1.7 as long as the cambelt changes are up to date. I've only ever heard people say they wished they'd gone for the 1.7 rather than the 1.4, never the other way around
1.4s tend to be bought by young drivers who can't afford the insurance on a 1.7 so it's likely they've not been driven with much mechanical sympathy 1.7 every time
Got a 1.7 myself, my first puma... At first I hated it's guts, but now, after a full service (except cambelt) I just love the little thing :grin:
Am 24 and heavy footed, but somehow when driving carefully I tend to get over 40mpg... (believe it or not..)
All and all, I wouldn't go for any other model engine wise except for FRP, but that's way out of my reach...
But am still happy with my "go fast" striped 1.7 :lol:
Im a living example of such a person :grin: . couldnt afford the insurance on a 1.7 but as a run about it beats any normal typical stereotype young persons car.
But id say the 1.4 puma does lack power. and if i could afford it id have taken a 1.7 instead of mine. but there are good examples of the 1.4 and personally id say i have a rather good one so there are some out there you just need to find one and be poor
i would like to put a turbo on mine just for the sake of it i know every one say about 1.7 and this is true but they have bean loads of small engine turbo reno 5gt turbo civics starlets suzuki swift gti turbo ect but its i would all down to cost but i would fabricate as much as i could my self.