Friend of mine is after one but has been given a load of horror stories of the engine being rubbish and them leaking baddly.

I think he's full of crap as the 1600 is the Yamaha derived unit used in the Fiesta Zetec S isn't it? Can anybody give any info?

I know it's a girls car but she is one so it's ok

 

The ex Mrs used to have one and loved it. The engine is a 1.6 8 valve believe it or not. Not the fastest thing in the world but she never had any problems with it, although it was only around 3 years old when she had it. Just do the usual checks and it should be fine mate

 

The engine is pretty crap, a Rocam from South Africa. Only one rung up the ladder from the Endura really.

Not heard of it being especially unreliable though although it's not one I've had much contact with.

 

So not the Yamaha unit, that surprises me. Cheers for info so far guys

 

Same engine Thats is in the sportka and some focus's as said its a zetec rocam, solid and reliable with good torque low down, chain driven aswell so no cam belts to worry about

I believe that the winter edition has the optional hardtop and heated seats

http://www.fastfordmag.co.uk/2008/02...buyer_s_guide/

 

A friend of mine has a sportka, seems ok reliablity wise. 1.6 8v, loosely based on the endura as mentioned above, strong engine i think just like the old 1.3hcs from back in the day!

 

the engines are relatively bulletproof if looked after. as said, cheap african import.

sportka is a far better car based on same chassis, engine etc. Handles well just underpowered but still a laugh to drive.

streetka is a girls car.

 

My wife has one, loves it to bits

Just keep the oil topped up and they are fine.

 

My wife has one.
No issues at all.

 

we got a sportka only big problem we had in nearly 20k miles and 2 years was alternator, i would recomend one of them any day!
just the running costs are slightly higher than you would think for that sort of car,