Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Ford Ka shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Ford Ka offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Ford Ka at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Ford Ka? Wrong! If the Ford Ka is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Ford Ka then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Ford Ka? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Ford Ka and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Ford Ka wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Ford Ka then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Ford Ka site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Ford Ka, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Ford Ka, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
{{Infobox Automobile|image = |name = Ford Ka|manufacturer =
Ford Motor Company|class = [City car (Endura-E)
[Ford Duratec
[Fiat SeicentoFiat Nuova Panda
Peugeot 107
Renault TwingoToyota Aygo-->
Ford Ka (officially pronounced as "kah" not "kay-ay", but in reality usually pronounced in the latter way in order to avoid confusion) is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere. The European version is produced in
Valencia, Spain, while the one sold in Latin America is built in Brazil.
First generation (1996–present)
The car was introduced on September 11,
1996 small and low-cost addition to the Ford range. The Ka is based on the same platform as the Mark III
Ford Fiesta, but with a radically different external design. The vehicle was manufactured on the production facility of the outgoing Fiesta model in the Valencia plant after Mark III Fiesta production had continued on with the "classic Fiesta" in Valencia while the new Mark IV Fiesta had started in
Cologne and Dagenham. When the Ka was first introduced to the public it provoked mixed reactions due to its original and striking New Edge design, created by Jack Telnack.
Besides the styling, the Ka, like its sister cars
Ford Fiesta and Ford Puma, was lauded in the motoring press for its nimble handling. Under Richard Parry-Jones's supervision, the suspension and steering settings allowed for spirited cornering and high levels of grip making it one of the best handling cars of the current generation superminis, not unlike the original Mini.
The main drawback was the Ka's 1300 cc
OHV four-cylinder Ford Kent engine#Endura-E, a design dating back to the 1960s Ford Kent engine used in the
Ford Anglia. Although not very modern, it provided enough torque to allow relaxed if not spirited driving. In 2002 the Endura-E was replaced by the overhead cam Ford Duratec engine, with claimed improved fuel efficiency and increased refinement, mostly caused by taller gearing on the non-air conditioned models.
The Ka has proved highly profitable for Ford despite its low selling price, largely due to the lack of spending required in its development. It has been the best selling car in its class in the United Kingdom for a number of years and commands around a 30% share of the city car market.
The Ka in the United Kingdom
The
United Kingdom model range consisted of the standard version, the Ka, and the higher specification
Ka². The
Ka³ was introduced later. Initially, all Kas were delivered as the standard model and upgraded to the higher variants at Ford dealerships, saving on production costs. However, this practice was dropped following the renaming of the
Ka² and
Ka³ as the
Ka Collection and the
LuxuryKa (later
Ka Luxury).
These offered colour-coded bumpers for the first time, although this lost the designer's original intention of the black plastic bumpers avoiding parking damage to paintwork in city conditions. The Luxury version came with a Quickclear heated windscreen, leather seats and interior trim as well as standard air conditioning and
Ka Sun Collection with a full-length fabric folding roof was also added to the range during the summer months. A revised line-up gives Ka the following trim levels in the
United Kingdom: Studio, Style and Style Climate, Zetec and Zetec Climate, Luxury and SportKa SE.
The Ka in Latin America
In Latin America, the Ka received a facelift in 2003 and is now externally slightly different externally to the European model; the main noticeable difference is at the rear, with taller lights. The other differences from the European model are the very short gearbox and the lack of
soundproofing, gradually removed each year since 2000 as a way to
Low cost#No-frills automobiles, following what other Brazilian car makers previously did. It is powered by either a 95 hp Zetec Rocam 1.6-litre petrol engine or a 65 hp Zetec Rocam 1.0-litre petrol engine, both of which are four-cylinder units. 108,600 Ka's have been sold in Brazil since July 2002, without counting the sales since 1997 (its launch in Brazil).
StreetKa and SportKa
In 2003 the Ka brand was diversified, with the addition of a new
SportKa featuring a sporty body kit, wider track with stiffened suspension and redesigned 16" alloy wheels. Both models came with slightly widened bumpers front and rear with integral fog lamps. A convertible model called
StreetKa also appeared, launched with the help of pop singer Kylie Minogue.
In 2005 all Ka models including Sportka and Streetka received a slightly updated interior bringing the cabin back up to date while still retaining the look and feel of the original. Both Streetka and Sportka received a new 95 hp 1.6-litre
Multi-valve Duratec petrol engine, whereas Ka, Ka Collection and LuxuryKa retained the 1.3 Duratec petrol engine.
