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Ford Ka any good?


tbourner

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Looking at maybe getting one, any views on them? Reliability? Common faults to look out for?

 

It'll probably be around a 2000 plate. I drove an X reg yesterday and it had the whir of a thrust bearing going, but otherwise not too bad - bit expensive though.

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Check for rust around the sill, design flaw where the rubbers around the door meet at the bottom and leave a small gap for water to get in. Pull the rubbers up and have a look under.

 

Otherwise they are "OK" - I borrowed one for a while, it had wider wheels / tyres, better suspension and improved brakes, once you managed to get it up to speed it was a bit of fun.

 

Have a read through this:

 

http://www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?content=ford_ka_common_problems_and_solutions

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It would work well as a runaround. One of the kickboxing instructor lasses owns ones as her runaround. Her's is a basic one, no PAS or electric windows etc. You can get PAS, leather, a/c etc, but you have to take a look at the spec obviously.

 

The only thing she's had done in several years besides serviving is a rocker cover gasket, brakes and rear shoes and other than this it appears to be going well.

 

Make sure you don't pay over the top for one.

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I personally think its the most ugliest, crappest car i have ever seen, rather walk.

 

i saw an accident were it was shunted in the back corner and that stupid curved up bumper was inside the car! wouldnt have liked to be a passenger in the back of that!

 

Yep definitely a girls car, I wouldn't have one as my car but for a lady as her first car it's pretty good IMO.

 

And I wouldn't want to be a rear passenger in ANY car in a rear end shunt! :blink:

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[sHOCK][/sHOCK] no no no dont do it

 

 

 

Hahaha knew you would post on this

 

My first car was a ka luxury, gorgeous car, very reliable but the suspension was a bum and completely went after a year, it was nice though, electric everything, cream leather, ac etc

 

My other half had a older VERY basic one that he used for work, it was awful, horrible gearbox etc and idle speed control valve ALWAYS goes on these, tape player, cloth seats, it was ugly

 

BUT both were excellent on fuel, used to do gloucester to london on £8 each way, cheap tax, cheap insurance

 

Iv now got a streetka, great to drive, handles well but very uncomfortable on journeys over 5 minutes lol :(

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well i bought my girlfriend a yaris and i personally cant think of a better car. a 5 door yaris runs for 2 and a half weeks on one tank of petrol and you can fit so much stuff into it!!!

 

Useful input, so the Yaris doesn't use fuel like a conventional vehicle? It's the first time I've heard of a car that uses petrol based on time rather than the miles done. Is there a diesel option that can run for a month on one tank?

 

Exactly how much stuff can you fit into it? An elephant? A grandfather clock?

 

I bought my girlfriend a hot air balloon, it's the greatest small car ever!!!

 

:rolleyes:

 

 

What about a Puma as a small yet fun alternative? I presume space isn't a factor if you are looking at the Ka? What kind of budget are you working on?

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I dont completely agree with the comment about you cant get alot of stuff into a ka

 

Whilst i was at college i used to have to empty my room twice a year and drive home, i managed to fit all my possesions in the back and still be able to see the back through the rear view mirror (for obvious reasons my room at college included a fixed bed, wardrobe and desk so obviously they stayed there)

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What about a Puma as a small yet fun alternative? I presume space isn't a factor if you are looking at the Ka? What kind of budget are you working on?

 

Small and easy to drive, must have good visibility!!! Cheap to insure, run and repair. She's on a provisional licence so can't be too sporty!

Budget is about £1k plus the Rover 114 that she now refuses to drive. :rolleyes:

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There are worst cars to get...ib5 gearbox now a bit dated but if it aint broke dont fix it,but clutch thrash and bearing noise can sometimes be heard! so you guessed it they can still be found today on some Ford models...probably the best fun per pound you will get...be warned though the early models do suffer some rust in places.

 

If you can go for the 1.3 overhead cam engine(duratec)...its the best out of the bunch

 

see here for more info...http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=106

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Useful input, so the Yaris doesn't use fuel like a conventional vehicle? It's the first time I've heard of a car that uses petrol based on time rather than the miles done. Is there a diesel option that can run for a month on one tank?

 

Exactly how much stuff can you fit into it? An elephant? A grandfather clock?

 

I bought my girlfriend a hot air balloon, it's the greatest small car ever!!!

 

:rolleyes:

 

 

What about a Puma as a small yet fun alternative? I presume space isn't a factor if you are looking at the Ka? What kind of budget are you working on?

 

 

damn your a sarcastic little muppet.

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Check for rust around the sill, design flaw where the rubbers around the door meet at the bottom and leave a small gap for water to get in. Pull the rubbers up and have a look under.

 

Have to agree there, all the ones I have seen have been completely rotten, and they weren't A-reg cars either, mainly S and Wreg.

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I was going to buy one, a few years back. Lovely cute cars, with a very distinctive look. Yes they are female in gender, but that does not put me off. My mechanic urged me not to commit serious car-suicide and buy it, due to his noticing mechanical faults.

 

A pink or yellow kA is a girl's best dress.

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