[007matt]

Car description by the seller:(in the autotrader)

2001 FORD PUMA 1.7i 16V 3dr Coupe,
31,000 miles, 51 Reg. Details of extras: - air con, abs, driver and passenger airbag,
cd player, electric windows and mirrors, heated front screen, power steering.
The car is taxed til july and has some Ford service history. Two brand new rear tyres.
Front tyres are well above min limit. The mileage is completely genuine
(mainly used to and from work).
The car was involved in an accident when it was 8mths old. I have photos of the repair -
and there have been no problems since purchase & it has passed two MOTS from 3yrs old.
However low price reflects the fact that it does have accident history. Genuine callers only.
Billericay area. n/c. Å“4,285. ono
Telephone: 07990 535215
Distance: 12 miles
Price: Å“4,285 ono

The seller said he had it a bit over 3 years.
No cambelt change yet as it was first registered in sept 2001.

Seller told me that he bought it of someone who brought the write off car
and repaired it before selling it to him. He was told that the
damaged was along the driver's side, bodywork damage not mechanical.

The seller also say there is a small rust spot on a rear wheel arch, he was
honest in saying someone told him the replaced bodywork were thinner than
the undamaged passenger side, which may be the reason it got rusted.

Seller said there is room to negotiate on price (being me i m not afraid to negotiate ).

I remained sceptical because if the body damaged was all along the driver's side with no
mechanical damage, then an 8 months old car costing 13k-15k should not be a write off?

It's not the seller I dont trust, it's the person who repaired and sold him the car saying no
mechanical damage that I dont trust. Also not using the proper puma bodyparts.

The seller had the car serviced twice done by ford, with no previous service history.

What do you guys think, it is worth a look?

[Kat B]

I'm by no means an expert, but sweetheart I wouldn't touch it. You just don't know what you could be getting into. I know that's true of any used car, but this sounds a little iffy to me.

[pumastew]

Personally i'd steer well clear.

[Rock Chick]

I don't like the sound of the "bodywork being thinner"

[007matt]

Yeah I am thinking along the same line,
if the bodywork were thinner then thats
just bad news for a start. Who knows
what extend the damage were given
it was a write off with only bodywork
damage, so the guy who repaired the
car said. Could be bad news.

I just got rid of my bmw and cant wait to
get the puma. But I'm also a patient person
so will wait for a good one.

Currently have use of a micra, that will do for now

[Alfonso]

Excuse my ignorance, how can it be a write off when it was just 'bodywork damage' and now be worth over 4k?

I'd stay away from it.

[V4FRP]

Patience is a virtue. There are enough decent Pumas on the market to make looking around until you find exactly what you want the most sensible thing to do. After all if you buy a rebuild at a high price you'll firstly have difficulty selling it on later in its life and also take a financial loss. If you do get tempted an AA or RAC mechanical inspection is a must in my opinion.
It took me nearly 4 - 6 months of looking at FRP's before buying V4 and the waiting although frustrating was well worth it (I unfortunately hadn't found this site and all its advice till after buying V4)

Dave

[sham]

mat it s your call at the end of the day but like the lads were saying
there are plenty of other straight and true pumas out there to
chose from without buying someone elses dirt
take your time and get the right one for you

[jonny5alive]

I bought a 51 plate Puma from Pumabuild that had been accident damaged, and had a completely new body. Paul gave me photos of it being done. Touch wood it has been fantastic. I was very skeptical about it but its been great so far (about 8 months).

[V4FRP]

I bought a 51 plate Puma from Pumabuild that had been accident damaged, and had a completely new body. Paul gave me photos of it being done. Touch wood it has been fantastic. I was very skeptical about it but its been great so far (about 8 months).

Differwnt ballgame methinks if you know the cars been professionally reshelled and rebuilt by a company like Pumabuild and if the price is right. After all if its been properly done you've got a partly new car.

Dave

[king]

Personally i'd steer well clear.

Personally i would stay clear too

[RichB]

Its up to you but there are plenty of accident repaired cars out there. id go and see the car 1st, get an inspection, and try n bring a mate who is in the know about bodywork and cars if possible as he will be able to check it over.
and as said above take a lot off that price.
Good Luck
Rich B

PS. if you dont have a good gut feeling or the slightest of niggles about it then steer well away from it there are plenty more out there.

[Lor]

What does your gut say to you? There is your answer IMO. The 1.4i i just brought put a smile on my face from the word go and i had zero regrets or gut feelings.

I'd stay clear from it TBH unless they can prove without doubt this car has been done to the 100% finest quality, which i doubt.