Good Idea - Ford SportKa?
Discussion
Hi.
I was doing my daily dreaming last night in the classifieds and once I got back to reality I was looking at Ford Fiesta's (Zetec S) and out of curiosity I looked at a Ford SportKa. I did not realise how cheap these had become..
Which got me thinking, at less than £1,500 would they be the successor to the Fiesta Zetec S (Mk5) as in a small, light car for not much outlay. Is there anything I need to look out for? I work three miles away from work and I would very rarely use the M/Way but live close to good driving roads.
I have heard that these can rust in places and they arn't the best in a crash but apart from that I don't know much else. Is there any problems on the normal Ka that they didn't rectify on this?
Thanks in advance!
I was doing my daily dreaming last night in the classifieds and once I got back to reality I was looking at Ford Fiesta's (Zetec S) and out of curiosity I looked at a Ford SportKa. I did not realise how cheap these had become..
Which got me thinking, at less than £1,500 would they be the successor to the Fiesta Zetec S (Mk5) as in a small, light car for not much outlay. Is there anything I need to look out for? I work three miles away from work and I would very rarely use the M/Way but live close to good driving roads.
I have heard that these can rust in places and they arn't the best in a crash but apart from that I don't know much else. Is there any problems on the normal Ka that they didn't rectify on this?
Thanks in advance!
Have been helping a friend buy a normal Ka as they are cheap on insurance for younger drivers.
It's amazing really, just like buying a classic car, you have to look for rust. So much rust, it's like they galvanised the car and then cut the openings for the petrol filler car and rear wiper blade as they all bubble up round the edges. Door bottoms, sills etc also go. And then you open the bonnet and see the sticker telling you what the tappet clearances are. Amazing.
I find the standard ones very difficult to drive. The steering is all gloopy and 'orrible (like there is some force which doesn't want you to turn the wheel quickly) and the driving position was pretty bad, I felt perched on top of the car, with the header rail low down and the door tops high. It felt very claustrophobic as I tired to peer down the road. I also found the car very twitchy and unstable which took the fun out of driving it somewhat, and 90% of the throttle travel is in the first inch of pedal movement. The white backs to the dials and the steering wheel obscuring their view made the instruments practically impossible to read. Nice gearbox and brakes though.
This is all coming from a SIII Land Rover owner by the way, I thought if I could drive that I could drive anything and any modern car would be easy.
I assume some of these things will be different on the 'sport' but I struggle to believe it's a good car given what it's based on. I really do admire anyone who drives one on a regular basis, hats ff to you I'm not sure I could do it. Go for a Puma instead, they're really good fun.
It's amazing really, just like buying a classic car, you have to look for rust. So much rust, it's like they galvanised the car and then cut the openings for the petrol filler car and rear wiper blade as they all bubble up round the edges. Door bottoms, sills etc also go. And then you open the bonnet and see the sticker telling you what the tappet clearances are. Amazing.
I find the standard ones very difficult to drive. The steering is all gloopy and 'orrible (like there is some force which doesn't want you to turn the wheel quickly) and the driving position was pretty bad, I felt perched on top of the car, with the header rail low down and the door tops high. It felt very claustrophobic as I tired to peer down the road. I also found the car very twitchy and unstable which took the fun out of driving it somewhat, and 90% of the throttle travel is in the first inch of pedal movement. The white backs to the dials and the steering wheel obscuring their view made the instruments practically impossible to read. Nice gearbox and brakes though.
This is all coming from a SIII Land Rover owner by the way, I thought if I could drive that I could drive anything and any modern car would be easy.
I assume some of these things will be different on the 'sport' but I struggle to believe it's a good car given what it's based on. I really do admire anyone who drives one on a regular basis, hats ff to you I'm not sure I could do it. Go for a Puma instead, they're really good fun.
varsas said:
I assume some of these things will be different on the 'sport' but I struggle to believe it's a good car given what it's based on. I'd go for a Puma instead, they're really good fun.
I'm confused - the Ford Puma is based on the Mk.4 Fiesta, same as the Ford Ka. Driving position, front suspension, steering, all of it was carried across virtually unchanged. The Ford Puma uses the same dashboard as the Mk.4 Fiesta. I've driven all three, they felt like different trim specs of the same car TBH. Not a bad thing, as they're all very involving drives. The only reason the Ka ended up with the OHV engines was that the bonnet line was too low for anything else.I miss mine!
They feel very old school to me - great feel and great fun but the engine is a dud.
Few Issues to be aware of:
Rust - They are a bit piss poor in this area - check filler cap, sills and boot by wiper arm.
Front Suspension - Drive over a few large speed bumps slowly if you hear a creak then the lower arms are on their way out. £75/side.
MPG - I achieved 35 average over 18 months with 37 when driving like a saint. My OH got 27ish when commuting 3miles each way.
Water! - Check passenger footwell for damp, likely cause is the accumulation of leaves under windscreen drain.
On the plus side they have the best steering/ gearbox and general feel good trash-ability feel of any car this side of a cooper s.
I want mine back now.....
They feel very old school to me - great feel and great fun but the engine is a dud.
Few Issues to be aware of:
Rust - They are a bit piss poor in this area - check filler cap, sills and boot by wiper arm.
Front Suspension - Drive over a few large speed bumps slowly if you hear a creak then the lower arms are on their way out. £75/side.
