Who knows about Ford Ka's

[dirtydog]

Basically what are the engines like? How long will a serviced engine last?
Am looking at one with 108k and "lots of service bills" what else should i look out for?

you should keep an eye out on the exteria body work. Mainly the shape, it has been know to cause servere eye ache. This is common on models straight out of the factory....and older models.

Can be rectified with a Large hammer...

[Dave20046]

As much as I hate them they're cheap to run cars that seem to just keep going. Look out for rot. They're a slight step up from a bike in terms of protection :P

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Basically what are the engines like?

a hornet in a jam jar...

i usually get one to drive for a day when my focus goes in for service, an although having a wheel on each corner makes it drive hilariously like a go-kart, the engine is very buzzy and they appear to have made the sound proofing out of metal and air

as for the mileage, surely there can't be a shortage of that model around? even with regular servicing i'd say 100k+ is a lot of miles for a ford petrol engine and i'd be tempted to look elsewhere, the rest of the car will be looking pretty tired by then too

"four wheels and a board" and all that...

[dirtydog]

Serious answers please, car isn't for me it's for an 18yr old that needs a cheap car to get around in. He's a student so the budget is limited to less than £800

Good honest cars, some are well equipt too!

I've recenly been out looking at a few with my mate, for £1600 we got a Ka2, 80k on clock with e/w, a/c, front and rear heated screen.

not sure of your budget, but it is a buyers market, knocked the dealer down from £2000

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Serious answers please, car isn't for me it's for an 18yr old that needs a cheap car to get around in. He's a student so the budget is limited to less than £800

i was being serious...

as a runaround for £800 i'd probably look at something a bit older, at least you'll be able to fix it yourself when it stops working, and i'd expect a 100k+ mile ka to stop fairly frequently, most likely with electrical problems if the two fords i've owned are anything to go by...

for that budget you can get other cars with less mileage. my GF got a saxo (as much as i dislike french cars) for 700 with 56K and FSH.

not too bad, for the money

dont buy owt french

[Viney]

The early ones should have a 1300 cross flow which is about as bulit proof engine as you can get. It was fitted in nearly every car that ford made from about 1960 up until the KA. The early ones were carbbed and the latter fuel injection. My mate jase's missus KA has 94000 on the clock in 3 years with no real trouble. They can get a bit tapety. If its the early model, then this can be adjusted i believe like a proper old car. If latter, then Hydrulic tappets, will proabably need to be replaced.

Also, the speaker connections to the doors have a habit of breaking, and thats an £90 loom to replace!

I would check the 'lots of bills' to see whats actually been going on.