Talk me out of getting a Mondeo ST24

HaX

HaX

HaX

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Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
2,080
Location
Berkshire
Several years back I had a V Reg Mondeo LX. It was base spec mondeo and was five years old when I got rid of it. Despite it not having Alloys and sideskirts etc, it was a really nice well equipped car and I really enjoyed owning it. I ended up getting rid of it as my girlfriend wanted something smaller (to drive to work in), so we went for an Astra.

She has since got her own little car (a corsa 1.0) I've never been keen on the Astra, and would like to get rid of it. I don't have a massive budget as I am supporting my girlfriend through uni, paying her travel costs, our mortgage and other bills.

It would appear (from Autotrader), that you can get a 10 year old, tidy ST24 for under the £1500 mark. I have wanted one for years, however insufficient NCB and the fact I used to have a long commute to work precluded me from owning one.

Is it worth it as a car to own for the next 2 years and do I need to look out for anything?
 
[TW]Fox;14983485 said:
Rusty arches and knackered suspension bushes :(
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Both easy to spot though... for the bushes listen for knocking, or more commonly pulling to one side under braking. For the rust look for...well, rust.
 
[TW]Fox;14983485 said:
Rusty arches and knackered suspension bushes :(
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Would you say I'll be lucky to find one without rusty arches? I don't want a car with any rust on it. I am quite picky in this way.
 
[TW]Fox;14983537 said:
Everyone on this forum knows how well I cared for mine.

It is now infested with rust around the rear arches :(
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Do you still own the car, or has it been sold to someone who doesn't take as much care of it?

I had to say that the rear arches on my old Mondeo looked pretty vulnerable, but hadn't started rusting by the time I sold it.
 
I love driving mine.

It may not be a sports car, but it sounds like one :D

Rust is inevitable on them, mines holding it off well so far though :) Personally i'd say FSH is a must!
 
A lot of car for the money, points above, as well as:

Head gasket failure- sounds like a leaking exhaust manifold gasket
Alternator failure- light comes on at high revs (pig to change)
Failed IMRC unit (down on power, secondaries don't open) unit sits above exhaust manifold and the heat dries out the soldered joints on the pcb.
Water pump- plastic impellors can break and water stops circulating but the gauge reads normal as the water around the sender is at normal temp, meanwhile, elsewhere it is boiling.

Various Mondeo-related issues, front wishbone bushes, warped discs, rusty rear arches, front doors all stone-chipped on lower front edges.

Great cars- I owned a Limited edition ST200 Saloon, really good cruiser with all the right sounds, but they aren't "fast" cars.
 
 
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monkey_boy said:
Could you get an early Mk3 Ghia X 2.5 V6 for the money you're looking to spend?

EDIT- http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200939342523074/sort/priceasc/search-target/usedcars/make/ford/model/mondeo/price-to/2000/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/page/1/keywords/2.5/postcode/le11aa?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedcars%2Fpostcode%2Fle11aa%2Fmake%2Fford%2Fmodel%2Fmondeo%2Fkeywords%2F2.5%2Fprice-to%2F2000%2Fmaximum-age%2Fup_to_7_years_old%2Fpage%2F1%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc&anchor=advert200939342523074&logcode=p#
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A Mk3 ZS (like mine) with the 2.5 V6 would be pretty much equivalent to an ST24 to my mind

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1263789.htm

That one has gash alloys and the owner reckons it has an ST24 body kit :confused: but they're starting to get into that price range.

Better handling than the GX due to being lower and stiffer, looks better too. Not quite as many toys though
 
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