Faults:

Aircon not working, but think it just needs a re-gas.

Trim around cig lighter always falling off and now lost.

General Comments:

Very reliable, nice engine, quiet, but with sufficient power for this class.

Some torque-steer if you boot it out of a junction.

Although this is one of the more attractive models with mesh grill, alloys, smoked glass, spoiler etc. it is at the end of the day not amazingly exciting. But it is cast iron reliable and not a moose on the looks front either.

Good equipment level, PAS, EW, CD, remote locking, ABS, traction etc. but no excuse for the lack of passenger airbag...

Faults:

Thankfully nothing yet, though I did have cam belt kit fitted, and it had a major service when I bought it for my peace of mind, though at £500 pounds, I thought that was expensive, and that wasn't the dealer either!!!

General Comments:

OK, here goes, though I'm judging it against my previous car that was 11 years old when I got shot of it.

The Zetec in silver looks great. Smooth engine & gearbox, though I think it does have a flat spot in 3rd till you get to 3000 revs.

The brakes are not as good as the Cavalier, but it handles a lot better, and I mean a lot.

The cabin is fine, with very little if any wind noise, even at motorway speeds.

Speed & acceleration wise, the Cavalier trounces the Mondeo, both 2 litre 16v by the way (but I do suspect some previous owner had it chipped up), but the Ford drives and feels like a more expensive car.

So in a sentence, the Ford's slower, not as good brakes, but it handles better, and the Cavalier was better on petrol as well; even driving very sensibly, the Mondeo is a bit greedy.

Why didn't I buy a Vectra?

Faults:

When first got it, engine loss power at 3500rpm for an instant. Ford Dealer had no idea, stopped after a while and never done it again.

LHS Window slow to close. Bad seal.

Boot leaked. Fixed with silastic.

Drivers side seat frame snapped twice. Each time pulled out the seat and welded it up. Good now (Needs reinforcement).

Gearbox synchros worn a little bit.

CV seal clamps broke.

General Comments:

My first European car, and certainly not my last. I was expecting expensive repairs, and problems galore. But nearly done 20,000kms and nothing major. Not a Ford man either, but its such a great car.

Great engine, fantastic handling for a car of its size.

The little V6 isn't one of the most powerful, but can be very fuel efficient if not driven to hard, or can be a whole lot of fun keeping it up in the high revs. Pulls well to well over 100kmh. Great sleeper.

Handling is what took me. Firm, precise and fun. Happy to be punted along winding roads all day long. Spent 6 hours driving non stop one day trying every road I found.

Great car to get lost in, such comfortable seats. Lovely driver orientated interior. Comfortable driving position and I'm 6'4".

Not the cheapest car I have had to run, nor the most reliable (My old Corolla wins both those hands down), but is the best handling, funnest car I have ever driven. And I tried a fair few before I stumbled upon this sitting at my local used Ford dealer.

Ford dealer to is rather hopeless, overpriced, and after sales service and support not all that good.

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty fixing problems that arise, especially small ones, you will have trouble free motoring with no major problems. Keep up the servicing and check it over from time to time and it will last you well.

Overall, fantastic car! Great handling, lovely engine (Oh that intake note!), cheap to maintain for the car that it is. Also cheap insurance, considered a family sedan, but very sporty, fun car. (I'm 22 and costs me a quarter what it would for a 306GTi for example)