[pumaSV650S]

Just got my copy of the latest EVO magazine through the post, collectors edition 135.
The magazine is usualy very good but they have excelled themselves this time with an absolutely fantastic edition

Pg 60 is the start of the '100 Greatest Drivers Cars' and what is there just sneaking in at No 99
The 1.7 Ford Puma of course!!!


I'm sure they won't mind me giving you a little quote cos this topic will make them sell a few more copies this month...
"Plain fact is, the Puma is one of the world's most underatted drivers' cars, delivering seat-of-the-pants finess and drivetrain sweetness that are usually the preserve of far more exotic machinery. If you can't have fun on a twisty road in this car see a doctor"


other cars in the top 100 I'm particularly keen on are:
Sierra Cossy, Cerbera Speed 6, F355 GTB, Vanquish, Bugatti EB110, Escort Cossy, VX220, E39 M5,
Mac F1, Diablo, E-type, NSX, Esprit V8, Impretza P1, Integra typr-R, Ford GT, F40, Evo VI, & the F50

Personally I think they are missing a few...
see http://www.youtube.com/user/henrymarkstewart10 then go to playlists to see what I mean!

Now go get yourself a copy of the mag as soon as it is in the shops!
[I didn't see any fiesta ST in the list! lol]

This post has been edited by pumaSV650S: 14 August 2009 - 10:15 AM

[zara014]

oooooo VX220.....yes please

[chestnutree]

How long is it usually before it's in the shops after u receive it?

[pumapilot]

If you can't have fun on a twisty road in this car see a doctor.

I agree 110%

[Pat_T]

Just finished reading and another great article as always!

My faves from the list are all the hot Renaults, the F50, 360CS Ferrari's, the GT3 911, TVR Sagaris, Lotus 340R, and one of the best? ...The classic mini has still got it after all these years! The final 10 was a good mix of cars though

[fordboi]

Which edition has this in? Just went to the garage and they only had Septembers 'Supercar' issue in. No signs of 100 greatest driving cars???

[arcdef]

Last summer they ran a special issue called the best front wheel drive cars, the puma was in there somewhere middle/bottomish in the ranks, still rated it highly! I should dig it out really.

[Crystalpuma]

I just got my copy too. Big grins now! I want to shout it to the rooftops lol.

Missing = Mitsi GTO and RX-7 to name but two!

Peugeot 205 GTI = shock of the day!

[chestnutree]

So is the magazine just called "EVO"? wots the pic on the front?

No peugeot shud ever be in that list after my experience with them. The ones i've driven were absolutely shocking to drive and would never ever buy 1 again.

Crystal, was ur puma on the project puma stand at Ford fair? i recognise the cool paw prints if not someone else has the same....

[Crystalpuma]

Yes that was me *big grin* paw prints coutesy of Bok/Colin and R5 CPD/Chris!

Peugeots used to be f-ing excellent cars, they went majorly downhill during the 90s to what they are now.

The front cover in the shops is different to the collectors' edition cover so can't say what it would be, but EVO is usually slightly plainer than the other ones as they pride themselves on their good quality shots, and like to show them off, hence less lettering. It might not be in the shops quite yet also!

[R5CPD]

Good to see the prints are still drawing attention Vix!

As a regular reader of Evo, the Puma gets many mentions as being a benchmark for the handling of a front wheel drive car, so I'm not surprised it's in the list as they have always been big fans of our kat!

[Crystalpuma]

In fact they say

positives: everything, negatives: nothing

in the buyers' guide

This post has been edited by Crystalpuma: 16 August 2009 - 08:47 PM

[megaboost]

EVO magazine was one of the reasons I decided to get one, I'd forgotten all about them until I looked through the back of the mag for potential fun cars at the lower end of the used price range, was grinning from ear to ear driving home a few weeks later

One of the things I love about the Puma is that people just don't get it until they give it a chance and drive it, especially "macho" men, I wouldn't care if mine was pink, all I need is the car and some twisty roads to play on.

It was nice to read through issue 135 when it landed on the mat though, it confirmed why I keep driving the Puma and have only done 250 miles in the Supra in the last year, it's a real drivers car, it's not all about outright speed and fast lap times, it's about enjoying the drive.

