Ford Mondeo Hatchback (2000 - 2007) 2.5 Zetec S 5d (2002/51) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I suppose it says look at me, but people look at the car anyway.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Everyone seems to love it, even when parked it gets people to double-take and more times that I can count someone has stopped to have a really good look. The Zetec-S is rare, so to see one in Standard is a treat, but to see one looked after and tweaked is a very rare thing.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I would, but would like to source the ultra-rare 3.0l 200PS V6 version. The TDCi would be the better option, and I would have to purchase the facelift version as it comes with more toys (cruise control, trip computer, and more) and also has a 6-Speed box which would help for the long motorway journeys.

What are you likely to buy next?

I'm likely to keep this car for a few years now. 3 at the least. After that I think I will be sticking with Mondeos with the Mk4 looking good or a very late 2.2 TDCi ST or Titanium X looking favourite.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£6,500

When did you buy the car?

April 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

I paid a few hundred over the reccommended price, infact £500 over. The V6 loses value a bit quicker than the TDCi 130 Version of the Zetec-S, but it was a personal preferance to get this exact car, so the £500 was well spent in my opinion.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Car had been meticulously looked after and I knew the owner. Complete with subtle yet stylish modifications, the car was much more eye catching than a standard Mondeo Zetec-S, which are much rarer than ST220's.

What was the dealer like?

The private seller is someine I know and is very trustworthy. A gem of a bloke who couldn't be helpful enough.

What's it like to drive?

Its a dream. It isn't the fastest car in the world, and the engines are under-tuned in orer to preserve length of life, but the Mondeo handles like a dream. It corners effortlessly and the feedback from the steering wheel is fantastic. Take a Mondeo to any of the drivers roads in the UK and you will soon see that the Mondeo is not just a "Reps Mobile".

What's it like to park?

For a large car it isn't too bad. The front is long and swoops down, but the large rear window helps when reversing. Both wing mirrors can be adjusted electrically from the drivers side, so that helps too.

Have you had any problems with the car?

So far there is a slight rattle from the rear of the engine or just under the body of the car at the front. This has all the hall markings of the dreaded Cluthch & DMF problems that all Mk3's have. Nothing has gone wrong with it yet, and it has covered a healthy 15000 miles in 3 different countries.

What's most practical about your car?

The boot is huge, and the hachback utilises all of the space offered. With the split folding rear seats, the load capacity of the car is phenomenal, and rivals the majority of estates for the same money. Everything you need is to hand and easy to see and use.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Since this is the Pre-Facelift Version, it doesn't have many toys, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good car. The best accessiory would have to be the ESP with Traction Control as it saves me a bundle on Front Tyres. Something the diesel suffers from is over-spin in the front wheels.