After a few weeks of searching around and looking at really, really badly advertised examples, I finally managed to find myself a half decent car!
A 100+ mile trip from Daventry to Doncaster took me to view a 2004 black Mondeo Estate Ghia-X TDCI (130bhp, 6 speed). Upon arriving the first impressions were good, and after a further more detailed inspection it was exactly as the seller had described. Yes there were a few stone chips on the front and it could definitely do with a damn good clean and polish. But the interior was pretty much immaculate (full spec below) and well looked after especially for a above average mileage car of this type.
So after a successful test drive the deal was completed, and I was the proud new owner of the car and drove it home (had already done a HPI check in advance and was all clear)
Full Spec:
Make & Model: Ford Mondeo Estate Ghia-X
Year: 2004 (so slight facelift model - chrome front grill, different front fogs and nicer interior)
Engine: 2.0 TDCI 130bhp
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
Colour: Metallic Panther Black
Wheels: 17" 7 spoke alloys
Seats: Half leather, front electrical adjusted
Cooling: Full Climate Control with heated and cooled front seats
Stereo: Sony in dash 6cd auto changer with aux-in port in the glovebox
Extras: Auto dimming rear view mirror, auto headlights, auto wipers, power fold wing mirrors with puddle lights
Mileage: 113k (yes its high for its age, I know)
MOT & Tax: 12 months MOT & 6 Months Tax (only £155.00 for the year)
Service History: Serviced a couple of months ago. Also has receipts for previous work done, including - replacement turbo, starter motor, rear brake caliper, air con re-gassing, front drive shaft plus other bits and pieces that I cant remember off the top of my head.
Bodywork: Some stone chips to the front and the odd scratch here and there, but to be expected on a car with this mileage. Front alloys have some scuff marks on them, but generally in good condition. All four tyres have plenty of tread left on them as well. Passenger side font light lense has a crack in it, but hardly a deal breaker.
Price: £3,295.00 (private sale)
Misc: Also ran a fault code reader on the car before and after the test drive, just to check there wasn't any hidden engine faults with the car, all clear.
The Drive Home:
The 100+ mile drive home went without a hitch, as you would expect really. There is a slight rubble through the steering wheel (which was picked up on the test drive), but suspect its down to wheel balancing so will get that sorted asap. You know what its like driving it hot weather, even with the old air con/climate control on you still end up with a hot bum and a sweaty back....well not with cooled seats! What an absolute god send they are Once arriving back at home, I checked the on-board computer and it stated (and I know that these are normally way out) that I had averaged 55mpg over the entire journey home...not bad, not bad at all. Stereo is always very good indeed, very impressed.
Future Plans:
The car needs a damn good wash (2 bucket method), claying and polish which I hope to do at the weekend (shall get some before and after pic's if I remember). The engine bay needs a bit of tarting up as well, but I started that last night by cleaning the main black plastic engine bay cover and by using back to black on some of the other engine bay plastics (will take pic's once I've finished).
To buy/ do over time:
Replacement front fog light
Interior floor mats
Rubber boot liner
ST220 18" 16 spoke alloy wheels (may just get the existing ones refurnished at some point)
Replace headlights with Xenons
Thanks for reading, and awaits the flameage for buying a high mileage diesel Mondeo
A 100+ mile trip from Daventry to Doncaster took me to view a 2004 black Mondeo Estate Ghia-X TDCI (130bhp, 6 speed). Upon arriving the first impressions were good, and after a further more detailed inspection it was exactly as the seller had described. Yes there were a few stone chips on the front and it could definitely do with a damn good clean and polish. But the interior was pretty much immaculate (full spec below) and well looked after especially for a above average mileage car of this type.
So after a successful test drive the deal was completed, and I was the proud new owner of the car and drove it home (had already done a HPI check in advance and was all clear)
Full Spec:
Make & Model: Ford Mondeo Estate Ghia-X
Year: 2004 (so slight facelift model - chrome front grill, different front fogs and nicer interior)
Engine: 2.0 TDCI 130bhp
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
Colour: Metallic Panther Black
Wheels: 17" 7 spoke alloys
Seats: Half leather, front electrical adjusted
Cooling: Full Climate Control with heated and cooled front seats
Stereo: Sony in dash 6cd auto changer with aux-in port in the glovebox
Extras: Auto dimming rear view mirror, auto headlights, auto wipers, power fold wing mirrors with puddle lights
Mileage: 113k (yes its high for its age, I know)
MOT & Tax: 12 months MOT & 6 Months Tax (only £155.00 for the year)
Service History: Serviced a couple of months ago. Also has receipts for previous work done, including - replacement turbo, starter motor, rear brake caliper, air con re-gassing, front drive shaft plus other bits and pieces that I cant remember off the top of my head.
Bodywork: Some stone chips to the front and the odd scratch here and there, but to be expected on a car with this mileage. Front alloys have some scuff marks on them, but generally in good condition. All four tyres have plenty of tread left on them as well. Passenger side font light lense has a crack in it, but hardly a deal breaker.
Price: £3,295.00 (private sale)
Misc: Also ran a fault code reader on the car before and after the test drive, just to check there wasn't any hidden engine faults with the car, all clear.
The Drive Home:
The 100+ mile drive home went without a hitch, as you would expect really. There is a slight rubble through the steering wheel (which was picked up on the test drive), but suspect its down to wheel balancing so will get that sorted asap. You know what its like driving it hot weather, even with the old air con/climate control on you still end up with a hot bum and a sweaty back....well not with cooled seats! What an absolute god send they are
Once arriving back at home, I checked the on-board computer and it stated (and I know that these are normally way out) that I had averaged 55mpg over the entire journey home...not bad, not bad at all. Stereo is always very good indeed, very impressed.Future Plans:
The car needs a damn good wash (2 bucket method), claying and polish which I hope to do at the weekend (shall get some before and after pic's if I remember). The engine bay needs a bit of tarting up as well, but I started that last night by cleaning the main black plastic engine bay cover and by using back to black on some of the other engine bay plastics (will take pic's once I've finished).
To buy/ do over time:
Replacement front fog light
Interior floor mats
Rubber boot liner
ST220 18" 16 spoke alloy wheels (may just get the existing ones refurnished at some point)
Replace headlights with Xenons
Thanks for reading, and awaits the flameage for buying a high mileage diesel Mondeo
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