Volvo S60 T5 vs Ford Mondeo ST220
Discussion
So, during my commute on Friday, I hit a patch of ice in the middle of a corner. I sailed straight off the road, up the kerb and eventually came to rest in some shrubbery. In the process I wrote off my RX-8. :-(
I'm expecting that sorting out insurance things is going to take a while, and whilst I've got the Christmas holidays off, I'm going to need to be back at work in the new year. Consequently I'm having to think about getting a replacement motor asap. My requirements are that it have 4+ doors; a serviceable boot (we're a family of 3 and so don't really need an estate); manage more than 19mpg most of the time; and be interesting/fun/fast-ish. A characterful noise is a definite plus too. I'd obviously like to avoid big bills. The budget is up to about £2500, but preferably sub-2k. My commute is 9 miles each way, so I'd prefer to avoid diesel. We do a lot of weekends away, so decent fuel consumption on a run is good, and the ability to make it down a rally stage when we go marshalling is also helpful.
The two main contenders currently are the Volvo s60 T5 and the Ford Mondeo ST220. I've never driven a volvo, but all reports are readonable ( though i have some concern about the handling) and I have driven a mk1 Mondeo and hated it, but understand that the modern mondys are better in all ways. I have some concerns about the reliability of the ford tho. I'd prefer 4wd to fwd and understand that they did a s60 in awd, are those later cars and thus out of my budget? What are the servicing costs like on the two of these? Any info that can help me make an informed decision is welcomed.
Also what am I overlooking? I'm not a huge fan of the look of beemers, plus they seem to attract a premium. The missus will veto Skoda's (else an Octavia vrs would be on the list), Rovers, and Alfas (at this end of the price range at least). A little part of me fancies a Jag XJ8, even tho it's juicy and impractical. What have I missed?
I'm expecting that sorting out insurance things is going to take a while, and whilst I've got the Christmas holidays off, I'm going to need to be back at work in the new year. Consequently I'm having to think about getting a replacement motor asap. My requirements are that it have 4+ doors; a serviceable boot (we're a family of 3 and so don't really need an estate); manage more than 19mpg most of the time; and be interesting/fun/fast-ish. A characterful noise is a definite plus too. I'd obviously like to avoid big bills. The budget is up to about £2500, but preferably sub-2k. My commute is 9 miles each way, so I'd prefer to avoid diesel. We do a lot of weekends away, so decent fuel consumption on a run is good, and the ability to make it down a rally stage when we go marshalling is also helpful.
The two main contenders currently are the Volvo s60 T5 and the Ford Mondeo ST220. I've never driven a volvo, but all reports are readonable ( though i have some concern about the handling) and I have driven a mk1 Mondeo and hated it, but understand that the modern mondys are better in all ways. I have some concerns about the reliability of the ford tho. I'd prefer 4wd to fwd and understand that they did a s60 in awd, are those later cars and thus out of my budget? What are the servicing costs like on the two of these? Any info that can help me make an informed decision is welcomed.
Also what am I overlooking? I'm not a huge fan of the look of beemers, plus they seem to attract a premium. The missus will veto Skoda's (else an Octavia vrs would be on the list), Rovers, and Alfas (at this end of the price range at least). A little part of me fancies a Jag XJ8, even tho it's juicy and impractical. What have I missed?
The AWD S60 was the 'R' version which also had 300bhp. Generally not thought to be as sturdy as the T5 & the Sky hook suspension never seemed to be all that good. I had an S60 a while ago, whilst not a T5 (2.0 T) was still reasonably quick but more of a cruiser & as a heavy car it needed a few suspension parts while I had it. Volvo parts can be pricey! Very very comfortable though & most will have an amazing stereo.
The S60 boot is big, but the opening is small. A hatchback ST220 would be far more practical if you need to carry large/heavy clobber.
The S60 feels like a car from a class above the Mondeo (because it is) but on the flip side the Mondeo is a better handling and more engaging car. S60 seats are superb and the standard stereo on the higher spec models is really good for a standard fit unit.
An S60 T5 will be quicker, the ST220 makes a better noise.
Although on the surface they may seem like very similar cars in reality they are quite different, I'd suggest you would really need to drive both and work out what suits you best.
The S60 feels like a car from a class above the Mondeo (because it is) but on the flip side the Mondeo is a better handling and more engaging car. S60 seats are superb and the standard stereo on the higher spec models is really good for a standard fit unit.
An S60 T5 will be quicker, the ST220 makes a better noise.
Although on the surface they may seem like very similar cars in reality they are quite different, I'd suggest you would really need to drive both and work out what suits you best.
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