Drove a Mondeo ST today...
Discussion
And bloody loved it! It was a 2003 estate and felt very nice to drive, gear change was like a rifle bolt. Interior was lovely coming from a Mk1 Focus and had a stonking amount of kit.
Not sure I'm keen on the estate (I'm 26 and don't have kids, and would rather have more speed and a lighter car!)
Is there any reason I shouldn't get one? (I've had 'its a Mundaneo' already).
Love the V6 growl but definately needs an exhaust change
Why didn't they sell well? Badge snobbery?
Not sure I'm keen on the estate (I'm 26 and don't have kids, and would rather have more speed and a lighter car!)
Is there any reason I shouldn't get one? (I've had 'its a Mundaneo' already).
Love the V6 growl but definately needs an exhaust change
Why didn't they sell well? Badge snobbery?
Badge snobbery seems to be rife with the Mondeo. If I turn up somewhere in the Impreza I generally get commendations from petrolheads. Turning up in the Mondeo seems to make people look the other way.
FWIW the ST220 is a very capable car. Sounds fantastic too. Unfortunately most people can't tell the difference between an LX TDCi and a top-spec ST220. Hence the low residuals. Also compounded by the not-so-hot ST diesel which confuses the non-car savvy.
This also means you can go for a hoon without drawing attention to yourself. A Mondeo? Going round corners too quickly? Madness, I tell you.
FWIW the ST220 is a very capable car. Sounds fantastic too. Unfortunately most people can't tell the difference between an LX TDCi and a top-spec ST220. Hence the low residuals. Also compounded by the not-so-hot ST diesel which confuses the non-car savvy.
This also means you can go for a hoon without drawing attention to yourself. A Mondeo? Going round corners too quickly? Madness, I tell you.
I own one and can't think of anything else in the same price bracket that is as complete a car as you can get, in terms of performance, cruising ability, practicality (I've got the hatch and it is cavernous) and noise - the V6 is smooth and quiet below 2,000 revs but growls with intent above 4,000.
Parts are relatively cheap, and it's fairly cheap to service (my major service cost £260 inc spark plugs at a Ford indy). When I first got mine it had some awful Nanking tyre on the front and the whole car understeered like crazy on almost every roundabout. I've now got Falken FK-452s all round and the car is transformed, tons of grip.
If you go for one, aim for the 2003 facelift, with the updated interior and 6 speed gearbox. Other than that, it's a wonderful car for the money. Trouble for me is, what next?
Parts are relatively cheap, and it's fairly cheap to service (my major service cost £260 inc spark plugs at a Ford indy). When I first got mine it had some awful Nanking tyre on the front and the whole car understeered like crazy on almost every roundabout. I've now got Falken FK-452s all round and the car is transformed, tons of grip.
If you go for one, aim for the 2003 facelift, with the updated interior and 6 speed gearbox. Other than that, it's a wonderful car for the money. Trouble for me is, what next?
http://www.parkers.co.uk/ will tell you, but I imagine it's in the top bracket as previous poster said.
ETA:
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-tax/?deriv=2293...
so only £245 a year, unless I have year/variant wrong...I don't know when the facelift came out.
ETA:
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-tax/?deriv=2293...
so only £245 a year, unless I have year/variant wrong...I don't know when the facelift came out.
Edited by varsas on Sunday 4th July 10:33
Handling is superb, if fact you can even drift in it! I kid you not!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRIxlzE2iLs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRIxlzE2iLs
If you are looking at the ST220, also have a look at the Jag X-Type 3.0.
It's a bit quicker, the engine is improved and slightly more powerful and you get AWD. Plus you can get full leathers and all the toys.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1720606.htm
It's a bit quicker, the engine is improved and slightly more powerful and you get AWD. Plus you can get full leathers and all the toys.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1720606.htm
FreeLitres said:
If you are looking at the ST220, also have a look at the Jag X-Type 3.0.
