Yes, puma is lovely, one of the best compromise cars ever.
i.e. combination of price/economy/room/handling/speed/etc.
Absolutely loved mine – took it for 2 weeks in south of france and italy, then children came and I moved to a focus. Complete bag of rubbish compared. Couldn’t believe people raved about the handling of the focus!
Last time I looked, you could still find 1-owner versions around what looked reasonably un-ragged.
Maybe the Focus had the OAP suspension spec or worn bushings or something. I’ve owned both and the Focus was just as good, maybe even better to my mind they only lose out a bit as they’re more refined so lack character in a way. Certainly not worse anyway.