ST24 alternatives....

Rich

Rich

Rich

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
2,753
So guys, anyone point me in the direction of a good alternative?

Requirements:

Less than £3k (might be a BIT flexible)
Decent performance 9s or less 0-60
Comfortable for the M'way.
30mpg minimum give or take.

Basically im sounding out options for when i reach the half-way term on the VRS finance. Priorities have changed a lot and a house is around the corner.
If i can pick up a bigger engined car for cheap then i dont mind paying extra for the gas.

As for the ST24, looks like a really good option. I have read about the usual issues, i.e Plastic impellars on water pump, IMRC failure, occasional headgasket failure.
The only one that bothers me is obviously the latter. Is there a specific revision i can watch out for that worked around this, or indeed any of the problems mentioned?

Cheers,
 
Omega 2.6/3.2 V6 Elite facelift.

Muchos better. A bit more of a chunky cruiser than the ST24, but still reasonably fast and a lot more comfy than a mondeo.
 
A worthy suggestion, but i have to admit im not a fan of the looks of the Omegas. The older ones were a little more appealing.

Thanks for the idea though! :)
 
Primera GT/GTLE

Can be had for a good ammonut under £3k, even a VERY mint low mileage example will set you back no more than £2.2-£2.5k

GT gives you 150bhp, awsome handling, half leather, electric everything, aircon, and you don't have to Fix Or Repair Daily :p

GTLE is same, but you get different wheels and full leather.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Don't be daft. Only thing the Omega is better at is wafting in the outside lane.
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The Omega is comfier.

But yes, comfort and wafting is all it's better at.
 
Primera is a good suggestion, i have looked at these before! - Will look again, thanks.

406 Coupe is also a very nice option. The V6 only seems to manage 25mpg according to stats though (parkers), which seems a bit lower than the competition (although it isnt all that bad). Is the Peugeot V6 unit reliable? Is it the one they stole from Nissan?

Cheers,
 
[TW]Fox said:
Don't be daft. Only thing the Omega is better at is wafting in the outside lane.
Click to expand...

I like them better, but its more to do with the size and weight of them, they feel like a much much bigger car to drive. I find mondeo's smaller than ideal if i had the choice.
 
Big engined Omegas are going for ridiculous prices just now as they are a bit of an "orphan" type car. No one really wants one so they can be had for silly money. The big 2.5 BMW sourced engine Omega turbo diesel is a very under rated car, for a certain type of driving. Lot of metal for the money and the CDX/Elite's are very well specced.

So bang-per-buck is a plus point on the Omega's side, but I would still plump for a Mondy ST. :cool:
 
Yeah thats the way im leaning too. Just concerned about the number of HGF being reported, even without water pump failure is all. They can be had from £1500 for potential dogs to 2.5-3 grand for a nice one. Nice looking, decent performance, so-so economy and reasonable on the insurance (suprisingly so).

Might go check some auctions out and see if a lot of these pass through.
 
While the thought of a T5 Turbo brick appeals to my inner idiot, i dont think i could bring myself to do it :D
 
Nor said:
I sound like a broken record but don't discount a mk1 MG ZS 180. Can get a 2001 model for £3k. I think the car has its THREE cambelts done at 60k, so it's an expensive service that you can avoid if you get a car after that mileage. Make sure it's been done of course.
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Or just get a Mondeo ST24 which will look better, drive better, be reliable, and have no stupid cambelts to change.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Or just get a Mondeo ST24 which will look better, drive better, be reliable, and have no stupid cambelts to change.
Click to expand...

Oh noes, this thread is only going in one direction, but the MG is better blah blah blah.....
 
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