Mondeo 2000-2007 model advice please

[texasjohn]

Evening all

Anyone a bit of an expert on these? I am looking for a 'sensible family car' and have always liked the Mondeo.

Budget would stretch to a very early ST220 but I would rather have a later 'cooking' model as it is to be a comfy family wagon. Looking for a Ghia X in petrol guise as they seem much better value (2.5s particularly) than the diesels and I assume that there is less to go wrong. Other than the sound of a nice V6, is there much advantage to the 2.5 over the 2.0? Doesn't seem to be much more powerful for the loss in MPG.

Is the 2.5 a camchain and the 2.0 a cambelt?

Other than the normal used car checks, what should I focus on when viewing? Any links to buyers guides or good UK forums would be appreciated!

Many thanks in advance.

Edited by texasjohn on Monday 22 October 20:05

[edition]

Think I recognise your name from a BMW forum?

I've just bought a 1.8 lx for family duties! Will let you know how I get on!

[Glassman]

texasjohn said:

Anyone a bit of an expert on these? I am looking for a 'sensible family car' and have always liked the Mondeo.

Far from an expert and if you're looking for sensible, the ST derv version might be your car.

[Magic919]

You can try Talk Ford for advice on the Mk3. The ST220 sounds good when you rev it. There was also a Titanium and X if you fancy less fake wood than the Ghia.

I don't do diesels but hear of problems with the DMF and injectors.

[PaulKemp]

I've got a 53 plate 2.0L TDCI 130bhp
Zetec S trim
Love it, powerful and 42 mpg urban 50 on a run

[Zad]

V6 Mondeos are very different in character to their 4-pot brethren. All I would say is, drive one of them. Quiet at low revs, and snarly and growly at the higher end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu7kgDjJXno

Don't expect great fuel consumption though, unless you have cruise control engaged and keep in the slow lane.