3K for a cheap family car

bigjl · 28 February 2011 at 6:33PM

jase1 wrote: »

That is only one car though. A fair percentage of Mondeo TDCis do suffer from the faults I have described, and it is only fair to any potential buyer that they go in knowing exactly what to be prepared for.

*If* any of the above problems do occur, your whole diesel savings for the ownership of the car could be lost in a stroke.

Mine is on original clutch and DMF, 150k, also original exhaust, shocks, wishbones, subframe bushes, infact only consumables and two handbrake cables.

I have done nearly 60k of those miles.

I used to get 50-55mpg, but recently this has dropped to 48-50mpg, but the EGR hasn't been cleaned in 60k so I would hope it will improve when I do this.

Most of my miles is round town, with the odd short dual carraigeway run, no long journeys, on a long run round the M25 to Heathrow I would expect high 50's doing a steady 70mpg.

Round where I live 70% of the minicabds are MK3 Mondeos , all I would expect to have 200k plus on the clock.

I have heard some horror stories on the ford forums, this was a few years ago, regarding the HDi engine in the mk2 Focus, can't remember what it was, might have been turbos, but not sure really.

By all means warn of the possible issues, but since 2004 the DMF was modifed in Mondeos and the injection pump problems are also a lot rarer than they where back in 2003/4.

Personally I always use decent diesel rather than supermarket stuff, perhaps fuel quality or sensitivity to fuel quality was an issue on the early TDCi's.

But I would only recommend a later TDCi, 2004 onwards. For the above reasons.

I bought my Mondeo as a stop gap as i couldn't get a Vectra with the 2.0 or 2.2 DTi engine at the Auction, had it nearly 28 months now, one of the best cars I have had.

MaxStein · 3 March 2011 at 12:42AM

Thank you all again for all your help, and having read a fair bit more I'm doing a U-Turn, I'll most likely plump for a Ford Focus Lx Tdi Estate (2004) - its over my original limit as I've spotted one with quite low mileage but looks pretty nice, a Zafira is another option.

MaxStein · 4 March 2011 at 3:24AM

I'm also looking at the Toyota Avensis - anything good/bad to say about this one (thanks for the tip on this one AlexisV) as I've managed to squeeze a bit more out of my budget (now 4K at a push)

Inactive · 4 March 2011 at 3:49AM

MaxStein wrote: »

I'm also looking at the Toyota Avensis - anything good/bad to say about this one (thanks for the tip on this one AlexisV) as I've managed to squeeze a bit more out of my budget (now 4K at a push)

Good choice, highly reliable cars.;)

Kilty_2 · 4 March 2011 at 4:01AM

If you can afford the fuel you'll buy a Laguna like the one I've just sold for your £4k - the youngest of any at your budget, comfortable ride, power on tap,

30MPG and the fact it'll throw big bills at you unless the common problems are sorted, well.

MaxStein · 4 March 2011 at 7:37PM

Well, I've booked myself in for a test drive on this chappy.

TOYOTA AVENSIS 1800 cc 1.8 VVT-i T3-X 5dr
2003 (03 reg)Hatchback
88,771 miles
Manual1.8L
Petrol

5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, Green, Full Dealer History, Dual Zone Climate Control, Alloy Wheels 16", CD Player, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Isofix, Air bags, On Board Computer, Electric Front & Rear Windows, Electric Folding Mirrors, Immobiliser, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Power Assisted Steering (PAS), Rear Child locks, Metallic Paint, Cloth Trim

£3,372

I know its a petrol, but I did a fuel compare and assuming I do 20K its only £140 or so difference at the current prices, so I guess I am borderline petrol/diesel.

The sales guy was a little pushy over the phone, but that was mostly down to not having the money available right now.