The 2009 Ford Ka: US Bound? Depends on How Much Cash Ford Wants to Make

[homeforsummer]

Why is that an issue? A new Ka for the price of a used car?

Also, does the States really need the option of two small Fords? Perhaps wiser to let the market get used to the Fiesta first, before chucking in something even smaller.

And I still think it looks ugly

 

[Tornado]

Why is that an issue? A new Ka for the price of a used car?

Because no one in their right mind buys new when prices get that low.

 

[TheCracker]

Because no one in their right mind buys new when prices get that low.

There are used cars available that are similarly priced to everything from a Ka to a Veyron - doesn't stop people from buying new cars though does it?

 

[Tornado]

It usually does when prices get that low. Cars like the Aveo and Rio have never been huge sellers in America.

 

[ExigeEvan]

So in the Consumer-society capital of the world people would rather buy a used car than a small new car? That is quite a surprise.

 

[TheCracker]

It usually does when prices get that low. Cars like the Aveo and Rio have never been huge sellers in America.

That's more to do with Americans attitude to small cars then it is to their comparable prices. In Europe small cars hold their prices really well compared to large cars, therefore small cars still sell well new even though you could buy a low milage 2004 BMW 520 for the same price as a New Ford Fiesta.

 

[Tornado]

That's more to do with Americans attitude to small cars then it is to their comparable prices.

And? I don't see the Ka changing that.

 

[TheCracker]

And? I don't see the Ka changing that.

No but greater demand for smaller more economical cars is what's driven Ford to consider bringing them to the US in the first place. Ford aren't trying to forge a new market by bringing over their smallest car, they're just reacting to a newly emerging market that's just starting to boom.

 

[YSSMAN]

Because no one in their right mind buys new when prices get that low.

What?

If I could have gone to my local Ford dealer, picked up a Ka for $10,000 and likely be given a 0% finance rate (or $1200 cash back depending on the time of year) when I was shopping for my Jetta replacement, hands down, I would have went for the Ford. There isn't anything in this world that will replace what you get with a brand-new car, with a warranty, for that kind of money. Particularly when it is a damn-good car.

Cars like the Aveo and Rio have never been huge sellers in America.

They've been selling fairly well given the context that they've been around in, cheap fuel and no major need to buy small. Now that things have changed pretty dramatically in the past year or so, I'm seeing more Aveos and Rios that I can ever recall before in my life. Both of the cars have been extensively updated, and I can attest to the point that the Rio is a pretty good value if you're looking for basic transportation... Same goes for the Chevy.

The thing here is that the Ka is smaller than the Rio and Aveo (they will compete with the Fiesta), and the key is going to be having Ford say "Hey, we've got something that is kinda like the ForTwo for $10,000 less and gets nearly the same fuel economy... Who wants one!?"

 

[JCE]

What?

If I could have gone to my local Ford dealer, picked up a Ka for $10,000 and likely be given a 0% finance rate (or $1200 cash back depending on the time of year) when I was shopping for my Jetta replacement, hands down, I would have went for the Ford. There isn't anything in this world that will replace what you get with a brand-new car, with a warranty, for that kind of money. Particularly when it is a damn-good car.

I 100% completely and utterly agree with this. The Ka would sell so well Ford couldn't keep up with the production I think. My Ford dealer cannot kee Focus' (Focii) in stock, people want gas savers. Look at it this way, the Smart is selling well here and its expensive. That tells me that people are buying smaller and more efficiant cars. I see at least 1 Smart per day around here. Now, a FORD (or GM) small car for $10,000 with a good interest rate and rebates/cash back? Reinventing the wheel ladies and gentlemen?

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm doubting that they would slash interest rates or hand out rebates like bottles of water, but nevertheless, if its going to be extremely fuel efficent for that kind of price... People will buy them. Thats why we're seeing Geo Metros bought up so quickly these days, and why its becoming increasingly difficult to find older Civics and Corollas as well.

If you're looking at a car that can easily get 35-40 MPG for that kind of cash, people will gobble them up immediately. Having a Ford badge on the hood may hurt things, but we're already seeing Ford not being able to keep up with the demands for the nearly 10 year old Focus, and GM is having a hard time with Cobalt production as well.

