1996 Ford Mondeo Ghia 2.0 Zetec 4 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Beemer equipment at a fraction of the price

Faults:

The airconditioner needed a recharge.

The brakes rubbed when the car was turned on full lock.

Warn rear discs.

General Comments:

The car is as solid as a rock on the road. There is very little body roll on corners.

The seats are supportive and comfortable and everything on the dashboard is easily reached.

The car can be cornered at high speeds and it doesn't sway or squeal at all.

The stereo is great and the 12 stack CD player is a great extra.

The motor whistles at higher revs when overtaking which makes people think the car is fitted with a turbo! The car has very slow take-off because the motor has to overcome the extra weight of the Ghia equipment (seat hydraulics etc), but after about 4000 revs it really starts to take off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th December, 2000

1996 Ford Mondeo Si 2.0i 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Reasonable performance for the price

Faults:

Front ABS sensor failed - replaced.

Persistent problems with the front wheel alignment.

Wear and tear: new exhaust, new tyres.

Boot light failed.

After I sold the car I found it required a new catalytic converter, and some work to the front suspension.

General Comments:

Nicer looking than most Mondeos owing to all-over body-coloured trim and spoiler.

Sporty enhancements matched the performance of the car - good acceleration although not exactly refined! Very noisy at high speeds and the engine lacks torque. Light, insubstantial steering.

Sporty seats are uncomfortable on long journeys.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th November, 2000

24th Mar 2004, 09:12

I have had the 96 model Si for a year now with 60 000 miles on the clock, and have found it to be be very reliable. No major problems at all. However I notice the fuel economy is very inconstant.

There is a fair deal of power in the medium to upper range, but below 2000 rpm the engine is unresponsive and I can hear it misfire.

All in all a fine car, eats up the motorway miles, but can be a bit noisy at high speed. Enough speed and performance for most. Excellent handling and cornering ability thanks to the uprated sports suspension (standard feature). Brakes not as good as they could be, but still feel very safe.

I am very happy with this car

7/10.

1996 Ford Mondeo Si 24V 2.5 V6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A true pussy cat that laps the miles up

Faults:

Other than normal wear (brake discs & pads at 80k, a few tyres, etc...), nothing at all, although a rear wheel bearing has recently started to growl.

General Comments:

I do about 45000 miles pa, and the car just laps it up. I just wish I had opted for cruise control. Is averaging 33mpg in my ownership, and will regularly do 38mpg on a motorway run.

Definitely feels like a big car though.

Does not like Pirelli P6000s on the rear - makes an awful noise - Continentals are much better.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th June, 2000

1996 Ford Mondeo LX 1.8 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Always pulling to left, no matter how many times its tracked.

Brake discs, fuel pump after 36,000 miles.

General Comments:

What a load of tosh, I hope the petrol models are better. This one drives like a tractor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st January, 2000

22nd Oct 2007, 13:28

I've had one of these for three years now, and it is the slowest car I've ever driven-it also has very heavy steering. On the plus side, it has been very reliable and is very good at towing my horsebox. I think my next car will be l, p,g., hopefully 4by4.

1996 Ford Mondeo Ghia 2.5 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Handbrake seems to catch when parked for some time, particularly when reversing. You move away with a horrible CLANG as it releases.

Loud rear wheel running noise, increases with speed, dealer can't seem to nail that one down.

General Comments:

Lovely car to drive. Lots of kit, very responsive and handles extremely well. Long journeys become short and the hills flat due to the engine power.

Petrol consumption reasonable but then you don't buy a 2.5 litre and expect 40mpg do you?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 1999