I love my Ford KA! I bought the brand new collection version in 2003, digital meters, ajustable seats etc. But it seams to be very noisy and when i stop it seams that the fan comes on (or at least i think it's the fan!) Any ideas on why this happens so much, it has been to the dealer twice- once a curtesy check and the other an old man crashed into me the day after i picked it up! Great! Overall tho i think i have made a great choice for my first car.
I sold my much loved (non rusty) G Reg Nova SR to buy an R Reg KA 3 in January this year, I was pretty proud of my new car until I started noticing the rust. I have substantial rust on the tailgate, the bottom of both the passenger and drivers doors (which has spread to both rear quarters) on the front pillar and now I've noticed it starting under the seals on the roof!
I've taken the matter up with Fords who say their warranty is anti-perforation and not anti-corrosion. They're blaming stone chips and the like (I must stop driving down stony roads in reverse with the doors open), so technically I'm entitled to nothing. They have however offered to pay for half (Just out of the goodness of their hearts bless them), which just for the doors and tailgate will cost me £400 (ThatÂ’s with 50% off!). If they think I'm investing more money in the rust bucket they're sadly deluded. Has anyone got any suggestions, other than pushing the stupid car off a cliff and claiming on the insurance? (This seems preferable to more arguments with Fords)
My advice if buying a KA; check for rust first, especially round the doors.
Has anyone else noticed with the air con on you may as well get out and walk considering the loss of power?
I am from Singapore. Bought my Ka about 6 months ago(Sep 02), paid a bomb for it(about 14k pounds, mad right? For your information, a brand new KA car in Singapore will cost more than 23K pounds).
Oh, I wanted to say that I also have the same problem of the acceleration going up after I lifted my feet from the accelerator. Still have not figure it out yet. Anyway, I learned to live with it.
I just bought a low-mileage version for my daughter, and really like the driving experience. Seat position , headroom and overall visibility are really good for a smallish car. It could do with mudguards behind the front wheels to protect the sills, but so far no rust problems. Spark plugs should be lifted out and threads cleaned and re-greased with copperevery 6 months minimum. (or they will rust in!). I am now detecting an intermittent fault that is quite serious. It has 2 aspects : 1. despite having very good starting , sometimes it starts and then the engine dies, as if the fuel is sucked back out of the engine! If I gun the throttle to bully it into starting, the engine speed oscillates as if the injectors are pulsing. Eventually it will idle properly. 2. Sometimes, like every 15 miles, the engine dies on me, again as if the fuel is cut-off. Then, if I gun the engine, or stop and restart, I can continue, but it is quite unnerving when it happens at speed. Feels like fuel starvation to me, but where to start? I would like to know if other Ka owners get similar ..Tony
i currently own a ford ka 1 w reg, its been a good little car, whic is why ive ordered another one. I decided to order the collection model this time, on the delivery day, i turned up at the dealership to be told it wasnt ready! The dealer told me the battery light was stuck on and it needed a new alternator (although i am wondering if the engine management system is screwed up like two other duratec kas on here) I have threatened the dealership that i will withdraw the order if i do not get a courtesy car (my current insurance is nearly due, and why should i renew it for my old car?) sean
Any one else had problems with their Central Locking? I've been informed that I the electrics have gone and I can no longer lock my car without it continuosly cycling - apparetnly water gets into the electric. Ford have offered to pay 75% - even though my car has a 3 year extended warranty. They have said that although" The fault is covered by a technical bulletin, they do not indicate remedial action is a requirement and subsequently work carried out is not free of charge" I would welcome any comments, please reply to me directly [Log in to view email]
We bought a KA about 7 months ago at the same time as my sister in law,same colour same dealer same problem,on both the drivers side windows dropped and could not be wound up or down.
This was my fist brand new car. On the whole I was pleased, but one major drawback is the brakes. There is too much travel on the pedal and they are not efficient. A small car like this should be really sharp on the brakes, but the KA is very poor.
Great little cars, free revving little 1300 engine is quite a joy for poking around in. Sadly gets trounced by fiesta's at the lights. All in all a good package, even brand new they're cheap as chips (well, comparable if you dare ask for cod these days). Not brilliant on economy, you'd get better out of a nissan saloon but what do you expect with an updated version of a 20yr old cross-flow engine.
