New or Used Ford Ka?
Jun 30th, 2010 by admin
I never used to make New Year resolutions. The dream of owning a Ford GT was never more likely to happen if I made it my resolution to get one and the mundane day-to-day stuff seemed so in control to me that I didn’t feel I needed to change anything. All this altered a few years ago when I woke up on 1 January with yet another blistering headache ready to make my brain pop. I vowed never to drink again and I didn’t…for three days. There were other things on my list that I did stick to like getting a better job, getting in shape (although that’s going back on the list this year) and to start a band and record a demo – it was a successful year.
Since then I’ve religiously stuck to a few key resolutions, one of which this year will be to change my car (it’s a sort of self improvement). Ford will also be hoping your resolution will be to ditch your used Ford Ka or alternative and buy a new one when it launches in January. There is quite a major problem that Ford face however and I liken it to the rock band The Darkness.
For those unfamiliar with The Darkness they were formed in the early nineties by brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins. Recruiting two old friends on bass and drums respectively, The Darkness wrote songs that harked back to the glam metal and classic rock of Led Zeppelin, T-Rex, AC/DC and Queen. In a world where hip hop, R ‘n’ B and shiny pop were ruling the airwaves, The Darkness in their spandex and with their cheesy rock were destined to be a massive failure. Yet somehow, amazingly, they weren’t.
In 2003 they burst onto an unsuspecting public and guitar music was reborn. Their debut album went to number one for four weeks in the UK and sold 1.5 million copies. They toured the world with superstars like Metallica, won two Brit Awards in 2004, had a massive Christmas single and were on every form of media constantly. Yet when it came to following up this unexpected success, they were unable to do so. Their bassist quit, singer Justin went into rehab and their second album flopped, resulting in the record company cancelling their contract.
Ford are in the same boat with the Ka (albeit a less musical one). Part of Ford’s ‘New Edge’ design philosophy in 1996, the Ka was so futuristically styled when it launched that it had the potential to send any prospective customers running away screaming. I was on the verge of calling NASA the first time I saw one. Even today the old car looks fresh so it’s no wonder that Ford have let the original Ka design run for 13 years.
Yet people didn’t run away – they loved it. With a combination of styling that was ahead of its time but appreciated, good build quality, nippy 1.3 litre engine and neat and tidy handling – particularly around town, the Ka sold in droves. Crucially it attracted young women to the Ford brand and the Ka was so small they could carry it around it their handbags. With the Ka becoming every bit a style icon as good little car, Ford developed a brand loyalty with its Ka owners that boosted sales across its range.
Now you see the size of the new Ka’s task. A used Ford Ka is ridiculously cheap and on average will be £4,000 cheaper (for a two year old model) than the new derivative. The new car is also a Fiat 500 and Panda in drag (well all the unpinnings are the same) but it doesn’t look anywhere near as good. Despite it being the ugly step-sister of the Italian firm the Ka is streets ahead when it comes to the driving experience. The Ford PR guff said the new Ka had “the most exciting driving dynamics of any small car” and this is the case.
To encourage buyers you can also choose from three ‘personalisation packs’ for your new car: Digital Art, Grand Prix and Tattoo. What? Well basically each pack contains exterior graphics, matching coloured seat fabric colours, steering wheel and floor mats. It’s clear that Ford is aiming to retain its young female customer base which considering the number of fans of it, isn’t surprising.
The new Ka then, is Ford’s second difficult second album and you may be better sticking with their original material. It’s ironic that despite the new car being a good one, the success of its elder means that it may very well be judged a failure. Time and how well it fits inside a handbag will tell.
Mark Creese
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/new-or-used-ford-ka-681032.html
Youd think a Miss America swimsuit winner would feel completely confident about her body, right? Not always! So I decided to write the book I wish Id had as a teen and in college an honest, funny, practical, medically accurate, totally reassuring guide to how womens bodies actually look, smell, feel, behave, and change. Alongside real-deal photographs of women just like you and me (no airbrushing, no supermodels, no kidding) youll find medical pictures of things you need to be able to recognize, true confessions by yours truly, and the encouragement you need to appreciate the uniqueness, strength, and beauty of your body.
Youd think a Miss America swimsuit winner would feel completely confident about her body, right? Not always! So I decided to write the book I wish Id had as a teen and in college an honest, funny, practical, medically accurate, totally reassuring guide to how womens bodies actually look, smell, feel, behave, and change. Alongside real-deal photographs of women just like you and me (no airbrushing, no supermodels, no kidding) youll find medical pictures of things you need to be able to recognize, true confessions by yours truly, and the encouragement you need to appreciate the uniqueness, strength, and beauty of your body. 
Is is recommended to buy used FORD Sedan when FORD is struggling with bailout?
I am a student in Florida. I am planning to buy a used Ford Focus. I am not sure whether to buy a Ford Sedan when Ford, GM are struggling for their survival. If Ford goes out of business will I still be able to maintain my vehicle by a local mechanic or some repair shop.
There should be after market parts out there even if Ford fails.
Ford has a better chance of making it then GMC or Chrysler.
Toyota, Nissan, and other car makers chances of survival is also in question. They too are in trouble in North American operations. It is just that the Big Three are getting the press here in the USA.
Right now, any car is at risk of being an orphan!
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parts will allways be available for domestic cars, aftermarket companies will fill the void as parts are needed
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Most parts on new vehicles are not made by the vehicle manufacturer themselves, but by other companies that supply them. The manufacturer puts these parts together and makes a car. If a car company were to go out of business, these suppliers would still be able to provide replacement parts, and other companies would also provide aftermarket versions ot the parts.
Even if a car company was to go bankrupt, that bankruptcy would be a reorganization, not a liquidation. They would still be in business.
Dealers are independent business. If the company were to close (not likely) the dealer could still exist as a private shop. Other shop can also work on your vehicle, so you have nothing to fear there.
Do not let fear of the future of the auto industry keep you from buying the car that suits your needs.
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29 years in the auto business
I wouldn’t worry their not going under the BIG boys will take a salary cut, sell their planes, their hugh gas eating suv’s and even go out and buy a. small fuel saving foreign car to help keep their companies going. I wonder if I should hold my breath on that one..Also u can get most of the parts at local parts stores, scrap yards and garages stock.
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When was a ‘57 Chevy made? 1957 of course! Go on Ebay and search for that and see how many brand new parts you can find for it.
Ford right now says that they are in the best shape of the three. They are probably right too since they missed their chance to get federal aid right away at the Congressional hearings. There wouldn’t be any reason to not buy an American car today since you can still find aftermarket parts, your warranty must be honored by law, and the companies won’t actually die anyways, they will just go into bankruptcy and restructure.
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Ford is the least likely to go under. They saw this coming several years ago and started reorganizing then. Chrysler is gone, and GM has one foot in the grave, the other on a banana peel !
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just because they are in trouble does not mean they dont make reliable cars. The ford focus is a well built car with great gas mileage. First of all, they are not going out of buisness and second of all you can still go to a mechanic
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Ford guy
yes buy it. buy american i dont care what company just buy american. toyota or honda dont count as american companies. buy it ford is not even asking for a bailout just a line of credit.
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