If you’ve clicked on this ad, you probably already know what you’re looking for. The SportKa is falling into obscurity, but for those who know, its formula is tough to beat!
For the uninitiated, this is a clear-cut example of a usable driver’s car that doesn't break the bank, or, crucially, the speed limit. The ingredients include a punchy, low-rev response from a 1. 6 sohc, sub-tonne kerb weight, Richard Parry Jones set-up magic, 5-speed Puma gearbox, and an intelligent, era-defining New Edge design. Not something we will see the like of again.
Owning and driving this car has been a blast, but time for new adventures!
EXTERIOR
IMPORTANT - Minor panel dent on driver-side wing after a gate fell on it. Not sure what this costs to fix, clearcoat is chipped but the paint is fine, metal not exposed (see pics 26 & 27). Difficult to spot in some light.
Rare Colorado Red! Colour itself is incredibly accurate for the age, not much sign of fading. Condition is less good – some cracking on front bumper, plenty of scratches and marks, nothing out of the ordinary.
Boot lid badge is faded completely, small amount of bubbling around rear wiper, rear washer doesn’t work.
New Continentals on each corner at the end of last year (good luck unsticking it!!).
INTERIOR
Matching red inserts! Facelift car but no aux, hardly any wear save for the driver’s seat, wheel and gearknob. Headlining is pretty much perfect. No squeaks or rattles.
MECHANICALS
MOT Nov 24. Serviced Jan 24.
No fuel-filler cap rust Ring Of Doom! Only rust that was on the car when I bought it there was a small patch around the front left jacking point? (Fixed & I have the invoice). In general, the undercoat is looking thin, so a refresh would be in order for long term ownership.
Front bushes all replaced, but springs are a bit crusty (no squeaks or rattles). Brakes could use a refresh but operationally fine, although hand brake can get stuck when parked after wet driving.
Sump seal and gear linkage seal replaced.
HVAC is broken – fan blows hot air only and even without the fan on heat creeps into the cabin. A seal on it was broken and was fixed, only for the problem to return.
Alignment is a little off – on last service we found the suspension and new bushes to be fine, most likely cause is the buckled wheels.
Very little retained by previous owners but I have kept every invoice under my 20-month ownership, I think it was a one owner car for most of its life (now 5), used sparingly as a second/ station-run car for one person (little to no wear on passenger seats and surfaces) and kept outside but partially covered, (colour kept well, no body rust).
