Little beauty (Ford Ka 3-dr)

Member Name: redbites

Product:	Ford Ka 3-dr
Date:	17/04/03 (749 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ride, Cheap to buy, Ideal town car

Disadvantages: Interior, Small

When our Punto was stolen, the insurance company gave us a 1year old Ford Ka (1.3).

Engine. Not as spritely as say a Punto, 206 or Saxo. After 2000rpm the engine sounds very coarse indeed. The gearbox is sloppy and it reminded me that this car is somewhat dated in that department compared to the best of the European models.
Top speed is pretty good, torque is ok and goes better on the motorways than a Punto 1.2 (not 16v). Around town the car is fairly nippy (average for class) largely due to the light weight.

Chassis. For a car that is so light, the Ka is very flickable. Handles very well and the spring/dampeners are perfect for such a light car. If you were blindfolded you'd swear you were in a Focus/Golf. That is until you drive over a b road and the skinny tyres tend to jolt the car a bit. It's ok though considering your driving a 6 grand car.

Ride. Brilliant. Soaks up all road surfaces with applomb. Though if I were buying I would put bigger wheels/tyres on.

Reliability/Quality. Even though we only had the Ka a few weeks, it always started first time. Being a Ford it should be ok and if things do go wrong parts are very cheap.
Quality wise, it's very basic, very cheap everything. The radio is useless. You have to stop the car to change the station for example. Space wise, it's suitable only for a couple who want to small town car but like to get out/away for weekends.

Summary. I was very taken with this car. I've driven a few Fords now and am very impressed with the model range. However, the Ka is cheap as chips, but it's good, honest and will be cheap to own, insure and run on and on. For me though, it's too small.

Summary: