Mondeo Ghia (The Grandad Mobile)
Discussion
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!
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!
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.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 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!
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.
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!
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!
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
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.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 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 Did you pay shed money for it?
Cheers
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!
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
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
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