Mondeo ST200

James_N · 23 Mar 2006 at 17:30

Hi

Ive always REALLY liked these, a few years ago when i was looking to get one, they were about £6k and un-insurable at 19

But now im 21 and insurance is suprisingly low (under £1k anyway).

So what should i know about them? Ive noticed on autotrader some have half leather, and some have full leather, why?

Also pricing seems a little weird. some with over 100k miles go for like £3.7k and then one with 69k miles goes for a few hundred quid more.

Whats to look for when buying second hand? Im presuming FSH is a must, and regarding pricing, im assuming a MINT one with 50-60k miles could be had for around £5k

If i was to get one with slightly higher mileage, what repairs should i budget for in future?

Cheers.

loltim · 23 Mar 2006 at 17:33

Thought you had a Civic Type R?

[TW]Fox · 23 Mar 2006 at 17:42

Ones for under £5k are rare. a MINT one is more likely to be found for £5.5k-£6k.

This is the only thing wrong with the ST200 - it's fantastic car in so many ways, also very rare and sought after, but an unfortunate side effect of this is they hold their value very well so you need 5-6k for a nice one. Thats a lot for a Mk2 Mondy.

The ST200 had half leather Recaro seats. These were upgraded to full leather Recaro seats on cars built after July 1999. Easiest way to tell these cars apart is they have black B pillars. Note not ALL Sept 99 V plate onwards cars were built after July 99!

They are very reliable cars, as is the rest of the Mondeo range, but do be aware that some of the parts on them are ST200 specific. Specifically, the suspension setup INCLUDING the wishbones. These are the Mk2 Mondeos 'thing' - they eat bushes and need new wishbones every 40k or so. It's very cheap to do - on a regular Mondeo. On a '200? Not sure.

James_N · 23 Mar 2006 at 17:57

Tim said:
Thought you had a Civic Type R?

I do, im getting rid.

Thanks fox. I think its worth paying a bit more for a mint one. i really do like them.

Im presuming they are better built than the CTR

[TW]Fox · 23 Mar 2006 at 17:58

James_N said:
Im presuming they are better built than the CTR

No, not really. Build quality is certainly nothing to complain about it, but it won't be an improvement on your Civic. I think the interior asthetics are much nicer, but the quality of plastics etc is similar. The top part of the dash is nicely built, though.

James_N · 23 Mar 2006 at 17:59

[TW]Fox said:
but it won't be an improvement on your Civic.

I bet it would. Its horrific on both CTR's ive had. Thats half the reason im getting rid. The cars ****

Mechanically its fantastic, shame about the rest of the car

[TW]Fox · 23 Mar 2006 at 18:00

My experience of the Civic extends only to a poke around in the cabin, but it didn't feel that bad.

Still, I guess if you've had problems then fair enough. My Mondeo has yet to drop random bits of trim from anywhere in 130k miles

thebrasso · 23 Mar 2006 at 18:07

Shame you have gone off the CTR. I've no doubt the Mondeo would be more comfortable and probably easier to drive (i.e. less hard work, less gearchanging).

When I was at uni a guy used to park a mint ST200 in the supermarket car park. Then I found he'd put clear Lexus style rear lights

The rest of the car looked the dogs though.

James_N · 23 Mar 2006 at 18:12

thebrasso said:
When I was at uni a guy used to park a mint ST200 in the supermarket car park. Then I found he'd put clear Lexus style rear lights The rest of the car looked the dogs though.

Yeah there is a few riced up ones around, and its a shame because its one of those cars that looks at its absolute best, left standard

[TW]Fox · 23 Mar 2006 at 18:24

I wish the ricers would sod off and stick to ST24's. ST200's are rare and special and deserve to be unmolested by idiots who think Lexus Lights are great.