Going to buy a Ford KA

jon.bda · 21 Aug 2012 at 22:47

Brookert said:
The 1.3 of that age car was the dire ohc engine.

They are dire, but if its OHC then something is well and truely wrong!!!

Tute · 21 Aug 2012 at 22:56

The 1.3 in a 2000 model is the one based off the old Ford Kent engine no? Those designs must have been around for a good 40 years or so.

You could always look at a Sport/Street Ka? Those came with a 1.6 instead.

Janesy B · 21 Aug 2012 at 23:06

Endura E doesn't share any parts with the old Kent engine. You won't be buying a sport KA for £500 either

Tute · 21 Aug 2012 at 23:42

Didn't see about the £500 bit.

Hagar · 22 Aug 2012 at 09:22

Janesy B said:
I bet if it broke down or died she'd be telling all her mates that KAs are crap. I'll never understand why people don't service cars properly.

For a £500 car, you do not want or need £200 servicing costs each year. Bangernomics dictates check all levels, tyres, lights. Keep on top of rust. Pre MOT test check up will tell you of any major problems if you are not mechanically minded. Most jobs are relatively simple with a good manual and a few tools.

Duke · 22 Aug 2012 at 09:32

nkata said:
For a £500 car, you do not want or need £200 servicing costs each year. Bangernomics dictates check all levels, tyres, lights. Keep on top of rust. Pre MOT test check up will tell you of any major problems if you are not mechanically minded. Most jobs are relatively simple with a good manual and a few tools.

As if she sounds like the type of person to do all of that. Just an oil service each year would have been next to nothing.

sketchytom · 22 Aug 2012 at 09:40

jon.bda said:
They are dire, but if its OHC then something is well and truely wrong!!!

what i was thinking. the ancient design of an engine are pushrod

Janesy B · 22 Aug 2012 at 10:32

nkata said:
For a £500 car, you do not want or need £200 servicing costs each year. Bangernomics dictates check all levels, tyres, lights. Keep on top of rust. Pre MOT test check up will tell you of any major problems if you are not mechanically minded. Most jobs are relatively simple with a good manual and a few tools.

A gallon of oil, oil filter, air filter and cabin filter does not cost £200. If you're running about in a £500 car I doubt you can afford a new engine so for the sake of a cheap service it makes sense to actually maintain something properly.

Zillio · 22 Aug 2012 at 11:08

I always have got my cars serviced no matter how much they are worth. I consider it a safety issue as well as general maintenance.

barnettgs · 22 Aug 2012 at 15:47

Duke said:
Just an oil service each year would have been next to nothing.

+1

Oil service will improve the fuel economy, greatly if not serviced for a long time!

Brookert · 22 Aug 2012 at 16:21

jon.bda said:
They are dire, but if its OHC then something is well and truely wrong!!!

I think OHV was the acronym I meant

Brookert · 22 Aug 2012 at 16:24

Janesy B said:
A gallon of oil, oil filter, air filter and cabin filter does not cost £200. If you're running about in a £500 car I doubt you can afford a new engine so for the sake of a cheap service it makes sense to actually maintain something properly.

Indeed, if you check out the 'things bought in August thread', I paid all of £45 for a good service of my fiesta. I've bought a fuel filter, oil filter, alternator belt, some contact cleaner for the MAF and 5 litres of ford formula oil.

Although, my other half still thinks you don't need to service a car, and told me I've wasted £45 :rolleyes:

Janesy B · 22 Aug 2012 at 16:29

Brookert said:
IAlthough, my other half still thinks you don't need to service a car, and told me I've wasted £45

She'd happily spend that on a handbag though, wouldn't she?

Chives · 22 Aug 2012 at 21:20

Blimey this thread has exploded overnight. We went to look at the car yesterday evening, surprisingly little rust but one mirror was literally being held on by a little bit of tape and there was a huge dent in the driver as well as problems with locking/unlocking the car so we decided to leave it. Having a look for fiestas for him now, doesn't seem to be many close by in budget and with an appropriate engine local at all! Cheers for all the advice guys, very helpful

Brookert · 22 Aug 2012 at 21:24

Would sell you my fiesta if you could wait till september. Are there no tidy Y/51 reg fiestas for sale privately in your budget?

1 tip, get aircon if you can. I've been slowely melting all summer

Zefan · 22 Aug 2012 at 21:40

Chives said:
My friend is hunting around for first cars and has decided on a KA.

Chives · 22 Aug 2012 at 21:52

Zefan said:

Because they are cheap no other reason! Although I admit its not exactly the best or exactly the most masculine choice hence why I have steered him away from them

Duke · 22 Aug 2012 at 21:59

Can he go up in budget at all? Say to £750-1000?

godinman · 23 Aug 2012 at 08:05

Dogbreath said:
The heater control valve is electrically operated and it's very common for them to stick in one position.

Thanks for that, will let her know.

King Damager · 23 Aug 2012 at 12:16

I have an '06 one...

It's all right for a first car, but I won't be replacing it with another one...

It's a bit of fun once you get used to it... You just learn to plant your foot to the floor from 1st to 3rd and then it's alright xD

Check the sils on the doors, and check reverse gear. I've got friends with issues with reverse in that it can be a right pain getting it in first time...

As others have said, there is a known issue with heater, but actually it works surprisingly well. Just don't leave it on one setting over a period of time. Like in summer, make sure you run it hot for a while (even just on low blowing setting), and in winter run it on cold. Seems to reduce the chances of the problem.

kd