2000 Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Quick and suitably understated
Faults:
Nothing has gone wrong in nearly 4,000 miles. That is, apart from a cracked windscreen. That was very much the fault of Bromsgrove District Council for putting stone chippings on a 70mph road..
Judging by my last Mondeo, I doubt much will ever go wrong.
General Comments:
After having a Mondeo Ghia previously I wasn't so sure about this lesser specced model. However, it really only misses the kind of little touches the you can easily do without, like footwell lighting and headlamp washers.
The economy has been very pleasing, I typically get around 34mpg. That's about 6-7 mpg better than my old 2.0L Auto.
This car also handles very well indeed. Add to that a good quick engine and the car feels a lot sportier than it looks.
If I had the choice I would probably have gone for a Zetec-S 2.0, but then would it make sense to have a car that is more attractive to thieves and vandals without being any quicker?
In that way, its standard Mondeo looks (+ a little spoiler) is a major plus. I might not get noticed by the ladies, but then I shouldn't have any trouble with idiots either, unlike my friend with an Escort GTI.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th December, 2001
21st Mar 2004, 23:51
Yes I agree with the comments about the bulb holders for the footwell lights. I have a 2000 Zetec and found I just needed to put the bulbs in the holders! I wonder what other options are easily available to those of us with the lower models of the Mondeo..!
9th Sep 2004, 07:55
I'm the original author of the article.
I never got around to upgrading the Zetec, in the end I just opted for a Ghia X when I needed the extra space of an estate.
Good car, the Zetec was though. I heard the stereo failed after I sold it, but everything else has been fine up until around 65,000 miles when the next owner sold it on. I've lost track of it now.
Just a quick observation, I noticed that when I owned Mondeos, I kept getting severe windscreen chips. I owned 6 different Mondeos and got through 5 windscreens, 2 on this car alone. Before having Mondeos and since I've switched to an Astra, I've not had any problems with stone chips. Just chance or a due to the shape of the car? I'm not sure...
12th May 2003, 04:48
You may well find that the bulb holders and wiring for the foot well lights are fitted. They were fitted to my 2000 model LX all I did is put in the bulbs...