My new car (Warning: Uncool 5 door action inside)

Howard · 26 Jun 2010 at 14:21

Well after much deliberating and research over what I can replace the Accord with, I settled on the ST220. It seems to offer everything I need/want in a nice package, namely comfort, decent bit of performance, gadgets, reliability and decent running costs.

So this is the one I bought! It's an 04 plate Machine Silver hatchback with 54,000 miles on the clock, and I paid £6,750. I might have been able to find it for a few hundred cheaper from a private seller half way up the country in six months' time, for example, but this one is really in very good condition, very clean and drives superbly, so I thought sod it. It's from a Ford main dealer and has a full Ford service history, and it appears very well looked after; has four Contisport Contact 3s on. I'm happy to pay a bit extra for peace of mind etc, plus it's a car that doesn't have a set "value" per se it would seem, and the values seem to fluctuate!

In short, I love the noise and grunt of the V6, I love the comfort of the seats and the masses of toys/gadgets and increased refinement over the Honda. I love how it looks, and I love how rare they are

I have a couple of questions to fellow owners:

1) Where do you get yours serviced?
2) Which companies do you find are best for insurance?
3) I Will need new front tyres at some point, any reason I shouldn't replace them with the same ones so they're matching?
4) Why do you all complain about the stock audio quality? I tried it with my iPod via the aux in briefly and it sounds good through the Sony 6CD HU in my opinion - nice full sound, not tinny or harsh like many stock audio systems sound, decent sound stage
5) That said.. How easy is it to fit an aftermarket HU? How much room behind is there to shove cables etc? Where do you locate your iPod?
6) I can't get used to this whole climate control lark; should I just set a temperature, leave it on "Auto" and let it do its thing?

Anyway.. Pics!

Howard · 26 Jun 2010 at 22:12

Just been out and now it's dark I love the little puddle lights in the mirrors and how the whole car sort of "comes to life" as you unlock it :cool:

Is yours Machine Silver too Pete?

mjt said:
Nice, enjoy it

Do current Fords still have that silly bonnet release mechanism that requires the key or have they changed it by now?

Yep

Howard · 26 Jun 2010 at 22:22

Yeah the silver really works with these, for sure

I do like the Performance Blue though. In fact the only colour I don't like is black - ruins the lines of the car IMHO

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 08:25

Yeah and the main dealer servicing. No expense spared = good

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 11:51

I like how the console looks with the Sony unit

And Paul, thanks for your replies

I am into my quality, which is why I was surprised initially at how it sounded! It was only on my driveway though, will try it on the way to work tomorrow

I've got an Alpine HU, small extra box (for DSP) with some RCA cables between that and the HU, and I need an earth point for the DSP box probably. Might not bother fitting a sub for a while. Are there any pics/guides online showing photos with the HU removed?

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 12:14

Doesn't yours have an ST TDCI badge as well Pete? Sure I spotted it at the RR

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 12:15

Noo that stays, it's far too much fun.

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 12:19

Can't find pics of your car Pete, I wanna compare

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 12:24

Fair enough

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 13:20

Matching tyres it is, I'll even go take a photo of the sidewall of the current ones a bit later for your thread

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 14:24

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s...4763,-0.524337&spn=0.001343,0.002411&t=h&z=19 just there, nowhere fancy

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 15:08

Oh one other thing.. How do I stop the jacking point covers from feeling like they're about to drop off?

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 16:01

They seem to be holding in on the 'outer' edge, but the inside bit bows down on a couple of them. How do they come off fully? I'll give it a try

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 17:54

Cheers Iain

What are Ford like on costs for something like front disks/pads for example, out of interest? Everything else seems to be covered by major/minor services

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 18:19

Yeah his is an aftermarket Miltek system

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 19:46

SoliD said:
No it isn't its mongoose/blueflame. Milltek has no proven power increase.

Bah. Close enough

I'd like to grab a ride in yours at the next meet and compare noise/power if that's ok

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 21:46

[TW]Fox;16839580 said:
I don't understand why you'd possibly do that other than by hating it the first time you used it, not bothering to stick with it and learn how it works, and then going from there? Manual AC is rubbish!

Have to agree. I wasn't fussed about proper climate control having not used it "properly" in the past until now. Now it's ace :cool:

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 22:03

[FnG]magnolia;16839663 said:
It looks in really good condition. What are these like to drive, then? Rapid without being blistering I imagine?

Yep. Comfortably quick and grunty but the MX5 is faster and a bit more manic. And a lot more fun.

But the Mondeo does exactly what I want it to. Cruise effortlessly, yet provide a bit of fun when you feel like a bit of a blast, the chassis is excellent at hiding its weight

Howard · 27 Jun 2010 at 22:07

Silky smooth N/A V6 for me over lumpy turbo

Howard · 28 Jun 2010 at 12:12

Found this morning its quite tricky to get into reverse and sometimes 1st when the box is stone cold. After a bit of fiddling it'll go in, and after a moment of driving, the box is slick as anything. I'm taking it for Ford to look at hopefully under warranty on Friday, is it likely to be anything more serious than the gearbox oil or linkage?