FORD KA 1.3i Collection 3dr (2000)

Ka Review - Bit rusty but otherwise happy

The rust was on it when I got it (second hand), and that's one of the main ways I haggled my way down to a good deal. I treated some of the rust myself, and actually replaced one of the rear panels when an opportunity arose as I was sniffing round a scrap yard for a head lamp. I've kept my Ford Ka in a garage now, so apart from the original rust it hasn't got that much worse.

Apart from the rust it's been ok. It's needed a couple of fuses replacing, and a washer pump, but that's about it (in three years). It's good on fuel, I think I get about 300 miles for about £30 or so, maybe a bit more.

I don't carry passengers which is why I got the 3 door. I would be concerned if I ever did need to carry anyone in the back though. It seems a poor design if anyone actually needs to get back there, and when you do get back there the space in the back of the Ford Ka seems pretty minimal really. It looks like the head room tails off at just the wrong place.

As far as driving is concerned, it's a fairly fun little buggy. The main thing is that it's really light, or feels like it, so it jumps and hops around happily at the flick of your foot. Having said that it doesn't react too well to being loaded. On the one occasion when I did have some people in the back (and their luggage) it really struggled up the hills.

The other down side with the Ford Ka is the brakes. Actually I think the later ones, released after my one (in 2002) had ABS, but mine doesn't and they don't exactly leave much space for error.

On the plus side of all this, the parts are nice and cheap, maybe because there are so many Ford Kas out there dying of rust! Servicing is cheap too, since it's quite a simple car, not too much to get round. It's worth having if you know how to take care of an ageing car and do basic repairs yourself.