Mondeo Ghia (The Grandad Mobile)

[nipsips]

I'd like to start this off with a warning. This is quite possiby the least PH car that I have seen on PH. If you are allergic to beige and wood trim then look away now.

So why do I have it I hear you ask (probably not). I do a few motorway miles and long journeys. Ive always preferred bigger cars that are more comfortable and refined. I had a 2001 2.0 Focus Zetec which was great but was noisy on motorways, unrefined, slow and drank fuel. Add to that I was paying £285 a year road tax for a Ford Focus which made me cry.

So a motor trader friend of mine acquired this. Its a Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ghia Auto. Saloon. With a biege interior. Not going well is it. Bear in mind however that its bloody quiet at speed, refined, comfortable, has lots of toys and is fairly economical. Done Ipswich to Dover with a couple of short journeys on £18 of petrol which I calculate to be 47mpg. Not bad!

Its done 90k too so nice and low mileage and sailed through its MOT with a washer pump, two sidelight bulbs and a PAS pump (£25 off ebay). Only minor issue I can find is the Autobox drops a little oil now and again but as long as I keep on top of the oil doesnt bother me. When I service it I'll look into it.

So here are the pictures after a deep clean (needed it after a jaunt to Paris!). Steam cleaned all the carpets and engine bay to make it extra clean although if I keep it for a year or so I'm going to change the interior colour lol...

Before the steam...



After...















(And the main reason I've changed is it stops me modifying so I can finally afford my own place!)

Awaiting a slating!

[Shaw Tarse]

The Mundaneo isn't a bad car,

[mwstewart]

You can't go wrong, really. I like the interior colour.

[Divvyboy]

I've got the ghia x .been a brilliant car for the £700 I paid 2 yrs ago

[davamer23]

Although not as popular or practical I always preferred the saloon Mondeo's looks. Looks nice and clean after your efforts too.
However, doesn't that have the same engine as the focus, now in a larger car with an Autobox and the same tax cost?

[Liquid Tuna]

What are the autoboxes like in these generation of Mondeo? I know the Mk1 and Mk2 autoboxes were known as just about the worst box ever made by anyone - you were lucky to get 40k miles out of one! What are they like in the Mk3?

[Jonny_]

Tidy, discreet, and IMHO quite an inviting interior.

What's not to like?

[nipsips]

davamer23 said:

Although not as popular or practical I always preferred the saloon Mondeo's looks. Looks nice and clean after your efforts too.
However, doesn't that have the same engine as the focus, now in a larger car with an Autobox and the same tax cost?

I must admit its not as practical the bike wont go in the boot for a start. Its a completely different engine - Focus had a Zetec E and the Mondeo uses a Duratec. Uses less fuel believe it or not even with the extra weight, autobox etc. Tax costs are the same however to be expected with a larger car.

Liquid Tuna said:

What are the autoboxes like in these generation of Mondeo? I know the Mk1 and Mk2 autoboxes were known as just about the worst box ever made by anyone - you were lucky to get 40k miles out of one! What are they like in the Mk3?

Well I believe its the same box. I don't think the autobox itself was bad rather a lack of cooling. The MK3's have an oil cooler and other revisions with the box and don't seem to be as bad.

The way I looked at it is that a clutch and flywheel is £300 for a manual (dual mass). A second hand box can be had for the same price. Its either that or if I really could be bothered a manual conversion could happen!

Thanks for the comments guys - not quite the slating I was banking on!

[F1GTRUeno]

Nothing wrong with the interior colour at all, lifts the gloom. Much more pleasant than black or grey.

[vit4]

This shape Mondeo is a fantastic car - I had a 1.8 estate that, with hindsight, I really shouldn't have sold. The cheapest motoring I've ever had. I've got a very close eye out for a decent 2.0, as I felt it could have done with just a bit extra poke - other than that it was all the car that one could ever need, really.

[nipsips]

My only issue with the interior colour is keeping it clean! Really should invest in some mats. Might be my next purchase!

Im actually impressed as to how much of an improvement it is over the MK2 Mondeo. Feels easily as well built as a Passat to me. The doors thunk and its well equipped. Win win!

[MondeoMan1981]

These are still great driving cars. They take the twisties far better than a car of that size and boring reputation should!

I'd have another in a heartbeat. Ideally a 2.2 ST TDCi My 02 and 52 plate 1.8's were excellent for what they were.

[tbc]

This is basically the same engine I have in my x-type

Mines just crept over the 100k mark and it's still smooth and sweet as a nut.

Does the business on the roads and a smooth mile muncher on the motorway

[Podie]

Leather seats often come up cheap on eBay....

[Sir Fergie]

F1GTRUeno said:

Nothing wrong with the interior colour at all, lifts the gloom. Much more pleasant than black or grey.

Personally I don't mind grey so much - but I have an aversion towards black interiors - with leather they are okay - possibly even nice if the interior is nicely styled.

But black cloth - dear god - I think its the worst possible interior colour you can have

Bring on the beige interior

[Mr Tom]

nipsips said:

Really should invest in some mats. Might be my next purchase!

I thought you said you were getting this to stop you modding ones... Starting already

Did you pay shed money for it?

Cheers

[nipsips]

tbc said:

This is basically the same engine I have in my x-type

Mines just crept over the 100k mark and it's still smooth and sweet as a nut.

Does the business on the roads and a smooth mile muncher on the motorway

Is it? I thought the 2.0 in an X-Type was a V6 lump - basically just a 2.5 Mondeo engine with a shorter stroke. This is the Mazda derived 4 cylinder 145ps lump.

Podie said:

Leather seats often come up cheap on eBay....

That they do but I'm yet to see a decent beige one. The saloon interiors are different as the rear bench is different, and to change to black involves changing seatbelts, carpets, side trims, dash, seats etc.

Lot of work!

Mr Tom said:

I thought you said you were getting this to stop you modding ones... Starting already

Did you pay shed money for it?

Cheers

Yeah I did. Cant help myself

I swapped the Focus in for it. Focus was worth possibly around £700 so I dont feel I've done that badly out of it. Cant beat a bit of shedding!

[TheAngryDog]

Hows this getting on OP? looks a tidy car for the money. I am considering one (manual probably) as a DD and the MPG interests me!

[Jezzerh]

In had one of these on a 52 plate in Oyster Silver, really liked it. Until it blew two injectors which were £400+ to have fixed at Ford. Took all the fun out of it. Love the interior in yours!

[RussH91]

Got exactly the same but with the manual. Having heard your MPG I think I need to ease off slightly.
Like you say good car for cruntching miles. I paid £200 for mine taxed it, serviced it, put clutch and dual mass in 8K into ownership (£400) done 11k in it the 5 months of ownerships stands me about £750 so quite happy really