1998 Ford Mondeo GhiaX review from UK and Ireland

Nothing major - It was bought second-hand, but has been looked-after with a great deal of care; every little detail has been added to the service history.

CD player tends to skip a bit once you pass 130mph, but maybe that's just British roads for you...

Bought second-hand, this car cost me the princely sum of £5000... I was definitely impressed!

With nearly 180 well-disciplined horses beneath the bonnet, it accelerates smoothly through the manual box, serenely coursing past the moribund masses on their morning commutes.

Opening the bonnet, you find yourself greeted by a mass of moulded aluminium and the boldly-written word "DURATEC" prominent in the centre. It is not, however, a beast to be tinkered-with; find a reliable local dealer for ANY repairs.

The interior is spacious and suitably comfortable; the design has evolved with long hours of driving in mind - the seats are almost infinitely adjustable, moulding to fit even the most curvaceous of spines whilst the displays are easy on the eye at all times and in all light conditions.

The major downfall of this car is manoeuvrability. The relatively large engine and broad tyres leave the driver despairing of compact car-parks and tightly twisting roads. Five-point turns and three-point parking are often the order of the day...

On the whole, this car is a magnificent second-hand bargain, no car at that price matches it for performance, reliability, comfort AND practicality (feel free to correct me). The model is unobtrusive and does not draw attention where thieves are concerned.