1996 Ford Mondeo LX Estate 1.8L 16 V Zetec

Summary:

A cheerful Estate

Faults:

Nothing major went wrong with the car apart from it used to go through tires rather quick.

General Comments:

The Mondeo was a reliable car. it did not look the best from the outside, but it did have a pretty good sound system.

The performance of the car was OK 118 mph was the top speed and a 0-62 time of around 11.2 seconds. which was enough for me. it was a pain around town because of it's size.

It would cruse on the motorway well at 70+ mph. it did tend to struggle up those hills. 3rd gear was rather tall so it did suffer on performance in 3rd.

The only reason I got rid of the car was because someone crashed into the back of me at about 50 mph and made it a write off. I would have hoped to have had the car for at least another year.

Overall this was good car a good sized boot it could swallow all of the luggage and my work things without a problem. so this was a good car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd May, 2003

1996 Ford Mondeo GLX 2.0 Zetec

Summary:

A good, safe mid range car, with good reliability and fuel economy

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Surprisingly slow for a 2.0 automatic.

Extremely Comfortable.

Feels "safe"

Smooth to drive.

Spacious.

Lots of "extras"

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2003

1996 Ford Mondeo Ghia X 2.0 petrol

Summary:

Good quality luxury motor

Faults:

Catalytic convertor broke up about three months ago, also had the cylinder head replaced as losing water due to becoming porous.

General Comments:

Lovely car, can't knock it, just head lamps are poor on dipped, apparently this is a common fault due to incorrect lamps being used, cortect ones require a UV filter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th January, 2002

1996 Ford Mondeo LX 1.8 turbo diesel

Summary:

Excellent workhorse for little money (so far)

Faults:

The most annoying fault is the leak into the passenger side foot-well.

The heater fan switch has failed.

I have also had the problem with a broken pipe to the rear washer jet. Mine has broken somewhere above the 'B' pillar so when the rear washer is accidentally pressed I get an in car shower!

Otherwise no real problems outside of the routine maintenance you would expect from a car with this sort of mileage on it.

General Comments:

The turbo lag under 2500rpm makes those quick getaways out of junctions that bit more exciting.

The leak in the passenger foot-well is appalling. Seems to be a common problem as I have two neighbours with Mondeo Estate's as well and we all seem to need our wellies when in the passenger side. My car doesn't have air con and the standard de-mister struggles to keep the screen clear with the damp atmosphere inside.

The seats are a disappointment, especially when compared to the Scorpio Ghia I replaced with the Mondeo.

Overall the car has been a bit of a contrast (possibly a disapointment) to what I had expected, however, the diesel is very cheap to run and the gearing is exceptional with the turbo when towing my car transporter or caravan.

It is quite heavy on brakes although they have to work hard with another car on the back! I cured the brakes pulling by replacing both front arms using the later version with the revised bushes.

All in all, a fairly pleasing experience so far.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th October, 2001

13th Jan 2002, 16:28

Yes, that tickled me about the turbo lag, I have more miles on mine than the Mir space station and I am sure my Mondeo should be renamed the Ford Common Fault, at least that's what the mechanic keeps calling it.

At 168,000 miles so far, a battery, rear drop links, discs, pads, front arm bushes (put the bolts upside down to avoid engine in/out), exhaust, windscreen, heater control, clock, clutch, rear parcel shelf supports (Escort rubber ones are the answer, plenty in the scrappers), fuel filter fun (would not restart).

1996 Ford Mondeo LX 1.6

Summary:

A good all round bargain

Faults:

Front bushes replaced at 70,000. Front wheel bearings replaced at 105,000. Drive shaft replaced 90,000.

General Comments:

Apart from a few minor niggles, this car has been superb.

1.6 engine not the most sporty in the world, but I would class it as adequate even for motor-way driving.

A good economy car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th June, 2001

15th Dec 2002, 10:29

I have just bought a 1.8 LX TD, at only 40k on the clock it was too good to miss. It will be interesting to see if I have the same problems, I will soon let you all know.