The SportKa was noted for its surprising advertising campaign, "The Ka's Evil Twin", denouncing the Ka's traditionally-perceived "cute" design.
StreetKa ceased to be officially on sale in late 2006.
Reliability
The Ka generally has a good reliability record.
However, taper-fit sparkplugs are notorious for rusting into the
cylinder head. Frequently the head has to be removed and sent to a machine shop when the time comes to change the plugs. The simple solution to this problem is to remove and inspect the plugs at every service interval.
Many Endura-E owners complain of a chattering, rattling or tapping noise from the engine. This is often the tappets. With the tappets set to Ford's specification gap, some noise can be expected but it should not be excessive. If the tappets require almost continuous adjustment or Ford specifications are used and the engine is still excessively noisy (and often starts ticking) the most common problem is the camshaft. Early Endura-E engines are especially prone to this problem.
The plastic bumpers were clearly in part intended to prevent wheel arch rust, but instead the Ka is known to rust in the welds under the bonnet and tailgate and where the outer sills are shaped around the doors.
The idle control valve can become blocked, causing an unstable idle and driving difficulties. The part may be replaced or carefully cleaned, ensuring the seal is kept.
The front
Suspension (vehicle) bushes may need to be replaced about every 3 years or 30,000 miles. A symptom of the bushes nearing replacement is a creaking noise from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps, although this is a relatively inexpensive problem to correct.
Those models with solid front discs can suffer from overheating brakes in hilly terrain or, given the car's agile handling, with spirited driving.
In older models the oil sump is prone to corrosion if the protective sealant of the car underside is not maintained.
Earlier models of Ka suffer from a clutch which is known to not stand the test of time very well and will usually need to be replaced after 30,000 miles. Ford is aware of this problem but due to the cheap build quality of the Ka it is not really seen as an issue.
Second generation (2008)
In 2008 the Ka will be replaced with a model car co-developed with
Fiat using the Fiat Panda platform. It will be produced in Tychy, Poland with its Fiat sister, the Fiat Nuova 500.
The new Ka will maintain the curvy styling features of the original, while bringing the look up to date with details such as elliptical headlamps. It will retain the distinctive rear overhangs and wheel at every corner design; therefore this modern interpretation will be instantly recognisable. Standard equipment is expected to be improved, with elements such as
MP3 player compatibility and satellite navigation.
The new Ka will be available with both 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol engines and additionally a 1.4 TDCi
diesel engine.
In popular culture
For several years a modified Ford Ka was installed in the lobby of the
London Aquarium to promote Ford's sponsorship of the attraction. The vehicle's doors, windows and vents were sealed and the interior filled with water, forming a home for a shoal of
goldfish. The car's
Vehicle registration plates read "KARP", a pun on "Ka" and "carp", to which family goldfish belong. The display has now been removed.
According to the BBC TV's
Top Gear (current format) The Cool Wall, the Ford Ka collects a 'Cool' rating, while the StreetKa enjoys a 'Sub Zero' classification. The SportKa is deemed 'Uncool'.
The Ford SportKa found fame in 2003 with the release of two viral TV adverts: Pigeon and Cat. Ford and advertising agency Ogilvy Mather distanced themselves from the campaign, saying that the creatives behind the advertisements had not been given the go-ahead to make or release them.
External links
- Official British Ford website
- Free Forum devoted to the Ka
- Fan website
- Ka Owners Klub GB
- Sportka Cat and Pigeon ads
- Used Car Safety Ratings - Ford Ka
{{Infobox Automobile|image = |name = Ford Ka|manufacturer =
Ford Motor Company|class = [City car (Endura-E)
[Ford Duratec
[Fiat SeicentoFiat Nuova Panda
Peugeot 107
Renault Twingo
Toyota Aygo-->
Ford Ka (officially pronounced as "kah" not "kay-ay", but in reality usually pronounced in the latter way in order to avoid confusion) is a
city car from the
Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere. The European version is produced in Valencia, Spain, while the one sold in
Latin America is built in Brazil.
