Ford Ka Collection Review

Overall Rating

Got my Ka Collection in August 2008 as a first car. At the age of 21 and a massively keen petrol head alot of friends thought I was joking at first, then begged me not to do it as it was too much 'of a girls car', a fact im still reminded off by friends or when telling people what I drive. Do not let this put you off though as its a suberb little car that will give the silence the doubters if you reach its limits ;)

What made me choose it:
2 friends from 6th form back in the day wrote theres off sighting it being 'a bit tricky' at speed, then an ex girlfriend who had an 07 Style used to throw it around and you could tell it handled well...

Handling:
In the dry the car will revert to safe and gently progressive power on understeer if speed is built up in a corner or the car is thrown into a bent to fast. The back end is usually planted in this situation but can be coaxed out using lift off oversteer and a stab of lock, meaning you can leave a bend on a netural steer!

In the wet the car gets ALOT more entertaining, really allowing you to see what a sorted and suprisingly forgiving chassis Ford have engineered into the Ka. As above, power into a bend and you will this time get understeer reached at the expected lower level. Try to bring the back into play tho and its FANTASTIC! Proper half turns and more oversteer can be had at around 40 mph with alot more if you wish! for the adventerous out there a flick of lock, lift of the throttle and a dab of brakes can have some lairy angles going on!

Performance:
Max speed is approx 100 mph but it feels alot faster, and the engine is keen to rev. Personally i run only BP in mine as it feels keen and happy on only this, Shell 95 and 99 it feels rough on.

Braking:
Mine came with no ABS but this is really not an issue. For spirited driving and increased feel upgrade to EBC Greenstuff pads for around £40, there alot better than the Ford pads, and get a fluid change. The Ford vented discs are fine.

Running:
approx 35 mpg is my norm but I never really drive slowly. Parts are cheap but I source mine from spares yards to get parts from much never e.g. 07, 08 reg, Ka's at a slight premium as alot of the parts are compatible with the older cars.

Overall:
Cheap to run, repair, insure and upgrade, the Ka is a bit of a Q car for the young driver, and definitely more than an introduction to car handling! RECOMMENDED