Sportka

[llamekcuf]

've just finished reading the thread on P2 of this forum about Ka's in general, and wondered if anyone had an opinion on the sportka.

It gets a good write up in most magazines, EVO gave it 4.5 stars, loved the handling and it seems to be the best of the supermini crop.

I'm trying to find a car that is economical to run, fairly fun to drive and cheap to insure. It seems to fulfil all of these criteria. I've been looking at lots of other stuff, but insurance groups are through the roof, and insurance is the main problem at my age. A lot of the other recommended 'good to drive' cars have really high insurance groups so there really isn't much choice.

How do these rate in terms of reliability and fuel economy?

All opinions appreciated

Cheers chaps.

llamekcuf

[pantscat]

I've got an Sportka-SE on order... should be getting it towards the end of April.
Will post again once I've given it a good thrashing!

edited to say They're not renowned for fuel economy, but they ought do a good 30mpg+.
Reliability should be very good - the engine design is yonks old and so shouldn't prove problematic - not aware of any other known problems!

>> Edited by pantscat on Thursday 30th March 10:52

[nighthawk]

The sportka's engine isn't the same design as the item found in previous Ka's

The old powerunit was the kent/valencia/hcs cross flow OHV engine, where as the current unit is a duratec rocam OHC item.

still, on the whole, it's not been a bad lump to date.

[Jellebabe]

i have a streetka so same really, nippy, good handling, rough ride tho', not great fuel economy esp on motorway (maybe thats my driving!)dash has quite a plasticy feel which lets down great car. have you looked at C2 VTS?

[plfrench]

Why would he want to do that??? So he can see the true meaning of plasticky but without the benefit of being a ford and therefore great to drive!!!

[Jellebabe]

i quite like the c2, like my motor more obviously, however the dash is just a massive lump of plastic!

[plfrench]

Didn't mean to make you cry Rach sorry!! I've just got a thing against French cars at the mo!!! Probably somthing to do with having a Laguna which keeps going in the garage!!

Welcome to pistonheads by the way!

You going to the Santa Pod event this weekend?

Paul.

>> Edited by plfrench on Thursday 6th April 21:14

[Jellebabe]

thats ok, be nice to me 1.im a girl 2.im a PH virgin!! i love my car, must wash the massive bird poo off the bonnet tho'!!!

[plfrench]

Cool,

That was a quick reply! I edited the post above to say welcome!

Get scrubbing!!

[Jellebabe]

hi! sorry im a dumbass, whats the santapod? where etc? nothing planned this wkend so far ;-)

back again, done my research, sounds like a good day out, dont know if i dare turn up on my billy tho'

>> Edited by Jellebabe on Thursday 6th April 21:32

[plfrench]

I just e-mailed you about that actually cos I thought you might have gone from here!!

Santa Pod is the main drag racing location in this country... There are quite a few guys from the TVR forum going and actually running up the quarter mile strip. I've never been to one before and it is only £10 on the door to spectate. I'm really looking forward to it.

Whereabouts are you in the country?

[Jellebabe]

im at my parents in yorkshire just now

[plfrench]

Well that's a bit of a trek!! Are you still going to be up there at the weekend? Where are you normally? If you're anywhere in the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire region you're more than welcome to have a lift with me and my mate. Free fuel now I've got a company car ... at least there is some compensation for having a Laguna!!

[Jellebabe]

nottingham isnt that far about an hour, how wild! i'd be up for that. ill email you further details!

[:J:]

llamekcuf said:

've just finished reading the thread on P2 of this forum about Ka's in general, and wondered if anyone had an opinion on the sportka. It gets a good write up in most magazines, EVO gave it 4.5 stars, loved the handling and it seems to be the best of the supermini crop. I'm trying to find a car that is economical to run, fairly fun to drive and cheap to insure. It seems to fulfil all of these criteria. I've been looking at lots of other stuff, but insurance groups are through the roof, and insurance is the main problem at my age. A lot of the other recommended 'good to drive' cars have really high insurance groups so there really isn't much choice. How do these rate in terms of reliability and fuel economy? All opinions appreciated Cheers chaps. llamekcuf

Back to the original post

I saw a bloke driving a SportKa yesterday, shades on, trying to look cool and what it said to me was :

If you are male, do not buy this car. There is no way it is enough fun to justify it.

I do not have the words to describe what this guy looked like yesterday without being rude, but it definately wasn't the look he was trying to portray, all IMO of course, no doubt I'm not the only one of this opinion though.

[plfrench]

I agree, definitely a girlies car... same as when you see a guy in a 206cc... not right!!

[jellebabe]

my ex had a ka, and he looked so camp in it, not that im biased of course!

[nighthawk]

I disagree with the comment about the sportKa not being that much fun to drive, it's a hoot.

Sure the engine is in need of another 30 or so horses to make progress rapid, but it's got enough go in it to make the best of the ride.

[plfrench]

I've never driven a SportKa or StreetKa, but even the standard Ka is a great laugh to throw around a country lane. My missus has a Fiesta Zetec-S and I should think thats got about the same power to weight as the SportKa and that is nippy enough!

Is it just the cylinder heads that are different on the 1.6 lump nighthawk? I know the Ka 1.6 is only 8v and about 13bhp down on the fiesta...

Paul.

[jellebabe]

you can come for a ride with me paul!?