 

[Moglet]

So am I the only person who hates the interior of the Ka and the Fiesta now? The outsides are growing on me, although they're clearly outclassed by the 500 and the Mazda2 but the interiors are the worst I've seen for a loooong time.

Maybe it's because I sit in a 500 every day and get to look at that dash, but I hate the new Ford dashboards and seats. It's like they've tried far too hard to make them look 'modern' and just failed miserably;

Nice dials, but why make every so angled?! It really doesn't work!
As for the Ka interior, it looks very cheap to me. There's no real focal points and everything is just surrounded with silver in the middle with no other thought put in;

 

[JCE]

I really like that interior in the black.

 

[YSSMAN]

The big question for us in America usually is "is it functional?" or "does it not just look good, but feel good?" To that end I think Ford will have a success with both of them here, as I like the look, and its definitely superior to what we have in their already "hot selling" MKI-3 Focus:

I'll take the Fiesta setup, its a bit more "exciting."

 

[homeforsummer]

So am I the only person who hates the interior of the Ka and the Fiesta now? The outsides are growing on me, although they're clearly outclassed by the 500 and the Mazda2 but the interiors are the worst I've seen for a loooong time.

Nope, you aren't the only one. I'm not a fan of any part of the new Ka because I am a fan of the old one, and as for the Fiesta, it's nice, but I'd so much rather have the Mazda 2 it's based on. The 2's interior is a much cleaner design, with more than a hint of MX5 about it. I don't care if the plastics are a bit nastier because I much prefer the look of it, and the higher-mounted gearlever.

But given the choice of a small car at the moment, the Fiesta would probably be only 4th, behind the MINI, 500 and 2, in whichever order I preferred that day! The Ka wouldn't even really register, I'd be looking for the previous model still...

 

[Tornado]

The thing here is that the Ka is smaller than the Rio and Aveo (they will compete with the Fiesta), and the key is going to be having Ford say "Hey, we've got something that is kinda like the ForTwo for $10,000 less and gets nearly the same fuel economy... Who wants one!?"

The problem is the size, once again. Ford will either need to move the Focus upmarket (unlikely) or they will have two different cars in two different size classes going for much the same price, be it Ka/Fiesta or Fiesta/Focus.
Then there is the age old problem small cars face in America: "I can buy a Rio, which is a bigger car, for the same price and it gets very similar mileage."

 

[Moglet]

The big question for us in America usually is "is it functional?" or "does it not just look good, but feel good?" To that end I think Ford will have a success with both of them here, as I like the look, and its definitely superior to what we have in their already "hot selling" MKI-3 Focus:

I'll take the Fiesta setup, its a bit more "exciting."

I actually prefer that, it's fairly simple but the lines flow well and everything is well laid out. It's simple but functional.

 

[Jondot]

So am I the only person who hates the interior of the Ka and the Fiesta now? The outsides are growing on me, although they're clearly outclassed by the 500 and the Mazda2 but the interiors are the worst I've seen for a loooong time.

Maybe it's because I sit in a 500 every day and get to look at that dash, but I hate the new Ford dashboards and seats. It's like they've tried far too hard to make them look 'modern' and just failed miserably;

Nice dials, but why make every so angled?! It really doesn't work!
As for the Ka interior, it looks very cheap to me. There's no real focal points and everything is just surrounded with silver in the middle with no other thought put in;

I don't hate the Ka particularly, but I really dislike the Fiesta one. Particularly the button arrangement - it looks like the handset for a Taiwanese radio controlled power ranger. And the dash colours make me want to run and hide - I sat in a Fiesta at the motorshow (it was pink, not my best decision), took one look at the colour of the dash and stepped right back out again. Bleeugh. Call me petty, but it's enough to put me off.

 

[Moglet]

I sat in a Fiesta at the motorshow (it was pink, not my best decision), took one look at the colour of the dash and stepped right back out again. Bleeugh. Call me petty, but it's enough to put me off.

I did the same, I sat in the pink one (having got a pink lolly, damn you Ford!) took a quick look at the dash and got out again. It felt cheap and it looks cheap too.