Lots of goodies for free too, like power steering and central locking. Buy a black one and add the optional leather bits... NICE.
Only down side - they're spectacularly ugly, especially the pre-facelift ones with the old bumpers.
I love the drive of my Ka. However I have had 2 serious problems: the engine wasn't mounted properly and I have stains on the ceiling. Judging from a couple of the comments on this page, it most probably is rust. After less than a year :(
I've had my 2nd Ka for 6mnths now, ordinary silver collection with the luxury Ka's wheels. The car id great. i can fit my bike in the back, 4 mates inside easily, and still get decent mpg. Best bit of course is the driving, especially the steering; very direct and nicely weighted and the better than any car ive driven (inc new mini cooper s). This little car can keep up with anything over country roads, and is soooo much fun to chuck around with a little lift-off oversteer, but not in a scary way. Still, im gonna kill whoever invented hills.... Only faults are the brakes, need a good shove even in traffic, and the MPG which isnt really that good (but the engine is an old design and the ka is a bit heavy for its size). Apart from that, go and buy one. or two. All my mates have different superminis (corsa,clio,punto etc..) but the Ka is best allround.
I've just bought a P reg Ford Ka, I thought it was a great car that I'd bought that is until today when I've noticed thaere are patches of rust under the driver and passenger door sills. On a car of this age I was not expecting to see such a problem and am also unsure as to how much it is now going to cost me to get the damage that has been done repaired. On all other matters my new car has been an excellent buy, but this problem has definately put a damper on my purchase. I would advise anyone out there who is considering buying a ford ka to seriously check this out before making their purchase.
1998 SILVER FORD KA REVIEW - We have owned our fantastic little Ka since we got married, and I know it may sound boring but I can't really fault it! It always starts first time, doesn't use any oil, cruises happily at 80mph where allowed, returns 40-45 mpg on a long steady run, comes up lovely and shiney after a clean, and generally fits in to our lifestyle perfectly. It will hold an entire bicycle (a folding one that is) in the boot, and we plan to keep this car for quite a while. What must'n' go unmentioned is how much fun it is to drive. Although the engine is bland and a little characterless, the handling is superb. You have to experience this cars cornering capability to believe it, such is it's ability to munch up bigger faster cars in the twisty bits, and a spirited drive in it will always leave you with a grin. Highly recommended, if you like it's 'quirky' styling. To be honest, unless you have a barrel-load of kids or furniture to move around, why have anything bigger than this? Also, for more info why not try visiting the Ka Owners Klub of GB, their website is http://www.kaklub.co.uk - TP
My Ford Ka suffers from suspension noise (squeeking) from the front end, howvere the front end still feels very firm, the car is R reg, has done nearly 70,000 miles ( we travel around europe a lot)and has two new struts on the rear as of 3,000 miles ago - I also have the obligatory rust onthe sills and behind the front grill.
any one else got this noise problem? and if so what do I do.
Had my KA for nearly 4 years. Only one major gripe, rust has appeared on both nearside & offside doorsills. Ford initially corrected problem but it has since returned. Now Ford appear to be washing their hands and will not sanction subsequent repair. Have you experienced rusting doorsills on your KA. I suggest you contact Ford Customer service to discuss. Alternatively email me and I'll tell you my sorry saga!
KAs are fab. I love mine and wouldn't exchange it for anything in the world. I've joined the KA owners klub of GB it's a cool way of getting advice on styling, maintainance etc. My KA also has her own web site!
I've been driving a KA 3 for a year now (and done 20,000 miles in that time!) It's getting a bit old now but still runs like a dream... in a week or so it'll be replaced however, but with another KA of course (luxury) :o) And soon after the engine/bodywork upgrading will begin. I found the only slight niggle with the KA was the lack of power going up steeper hills. Nothing a 2 litre cosworth engine + turbo can't fix however...
ive just bought a ka which cuts out going round corners,braking nobody can find anything wrong anybody had a similar problem and got it fixed [Log in to view email]
Well, trading the Punto in was definitely a good idea - I LOVE the Ka!! Have almost run it in now (850 miles)and it is definitely speeding up, impressively nippy! I agree that the stereo is a bit naff though - a small price to pay methinks for such a lovely, cheap, nippy, groovy car!! (even my 'family car lover' friend likes it!) Krista 16.4.00
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