July 2002

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Ford's funky Ka set the design precedent for the late Nineties, with its new edge styling soon spilling over on to other blue oval products, as well as those from rival firms.
Love it or hate it, there's no denying the smallest Ford has become a cult car, with a thriving Internet owners' club already in place (www.kaklub.co.uk) and showroom specials tempting young drivers with low prices and free insurance.
That means there's plenty of choice on the second-hand market, too, with the earliest cars looking seriously good value. Clever styling means the Ka still seems fresh despite its long production life - and Ford says it has no plans to update its bouncing baby just yet.
In all, there are few better purchases than a used Ka - a long-time Auto Express favourite for both new and used buyers.
Ka checklist
* The tall doors don't have rubbing strips and are susceptible to parking damage, so look carefully along the flanks. Plastic bumpers are also pricey to put right, so check for cracks.
* OHV engines date back to the Anglia and are tough, if unrefined. High-milers can get smoky and burn oil, so look for blue smoke on start-up.
* Good deals and cheap maintenance attract young drivers. A fully stamped service book is essential, even if it's from an independent garage.
* Cabins are hard-wearing, but the detachable glovebox often goes missing and inner door panels get grubby. Look for stains and cigarette burns.
Glass's view
The Ka is an evergreen used choice and loved by dealers, says trade bible Glass's Consumer Values. Special editions and top models are easy to sell, but even base cars are in demand, especially with the young. Free insurance deals mean the market could be flooded in future.
My Ka...
Jamie Norris is a self-confessed Ford nut, having owned many of the firm's performance products. The 25-year-old furniture designer bought his Ka two years ago to replace his city-unfriendly Escort RS Turbo, when he moved from the Lake District to London. He found it enjoyable to drive, with good handling and trendy styling. "I miss the RS's performance, but the Ka copes well, even on trips back home to the Lakes," he said.
Apart from some Ford Racing alloys and minor body styling, the Ka is a standard 1.3. And a stalling problem aside, it has been reliable, while the simple mechanical layout means Jamie is happy to tackle the servicing himself.

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