And what's wrong with a Mondeo?

[Mooseybaby]

In the 25 years since I passed my driving test, owned 4 Fiestas (including an XR2, which are worth more now than they were new), 2 Escort/Orions, 2 Galaxys and a Focus. Never had any major problems with any of the Fords I had past or present.

Also owned a mk4 Golf GT TDi. Was great to drive, engine was fantastic, could cruise at 85mph and still get 60mpg! Shame the rest of the car was falling apart, leaks and condensation problems everywhere, dodgy gearbox and electrics had a mind of their own!

The first Fiesta I owned at 17, B reg '85, cracking little car. Had 86k on the clock when I bought it, sold it 4 years later @ 128k miles having taken it around the country several times, guy nearly ripped my hand off for it. In those 4 years, replaced the clutch for £99, tyres and an exhaust and not much else.

Can't go far wrong with a blue oval!

 

[DanCohen17]

My 2005, 1.6l Astra is still plodding along at 115,000+ miles!
New clutch plate, new gearbox, new handbrake, new coolant box and pumps, dents and scratches all over the car, the horn doesn't work when the headlights are on, it no longer 'beeps' when I open the door with lights still on, car still locks properly but alarm system is broken...but I bloody love that car!!!*

*Get me back to USA where I drive a brand new Focus from the company!!!

 

[Charlie Jones]

Do you spend more time at the dealers than in the middle?

maybe? got to love main dealer warranty

 

[HRW]

"And what's wrong with a Mondeo?"

It's made by Ford1

I like my Tesla..... 1/3 Merc, 1/3 Toyota, 1/3 lovelyness

 

[Brian Hamilton]

Toyota Hilux Surf>>>Mk III VW Golf>>1.6 Mondeo>>1.8 Sierra>>Mk V VW Golf>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jeep>>>>>>>Mini Metro

 

[Phonesurgeon]

Hey what's wrong with Italian cars? My very first was a Lancia Delta 1.6 turbo, 2 years later upgraded to the HF Integrale. After that had a selection of Fiat, including the Uno Turbo, Tipo and Punto's.
My 2004 Fiat Stilo 1.9 JTD is still going strong at 140k, last mot needing only handbrake cable tightening.
Drove to Italy last year 1082 miles on 2 full tanks.

 

[mikedn]

Hey what's wrong with Italian cars? My very first was a Lancia Delta 1.6 turbo, 2 years later upgraded to the HF Integrale. After that had a selection of Fiat, including the Uno Turbo, Tipo and Punto's.
My 2004 Fiat Stilo 1.9 JTD is still going strong at 140k, last mot needing only handbrake cable tightening.
Drove to Italy last year 1082 miles on 2 full tanks.

Must be waterproof too, driving across 26 miles of English Channel

 

[xPositor]

Hey what's wrong with Italian cars? My very first was a Lancia Delta 1.6 turbo, 2 years later upgraded to the HF Integrale. After that had a selection of Fiat, including the Uno Turbo, Tipo and Punto's.
My 2004 Fiat Stilo 1.9 JTD is still going strong at 140k, last mot needing only handbrake cable tightening.
Drove to Italy last year 1082 miles on 2 full tanks.

Distance is easy if your car is up on two tanks.
... or ...
You drove it there but didn't say you drove it back, so I presume there it stayed?

 

[Phonesurgeon]

Must be waterproof too, driving across 26 miles of English Channel

You forgot that at dover you can get the ferry across, or my favourite is the channel crossing from Folkestone on train... So technically correct in the waterproof quote.

Distance is easy if your car is up on two tanks.
... or ...
You drove it there but didn't say you drove it back, so I presume there it stayed?

Nah drove it back and still on road... In those 12 days I totalled 7,856 miles. And still 61mpg.

 

[mikedn]

After all i said about the Mondeo........... Took car to garage to get rear brakes replaced quoted £60 when lo and behold offside rear brake calliper piston unit seized with rubber seal totally perished away so been driving with one rear brake. So now they tell me cant get it back on as its seized up and needs replacing, and say other side will need replacing too(after looking at near side brake is worn but still useable so they leave it on). Heart attack pending now as i ask how much to replace both calliper units on rear of car plus replace worn brakes, ready for this ? They quoted me £550.00 WTF!! well no way i can afford that so after a bit of discount manouvering they whittle it to £180 for just replacing the seized unit.So now i get my insurance renewal quote no claims just me and the mrs just like last year that was £540...... now they quote me £1650 renewal price..... um no way so got quote on gocompare for £280.00 ha job done

 

[Monotone Whistle]

I cannot recommend enough learning to do these things yourself. Honestly, if you are remotely savvy with a spanner these jobs are so easy, they seem complex but in reality they are not, you just need to take your time and follow the guides.

I taught myself to fix all sorts on my old cars, using nothing more than Haynes manuals and online forums. There's nothing wrong with a Mondeo as they are so easy to fix, and replacement parts are cheap.

 

[howard_webb]

Totally agree Haynes manual and you always get a few clips on YouTube on how to fix anything on most cars nowadays,

If you have any bit of common sense it's easy lol

 

[RegalRef]

I cannot recommend enough learning to do these things yourself. Honestly, if you are remotely savvy with a spanner these jobs are so easy, they seem complex but in reality they are not, you just need to take your time and follow the guides.

I taught myself to fix all sorts on my old cars, using nothing more than Haynes manuals and online forums. There's nothing wrong with a Mondeo as they are so easy to fix, and replacement parts are cheap.

To be fair rear brakes on a Mondeo is a bit different though. Have to wind the calliper pistons back which requires a special tool. And one is opposite thread which if you wind it all the way out will be scrap.

 

[howard_webb]

To be fair rear brakes on a Mondeo is a bit different though. Have to wind the calliper pistons back which requires a special tool. And one is opposite thread which if you wind it all the way out will be scrap.

Most calliper are wind back, the tool is only £10 on eBay and are a gift to d.i.y

 

[RegalRef]

Most calliper are wind back, the tool is only £10 on eBay and are a gift to d.i.y

Not many have a left hand thread though...neither do most tools.

 

[deusex]

After all i said about the Mondeo........... Took car to garage to get rear brakes replaced quoted £60 when lo and behold offside rear brake calliper piston unit seized with rubber seal totally perished away so been driving with one rear brake. So now they tell me cant get it back on as its seized up and needs replacing, and say other side will need replacing too(after looking at near side brake is worn but still useable so they leave it on). Heart attack pending now as i ask how much to replace both calliper units on rear of car plus replace worn brakes, ready for this ? They quoted me £550.00 WTF!! well no way i can afford that so after a bit of discount manouvering they whittle it to £180 for just replacing the seized unit.So now i get my insurance renewal quote no claims just me and the mrs just like last year that was £540...... now they quote me £1650 renewal price..... um no way so got quote on gocompare for £280.00 ha job done

Chevrolet Lacetti 1.6 (bloody awful economy)

Never go back to that garage.
I nearly choked on my pasty when I read £550. Chancers! (aka thieves)
Got to agree with MonoWhist. When I think that I used to pay other people to change some fluids and filters.
A maintenance manual and YouTube can teach you how to do anything to a car. All you need is a ratchet set to start.

On a side note, how can anyone buy a new car? You will not make a worse financial decision in you life.

 

[Phonesurgeon]

Nevermind the left thread or right thread. Use the tool to change discs on angle grinders. Especially the adjustable ones. I ve just changed discs and pads all round. £100 for parts and 3.5 hours labour. Next will be oil + filter £27 parts and about 0.5 hours.
Learn to do the maintenance yourself and see how much cheaper it is.