Ford Street Ka

alipops1986

Hello All,

I'm looking to change my current vehicle - Kia Picanto, 55 plate, 45k miles.

There's nothing wrong with it, other than I want to be able to exchange it while it's worth something, as this is more affordable for me.

I have 5k saved, although i would really rather not spend the whole amount and would prefer to avoid getting out finance/loan.

At the moment i really want a two seater car, while i can i guess. I had my eye on a vauxhall tigra which unfortunately is now sold. However, during my recent search i've come across this ford street ka, see the link below.

http://www.evanshalshaw.com/vehiclesearch/used/ford-used-car-yp55efn.html

Now, it has only done 1 mile apparently, is this suspicious? in terms of price, it would be viable and hopefully i'd be able to trade in my kia. Are fords reliable? Any ideas on how much insurance would be approx? [4yrs no claims, 23yr old female]

Many thanks,
alipops x

Indout96

Well it wont have done 1 mile thats for sure, you will have to ring them and ask about the milage.

They got quite a good write up on top gear when they came out, only thing I dont like is the lack of a solid roof, will it be safe where you park it ?? I would always be worried some pratt was going to slash the roof.

On the plus side its a lot cheaper that a Tigra would be :beer:

alipops1986

Thanks very much for your reply!

I live in a very quiet cul-de-sac but yes, the lack of solid roof is a good point i hadn't thought about...

I'm trying to go for low mileage rather than looking at the age of the car, that's not a bad idea is it?

Stigy

I'd go for the best of both worlds reference the mileage, as there's plenty on the market! It certainly won't be 1 mile only. I find that alot of people either just abreviate the mileage, or enter a completely random number as they don't know the mileage. Also, if it's higher mileage, they won't have many 'hits' on search results on the site they're entered on if people say for example "less than 20,000-miles".

Any new car will have delivery mileage at the very least, often 100 or so miles. Look at it logically, why would somebody buy a car and not drive it once?

Looks like a fair price though, if the mileage is right etc. I have a 53-plate SportKa and it cost me £2,000 with 62,000-miles on the clock. There are a few niggles with mine that need sorting out, as unfortunately 60,000-miles is when most stuff starts to go wrong if it hasn't already! A big plus in my book is a chain driven engine, as this will never need to be replaced unless it's rattling, so check this. They can snap, but they're obviously stronger than belts!

Not sure how much you know about cars, but in the Kas of old, they used to have archaic Overhead Valve Pushrod engines that were noisy, rattly and poor on ecconemy considering their 1.3-litre capacity! Later 1.3s and all 1.6-litre models (which the SportKa and StreetKa were) are chain driven. That being said, all of the Ka engines up until 2008 were 8-valve lumps, which, by today's standards is a bit poor in my opinion.

Sorry for going a little OT here by the way!

Lithian

Always thought the streetKa looked pretty smart when it came out. I recall that they came with a 1.6l engine, but due to the increased weight from the engine and hood mechanism wasn't any quicker than a normal 1.3l Ka. I used to see them quite often but can't think of the last time i saw one on the road which isn't really a great sign. Didn't realise they were still being made in 2005 tho

Thing i can't help thinking, is the StreetKa is basicly meant to look like a roadster.... so why not actually buy a roadster £5k is pretty much the top end of mk2.5 mx-5 money

Something along the lines of this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2134459.htm (not recommending that specific car, just an example)

Only thing that kills them really is rust, but you shouldn't have a problem on a uk car that age. Other cool thing is you'll see some coming with optional hardtops, its not really a quick fit and you'd need a garage to store it during the summer, but if you can you just pop it on in the winter. Of course, no reason not to have the top down all year round

Stigy

Lithian wrote: »

Thing i can't help thinking, is the StreetKa is basicly meant to look like a roadster.... so why not actually buy a roadster £5k is pretty much the top end of mk2.5 mx-5 money

It is a real roadster albeit a Front Wheel Drive one! Define a roadster? Surely a two-seat convertible is classed as one anyway?

Lithian wrote:

Only thing that kills them really is rust, but you shouldn't have a problem on a uk car that age. Other cool thing is you'll see some coming with optional hardtops, its not really a quick fit and you'd need a garage to store it during the summer, but if you can you just pop it on in the winter. Of course, no reason not to have the top down all year round

I don'r know, mine is starting to go around the fuel filler cap and bootlid..True Ford style!

clever_username

Lithian wrote: »

Always thought the streetKa looked pretty smart when it came out. I recall that they came with a 1.6l engine, but due to the increased weight from the engine and hood mechanism wasn't any quicker than a normal 1.3l Ka.

It's not the hood mechanism that adds the weight that hamstrings the performance of these convertibles. It's all the extra strengthening that's required to keep the car rigid after losing the roof.

The missus had a 206CC when they first appeared on the scene and that was heavy for what it was.

Lithian

Stigy wrote: »

I don'r know, mine is starting to go around the fuel filler cap and bootlid..True Ford style!

Sorry, i was referring to the mx-5 there. Don't think you'd see rust in sub 10 year old ones.

Kas on the other hand... yeh... my mum has a 55 plate 1.3 Ka and it has a bit of bubbling around the rear wiper mount, nothing else as yet though (fingers crossed)

clever_username wrote: »

It's not the hood mechanism that adds the weight that hamstrings the performance of these convertibles. It's all the extra strengthening that's required to keep the car rigid after losing the roof.

Cheers Clever, knew it was something along those lines

Stigy

Lithian wrote: »

Sorry, i was referring to the mx-5 there. Don't think you'd see rust in sub 10 year old ones.

Sorry, crossed wires! I automatically made the link between Ford and rust, lol.