Faults:

Nothing at all yet - everything working as it should.

General Comments:

As Jeremy Clarkson said "The perfect poached egg on the perfect piece of toast".

This sums the car up well. It's a machine - like a fridge or a microwave. It does exactly what it is supposed to do, and does it well. It's a motorway mile muncher and that's what I bought it for. It's comfortable, quiet, well enough equipped, reasonable on fuel.

I should explain, I collect cars and have several Porsches and powerful BMW's. But I wouldn't use these cars to do a 300 mile motorway trip. They are garage queens. So I need something practical that works properly - the Mondeo fits the bill. I had (still have actually) the old mk2 1.8. Here's how they compare in my view:

1) Steering and suspension - better on mk3, more stable and firm. Less understeer.

2) Brakes - marginally better on the mk2 actually.

3) Engine performance - mk2 has slightly more low down performance (despite 10bhp less), but the mk3 is smoother and quieter.

4) Clutch and gearbox - a real girls clutch in the mk3; the mk2 feels more purposeful. Gearbox in the mk3 is much nicer to use, although with a fair bulk to carry around and only 125bhp, it's wise to use the gears to the full.

5) Body and interior - mk3 all the way. Larger, more modern looking, better road presence, much nicer more Germanic cabin, none of the curvy stuff from the mk2, which now looks very dated, as do most things which were ultra modern looking when released: the mk3 is more timeless.

I would recommend this car for someone who needs cheap, reliable and comfortable transport. But if you are a petrol head, you'll need something else in your garage for that fun factor.

Faults:

Aircon not working, but think it just needs a re-gas.

Trim around cig lighter always falling off and now lost.

General Comments:

Very reliable, nice engine, quiet, but with sufficient power for this class.

Some torque-steer if you boot it out of a junction.

Although this is one of the more attractive models with mesh grill, alloys, smoked glass, spoiler etc. it is at the end of the day not amazingly exciting. But it is cast iron reliable and not a moose on the looks front either.

Good equipment level, PAS, EW, CD, remote locking, ABS, traction etc. but no excuse for the lack of passenger airbag...