If, like me, you want to enjoy your drive to work, have a Sunday afternoon blast down your favourite road and feel like you are the next precision driver to stand alongside Brian and Dom in the up-and-coming new Fast & Furious Film then you need the ride to suit. However, you have the budget that won’t even buy the exhaust manifold for a Skyline, so is there an answer? Pick up near enough any motoring magazine or read any article on the net about driving pleasure and if you ignore all the Supercars and anything over £25,000 I will guarantee that the Mazda MX-5 will be mentioned for its superb driveability, handling and value for money.

So if you’re thinking that you will be reading all about my thoughts of Mazda’s brilliant little MX-5, err, well you’re not. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of this car but there is an issue… a BIG issue.

It all revolves around its fundamental driving style – Rear Wheel Drive. Now before you all start shouting at the screen, hear me out. Unless you are a true racing driver, had a rear wheel drive car for the past 20 years or were driving back in the Capri days, then I’m sorry, but I can’t be the only one that can drive and thinks that the logic of stamping your foot hard on the accelerator to control over steer is just as mind-blowing as it gets. From my experience, (I have done this in a 3 Series,) once that boot lid is stepping out further than a mild squeal of the tyres, pure panic takes over and instantly your right foot is on the brake pedal! This normally ends up in either lots of tyre smoke or a horrible crash and your no claims bonus waving goodbye.

A nice MX-5 can be picked up for less than a grand, so can you pick up a front wheel drive car that delivers fun, practicality and is in reach of every driver out there?

In my opinion, (bearing in mind I’m a used car salesman, so I’m always right,) yes there is – for one of the best cars on the road for driving pleasure, let me introduce to you the Ford Puma.

Looking through the ads online, there are hundreds for sale at under £1,000. Ignore the 1.4 and the newer 1.6’s – Go for the 1.7. They deliver 125BHP which by today’s standards isn’t that much, but if you think about the size and weight of the car, coupled with its revvy engine and how it puts the power down with an accurate feel through the steering wheel, driving them is a real treat. A Lux pack gives extra spec such as air conditioning, electric mirrors and the brilliant heated front windscreen.

Some people say they are a bit ‘girly’ but I’m betting those people haven’t driven one. There isn’t one person that I know that doesn’t like them. Even the Scumbag that burgled my house decided he liked them too and did one with mine! Owners (including myself) all rave about how they are so controllable and give the ‘Instagrin’ feeling. Having just borrowed one for the day I have to say I feel like a big kid again; it just feels so right to drive.

Being Ford, they are easy to drive. The buttons are where they should be and everything is simple. Underneath the sleek lines is a Fiesta so parts and maintenance are cheap. Yes there are bad points but hasn’t every car? Rot to the rear arches is a real problem, but by far the worst thing that is wrong is: NO F*****G cup holders! It will seat four and has a deceptively deep boot.

If you are in the market for a car like this then take my word for it; you won’t regret it. Buying a Puma couldn’t be easier. Look for service history and if possible try and find one that has had its timing belt changed. There were a number of Special Editions which are worth hunting for, just be mindful of the price (Thunder, Millennium and Black). Ford did produce a limited run of 500 Racing Pumas which were tuned up to 150 BHP, had flared wheel arches, were lowered and had bigger wheels, but came with a hefty price tag. Priced the same as an Impreza Turbo, they never really took off, but to be fair to Ford the used prices now for this mean-looking beast are ridiculously high. Stick to the 1.7

Just writing this I’m getting excited (and maybe a bit jealous,) that you could be going to find, test drive and buy one of these little pocket rockets.

Also a note to Ford too: produce a replacement Puma – If you need a bit of help with the decision just take a look at the sales figures for the Scirocco……