2003 Ford Mondeo LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

Have this car on long term hire due to a recent change of circumstances at work, and a wait until my new car is ordered in September. I started with a Golf which was lovely, but dumped me by the roadside with total electrical failure the second day I had it - it was replaced with the Mondeo.

I drive a lot of different cars (Vectras, 406's, Accords, Passats, Golfs, Audi A3/A4 etc) and find that I don't usually get attached to them. In the Mondeo's case, I am seriously impressed with the car, and will miss it when it goes back next month. The biggest surprise is the quality - I can't believe the leap forward Ford has made on build quality and interior ambiance. It's as solidly put together as the Passat or A4 (yes, really. Try for yourself), with an interior that is both stylish and quite upmarket. Little touches like the chrome rimmed, slightly retro dials, the high quality switchgear and the gorgeous metal insert steering wheel are a welcome change from the acres of bland plastics found in many cars of this type. It also has the biggest range of adjustment on seats and steering wheel I have ever seen. Anyone could get comfortable in this car.

On the road, the Mondeo is also very impressive. It feels a big car when you first get in it, but once rolling, it is actually more agile and poised than the smaller Golf was. The suspension is superb, soaking up bumps effectively, but allowing very little roll in the corners. Steering is a little light, but soon weights up when you feed in the lock. The downside is it can turn you into a hooligan on a twisty road, but it's a small price to pay.

The 1.8 engine struggles a bit in this size of car, but it's quite smooth and refined. Performance is adequate - no more, no less. It can feel a bit gutless if you need to accelerate in the higher gears, but it is a superb motorway cruiser. 100 mph is "no need to raise your voice" quiet. The TDCi and 2.0 variants I have since driven are much better in this respect.

Spec is superb, as with all cars like this nowadays. I really don't understand why someone would buy the Mondeo Ghia, when an LX like this has (excellent) air conditioning, CD player, 4 electric windows, remote locking, electric mirrors with heaters and remote stereo controls.

The car will go back before it clicks over 9,000 miles, so I won't be able to comment on dealer servicing etc, but I can say that in 5,000 miles (in just 6 weeks), nothing has broken, stopped working or fallen off. There is no indication that it will either.

I am so impressed with the car that I am seriously considering choosing one when my permanent car choice comes through next month. I will be looking at the TDCi though.

Sorry, but the New

Honda Accord is the class champ

according to Auto Express, What Car, Top Gear, Car,

AutoCar and may more

the Mondeo is good, but not THAT good!!!

To the person who mentioned the Honda Accord. What led me to buy a Mondeo LX was the fact that so many Japanese cars do the job well, but are so boring to look at. The Mark 3 Mondeo is in my and others opinion a very smart looking car!

I agree with the reviewer the car is perfect.

With regard to the Accord, exactly what is it about the car that makes it "class champ"? It's probably a bit safer, has a bit more room in the back, and maybe a bit more refined. So what? The Mondeo is the only car in its class that offers any form of driver entertainment, and the new Accord hasn't changed that. Still your average bland Japanese box, albeit quite a nice looking one.

With the combination of dynamic excellence, and competence or greater in every other area, the Mondeo is still my pick of the class.

What about the Mazda 6?? It is just a Mondeo/Volvo V70 (all the same platform pretty much) with a smarter looking suit!! It is anything, but bland in looks. Not to mention how it handles.

I agree with the reviewer. I got mine foisted on me as a company car when somebody left and it was the only car available. I was gutted because of the image that goes with the car (company sales rep). However, my dismay turned into a broad grin when I started driving it. It is the most comfortable car I have ever driven and has plenty of grunt.

I'm thinking about asking for another LX when I have to give this one back. The only change I will be making will be the colour, this one is bright red!

Regarding the Honda, there's one thing missing - a hatchback. When Honda decided to take the Accord up to the 'executive saloon' sector, where the only thing you need to put in the back is a briefcase or a set of golf clubs, they alienated hatchback buyers who like to not only use their cars as a weekday transit to and from work, but also like to fill it up with a wardrobe or take rubbish to the tip at the weekend. I looked at the Accord, and agree it is a great looking car, and nice to drive, but I am more than happy with my Mondeo Zetec TDCi. I used to have a Mk1 Mondeo, and it was a good car way back in 1994, then I had a Saab 9-3. However they dumped the hatch too, so I looked at the new shape Mondeo... I love it! It's not flash, but it does everything I want in a very neat, well built and modern package. I bought mine second hand (04 plate with 56k on the clock) for £7,000. The heavy depreciation means they're excellent value for money too.