Mondeo ST220 info and other options

drunken fool

drunken fool

drunken fool

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Hi all.

I'm looking to replace my 2000 reg Impreza turbo with something of a similar speed but i'm not really taken by anything in particular. I have between 6.5 and 7.5k to spend and my only real requirements are for it to comfortably seat 4, have decent capacity boot as i constantly carry golf clubs and trolley around and low enough milages to easily go another couple of years without major issues.

So far i have looked at Civic Type-R's but ruled out due to space issues. I test drove a MY52 Impreza STI and whilst it was good i'm not overly sure i want another impreza at the moment.

I have a test drive booked tonight in an ST220. It's an estate version (would rather have the hatch) but at 60k miles on a 53 plate 6.5k seems a good deal.

Are there any other cars within the price range that would possibly suit?
 
I have test driven four ST220's now and whilst they are undoubtedly competent cars they just don't have the x-factor for me. My search has led me full circle and I have gone back to an Impreza after a 7 month fling with a DC2.
 
6.5k for that seems expensive to me. I paid 4k for my 03 plate (facelift) with 70k on the clock last year.

As as mentioned, it won't have anywhere near the speed of your current car. It's certainly a great comfy cruiser with a bit of grunt when you need it though.
 
Reality Bites said:
6.5k for that seems expensive to me. I paid 4k for my 03 plate (facelift) with 70k on the clock last year.
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Firstly estates are more expensive.
Secondly you don't know the spec, it might be in outstanding condition and fully loaded.
Thirdly second hand car prices have increased since last year.
Fourthly it might be from a dealer.
 
Does seem a bit expensive for a 53 plate.

The ST220 can be fun when you drive it right but it can also be a very comfy motorway car. It won't have the rawness of Impreza but for a big car it does handle surprisingly well.

Still best way to find out if it suits your needs is to give it a good test drive. :D
 
Hmm, Mazda6 MPS hadn't factored into my mind before, will take a look at them.

Have driven the ST220 today. I must say i wasn't impressed as i hoped it would be. Handling was fine but performance didn't set me alight. But, i guess thats down to 3 years of driving a turbo! It was quick, just not in the same way.

As for price, it is from a main deal and comes with a years warranty. Managed to get down to £5750 so is a bit better offer than it was.

Are there any major differences in handling/performance between the hatch and the estate? Any other cars i should consider?
 
Thats the thing with the ST220, it just doesn't feel all that quick.

If you keep the revs above 3.5k / 4k then acceleration is good but the V6 won't give you the same sensation of speed that you get in a turbo. It's a much smoother power delivery, sometimes I get a bit of a shock when I look at the speedo after accelerating onto the motorway. :o

The estate is probably a little bit heavier but it won't make all that much difference.

If running costs aren't an issue you could look at a MG ZT 260 if you want some raw performance and something a bit different.

Nice big american V8 in those but a tad costly on petrol. It's not something I'd normally recommend but I saw one drive past today and they do sound awesome. :D
 
Robbie G said:
Firstly estates are more expensive.
Secondly you don't know the spec, it might be in outstanding condition and fully loaded.
Thirdly second hand car prices have increased since last year.
Fourthly it might be from a dealer.
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Do you always have to go against the grain. Would you care to enlighten us as to why it could be classed as a 'good' deal, even if it was in outstading condition with nav and recaros, from a ford dealer? From what I can tell it's a mediocre deal at the very best.
 
You dont want a mazda 6 in any flavour, i've seen several with bubbled arches etc at just 5 years old! The metal is just soo thin, check the bulkhead flexing when u apply the brakes firmy and you'll see what i mean.
 
How about a Fox special? E39 530i M-Sport, you'll get a 2002-2003 version of that with under 100k for your budget, and they are reasonably reliable. Plus its a fantastic looking car! Running costs won't be any higher than the Scoob your running just now, if anything it'll be cheaper. It'll also hold its value better than a mondeo, and will age better.

Edit - It's also a million times better than a mazda 6.
 
Robbie G said:
To what 'grain' do you refer? He was the first person to express that point of view :confused:.
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Every thread you post in, you have to be contrary. In this case, as in the vast majority of others, you try to slam people for making a valid point without backing up your own. You haven't offered anything except negativity. At least when Fox tells people they're wrong he at least says why and then demonstrates logically why he thinks that. You just spout off and contribute nothing.
 
monkey_boy said:
Every thread you post in, you have to be contrary. In this case, as in the vast majority of others, you try to slam people for making a valid point without backing up your own.
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I feel that I did back my point up:

Robbie G said:
Firstly estates are more expensive.
Secondly you don't know the spec, it might be in outstanding condition and fully loaded.
Thirdly second hand car prices have increased since last year.
Fourthly it might be from a dealer.
Click to expand...

And why on earth are you talking about [TW]Fox?! The only one spouting off here, is you.
 
Robbie G said:
I feel that I did back my point up:



And why on earth are you talking about [TW]Fox?! The only one spouting off here, is you.
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I'm talking about Fox be he can be controversial but at least he backs his point up. You just tried to slam Reality Bites' opinion but all you gave was some generic nonsense that wasn't backed up. You do it in virtually every thread you post in. How about showing some examples where an estate from a dealer is more expensive and that the ones that are cheaper are ratty? Then you'd have backed up your point. But you don't. You never do.
 
An ST220 is, I would argue, more exciting in some ways than a 530i though, you get to hear that glorious exhaust note ...you don't really get than in the 530i so much ...and it will likely be more reliable and if something does go wrong ...it's liable to cost less to put right. Servicing, tyres and general consumables are a bit cheaper too (especially tyres, the rears are expensive on a 5 Sport)

They are similar cars in some ways, size, function ...ride etc, the BMW has a better badge ...if you care about that, it has a better interior, is more refined and some may argue, is better looking (entirely subjective though) ...but the two cars aren't worlds appart from each other really.

A good 530i will be a fantastic car ...but so will a good ST220 ...only you are more likely to find the later, it will be newer and have very likely done less miles too. Then again an ST220 isn't going to hide 180k miles like a well cared for E39 can. As great a drive as an ST220 is though, the 530i is that bit sharper due to it's front engine, rear wheel drive setup and 50:50 weight distribution, where as the ST220 is a touch nose heavy.

If the ST220 fails to really excite you though, I can assure you a 530i wont, they are more refined cars. The only way the BMW might be able to come back from this is by virtue of the fact that you can get the back out ...but you wouldn't do that on a public road anyway ...would you :)
 
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monkey_boy said:
How about showing some examples where an estate from a dealer is more expensive and that the ones that are cheaper are ratty?
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In general that's just how it goes. I do not need to post examples, as this is very nearly always the case.

And why are you getting upset about me supposedly 'slamming' Reality Bites's opinion? I did not 'slam' it, I offered an alternative point of view.

You're so dramatic. You should be a headline writer for the Sun. I get the feeling you're far more upset by this than Reality Bites himself, though I'm sure he appreciates his own personal White Knight :D.
 
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