My suggestions as to what to do with the Ka. Sell it and have the money in the bank for when repairs needed to 406. Alternatively, turn it into a Mini Moke style. Great for the weather we are supposed to have this summer, and it would be 'different'.
As to insurance costs for 406s, mine cost me £280 this year and I live in London suburbs, and a high risk postcode. Max NCB and normal fully comp advantages. I have a voluntary excess which covers the cost of the car which helps to bring it down, as I do not intend to cause a collision so in the event I would be claiming from other driver.
What to do with a free KA?
Moderator: Moderators
Re: What to do with a free KA?
1998 2.1 GLX TD
- Bailes1992
- Moderator
- Posts: 4292
- Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Bridgend, South Wales
Re: What to do with a free KA?
Getting a 406 isn't an option. Nor am I selling a car given to me!
My Mondeo is a great all rounder! It's a hoot on wide B roads and A roads. It has massive mid range punch. It will sit all day at 60mph and return 75mpg but it equally happy tearing accross country at 130mph.
What it doesn't do is tight twisties, it doesn't rev and it doesn't have the throttle response of an N/A petrol which is something I've missed ever since I got rid of my Focus.
I can't see me laying the Mondeo up on the drive and using the KA for work. The Mondeo has 140k on the clock and I think it would start having issues. It likes having a good run on a daily basis! The Mondeo isn't really special enough either!
I think keeping the KA for a weekend thrash about is a better idea. I can use it like a van but fiddle with the suspension and chuck a 1.6 in it and it will be good fun to drive too!
My Mondeo is a great all rounder! It's a hoot on wide B roads and A roads. It has massive mid range punch. It will sit all day at 60mph and return 75mpg but it equally happy tearing accross country at 130mph.
What it doesn't do is tight twisties, it doesn't rev and it doesn't have the throttle response of an N/A petrol which is something I've missed ever since I got rid of my Focus.
I can't see me laying the Mondeo up on the drive and using the KA for work. The Mondeo has 140k on the clock and I think it would start having issues. It likes having a good run on a daily basis! The Mondeo isn't really special enough either!
I think keeping the KA for a weekend thrash about is a better idea. I can use it like a van but fiddle with the suspension and chuck a 1.6 in it and it will be good fun to drive too!
2020 BMW 520d MSport Touring My Daily
2017 Dacia Logan MCV 1.5DCi Laureate Wifes
1996 Land Rover Defender 90 County SW 300TDi My Toy
2003 Ford Mondeo ST220 3.0 V6 My Other Toy
2017 Dacia Logan MCV 1.5DCi Laureate Wifes
1996 Land Rover Defender 90 County SW 300TDi My Toy
2003 Ford Mondeo ST220 3.0 V6 My Other Toy
- DaiRees
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5377
- Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2005 8:24 am
- Location: Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales (God's Country!)
Re: What to do with a free KA?
Sounds like your decision is made then mate 

-
- 3.0 24v
- Posts: 1521
- Joined: Sun Apr 28, 2013 11:02 pm
- Location: Coalville, Leics.
Re: What to do with a free KA?
Funny that Ginger I've been thinking about your dielemer with your cars, if you like the colour & the leather of your old one so much moreGingerMagic wrote:Christ - that is the same as me and my wife to drive all 3 of our cars.....Bailes1992 wrote:Quick insurance quote...
2003 406 HDi 110 SE... £784.32![]()
![]()
If the KA is reliable, keep it as a runaround ' I don't really care about it ' sort of car and wait for a nice sporty Fiesta lump and transplant the engine......![]()
Or can you keep the gearbox for when your missus ruins another one...![]()

Why not swoop engines then flog the new one for some extra cash


2002 110 HDi estate, Rapier in monaco blue! ( found quite a bit more power
) SOLD I've sorted the airbag light
1998 3.0 V6 SE coupe in Diablo Red ( my baby ) sold
2006 206 1.4 16v sport in Aegean blue ( wife's shopping trolley
)
2006 BMW e61 535d m-sport
run's for cover 


1998 3.0 V6 SE coupe in Diablo Red ( my baby ) sold
2006 206 1.4 16v sport in Aegean blue ( wife's shopping trolley

2006 BMW e61 535d m-sport


-
- 3.0 24v
- Posts: 3579
- Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:02 pm
- Location: Bournemouth
Re: What to do with a free KA?
I thought about that, but current car has ESP etc so will need to sort out ECU as won't match - also it has high mileage and after having the new one now for a couple of weeks I didn't realise how rough the old one was.
I may sell the old one as a whole to pay for the replacement.
Sam, keep the KA as a workhorse ( dump trips, city parking, etc ) sell the brown Mondy and start saving for a replacement - you quite like the Beemers..
I may sell the old one as a whole to pay for the replacement.
Sam, keep the KA as a workhorse ( dump trips, city parking, etc ) sell the brown Mondy and start saving for a replacement - you quite like the Beemers..
2003 2.2hdi estate - mine
1998 Volvo 940 auto estate - also mine
2019 Citroen C3 something - the wife's
PP2000 user, can help with faults / diagnostics in the Bournemouth area.
1998 Volvo 940 auto estate - also mine
2019 Citroen C3 something - the wife's
PP2000 user, can help with faults / diagnostics in the Bournemouth area.
- Bailes1992
- Moderator
- Posts: 4292
- Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:13 pm
- Location: Bridgend, South Wales
Re: What to do with a free KA?
The idea of getting this car is because I'm bored of the Mondeo. I can't really do anything to the Mondeo, mods are rediculous my priced and it's a complicated car to work on!GingerMagic wrote:
Sam, keep the KA as a workhorse ( dump trips, city parking, etc ) sell the brown Mondy and start saving for a replacement - you quite like the Beemers..
I can fettle with the KA and everything costs 20p!
I changed the clutch, slave cylinder, both lower arms and the brake hoses on Beccas KA for £120.
2020 BMW 520d MSport Touring My Daily
2017 Dacia Logan MCV 1.5DCi Laureate Wifes
1996 Land Rover Defender 90 County SW 300TDi My Toy
2003 Ford Mondeo ST220 3.0 V6 My Other Toy
2017 Dacia Logan MCV 1.5DCi Laureate Wifes
1996 Land Rover Defender 90 County SW 300TDi My Toy
2003 Ford Mondeo ST220 3.0 V6 My Other Toy
- Welly
- The moderator formally known as Welton
- Posts: 15033
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:52 pm
- Location: East Midlandfordshire
Re: What to do with a free KA?
I actually drove my Mums KA this morning. Stodgy steering, splodgy brakes and the engine has it's own preferred red-line @ 2000 rpm 

Cars in my care:
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work