Ford Mondeo Hatchback (2007 - 2014) 2.0 TDCi Titanium X 5d (2007/07) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I think it is quite an elegant car (odd for a Mondeo).

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

My Wife used to be afraid that it was too big (she drives a Fiat 500), but is now used to it and really likies it.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I would buy it again because it is soo practical and reliable. There is simply nothing it will not do or carry.

What are you likely to buy next?

Unfortunately something smaller as my needs have changed and I don't anticipate doing so many motorway miles.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£10,000

When did you buy the car?

November 2010

Did you get a good deal and why?

The car was over priced, but I got a good trade-in on my old car (Mondeo TDCi 2.0 Ghia).

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

To tow a touring caravan.

What was the dealer like?

There was high pressure from the start. We're car was immediately out for a test drive. Luckily, I knew I wanted it before I got to the showroom otherwise I would have walked away.

What's it like to drive?

It initially fel t terrifying in town traffic. It is wide and combined with quite high doors it felt enormous. After a few thousand miles it got better. It is very well mannered at low speeds and has plenty of torque as you would expect. It is somewhat less fun on country A roads where it's size and weight mean that it is not that agile. Initially, I hated driving it on smaller country roads. Again, now that I am used to it, I tend to chuck it around more. A change to Uniroyal Rainsport 2 tyres really helped as well since the grip on damp roads on Dunlops was appalling. Put it onto a motorway and it scores every time. It is a truly great motorway cruiser. It simply eats the miles and the cruise control makes it easy.

What's it like to park?

You need to find large spaces for parallel parking. Rear via can be challenging. On nose down slopes as the hatchback is quite high. Because it is a wide car, some supermarket and office spaces can be too narrow.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Until very recently the car has been rock solid. It starts first time regardless of the weather. Lately (at 117,000 miles) it has developed an annoying squeak somewhere around the base of the offside b pillar which has proved impossible to rectify. There are a couple of annoying design issues. The first is the hatchback which allows litres of water to be dumped into the boot and usually onto the driver when it is raining. The second is with the door mirror aerodynamics which at motorway speeds when raining cause a fine mist/stream of water onto the windows making it very hard to see into them and overtaking more of a challenge.

What's most practical about your car?

There is nothing it cannot carry.it can carry four adults and luggage with ease. It is also an excellent tow car.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Heated windscreen - amazing time saver, heated seats - wonderfully relaxing with the alcantara after a winter's night shift. I added rear parking sensors which have been invaluable considering it's a very,very big car to parallel park.