Re: Help choosing a mondeo
I bought a 2003 2.0 TDCI Zetec hatchback last year for 13k, 75 k on clock. Drives like a dream, very comfortable especially on long journeys. A full tank of diesel takes around the 56 litre range and mileage depends on driving - if i only drive around the city its around the 480 - 500 range, so works out just under 40 mpg, but on a recent drive up to and around Donegal I got 620 miles to the tank - around the 50 mpg. Not sure how that rates with other diesels but I'm happy enough with it.
The Zetec comes with a nice spec too - alloys, A/C, heated windscreen, front fogs etc. Ford dealers do a set service price which works out quite well I think.
One negative - the 2003 TDCI has been known to develop problems with the 'dual mass flywheel'. Mine started giving problems last year (at about 80k) and by the time I got around to fixing it this year it cost me 1,300 euro. So if you are looking at a 2003 TDCI I would definitely ask about that - its a common fault with that year and model apparently so don't believe the dealer if he tells you he never heard of it! WArning signs to look out for are the starter motor sticking and a 'thump' or 'pulse' in the clutch - leave the car in neutral and place your foot lightly on the clutch - if you feel it pulsing up and down, and if there is a different noise from the gearbox between when you press the clutch or lift your foot of it - you could have a problem. Another poster here pointed this out to me last year and he was spot on with his prognosis.
I bought a 2003 2.0 TDCI Zetec hatchback last year for 13k, 75 k on clock. Drives like a dream, very comfortable especially on long journeys. A full tank of diesel takes around the 56 litre range and mileage depends on driving - if i only drive around the city its around the 480 - 500 range, so works out just under 40 mpg, but on a recent drive up to and around Donegal I got 620 miles to the tank - around the 50 mpg. Not sure how that rates with other diesels but I'm happy enough with it.
The Zetec comes with a nice spec too - alloys, A/C, heated windscreen, front fogs etc. Ford dealers do a set service price which works out quite well I think.
One negative - the 2003 TDCI has been known to develop problems with the 'dual mass flywheel'. Mine started giving problems last year (at about 80k) and by the time I got around to fixing it this year it cost me 1,300 euro. So if you are looking at a 2003 TDCI I would definitely ask about that - its a common fault with that year and model apparently so don't believe the dealer if he tells you he never heard of it! WArning signs to look out for are the starter motor sticking and a 'thump' or 'pulse' in the clutch - leave the car in neutral and place your foot lightly on the clutch - if you feel it pulsing up and down, and if there is a different noise from the gearbox between when you press the clutch or lift your foot of it - you could have a problem. Another poster here pointed this out to me last year and he was spot on with his prognosis.