate those features.
sadly cruise control does 'nt hold down hills.
Yeah torque comes in at 1500 so its quick away from stop.

The 1.0 EB and 7-speed DCT is a brilliant combo (wet clutch so now dramas like powershift)
This little beast makes up for a ton of past screw ups, surprised more haven’t discovered it.

[kevino]

Yes after 11 days in the Eurocar rental stline I am very impressed by Puma.

I have discarded the Vw TCross option and will buy a near new Puma round 29/30k base model.
I toyed with the idea of finding a Puma with park pack which gives active cruise control but it also has active lane assist control not sure if that can be turned off.

And the park pack puts a near new one up to 32.5/33k which I should not be spending.

I did think about CX3 but my sister has one in NZ and the back seat room is just totally inadequate hard to enter exit and that 2 litre mazda motor is as dull as dishwater.
CX30 seems to be a bit of a problem child according to some forums and again the same NA slug 2 litre motor along with premium pricing past my self imposed limit.


Its a shame Puma doesnt come with a manual box but thats the sad reality today no supply and no buyers.

[csv8]

If its still available, the Focus Active ? its like an SUV.

[kevino]

Not sold since about 2021 I think. One second hand one only in Bris not many round but was on my list but Puma more around better on fuel.

[barra240t]

Puma is a totally underrated car and should be at the top of your list. At least take one for a drive and please, push the button that allows Sports mode- this transforms it from a city driver to a very fun car, remember is is derived from a Fiesta Sport basically. As for the DCT, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, its actually a very nice gearbox. If you are needing help locating a particular spec let me know, new or demo. Also, Core/ST-Line and ST-Line V all have the same driveline so it really comes down to what features you want, paddles don't come into it until you get to ST-Line.

[kevino]

Thanks Barra240t.
Yes Puma has won the competition.
Near new ie under 8k 2022 model with park pack which gives me active cruise.
There is one in this spec in Brisbane but i am waiting patiently for my insurance payout for my written off Skoda which may take another 10 days so this car maybe sold under me.
Are you in Qld or Northern NSW?

[kevino]

add base model (core?)

[xkxlxm]

this is kind of related: I am listening to a legal half hour on the radio; you can ring and ask the lawyer and get free advice. One caller has a VW, just out of warranty. She didn't say how far out of warranty and didn't say she bought it new, but I guess she did. Transmission failed out of warranty. It seems that water got into the transmission. VW say "it's your problem; no claim against us". Caller said it's going to cost her $20,000.00 to get the transmission replaced.

[Lawyer suggested that she try to find out on forums etc (here and o/s) if that transmission is known to have that problem.]

I'm not in the market for a new car but if I was I don't think VW would be on the list.

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by kevino

Thanks Barra240t.
Yes Puma has won the competition.
Near new ie under 8k 2022 model with park pack which gives me active cruise.
There is one in this spec in Brisbane but i am waiting patiently for my insurance payout for my written off Skoda which may take another 10 days so this car maybe sold under me.
Are you in Qld or Northern NSW?

Awesome, the park pack is great. SE QLD DM if you need anything.

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by xkxlxm

this is kind of related: I am listening to a legal half hour on the radio; you can ring and ask the lawyer and get free advice. One caller has a VW, just out of warranty. She didn't say how far out of warranty and didn't say she bought it new, but I guess she did. Transmission failed out of warranty. It seems that water got into the transmission. VW say "it's your problem; no claim against us". Caller said it's going to cost her $20,000.00 to get the transmission replaced.

[Lawyer suggested that she try to find out on forums etc (here and o/s) if that transmission is known to have that problem.]

I'm not in the market for a new car but if I was I don't think VW would be on the list.

Probably replace the lawyer, not the transmission. ACL- consumer guarantee rights- major failures outside of warranty come into play.