I've had a few Ka's as courtesy cars when my other Fords have been in for servicing and they're pretty good for what they are.
If you can run to one, the 70bhp Duratec engine is well worth having - its more powerful and refined than the old pushrod engine. I had an 06 plate base model last week and the engine was quite happy at 90mph with no shake or rattle, albeit the front end felt worrying light above 80. I did 95 miles in it and it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it might have been on a motorway run.
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I have owned or driven all types of Ka and they have all been excellent;I bought originally as a town type runabout and found myself using it for allsorts of journeys.I currently have a Sportka and can understand why EVO magazine picked it as the outstanding supermini.The old pushrod motor whilst not the most refined does go on for ever.The Rocam that has replaced it has chain drive to the cam and hydraulic tappets so does not need much maintenance.
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My sister has a 1998 (pushrod engine) example with 60,000 miles on the clock. She uses it for a daily 60 mile commute and it's been very good.
We had seized spark plugs which is a common problem, and can be a major pain (head off) to fix.
Other than that, it's needed a battery and an exhaust manifold / cat (integral with front downpipe!!). Runs well, is great fun to drive in the style of the original Mini (modest power but quite torquey, chuckable handling, great steering) and costs peanuts to run and maintain.
Despite simple (primitive) mechanicals, it can be a pig to work on due to restricted under bonnet space. Getting the battery out is a challenge worthy of a Mensa exam, and don't get me started on changing headlight bulbs!! Routine stuff (oil, filters, tappets) isn't a problem. Maintenance is not helped though by every single fastener under the bonnet seeming to corrode and disintegrate in front of your eyes.
Good simple cheap car though and much more fun than the competition. The old tech engine was deliberately tuned for midrange power and although it's a bit breathless out on the open road, it's brilliant in town, making point-and-squirt motoring effortless. On B-roads, the chassis is a joy, and unless you really push it, it can even do motorways surprisingly well.
One of my absolute favourite small cars alongside the old Mini and the Pug 205.
Cheers
DP
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buy one
take all the comments posted on board
i would prefer a basic pushrod for cheapness (and you only have £2000 anyway)
try and buy a specced model
eg leccy windows/colour coded bumpers etc
go for a good colour like silver
this way if you look after it it will still be worth what you paid for it 18 months later if you buy privatly and
shrewdly
get some mats as well
dammed noisy tinny things
wife wont have one
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