First generation (1996–present)
The car was introduced on September 11, 1996 small and low-cost addition to the
Ford range. The Ka is based on the same platform as the Mark III
Ford Fiesta, but with a radically different external design. The vehicle was manufactured on the production facility of the outgoing Fiesta model in the Valencia plant after Mark III Fiesta production had continued on with the "classic Fiesta" in Valencia while the new Mark IV Fiesta had started in Cologne and
Dagenham. When the Ka was first introduced to the public it provoked mixed reactions due to its original and striking New Edge design, created by
Jack Telnack.
Besides the styling, the Ka, like its sister cars
Ford Fiesta and Ford Puma, was lauded in the motoring press for its nimble handling. Under Richard Parry-Jones's supervision, the suspension and steering settings allowed for spirited cornering and high levels of grip making it one of the best handling cars of the current generation superminis, not unlike the original Mini.
The main drawback was the Ka's 1300 cc
OHV four-cylinder Ford Kent engine#Endura-E, a design dating back to the 1960s
Ford Kent engine used in the
Ford Anglia. Although not very modern, it provided enough torque to allow relaxed if not spirited driving. In 2002 the Endura-E was replaced by the overhead cam Ford Duratec engine, with claimed improved fuel efficiency and increased refinement, mostly caused by taller gearing on the non-air conditioned models.
The Ka has proved highly profitable for Ford despite its low selling price, largely due to the lack of spending required in its development. It has been the best selling car in its class in the United Kingdom for a number of years and commands around a 30% share of the city car market.
The Ka in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom model range consisted of the standard version, the Ka, and the higher specification
Ka². The
Ka³ was introduced later. Initially, all Kas were delivered as the standard model and upgraded to the higher variants at Ford dealerships, saving on production costs. However, this practice was dropped following the renaming of the
Ka² and
Ka³ as the
Ka Collection and the
LuxuryKa (later
Ka Luxury).
These offered colour-coded bumpers for the first time, although this lost the designer's original intention of the black plastic bumpers avoiding parking damage to paintwork in city conditions. The Luxury version came with a
Quickclear heated windscreen, leather seats and interior trim as well as standard air conditioning and
Ka Sun Collection with a full-length fabric folding roof was also added to the range during the summer months. A revised line-up gives Ka the following trim levels in the
United Kingdom: Studio, Style and Style Climate, Zetec and Zetec Climate, Luxury and SportKa SE.
The Ka in Latin America
In Latin America, the Ka received a facelift in 2003 and is now externally slightly different externally to the European model; the main noticeable difference is at the rear, with taller lights. The other differences from the European model are the very short
gearbox and the lack of soundproofing, gradually removed each year since 2000 as a way to Low cost#No-frills automobiles, following what other Brazilian car makers previously did. It is powered by either a 95 hp Zetec Rocam 1.6-litre petrol engine or a 65 hp Zetec Rocam 1.0-litre petrol engine, both of which are four-cylinder units. 108,600 Ka's have been sold in Brazil since July 2002, without counting the sales since 1997 (its launch in Brazil).
StreetKa and SportKa
In 2003 the Ka brand was diversified, with the addition of a new
SportKa featuring a sporty body kit, wider track with stiffened suspension and redesigned 16" alloy wheels. Both models came with slightly widened bumpers front and rear with integral fog lamps. A convertible model called
StreetKa also appeared, launched with the help of pop singer Kylie Minogue.
In 2005 all Ka models including Sportka and Streetka received a slightly updated interior bringing the cabin back up to date while still retaining the look and feel of the original. Both Streetka and Sportka received a new 95 hp 1.6-litre Multi-valve Duratec petrol engine, whereas Ka, Ka Collection and LuxuryKa retained the 1.3 Duratec petrol engine.
The SportKa was noted for its surprising advertising campaign, "The Ka's Evil Twin", denouncing the Ka's traditionally-perceived "cute" design.
StreetKa ceased to be officially on sale in late 2006.
Reliability
The Ka generally has a good reliability record.
However, taper-fit sparkplugs are notorious for rusting into the cylinder head. Frequently the head has to be removed and sent to a machine shop when the time comes to change the plugs. The simple solution to this problem is to remove and inspect the plugs at every service interval.
Many Endura-E owners complain of a chattering, rattling or tapping noise from the engine. This is often the tappets. With the tappets set to Ford's specification gap, some noise can be expected but it should not be excessive. If the tappets require almost continuous adjustment or Ford specifications are used and the engine is still excessively noisy (and often starts ticking) the most common problem is the camshaft. Early Endura-E engines are especially prone to this problem.
