100k in my ST24 (Ford Mondeo 2.5i V6 24v ST24 5-dr)

Member Name: AdeC

Product:	Ford Mondeo 2.5i V6 24v ST24 5-dr
Date:	25/11/02 (11445 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All-round performance, Comfortable, Cruising ability

Disadvantages: It's a Mondeo at the end of the day

3 years old, 100,000 miles - you could say I've driven this car a fair bit. Then the reality, I got this car when it was one year old, with 11k on the clock, so I've "only" done 89k in 2 years.

And I still love it!!!

BACKGROUND:

I had about £13k to spend on a "new" car, I'd just given up my company car and needed something reliable to get me around the M25 each and every day. I was toying with the idea of a diesel, but heart overrulled the head and I plummed for the ST - for a bit of fun. Well I decided that the journeys were going to be tedious enough as it was, so I wanted to try and keep myself from boredom whenver I could.

We looked at a few cars before settling on the ST, but most of the "big engine" cars were out of my league - C class Mercs, Audis etc etc were all way more expensive than the ST. So I decided to take one out for a test drive. And I fell in love with it.

THE CAR:

Ok - it's a Mondeo. Yes I agree, and no nothing is particularly stunning about it. Electric driver seat, 6 disc CD player, electric windows all round, heated front screen and a pen holder. That's about it. But, a zillion reps can't all be wrong can they? I figured if the Mondeo did for the reps, then it had to have something going for it, and if the fleet managers were happy with them, they had to be pretty solid and reliable.

The 2.5l V6 is a nice punchy engine, performance is fun rather than orgasmic, but then it's still front-wheel drive. Any more power and it'd be a waste of time anyway. But the big engine does make for a lazy driver - I've lost count of the number of times I've jumped into my wifes Fiesta and eventually realised you shouldn't do a standing start in 2nd really. I've actually done a standing start in 5th in the ST. Probably not too great on the clutch/gearbox, but I wanted to see if it could do it - and it did! lol

It&
#39;ll beat most "ordinary" cars from the lights and comfortably exceed the speed limit - need I say more?

THE BILLS:

Regular services = £100-200, depending on which one it is. Keep it serviced, it really does feel crappy if you don't.

Tyres = blimming expensive! I've just had to have one replaced after clipping a car-park kerb and it set me back £177 at Kwik-Fit. Whilst I probably could have shopped around for cheaper, it happened right outside Kiwk-Fit on a very wet night at 5:40pm - and they managed to get it done for me, so I didn't care about the cost because it enabled me to get home.

Other costs = Just had 1st MOT and passed first time, but have been advised there's some work to be done in the near future. Something about a suspension bush and the engine mounts need replacing. About £300 all told I think the mechanic said. But it's not been done yet so I can't comment quite yet.

Other costs 2 = Some pillock slammed into the back of me on the M25, £1500 worth of damage, but still driveable and you couldn't actually even see the damage - everything popped back into place, but left the floorpan a little bit "bent".

OVERALL:

Having bought it one year old, 11k on the clock (just run in really) for £12k (a saving of £10k on list price), I don't think you can argue about value for money really. It's a great family car, will comfortably seat 5, with luggage and still induce a grin when slammed around a corner. Country roads in 3rd/4th - lovely. Motorway cruising in 5th in the right lane - just as lovely. Scaring the mother-in-law around corners - bliss!

Would I buy it again? Only if I can't afford the TVR! And I would heartily recommend them 2nd-hand, wouldn't convince me to shell out the extra £10k though.

Summary: