29 replies to this topic

[jay_muir]

How Do all,

I have recently got my self a placement and need to arange a Car for getting to and from work. I dunno what I want tho. I've been after a mini for years and now I can afford something decent I dunno what to do? My main concern is reliability. I need something that won't die on me. I also want something with a bit of poke, thats why I'm maybe thinking of a Ford Puma 1.7 16v, But you can get stupidly high power to weight ratios out of a mini!

What do you people suggest?

Cheers,
Jamie

[minimanclive]

How far have you got to travel to and from work and on what sort of roads?

Under the surface the Ford Puma is just a Ford Fiesta. But it's a modern car so needs much less TLC than the Mini.

If you don't need to travel too far or on motorways i'd go for the Mini.

[Pavel]

K-Series powered mini. Sorted.

[Mini 360]

MINI!!! Go for the mini for sure. Pumas are common unless they are the Ford Racing ones. They look good but Minis have charcter and yep you are right you can get high power to weight ratios in them sowhy not get one of them.

[minimadjonesy]

buy both! the Puma 1.7 is a cracking car and would be great as an every dayer (as long as you're not over 5'8"!!).
Then buy a cheap mini - £1k ish and start upgrading it slowly!

[airman87]

gots to get a mini either way weather you get a puma or not!, i advise a newer mini maybe, lyke 1 of the last made 1nz.

[Mini 360]

You wouldnt happen to have a later Mini would you airman87? Or are you just dreaming?

[Bungle]

your asking on a mini forum what to buy a ford or a mini ?

lets put it this way i bet no one on the puma forum say mini

[1275Oz]

I am in the exact same predicament. I also want a puma as I think mini will just break down all the time!
Sure minis are more stylish than a puma but, and I know I am going to annoy people when I say this, the puma is the better car. They are sexy, sporty, COMFORTABLE, RELIABLE.

But saying all this, I chose my mini over buying a Puma so you know, follow your heart not your head. (that is until you break down or get sick of the bumpy ride)

[airman87]

lol, theres no way i could afford lyke a year 2000 mini, ive got a 1970 mini cooper S and a 1996 1275cc sprite.

[pikey7]

Contrary to popular rumours, a Mini is no less reliable than any other car if maintained correctly. They are however a bit "raw" for some peoples taste.

Of course though I'm gonna say get a Mini, partly because (as Bungle points out) this is a Mini enthusiasts site, and partly 'because all Fords deserve to be rounded up and used as landfill....... (and the Puma is particularly ugly!)

[Sam]

For daily use, out of the choice, I would have the 1.7 vct puma without thinking. Hardly any maintenance, no welding, and you can go on a long journey without getting a head ache. But I'd still have a quick mini for weekends

by the way, where have you got your work placement? I should hopefully be starting motorsport technology at herts in september so I'll be doing the same course as you..

[Mini 360]

lol, theres no way i could afford lyke a year 2000 mini, ive got a 1970 mini cooper S and a 1996 1275cc sprite.

Able to afford to run 2 cars though...

[steveobennet]

i'm sorry but when does a re-shelled fiesta look sexy? i'll admit it looks good and goes well, but the mini seams more spacious and is reliable if you look after it! you can only go on long journeys with out getting a head ache if you're under 5foot 11" in the puma!

[nev_payne]

The Ford Cougar is a decent piece of kit as is the Ka ( some would say the KA is the better replacment to the rover mini...at least its designed with the ACV30 shape). Nothing however beats a Mini....

Mind you...go find yourself a Ford Puma forum..I think they'd say somting rather aux contrare