Ha' way lads, give him a break - he's trying to get out of his Corsa which means he's moving up on the world.
As siad 1st, the Mondeo is a good car to look at - reliable, fairly easy to maintain and a nice choice of engines. If you can get a 2litre Ghia then you'll be laughing, should get a airly high mile Mk3 for that money or a low/average mile mk2. Anything more prestige is going to hammer your insurance. Though for the record my Xedos 6 has cost buttons to run although she's a thirsty girl - £150 including a couple of tyres, oil & filters and a set of front pads.
Another choice if you fancy a diesel would be a 306 or the Xara - get a nice 2.0HDi for you money, 5 doors tend to be cheaper than the 3 door anyway. The Xara will be less attractive but probably much better spec. Fairly good on the insurance as well.
Hope that helps.