The plastic bumpers were clearly in part intended to prevent wheel arch rust, but instead the Ka is known to rust in the welds under the bonnet and tailgate and where the outer sills are shaped around the doors.
The idle control valve can become blocked, causing an unstable idle and driving difficulties. The part may be replaced or carefully cleaned, ensuring the seal is kept.
The front Suspension (vehicle) bushes may need to be replaced about every 3 years or 30,000 miles. A symptom of the bushes nearing replacement is a creaking noise from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps, although this is a relatively inexpensive problem to correct.
Those models with solid front discs can suffer from overheating brakes in hilly terrain or, given the car's agile handling, with spirited driving.
In older models the oil sump is prone to corrosion if the protective sealant of the car underside is not maintained.
Earlier models of Ka suffer from a clutch which is known to not stand the test of time very well and will usually need to be replaced after 30,000 miles. Ford is aware of this problem but due to the cheap build quality of the Ka it is not really seen as an issue.
Second generation (2008)
In 2008 the Ka will be replaced with a model car co-developed with
Fiat using the Fiat Panda platform. It will be produced in Tychy,
Poland with its Fiat sister, the
Fiat Nuova 500.
The new Ka will maintain the curvy styling features of the original, while bringing the look up to date with details such as elliptical headlamps. It will retain the distinctive rear overhangs and wheel at every corner design; therefore this modern interpretation will be instantly recognisable. Standard equipment is expected to be improved, with elements such as MP3 player compatibility and satellite navigation.
The new Ka will be available with both 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol engines and additionally a 1.4 TDCi
diesel engine.
In popular culture
For several years a modified Ford Ka was installed in the lobby of the London Aquarium to promote Ford's sponsorship of the attraction. The vehicle's doors, windows and vents were sealed and the interior filled with water, forming a home for a shoal of
goldfish. The car's
Vehicle registration plates read "KARP", a pun on "Ka" and "carp", to which family goldfish belong. The display has now been removed.
According to the
BBC TV's
Top Gear (current format) The Cool Wall, the Ford Ka collects a 'Cool' rating, while the StreetKa enjoys a 'Sub Zero' classification. The SportKa is deemed 'Uncool'.
The Ford SportKa found fame in 2003 with the release of two viral TV adverts: Pigeon and Cat. Ford and advertising agency Ogilvy Mather distanced themselves from the campaign, saying that the creatives behind the advertisements had not been given the go-ahead to make or release them.
External links
- Official British Ford website
- Free Forum devoted to the Ka
- Fan website
- Ka Owners Klub GB
- Sportka Cat and Pigeon ads
- Used Car Safety Ratings - Ford Ka
Ford :: Ka :: Introduction
Fun-loving and spontaneous, the Ford Ka lives for the moment. With its unmistakable styling, superb driving dynamics and a catch-me-if-you-can attitude, this is a small car with ...
Ford :: Ka models :: Studio
Head-turning style, agile handling, power steering and a punchy 1.3 litre engine – everything you need to enjoy life in the driving seat. With a wide choice of colours to choose ...
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Ford Ka on eBay, also, Ford, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 06 ...
Find Ford Ka in the , Ford , Cars , Cars, Parts Vehicles category on eBay.co.uk. ... Ford Ka ford ka,1300cc manuel 1997 on private number plate: Item number: 190232809010
FORD KA on eBay, also, Ford, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 19 ...
Find FORD KA in the , Ford , Cars , Cars, Parts Vehicles category on eBay.co.uk. ... This item has been added to My eBay for Guests. As a guest, you can: Track up to 10 items ...
Ford KA cars and vans available at Lifestyle Ford
Ford Locations: Tunbridge Wells Lifestyle Ford Mount Ephraim Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 8AG Tel: 0844 8446514 e-mail: Tonbridge Lifestyle Ford Avebury Avenue
Ford Ka new car range - Jennings Ford new car sales.
Jennings Ford sell the entire new Ford Ka car range including the Ford Ka Style, Collection, Luxury, Sport Ka and Street Ka. Ford Ka’s with 1.3 and 1.6 litre engines.
Ford Ka Preview | Road Tests, Auto Features
Ford Ka Preview (Fri 01 Aug 08) The new Ford Ka will have its world debut at the Paris Show in October. This is the first time we can really describe a Ka as being "new" - the ...
Ford Ka | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express
Our pictures show the blue oval’s new baby shaping up Small but perfectly formed. Ford’s brand new baby is really growing up! And Auto Express is the only magazine in the world ...