[Pumastarman]

I just got my copy too. Big grins now! I want to shout it to the rooftops lol.

Missing = Mitsi GTO and RX-7 to name but two!

Peugeot 205 GTI = shock of the day!

Re: 205 GTI no s##t! I had a 309 GTI 1.9 litre for years back in the day(basically a less attractive version of the 205) and theres no way it was that much better than the Puma (205 placed 23rd, Puma 99th). Yes, it did have very accurate and intuitive steering but the Puma's is very close. Also engine wise, they feel almost the same in the way the engine delivers its power and feel about equal in performance too. Of course the 309 (205) was probably more practial to live with because it was a hatchback, but you don't buy a coupe for that reason and the Puma is beautiful. I also find the Puma more stable and reassuring than the 309 GTI on the same terrain. Both are very desirable cars, but the Puma should be more reliable.

If I had the two cars side by side in the same era, then it would be virtually impossible to choose between the two upon on driving them. Just be down to which one you prefer.

To add; I'm suprised the Puma wasn't placed higher, given its popularity with the Evo magazine.

This post has been edited by Pumastarman: 16 August 2009 - 09:37 PM

[warrenpenalver]

In the 205's defence, the 205 IS a very good handling FWD car and that is a fact. Having driven both a 205 and a puma, id say the 205's handling is as good on the twisties as a pumas, except its more savage on the limit with lift off oversteer being hard to handle if you dont expect it. A puma on the other hand is a pussycat at the limit and is easy to correct. 205 also has more straight line speed than a puma.

Problem you have is most peoples experience of a 205 will be driving a knackered old one, and like all old cars, performance an handling goes to pot when the suspension and engine are worn out, so comparing a upto 10 year old puma to an upto 24 year old 205, the pumas always going to come on top.

If the 205 is so bad then why is it still a very popular entry track/rally/race car??? The Puma's only just catching up in that respect due to the value drop of them.

[mort666]

If the 205 is so bad then why is it still a very popular entry track/rally/race car??? The Puma's only just catching up in that respect due to the value drop of them.

Was just thinking that while reading people's comments. at the last few sprint/hillclimb events I've been to there has been a strong entry of 205s in the field. Must be something good about them (apart from being cheap).

This post has been edited by mort666: 17 August 2009 - 10:12 AM

[warrenpenalver]

indeed mort!! they are lightwieght, fast and with new suspension/uprated suspension handle well. also now old, parts are dirt cheap from scrappys etc.

[Pumastarman]

In the 205's defence, the 205 IS a very good handling FWD car and that is a fact. Having driven both a 205 and a puma, id say the 205's handling is as good on the twisties as a pumas, except its more savage on the limit with lift off oversteer being hard to handle if you dont expect it. A puma on the other hand is a pussycat at the limit and is easy to correct. 205 also has more straight line speed than a puma.

Problem you have is most peoples experience of a 205 will be driving a knackered old one, and like all old cars, performance an handling goes to pot when the suspension and engine are worn out, so comparing a upto 10 year old puma to an upto 24 year old 205, the pumas always going to come on top.

If the 205 is so bad then why is it still a very popular entry track/rally/race car??? The Puma's only just catching up in that respect due to the value drop of them.

Hi Please read my post again. I never said the 205 is a BAD car at all. My experience is of my 309 GTI back when I owned a 3 year old 1993 very low mileage in superb condition model. I sold it back in 1998 so it wasn't that old then! My memories were of a very good handling/riding car with great intuitive steering, as I said in my post. Why you assumed I owned a knackered old s##t heap is beyond me??

I've driven the nuts off both Puma and 309 1.9 GTI and know both cars very well (just ask my partner, shes lucky if she gets any attention ) and both cars I've owned (own) are always low mileage, nice condition examples.

My point was, that the Puma is no way that far behind the 205/309GTI in the list for the Greatest Drivers cars (Puma 99th and 205 23rd)

Please read my post again.

[Crystalpuma]

I agree about the gap being too large but the 205 has a much better ride than the Puma as it seems to hold as well or better round corners but is more comfortable along the straights. Otherwise I like the Puma far more

[pumapilot]

Peugeots used to be excellent cars, they went majorly downhill during the 90s to what they are now.

Watching Kevin going down zig-zag hill in his Pushgo was amusing