It's a bit quicker, the engine is improved and slightly more powerful and you get AWD. Plus you can get full leathers and all the toys.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1720606.htm
I'm not sure the X-Type would handle quite as well, Ford tinkered with the ST220's handling a fair bit, in fact one of the criticisms of the ST TDCI was that the setup didn't quite match the fluidity and balance of the 220 - although I haven't driven the equivalent X-type I wonder whether the same might be applicable.It's a bit quicker, the engine is improved and slightly more powerful and you get AWD. Plus you can get full leathers and all the toys.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1720606.htm
Also open to be stood corrected but I think all ST's come with full leather, with Recaro's in front.
nicklonguk said:
FreeLitres said:
If you are looking at the ST220, also have a look at the Jag X-Type 3.0.
It's a bit quicker, the engine is improved and slightly more powerful and you get AWD. Plus you can get full leathers and all the toys.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1720606.htm
I'm not sure the X-Type would handle quite as well, Ford tinkered with the ST220's handling a fair bit, in fact one of the criticisms of the ST TDCI was that the setup didn't quite match the fluidity and balance of the 220 - although I haven't driven the equivalent X-type I wonder whether the same might be applicable.It's a bit quicker, the engine is improved and slightly more powerful and you get AWD. Plus you can get full leathers and all the toys.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1720606.htm
Also open to be stood corrected but I think all ST's come with full leather, with Recaro's in front.
t84 said:
Is there any reason I shouldn't get one? (I've had 'its a Mundaneo' already).
They're a bit thirsty (I average 22 mpg). Also, the lacquer on the wheels tends to fail and flake off - the wheels are diamond-cut, so they're expensive to refurbish in the original finish. Otherwise, it's the usual Mondeo stuff - leaking door seals, rear subframe bushes and whatnot. Mine's been pretty reliable, and cheap to maintain, even at the main dealer.http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...
t84 said:
Love the V6 growl but definately needs an exhaust change
Mine sounds fine. A big chavvy exhaust would ruin the character of the car.t84 said:
Why didn't they sell well? Badge snobbery?
Specced up nicely, it was a £28,000 Mondeo. Not hard to see why people might be reluctant to spend that on a Mondeo. Second hand, it's a bloody bargain.Edited by Witchfinder on Sunday 4th July 17:04
Ive not had a st220 but i have had two mk3 mondeos - one petrol hatch pre facelift and one diesel estate post facelift
From just a side by side view the estates feel more wafty than the hatch. The estates dont have a rear subframe so no issues with bushes on the estates
The interiors i have no real problem with and ive had the interior in my hatch out a few times so know they are pretty well built and tbh my mondeos have done everything ive asked of them and i covered a hell of a lot of mileage in my old blue hatch. As other people have said have a look for the post facelift with the 6 speed box as the interior feels slighly more grown up and the the exterior looks a bit more finished off as it has the chrome grill surround etc
From just a side by side view the estates feel more wafty than the hatch. The estates dont have a rear subframe so no issues with bushes on the estates
The interiors i have no real problem with and ive had the interior in my hatch out a few times so know they are pretty well built and tbh my mondeos have done everything ive asked of them and i covered a hell of a lot of mileage in my old blue hatch. As other people have said have a look for the post facelift with the 6 speed box as the interior feels slighly more grown up and the the exterior looks a bit more finished off as it has the chrome grill surround etc
Edited by samuelellis on Sunday 4th July 17:46
If you don't like standing out too much with the ST's, (
) look for the Zetec S'. They have the V6 (2.5L) and look quite smart without the added...'tinsel' of the ST's. I've always felt the ST's are trying hard to 'look' sporty whereas the Zetec S' don't have any of that pretentions. I should imagine the insurance and other costs be lower as well?
Caveat: I haven't driven the Zetec S, so don't have any idea as to its handling qualities. My dad owns one, so the above is purely from a non-driver's POV.
) look for the Zetec S'. They have the V6 (2.5L) and look quite smart without the added...'tinsel' of the ST's. I've always felt the ST's are trying hard to 'look' sporty whereas the Zetec S' don't have any of that pretentions. I should imagine the insurance and other costs be lower as well? Caveat: I haven't driven the Zetec S, so don't have any idea as to its handling qualities. My dad owns one, so the above is purely from a non-driver's POV.
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