RE: Ford Mondeo ST220: Spotted

[Fastdruid]

jason61c said:

I don't quite get the ford fanboy thing. Its an overpriced Mondeo estate with an nice sounding engine.

Could say the same about any make.

eg take an M3 - "I don't quite get the bmw fanboy thing. Its an overpriced 3-series with an nice sounding engine."

[burningdinos]

Fastdruid said:

TheFinners said:

Always found these to be really appealing, and are something I will definitely consider in the future when I may need something more practical.

I realise the chance is very slim but if Mazda could make a SkyActive V6 and stick it in the current 6 that would make an absolutely fantastic car. It is a good looking car and say 3.0 liters and ~260/70bhp and a pleasant sound it would be a great modern successor to the ST220.

Of course it'll never happen...

Not sure they've got anything decent any more, Ford took the old 2.3T (from the 3 and 6 MPS) with them when the sold their stake. They have the Skyactiv-G 2.5 but that's only 184hp.

The most interesting car in their entire range is the MX-5 and while it isn't a bad car it's hardly quick. The rest are slow and dull.

I like that idea (on paper because in the real world it'd be a sales disaster). I quite like the new 6, only drove the diesel and despite being far from fast, I reckon there's a fine chassis underneath. A bit more poke from a proper petrol engine and I imagine we could have something like a spiritual successor to the ST220. Not getting my hopes up, I barely see any 6 on the road

[jason61c]

Fastdruid said:

Could say the same about any make.

eg take an M3 - "I don't quite get the bmw fanboy thing. Its an overpriced 3-series with an nice sounding engine."

Not really, the m3(n/a versions) are amazing bits of engineering.

[Fastdruid]

jason61c said:

Fastdruid said:

Could say the same about any make.

eg take an M3 - "I don't quite get the bmw fanboy thing. Its an overpriced 3-series with an nice sounding engine."

Not really, the m3(n/a versions) are amazing bits of engineering.

And there we go.

[BorkFactor]

jason61c said:

I don't quite get the ford fanboy thing. Its an overpriced Mondeo estate with an nice sounding engine.

Generally, I agree with you. Prices of old Escorts and Sierras can be utterly insane, I don't get it.

However, the ST220 doesn't suffer from it too badly I don't think. Compared to a similar E46 330i Sport etc of the era it doesn't seem particularly overpriced. Even the standard MK3 Mondeo is an excellent car.

[cerb4.5lee]

Zad said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Being a Ford man I always liked the Mondeo ST but the Vectra GSi was the better car overall I think most would acknowledge.

I am still haven't owned a vauxhall yet though.

Are you quite sure? That's the first I have heard. Yes, I'm probably reading the wrong sub-forums.

Maybe its just me! I always liked the GSi Vectra and its rival would have been the ST200 not the ST220 and I have as a rule of thumb rated the Fords handling to be better but the Vauxhall to have the sweeter engine, don't get me wrong I have always lusted after a ST220 for as long as I can remember.

[cerb4.5lee]

Fastdruid said:

jason61c said:

Fastdruid said:

Could say the same about any make.

eg take an M3 - "I don't quite get the bmw fanboy thing. Its an overpriced 3-series with an nice sounding engine."

Not really, the m3(n/a versions) are amazing bits of engineering.

And there we go.

the M3 fan boy thing has always done my nut in! and the M3 is just a 3 series with a fancy engine thrown in...yet they get regarded as the best car in the whole world bar none!

[Fastdruid]

cerb4.5lee said:

Fastdruid said:

jason61c said:

Fastdruid said:

Could say the same about any make.

eg take an M3 - "I don't quite get the bmw fanboy thing. Its an overpriced 3-series with an nice sounding engine."

Not really, the m3(n/a versions) are amazing bits of engineering.

And there we go.

the M3 fan boy thing has always done my nut in! and the M3 is just a 3 series with a fancy engine thrown in...yet they get regarded as the best car in the whole world bar none!

It is *exactly* the same as the ST220. Decent enough base car with suspension mods, nice wheels, factory body kit, unique trim items to it, load of toys as standard and a more powerful engine.
Ok so the BMW version of the same era (E46) has a nicer engine than the Ford and is RWD but (and the BMW fan boys really won't like this bit) it doesn't handle particularly well and was a *lot* more than the base while the ST220 wasn't that much extra (only IIRC something like 2k).

Very nice cars, quick, nice to drive but not the best cars in the world. I'd absolutely have an M3 (E46) over an ST220 but they're still over-rated.

