Like the op I'm also looking at a puma, my list was also the Clio, zs180, mg zr160 and possibly a 2.0 Zetec mk1 Focus as you can pick very tidy ones up for less than a puma. But we owned a 1.7 from new in 2000 for 10 years and loved it. So I'm also looking at Pumas, the space in the Focus is...
oh yes, the brakes weigh a ton and you have to pop the driveshafts from the hub to get enough clearence, still i bet chaging the belt is going to create a few swear words !
it cannot be anymore awkward than changing the springs on a leon cupra, that almost made me cry .... i'd better have a look today i'll probably make the wife do it since she has smaller hands !!!!