 

[YSSMAN]

The problem is the size, once again. Ford will either need to move the Focus upmarket (unlikely) or they will have two different cars in two different size classes going for much the same price, be it Ka/Fiesta or Fiesta/Focus.

Since we're supposed to be getting the MKIII Focus in 2011 (or whatever), chances are that the Focus will move upmarket significantly to make room for the Fiesta (and possibly the Ka). The current model already starts at $14K, I'm guessing they'll kick the Focus up to the $16-ish K range (like the Rabbit) and still sell every damn one they send here. The Fiesta would have to float in around $12-14K if thats the case, taking up where the Focus used to dominate, and then obviously, the Ka to fill out the bargain-basement bottom in that $10-12K range.

Problem is, if they're shipping them here from Europe, that'll be tough to do. I know the F-150 plant in Detroit is being re-tooled to build Fiestas (and presumably Foci), but I have no idea where the Ka would be screwed together if it comes here.

 

[Jim Prower]

I actually prefer that, it's fairly simple but the lines flow well and everything is well laid out. It's simple but functional.

You haven't touched the plastic yet, have you?

Believe me when I say that It's cheap.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

You haven't touched the plastic yet, have you?

Believe me when I say that It's cheap.

Cheap as in feel or cheap as in it will fall apart?

 

[homeforsummer]

Cheap as in feel is something I personally couldn't care less about, as long as it's been screwed together properly and looks okay. I don't make a habit of caressing the dashboard so the materials it's made of don't really register.

 

[buickgnx88]

"Feel this dash dude, it's just so soft!"

 

[Moglet]

Cheap as in feel is something I personally couldn't care less about, as long as it's been screwed together properly and looks okay. I don't make a habit of caressing the dashboard so the materials it's made of don't really register.

I think they mean how well put together the buttons/door handles etc. are.

For example in the 500 the door handles are solid (which helps cos you press them in to lock the doors) and all of the buttons feel solid to press and respond well. Some cars just feel 'tacky' like the buttons will fall off when you press them.

 

[Jondot]

I don't make a habit of caressing the dashboard so the materials it's made of don't really register.

"Feel this dash dude, it's just so soft!"

Yeah, I don't do that... *whistles*



I think he meant more 'cheap' like you feel as though the paint will wear off after a year. And it sounds like a dustbin when you knock it.

 

[homeforsummer]

Dustbins stand up to a fair bit of punishment, and contain even more rubbish than the average supermini

I'm more an advocate for ergonomics themselves than I am for the buttons having a lovely soft feel. Of course, I don't discount a certain car just because it has a nice feel to the interior because I'm not bothered - I'll freely admit that I like the odd bit of fabric or leather on the dash, but then it's not something that bothers me overly either. As long as it's been built well and looks good then that's good enough for me. Even if it does feel like a wheelie bin...

 

[Jim Prower]

Cheap as in feel or cheap as in it will fall apart?

Feel. Hard, and very light-weight, feels like the silver will wear off within a few months...and parts might just be able to easily be pried off.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm more an advocate for ergonomics themselves than I am for the buttons having a lovely soft feel... As long as it's been built well and looks good then that's good enough for me. Even if it does feel like a wheelie bin...

I completely agree. I've been saying for a long time that while many of the American interiors may be "cheap," they're laid out very well and end up being overly functional at the cost of hoity-toity appearances. Granted, there is a middle-ground to be struck, and I believe that Mazda and Honda are two good examples in which cheap-ish materials are used but still work together to make a comfortable package... Something that, at least in my opinion, automakers like Mercedes and Infiniti have been failing at for some time.

 

[Sniffs]

now, wait a minute, what are you guys harping over the interiors for? your eyes should be on the road, not the interior! from someone in the "take what you can get" category, I learned to ignore the interior unless there was a clumsy controll I had to memorize the position of. I'm more concerned with the OPERATING bits to keep it running than what it looks like. the only thing I appreciate in an interior is where the cubbyholes are, how long I can stand the seat, and what's the name of the yutz that designed the bloody seat-belt for Shaquielle O'Neil?!