Mondeo ST220 and running costs

[Grahamr123]

I'm looking for a another more comfortable car (but still quick) to replace my beloved Toyota Celica T sport. I was looking at Saab 9-3s, but I'm not sure now.

I realised that I completely overlooked the ST220 Mondeo. They are cheap, look great and seem to be pretty quick.

So whats the catch, how much do they cost to run, at least compared to my Celica (currently getting 28-30mpg), reliability etc

Thanks!

[PaulD86]

I ran one for 60k miles. During that fuel was 26mpg ish average. Best was about 33 on a run, 14 on a particularly enthusiastic hoon. Clutches/DMFs can fail from about 75k up so if miles above that it's worth seeing if it's had a clutch. It was just north of 80k miles when the thrust bearing failed in mine. Clutch/DMF etc is about £900 (decent independent). They tend to be reliable on the whole, suspension springs can start to go around 100k miles but for £300 fitted I put Eibachs on mine which drop the car a little but don't have any negative effect on ride surprisingly. Standard brakes are a let down, common mod is to swap front calipers/pads/discs for those from a Focus ST - well worth the money. Great cars IMHO. I recently almost bought another as a daily driver.

[milu]

I went with my neighbour to pick up a 120k miles estate a few weeks back. It's in excellent nick drives great and seems well made,the leather seats particularly good.
Cost 2 grand!

[Piers_K]

I've had my estate about 18 months and about 14k miles. I've done the Focus brake up grade and had the wheels refurbished, but other than that nothing has gone wrong. I've seen 35mpg during a very leisurely drive up the M1, but it seems to average around 24mpg.
Needs to be reved to get the best from it, but I guess you'd be used to that...

[sday12]

Couldn't get more than 21 mpg out of mine.

[nottyash]

I had a facelift estate with 85k miles on. would average 26mpg. Pretty reliable but did develop a running fault. It went through 2 coils after hesitation under load about 1200 rpm each time.
Finally cured using genuine plugs leads and coil for 500 quid at dealer.
Brakes are rubbish. same as a 1.8. The Focus ST callipers fit straight on which I did to mine.
Really nice cars. My mate has mine now and loves it.

[philmots]

I had one for a while..

Fuel consumption not really good enough for the power output.. Think mine averaged around 24.

They sound glorious though.

Also, for a big car they really handle.. Made my 330 Sport seem a bit lame.

[Rincewind209]

I had one, had it for 20000 miles, think it was on 800000 when I sold it. I averaged about 28 mpg but that was virtually no town driving. Car was lovely drive, mine had the Focus brakes so I can't say if they were better than stock but they were good. Clutch was fine on mine and suspension. If road tax is likely to shock go for pre 2006 model. Tyres are big and have a high speed rating so they will seem pricey to the Celica. All in all though it was a great car, interior was really nice and at 80k mine had no rattles or squeaks. Lots of toys and lovely seats. Handled well for the size and if hustled it really shifted. Big car so parking not the easiest.

[corvus]

nottyash said:

Finally cured using genuine plugs leads and coil for 500 quid at dealer.

How much?!!