[ahenners]

These are great value for money if you can find a nice, well looked after example. I was in the market for one a few weeks ago, until I saw the insurance costs. Perhaps it's just my combination of area/age (over 25 btw) but paying 1k to insure a 3/4k car just seemed crazy. Ended up with an Octavia VRS which cost half as much to insure as the ST220!

[Liquid Tuna]

Krikkit said:

Shocking after the first-gen horrors.

What? Are you referring to the Mk1 Mondeo? You are aware it was a big step forward in its segment and was universally applauded for handling well? Or are you referring to something else?

[jason61c]

cerb4.5lee said:

Fastdruid said:

jason61c said:

Fastdruid said:

Could say the same about any make.

eg take an M3 - "I don't quite get the bmw fanboy thing. Its an overpriced 3-series with an nice sounding engine."

Not really, the m3(n/a versions) are amazing bits of engineering.

And there we go.

the M3 fan boy thing has always done my nut in! and the M3 is just a 3 series with a fancy engine thrown in...yet they get regarded as the best car in the whole world bar none!

I'm not an m3 fanboy, you can't compare the engineering of a car that has 100bhp per ltr to one that has about 40% less.

[peter450]

jason61c said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Fastdruid said:

jason61c said:

Fastdruid said:

Could say the same about any make.

eg take an M3 - "I don't quite get the bmw fanboy thing. Its an overpriced 3-series with an nice sounding engine."

Not really, the m3(n/a versions) are amazing bits of engineering.

And there we go.

the M3 fan boy thing has always done my nut in! and the M3 is just a 3 series with a fancy engine thrown in...yet they get regarded as the best car in the whole world bar none!

I'm not an m3 fanboy, you can't compare the engineering of a car that has 100bhp per ltr to one that has about 40% less.

It's a lot more expensive though, something like twice the price, the point being made is it's a tuned up version of a standard saloon/estate and is no different in concept than an M3 it's just done at a much lower price point.

[carinaman]

Other than the March 2006 Road Tax hike I like that.

[morgs_]

peter450 said:

jason61c said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Fastdruid said:

jason61c said:

Fastdruid said:

Could say the same about any make.

eg take an M3 - "I don't quite get the bmw fanboy thing. Its an overpriced 3-series with an nice sounding engine."

Not really, the m3(n/a versions) are amazing bits of engineering.

And there we go.

the M3 fan boy thing has always done my nut in! and the M3 is just a 3 series with a fancy engine thrown in...yet they get regarded as the best car in the whole world bar none!

I'm not an m3 fanboy, you can't compare the engineering of a car that has 100bhp per ltr to one that has about 40% less.

It's a lot more expensive though, something like twice the price, the point being made is it's a tuned up version of a standard saloon/estate and is no different in concept than an M3 it's just done at a much lower price point.

What has the bhp/litre got to do with the engineering?!

[Piers_K]

I have a pre face lift estate, and prefer the less blingy look over the later cars, although I'd like the 6 speed box as it would fix it's (I think) major flaw.
It's not the quickest, the most economical nor does it have a nice touchy feely interior, but it goes well enough, handles nicely, nothing has gone wrong in 2 years, it lugs a load when needed and it's rare to see another petrol version (no one should want an STD ;-))
I like it.

Edited by Piers_K on Wednesday 22 July 16:53

[Podie]

I had a 2005 facelift car for several years and still miss it.

[JoshMay]

Uncomfortable and ugly, don't see the appeal.
Give me a Merc estate (if it has to be an estate)any day.
Red leather, it's no E46 M3!
I'm out.

[JoshMay]

Totally agree, have just upgraded from a 330ci to M3, like changing work shoes for trainers, more comfortable and SO much faster

jason61c said:

Not really, the m3(n/a versions) are amazing bits of engineering.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

redrabbit said:

Any love for the Octavia vRS estate (2.0l petrol) of similar vintage? Seem hard to find these days....

I went from my ST TDCI to an early 2.0 TFSI mk2 Octavia vRS estate. Both good cars. The Mondeo was a much nicer place to sit - felt much more upmarket than the Skoda did until you closed doors etc which felt a bit tinny in comparison to the Skoda. That said, the Skoda pretty rapidly fell to bits during my 2.5 years of ownership.

Given the choice out of them both, I'd go back to a Mondeo any day of the week.

[w824gb3]

Surprised nobodies said that if you like this 3.0v6 you can get it in the Jag X-type with more power because they added VVC & better traction from the AWD. The handlings just as good as are the looks if you go for Sport spec. And a good one can be had for a lot less than this Mondy. Just saying.......