The Ford Ka’s groundbreaking design is ageing so well it’s easy to forget the car is seven years old. The Ford Focus, introduced a year later in 1998, is being replaced by a new model next year but the Ka appears to need no help to continue selling well.

Prices for used Kas start from as little as £2,000, making it the perfect antidote for wallets battered after the festive season. If you can remember driving the original Mini you will enjoy driving the Ka. The light but precise steering, slick gearchange and “gimme more” chassis provide lots of low-speed grin factor. The group 2 insurance and 50mpg economy shame many of its newer rivals and its diminutive size makes it second only to a Smart for easy town driving. Parents will also appreciate the 96mph top speed, more than enough if your newly qualified son or daughter get their hands on the keys.

Ford originally offered the car in three trim levels, the base Ka, the Ka2 and Ka3. All came with five-speed manual gearbox, driver’s airbag and a split-fold rear seat, but it was June 1997 before the base model was given power steering, an important feature for a car destined for tight parking spaces and town driving.

Ka2s proved most popular with buyers, as central locking, electric windows, driver’s seat-height adjustment and power steering came as part of the package. Fewer were as keen to shell out for the luxury of the Ka3 with its air-conditioning, alloys, CD player and metallic paint.

But today the shrewd second-hand buyers can take advantage of the fact that despite a Ka3 costing £1,800 more than a base Ka when new, second-hand you’ll pay just £500 extra. Money well spent when you consider the equipment it buys.

During its life the Ka has built a good reputation for reliability but the car does have some common faults that should be checked out carefully before parting with cash. Central-locking relays and electric window motors can pack up and provide an unexpected bill even if the car has a complete service history. Brake pads are also prone to wear and should be replaced every 15-18,000 miles to avoid the expense of new discs. But most common are engine rattles caused by wear to the camshaft followers, which while not a desperately big problem is one that will cost about £250 to remedy.

Most superminis are comfortable with just one or two occupants but the Ka provides reasonable space for rear-seat passengers if the need arises. The split-fold rear seat also gives surprisingly capacious boot space with lots of height for tall objects. The car’s extremely short overhangs make parking a doddle and the high roofline gives the cabin a good sensation of space.

Revisions in February 2000 saw the deletion of the Ka2 — replaced by a series of limited edition models including the Sun that came with an electric canvas sunroof. Similarly the Ka3 was replaced by the Ka luxury, which now came with a chrome tail pipe and ruched leather seats.

But fundamentally the range remains similar to what Ford originally introduced, and is a good case of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model: Ford Ka3
Engine: Four-cylinder, 1299cc
Power: 60bhp
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 47.9mpg (combined)
Acceleration: 0 to 60mph: 13.8sec
Top speed: 96mph

Sunroof: Ka Sun Collection model, introduced March 2001, comes with electric canvas sunroof

Stereo: Only Ka3 comes with CD player as standard

Air-conditioning: Reliable system is usually problem-free

Antilock braking: An optional extra on models after February 1997

Engine: Listen for rattles - a sign of worn cam followers which will cost £250 to renew

Servicing: Due every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is sooner

Bumpers: Large single-piece bumpers absorb light parking knocks well

Wheels: Alloys are standard on Ka3 models

Airbags: Since Feb 2000 the optional "reflex pack" of extras adds side and passenger airbags to the standard driver's airbag

Gearbox: Five-speed manual on all cars

Insurance: Group 2 on Ka, Ka2 and Ka3 models

Safety: Ford Ka scores three stars in the Euro NCAP tests

Brakes: Brake pads need replacing every 15-18,000 miles


THE ONE TO BUY

Ford Ka3, 2000 X-reg with 40,000 miles and full service history. Pay £4,425 at a dealer with a 12-month warranty, or £3,850 privately.

OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...

2001 Y-reg Citro‘n Saxo 1.4i Desire
2000 X-reg Renault Clio 1.2 Grande
2000 W-reg VW Lupo 1.4E
2001 51-reg Smart Pure (auto)
2001 5-reg Suzuki Ignis 1.3GL



Equivalent Ford Ka2 worth £200 less; Equivalent Ford Ka worth £500 less. Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. "Trade" is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; "retail" is what you would pay a dealer