Older car low miles newer car high milage

[ZX10R NIN]

Tooter said:

Hi thanks for that post appreciate the leg work you put in the mondeos look nice would you say they are more reliable than the Audi’s.? Are they as bad as they are made out to be.(done a fare bit of research on them) if they are so bad how have they got a good reputation. Thanks

The 2.5T is a very reliable option they also go very well too running costs are sensible & they're a better drive.

The only other two options I'd consider at this price point are these:

2.5 Mazda6 Sport They're (these are based on the above Mondeo but have a 2.5 N/A engine but aren't as good a steer) a good car & are cheaper to buy than the equivalent Mondeo although they're not quite as good a car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the Lexus IS250, get one with the Nav as that means you (these are a bit smaller than the two above but are a good shout) get the Mark Levinson stereo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Both of the above are good but I'd be buying the Mondeo.

[Tooter]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 2.5T is a very reliable option they also go very well too running costs are sensible & they're a better drive.

The only other two options I'd consider at this price point are these:

2.5 Mazda6 Sport They're (these are based on the above Mondeo but have a 2.5 N/A engine but aren't as good a steer) a good car & are cheaper to buy than the equivalent Mondeo although they're not quite as good a car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the Lexus IS250, get one with the Nav as that means you (these are a bit smaller than the two above but are a good shout) get the Mark Levinson stereo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Both of the above are good but I'd be buying the Mondeo.
Hi thanks again yer I like the Mazda as I have a Mazda 3 (06plate)now but was warned away from the newer ones as they are not made in Japan anymore. What are to 2.0 l petrol mondeos like.

Edited by Tooter on Friday 18th January 16:33

[ZX10R NIN]

The newer Mazdas are fine you may have been warned away from the 2.2d version but the 2.5 is fine.

The 2.0 version of the Mondeo is a bit slow but is perfectly adequate but with less torque & bhp you have to work it harder than you would the 2.5T version.

You can also get the Mondeo in an N/A 2.3 form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Again these use fuel in a similar manner to the 2.5T form so again I'd be buying that model.

[V8RX7]

As newer cars are more complicated and have larger bills I would rather have an older one regardless

1995-2005 is probably the best time for combined power, economy, reliability and maintenance IME

Obviously it depends on the car a modern Mondeo will probably cost less to run than a 1995 S class

[ninjag]

I tend to prefer newer with higher miles. Modern tech, especially with connecting phones, usually better rust proofing, improved safety, better economy in most cases and easier to get parts in stock.

Older cars can have more character though, sometimes easier to work on yourself as there's more chance of workshop manuals and online guides/videos and in some cases they are actually better quality especially with seats.

But I'd be wary of a low mileage one being clocked and the usual checks don't always work as I've known many to swap out pedals, gear knobs and even the driver's seat. Besides, low mileage doesn't protect many parts of the car from age related problems.

I've always fancied getting a classic SAAB 900 Turbo but despite it being a safe car in its day, I'm not sure how well it would deal with being hit by a modern 2+ tonne 4x4.