Originally Posted by
T.E.D. Jordan
You asked on what basis and if I'd owned one, my experience is owning two and having family that fix them and also family that have sold them. I didn't mention profit as I wouldn't ever base my knowledge of a car on something like profit?
Rust on these is probably worse than any other same aged vehicle, sparkplugs like to weld themselves to the heads, noisy engine rattles caused by Ford not case hardening the tappets on the 1.3 engine, over time that means that they wear and become a loose fit in the engine block making it ovalled on the face which runs on the camshaft. That happens eventually regardless of mileage and oil quality, usually anywhere from 30-50k.
They're a cheap car, and like anything, you pay for quality.
Aside the above facts and my own experiences with them, my dislike is only my opinion, as is your own!
Jordan
You said your family were traders and you'd had two. If you'd had two, and didn't like them without any real reason, it's more likely that you didn't have them long (thus the hatred being for £££ reasons).
You've not really mentioned why you hate them or why they are bad. Yes it's an opinion, but if it's not a constructive opinion then why share it on a thread where one is for sale?
I'm defending it because there's an substantial overload of people who always want to put someone off a car for (as far as we can establish thus far) no real reason.
I've never had any issues with what you describe. I once bought one that had a fooked engine and it was due to a bent pushrod causing damaged, which I diagnosed at the time was due to over adjusted clearances. The camshaft is just above the crank on the endura-e valencia engine (same as the HCS) and so the only way you'd know if there was ovalling would be if you stripped the block, which seems excessive, so if you mean the followers then they are easily and economically replaced if you can't put up with an inevitable prehistoric but bulletproof engine design.
Sparkies seizing on the head is not something Ford designed, but mother nature I'm afraid. Many, many, many models do this, easily solved by copperslip on the seats and good maintenance.
If we know one thing about cheaper Fords (Ka, Fiesta etc.), it is this: They are bought by people who, mostly, don't exactly have wallets deep enough to ensure they are well serviced. Considering most of the older designs will do no doubt 80k without a service is a positive not a negative
Tbh Fil, it's the 'Its crap because as new the engines weren't quiet' brigade that made me throw the towel in on selling cheap cars, as you're selling a £300 (yes, £300 - what people pay for a second hand sofa) car that's road legal for at least 4 months and would easily drive to russia and back without breaking down, yet people still complain...
I've reworked your first post to make this all worthwhile (as we've strayed away from the sale) to hopefully underline what a bargain this is. Some is assumption from squinting at the photo:
2001 registered Ford Ka 1.3
One lady owner from new (Zero former keepers)
10 Months + MOT
3-4 Months VED Tax
Blue with colour coded bumpers and door mirrors
Alloy Wheels
124k with some service history
Electric Windows
Climate Pack option (Air Conditioning etc.)
Heated Front Screen
CD Player
Clean bodywork with usual age related wear and tear
Needs some TLC and a HCV.
Parts are very cheap due to compatibility with most Ford models (fiesta, puma etc.)
Economical, cheap to insurance, ideal first car or spare car, very reliable.
£300 (or will be scrapped)