MPG - I achieved 35 average over 18 months with 37 when driving like a saint. My OH got 27ish when commuting 3miles each way.
Water! - Check passenger footwell for damp, likely cause is the accumulation of leaves under windscreen drain.
On the plus side they have the best steering/ gearbox and general feel good trash-ability feel of any car this side of a cooper s.
I want mine back now.....
We have had several Ka's over the years and whilst they are not quick they do handle well and are a blast to drive.
A couple of months ago I began to look for a snotter car to leave parked at the station car park (hated leaving the 1M there at 4am) and for me the Ka was the only choice. It costs pennies to run and if something goes wrong mechanically the usual problems are a cheap easy fix. Do check for rust as mentioned though.
A couple of months ago I began to look for a snotter car to leave parked at the station car park (hated leaving the 1M there at 4am) and for me the Ka was the only choice. It costs pennies to run and if something goes wrong mechanically the usual problems are a cheap easy fix. Do check for rust as mentioned though.
SWMBO has had hers now for three years and still loves it.
As others have alluded to rust is the major enemy for Sportkas, especially around the filler cap. Check carefully and be picky.
When searching, make sure you look out a 56 or later model as these come with the facelifted dash and it is all the better for it. Leather and heated windscreens started to come as standard too at that point, but double check that the particular vehicle has it and it works fully.
Fuel costs are pretty horrendous for such a small car, and the engine is really buzzy and noisy at motorway speeds. Wheel and tyre sizes are fairly uncommon and can be quite expensive to source.
The boot is suprisingly useful and it can thrown around like a go-kart with gusto.
The killer is the road tax which is around 240 quid a year.
Do not lumber yourself with an old pre-56 plate model for 1500 quid, pay more to get a decent model.
If you can live with those points, it's a cracking car!
As others have alluded to rust is the major enemy for Sportkas, especially around the filler cap. Check carefully and be picky.
When searching, make sure you look out a 56 or later model as these come with the facelifted dash and it is all the better for it. Leather and heated windscreens started to come as standard too at that point, but double check that the particular vehicle has it and it works fully.
Fuel costs are pretty horrendous for such a small car, and the engine is really buzzy and noisy at motorway speeds. Wheel and tyre sizes are fairly uncommon and can be quite expensive to source.
The boot is suprisingly useful and it can thrown around like a go-kart with gusto.
The killer is the road tax which is around 240 quid a year.
Do not lumber yourself with an old pre-56 plate model for 1500 quid, pay more to get a decent model.
If you can live with those points, it's a cracking car!
Sport Ka should have been great as the base Ka is a cracking chassis but ford gave it a real dud of an engine and it's over tyred running on 16 inch 45 series tyres which ruined the ride and has too much grip.
Your fiesta zerec is actually better to drive.
As well as all previous advice look out for.
Anti roll bar bushes and top mounts needing replaced
Air con not working - common faults
Your fiesta zerec is actually better to drive.
As well as all previous advice look out for.
Anti roll bar bushes and top mounts needing replaced
Air con not working - common faults
HeatonNorris said:
snuffle said:
HeatonNorris said:
davepoth said:
The only reason the Ka ended up with the OHV engines was that the bonnet line was too low for anything else.
That can't be right, as it got OHC engines later.Thank you for the replies so far..
I doubt I would cover huge mileage so I can live with lower MPG figures. I would love a post 2006 example but they are sadly just out of my budget at the moment and while I wouldn't rule out finance, I would prefer to buy a car outright if I have the funds. Granted I may miss out on some toys.
I will try and post a couple of links later for people to look at but the more I look at them, the more I want one. I will even be happy to drive the same car as Shrek (Wayne Rooney
)
Thanks again, and any more tips suggetions are welcome!
I doubt I would cover huge mileage so I can live with lower MPG figures. I would love a post 2006 example but they are sadly just out of my budget at the moment and while I wouldn't rule out finance, I would prefer to buy a car outright if I have the funds. Granted I may miss out on some toys.
I will try and post a couple of links later for people to look at but the more I look at them, the more I want one. I will even be happy to drive the same car as Shrek (Wayne Rooney
)Thanks again, and any more tips suggetions are welcome!
The air-con fix is usually the heater control valve - £45 and skinned knuckles sees to that. They go so frequently your dealer should have a pile of them by the counter
Lack of wheel arch liner is what makes the filler surround rust. If you find one that is okay get up under there quickly and clean it up, rust proof it etc.
Echoing everyone else, sills and suspension mounts rust, it handles like a go kart (been driving my mum's this morning) and you can fit a stupendous amount of stuff in it with the seats folded.
Big smile factor driving it on twisties where it's all about momentum!
Lack of wheel arch liner is what makes the filler surround rust. If you find one that is okay get up under there quickly and clean it up, rust proof it etc.
Echoing everyone else, sills and suspension mounts rust, it handles like a go kart (been driving my mum's this morning) and you can fit a stupendous amount of stuff in it with the seats folded.
Big smile factor driving it on twisties where it's all about momentum!
HeatonNorris said:
snuffle said:
HeatonNorris said:
davepoth said:
The only reason the Ka ended up with the OHV engines was that the bonnet line was too low for anything else.
That can't be right, as it got OHC engines later.I think one of the criteria for the OHC conversion was to fit under the Ka bonnet. Here's a video of that engine with an appalling trance backing track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsvDcUG_eo4
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