Ford Ka 1.3i 8V EFi Duratec

...years of service my trusty Ford Escort 1.6 Ghia I needed to be replaced due to a slight rust problem. Given a woman's perspective I thought that I needed a smaller car with just two doors, cheap on tax and petrol. After a few weeks of surfing the net and checking what was available within my price range an unbelievable deal dropped in my lap via my brother in law (who is a mechanic). The 2004 Ford Ka 1.3 8V Duratec in Silver

Although ...
...30mph. According to Ford the 2003 Ka will accelerate 0 - 62mph in 13.7 seconds although I have not tried this I can believe it.

This car does come with the distinctive Ka styling - 3 door 'bubble car' as my sisters call it, I have found the interior is surprising roomy. There is enough room for a person of six foot to stretch their legs out in the front seats. I did find though if the headrests are lifted up to high then there can ... more

Well after years of service my trusty Ford Escort 1.6 Ghia I needed to be replaced due to a slight rust problem. Given a woman's perspective I thought that I needed a smaller car with just two doors, cheap on tax and petrol. After a few weeks of surfing the net and checking what was available within my price range an unbelievable deal dropped in my lap via my brother in law (who is a mechanic). The 2004 Ford Ka 1.3 8V Duratec in Silver

Although I had seen these cars around I had never really paid that much attention to them but I had this car on trial for a day so I thought what the hell lets give it a go.

Outward appearance it was tidy and smart but my main concern was handling. I found the car to be very responsive with the power steering with the 1299cc 8V Duratec engine the vehicle put my Escort to shame on acceleration to 30mph. According to Ford the 2003 Ka will accelerate 0 - 62mph in 13.7 seconds although I have not tried this I can believe it.

This car does come with the distinctive Ka styling - 3 door 'bubble car' as my sisters call it, I have found the interior is surprising roomy. There is enough room for a person of six foot to stretch their legs out in the front seats. I did find though if the headrests are lifted up to high then there can be an issue when moving the front seats forward for people getting in the rear of the car. The glovebox is a tiny and you can perhaps fit a pair of gloves and a phone charger inside which is a downside. The boot has enough room for a 'few' shopping bags and the rear seats are easily collapsible as well.

The dashboard has a curvaceous design with a simplistic instrument control panel however I do miss the rev counter. But there is an odometer and low fuel warning light which gives you ample opportunity to find a garage (mine was on for 25 miles before I found a garage) for people who do not want to much fuss on their dashboard this is ideal.

Although this design does not come with remote/central locking, it is not too much of a reach to open the passenger door, but it is awkward if you are carrying lots of packages and need to fish into your pockets or bag to open the door.

I found the five gear box is compact enough so I have not experienced issues of missing gears. The windscreen wipers have the standard intermittent and two other speeds.
The lights are standard functional however you do have the ability to adjust the lights from the drivers seat depending on how many people are in the car.
I was a little nervous about taking passengers and thought that the Ka may struggle on hills a little but if driven in the correct gear it was not to bad.

I have also found the Ka very easy to park in spaces that I would have normally though twice about parking in which has saved me lots of time and money in car parking fees!

For a person such as myself who uses a car mainly for getting in and out of town for work, shopping and generally running around seeing the family I have found this a welcome addition to my drive. So good by Ford Escort and welcome Ford Ka on to my drive. (ps the only problem I have found since I brought my car 6 weeks ago is my husband keeps 'borrowing' it !
 

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