Shed of the Week: Ford SportKa
Shed unearths a runabout with handling so good, it's one of automotive's great guilty pleasures
When the Ford Ka arrived in 1996, we hadn't really got into the whole 'the world's going to deflate and disappear if we don't look after it' paranoia-fuelled guilt trip side of motoring, like we have now. So the idea of a minimalist city car seemed like an odd one for Ford to have at that time.
Looks great here, but is there rust lurking?
The upshot in 2003 was the announcement of the convertible StreetKa, followed a couple of months later by the car you're looking at now, the SportKa.
It retailed at £9,995, not that much really considering the lengthy kit list. You could bump it up to 'Luxury' spec with a £1,250 leather'n'air option, which this Shed has. With a usefully low insurance rating, the SportKa makes a lot of sense for aspirant young PHers. It's Shedding's affordable Mini.
Not only does it handle a treat, with a decent ride, it's got practicality, which is the stuff that parents go on about. Like switch-offable passenger airbags for easy nipper haulage and over 720 litres of space with the back seats folded down - borderline amazing for such a little car.
This SportKa's vitals? 950kg and £999
Gearing is low, and there's no great aural pleasure to be had from the retro motor, but the whole plot weighs less than 950kg so if you're tone deaf there will be more than a suggestion of the sportive about it. Unlike the StreetKa which, with all its roof gubbins and reinforcing tackle, is more than 100kg heavier than the Sport Ka and over two seconds slower through the 0-62 (though both S-Kas will reach 108mph).
Looks are subjective, but in Shed's eyes anything that follows the wheel-at-each-corner design principle never grows old, especially when it comes in a classy colour like this one. Those 16-inch alloys really suit the Ka, too.
Interior's basic, but has what you need
Generic quirks? Changing a headlamp bulb will mean a battle with the wheel arch liner, and with any Ka-based item there is the ever-present danger of rust, both structural (sills) and cosmetic (petrol cap, rear wiper).
If you so much as whisper the word 'Ka', or a word that even sounds like it, in the presence of Shed's local grease monkey, make sure you've got ten minutes to spare as he will strap you to a pillar drill and force you to listen to a stream of anti-Ford bile. He reserves special hatred for the Ka. Don't try telling him it's a SportKa either, he'll notice.
Lowered price as have already purchased a new car.. £999 ono. Drives really well, this is a great bargain !
Welcome to view / test drive in Greenwich, SE7.
3 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 91k miles, Grey, TAX EXPIRES 31-12-13 , +1 FULL YEAR MOT (October 2014) , NO ADVISORIES, ALL PREVIOUS MOT'S PRESENT, 2 OWNERS FROM NEW, FULL SERVICE HISTORY, 5 STAMPS UPTO 58K, LOTS OF SERVICE INVOICES PRESENT, HPI CLEAR, 3 Door Hatchback, Grey, Petrol, Manual, ABS, Electric windows, Remote central locking, Alarm, Immobiliser, Air conditioning, Trip computer, Electric door mirrors, Full two tone black/blue leather interior, Metallic paint, Heated windscreen, CD/RADIO, Folding rear seats, Front and rear head restraints, New tyres (Uniroyal Rainsports - great grip) 16" Sport alloy wheels, Full size spare wheels, Height adjustable drivers seat, Rear wiper, PAS, Body coloured bumpers, Front fog lights.
Very low insurance, nimble around town, really fun to drive. Clutch replaced June 2013. Amazing how much you can fit in the back with the rear seats folded !
Alloys have a little curbing, could do with a refurb. Some small dents in the passenger door from other people's car doors in car park, but only visible at certain angles and hard to capture in photos.
In daily use, will be sorry to see it go.
Btw, to be pedantic, rust isn't actually on the petrol cap, it's on the area of the wing surrounding the filler, whic can be an mot fail, and is not cheap to repair properly; check for 'plop' (filler) which has been used to bodge the repair - you have been warned!
Btw, to be pedantic, rust isn't actually on the petrol cap, it's on the area of the wing surrounding the filler, whic can be an mot fail, and is not cheap to repair properly; check for 'plop' (filler) which has been used to bodge the repair - you have been warned!
That engine was launched in 2003! It's a steaming pile of cack, too.
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Could have been so much better if only Ford hadnt ruined it with that dreadful boat anchor of a rough engine, low gearing and ruined the ride with oversized wheels/tyres that give a dreadful harsh ride, no compliance from 45 series tyres, and too much grip for the < 100 bhp.
If only they'd given it the 1.7 engine/gbox from the Puma.
Could have been so much better if only Ford hadnt ruined it with that dreadful boat anchor of a rough engine, low gearing and ruined the ride with oversized wheels/tyres that give a dreadful harsh ride, no compliance from 45 series tyres, and too much grip for the < 100 bhp.
If only they'd given it the 1.7 engine/gbox from the Puma.
And they seem to be rather true to the ideals of a 'hot hatchback'.I drove a purple KA on a p-plate for a few weeks when my company car was off the road. Basic but stuck to the road and handled like a go-kart. Reminded me of my 106 XN that I had a few years earlier. Cocking a rear wheel in that was easy.
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