Used Ka Pricing

 

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here may be nothing quite like driving a brand new car off a dealer forecourt, but you usually pay a lot of money for the privilege.  Before we progress, if you’ve not read my article on buying used cars, have a look at it here and then come back to this article.

So, you want a Ka, but do you want a new Ka or a used Ka?

First, a note on specifications.  At the time of writing – June 2004 – and for some time now, Ford are keen to bang out lots of their cheapest model, the base Ka.  Thus, if you’re prepared to compromise a little on colour, and you don’t want a high specification level, you can buy a brand new Ka for under £5,000 if you’re prepared to shop around and use Ford’s finance.  Add a monkey if you have the cash (that’s £5,500 to you and I).  For your money, you get the same basic mechanical specification as all other current production Kas - a 1·3 litre Duratec engine, power steering, and the Ka’s superb blend of handling and ride.  You will also benefit from Ford’s three year warranty.  You may not get much of a choice of colour, and you’ll not be getting central locking, electric windows or air conditioning, but these things may well be academic.

It gets better.  Many dealerships sell nearly new base Kas with a sticker price of more than £5,000.  In other words, if you buy a Ka, drive it around for six months, it is possible that your depreciation costs will be minimal.  It’s not inconceivable that you may actually make a little bit of money on the deal, but it’s best not to bank on this.

The above is important to note if you’re in the market for a nearly new Ka.  If you’re after the base model, don’t pay more than five grand for it.  Indeed, consider offering more like four grand for the model.  You’ll have the balance of the manufacturer’s warranty, and you’ll have saved a packet compared to the new list price (at the time of writing, this is approximately £6,500).  Some Ford dealerships also bought a lot of 13” alloy wheels, which fit the ordinary tyres, and whilst they may not be quite the wheels you wanted, they’re an attractive design.

If you’re wanting a more upmarket model, things are not so straightforward and discounts are harder to come by - but not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.

But I Want A Used Ka!

Used Ka prices vary immensely, with some dealerships wanting what looks like rather silly money for one.

 

1999V              Ka                    £3995

1999V              Ka                    £2995

1998S              Ka²                  £3495

2001X             Ka                    £3995

2000W            Ka²                  £3995

1999V              Ka                    £3999

2001-51           Ka                    £4495

2000W            Ka                    £3695

1999V              Ka²                  £2995

2001X             Ka                    £3195

2004-53          Ka Collection  £6999

1997P              Ka                    £2695

1997R              Ka                    £2995

 

Online Auctions

 

Online auctions can be a good source of used Kas.  Although you won’t get a warranty, unless the Ka is new enough, you can usually bag a bargain.  Ebay is a good port of call, but there are other options.