Ford Ikon 2005?

[supersunbird]

Morning everyone,

I am looking at buying a Ford Ikon 2005 to replace my retired Uno. I can get one for R53 000.

The one I am looking at has only 25 000km on the clock. It was standing still for a long time (still has 2006 disk on). What should I look out for on a car that has been standing still for that long?

I've test driven it and will it tested independently later in the week. The only problem that I noticed is that the brakes don't really seem to bite like they should (have to push deep and then it doesn't feel like it is really biting the pads hard enough), why would that be?

 

[Fazda]

OK, first problem with a car that has stood for a long time is hydraulics. Brake/clutch fluid is hygroscopic, so it draws in water from the atmosphere, and eventually becomes useless, that's why you have a soft break pedal at the moment, and you will also find fairly quickly in town running that your clutch isn't working either.

Check your exhaust system, if it is not stainless it is probably rotten from standing. It may look OK on a brief inspection, but will probably fail within 1000 k's or so. ALSO the tyres do not like standing, and although they might look OK wear wise, they should do after that mileage,they can be dicey.

Those fluids should be replaced immediately, plus an immediate oil flush or simply change, using a good quality oils plus change all filters. Petrol also tends to pick up rubbish or alternatively go fairly dud in a car that has stood, so that needs to be filled up with fresh gas ASAP, and then driven.

The mileage is great for a car of that age, not sure on price, however, I would knock them down as NOTHING is worth book price any more, as there are such good deals on new cars due to the economic crappola.

After an Uno, you should be in your seventh heaven in ANY other car!! ;0) GOOD LUCK!

 

[supersunbird]

Well, considering that ones with higher kilos like 90 000+, easily go for R60 000 or more I think the price is OKish.

So how would the tyres display their diceyness? Those Good Years GT2s are crap anyway...

I'm thinking of sending it for the AA comprehensive test.

 

[Fazda]

If you are happy with the price that's up to you, just take into account that you may have to spend a few bucks on things like exhaust and a major service, that's all I am saying. The car sounds great, don't get me wrong, but the circumstances around it simply point to you having to fork out some extra.

The tyres will show very little of their diceyness until one lets go at 120 one sunny day.

I bought a car from a deceased estate and the tyres looked great. One trip from where I bought it, to home, however (85km) and the tread had actually lifted on 3 of the tyres. For some reason or other the rubber goes hard and the sidewalls react with the tread and separation takes place...I'm not saying that it will, I am saying that it might. Possible extra costs like this must be factored into the buying price. If you have extra to spare after the 53 k, go for it!

 

[supersunbird]

I know its kind of a tough choice, make them do all fluid changing stuff and don't know if they cheated and didn't do it properly or do it my own side. Maybe I can get them to lower the price by the price of 4 new pirelli's hehe...

 

[Fazda]

LOL, that's my point! I would do it all myself anyway, because then you know that it has been done. Dodgy brake fluid is the last thing you need, and if you do that sort of thing yourself it is not difficult or expensive.

 

[hyperian]

You might need to check the battery too. I bought my car after it had been standing for 6 months and the battery was knackered.

 

[supersunbird]

Well, this morning I checked the tyres and they seem to have been replaced with newish Firestones (they still have the thin studs on the side) because stock they come with Good Year GT2s. It drove fine otherwise. I hope they have 2 keys for it, I wont take it with just one...

 

[wizdumb]

good price, decent car...

...maybe see if you can get them to do a service (maybe the 30k km service) before you buy it

 

[supersunbird]

Yay! Getting it saturday morning...

Now to fit that alarm and central locking... mmmm some speakers in the back... new radio... nice floormats... hehe

 

[Fazda]

Yay! Getting it saturday morning...

Now to fit that alarm and central locking... mmmm some speakers in the back... new radio... nice floormats... hehe

Mazeltov!! Many happy miles!!

 

[wizdumb]

congrats...

...see if you can get the dealer to throw in the mats for free. my gf got 'em free and so did i

 

[supersunbird]

congrats...

...see if you can get the dealer to throw in the mats for free. my gf got 'em free and so did i

It has mats

I want my specific michellin mats, to match my Bantams

 

[MR.C]

Yay! Getting it saturday morning...

Now to fit that alarm and central locking... mmmm some speakers in the back... new radio... nice floormats... hehe

I suggest Alli's in Beatrix street, arcadia. 012-323-0189
Nice guy, good setup and keeps most brands of sound, does alarms n gearlocks also.
Car should be a decent runabout, good luck.

 

[supersunbird]

Just a update:

I've been driving it for a few weeks now. Feels about the same as my Bantam except the 1.3 engine has less power and the ride is a bit softer. Get about 6.6l/100km or 15km/l.