Ford Ka2 -Great Little car..watch spare parts cost. (Ford Ka in general)

Name: sashascooz

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Product:	Ford Ka in general
Date:	10/12/03 (3067 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ease of driving, Value for money (initially), Reliability

Disadvantages: PRICE OF PARTS, braking, suspension

I have been the owner of a ford Ka2 for around 11 months now. Overall it's a great little car and I have had no reliability issues even with the car having already travelled 30,000km's of high speed country driving. Australian driving conditions are tough, rough roads with extremes in weather.
Driver comfort is excellent, plenty of head and foot room and a good driving position. Controls are easy to use and all within reach of the driver. 'A' pillar does present a visibility challenge under certain circumstances.
Luggage space is nothing short of brilliant, for such a small car it's amazing how much you can safely load in.
Rear seat passenger space is very limited realistically only suitable for children or small adults. The car is well optioned and mine came with dual airbags, seatbelt pre tensioners, Cd player ( brilliant sound), electric windows, remote central locking, alloy wheels ( important point listed bellow). However, and somewhat annoying, is the manual operation of the rear view side mirrors.
Some points to be aware of when looking at purchasing a Ka2, braking is very average and I have read this in other reviews, it's certainly not a car you want to have to pull up in a hurry. suspension is crude and you feel every 'Bang'. It doesnt take alot to throw this little car off course when it comes to bumps and uneven road surfaces. Normal handling is great just stay off the bumps. speaking of bumps, and probably the most alarming thing I have found with my Ka is the fact that it doesn't like bumps or bangs at all, and financially, nor do I now. My Ka2 is fitted with 14" factory alloy wheels running 165 / 60/ R14 tyres, very nice low profile until you hit something. Such a low profile tyre combined with mediocre suspension makes this car unforgiving. A recent encounter with a 'pot hole" in the roadway instantly destroying a rim and tyre. quite what you'd expect you may be thinking, however t
he hole wasn't huge and my other, Australian made car, would have handled it with ease. Now comes the nasty part, purchasing a replacement rim proved to be a nightmare. when I could finally track one down through Ford Australia I wished I hadn't gone driving that day. Extremely expensive $ 464.00 AU. for one rim !!!. Coupled with the fact only one manufacturer makes a 165/60/R14 and these too were incredibly expensive $180.00AU per tyre. OUCH !!!! OPTIONS ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED for this type of problem, so be aware. I certainly would have had the dealer keep his alloy wheels if I had know this. It also makes me cringe at the prospect of any further replacement parts.
Performance isn't blistering, the car will comfortable sit on 110Km/Hr cruising but it doesnt accelerate quickly so overtaking can be exciting. The air conditioner zaps ALOT from engine power and the car really struggles under any load with the air conditioner on.
In summary, It's a great little car, perfectly suited to those who want a cheap reliable car. It's by no means a performance vehicle, so if thats what your after choose again. Fuel economy is good, not brilliant but good. Despite the lack of some instruments, like a tacho, temperature guage and powered mirrors, its well equiped. Driving is a breeze, I don't think I have had to reverse park it once yet. Steering is responsive and accurate. Equally as good at high speed. Build quality is surprisingly good considering the purchase price of the car.
Be very aware of the price of spares, if the wheels are anything to go on then lookout !!
Overall, a great little car that still turns heads.

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