Nissan Primera or Ford Mondeo

thedarkness

Hi,

I'm looking to purchase a 1 - 2 year old hatchback in the next few weeks. I'm currently looking at either the Nissan Primera 1.8 SX or Mondeo Ghia for around £9500-£10000.

I'm very tempted by a Mondeo Ghia X 2.0, but it's a bit more expensive... £12000... should I push the boat out, or go with the sensible option and stay sub £10k?

Many thanks

Justin

YorkshireBoy

I've always had Ford's so my views will be biased somewhat.

Something else to think about perhaps - there are several dealers in our area doing brand new Mondeos for around £12K at the moment. Granted, these might be 1.8LX versions but my 1.8LX has E/W all round, air-con, a nice CD system, etc.

I think the new LX's have lost rear E/W but gained cruise control? What more do you get with the Ghia (X)? Leather, better CD spec?

Oh, and the MK3 Mondeo is the best car I've ever owned.

Just something else for you to think about.

Jeet_2

I've had a Primera from about one year and (this is my second), they are reliable and you can fit anything in the hatchback version.

I was thinking about a mondeo for my next car as I heard they keep their value better.

jjames_3

As far as holding value is concerned, this often works in reverse when buying cars at 2 years old -- the one that depreciates more is the better deal as it's done most of its depreciation in those first two years (ALL cars depreciate, the "better" ones just do it later on which can be a bad thing if you're planning on keeping the car past 5 years old). The Primera, being a Japanese car, is known for its reliability and durability and so as they get older they tend to bottom out at a higher value than the mainstream (although very good) Ford.

The toys and gadgets tend to be better in the Nissan, but the handling on the current one is a bit softer and not as good as the Ford (Renault influence unfortunately, previous Primeras handled really well, this one is a bit more "comfy").

Again, like the Civic/Focus question, both cars have a lot going for them, neither are likely to give any trouble, they're both cheap to service and I'd have either of them. Nissan's chain-cam petrol engines are beautifully engineered and capable of 250K miles without rebuild, better than most, although the Ford is no clonker either.

thedarkness

Thanks for all the advice

We've ended up going for the Mondeo... 2.0TDCi Ghia X. Found a superb dealer not too far from us who has an excellent reputation and specialised in Mondeo Ghias and Titaniums.

We took the Mondeo out for a test drive and we were very very impressed. Tonnes of space inside.

We've picked up a 54 plate Ghia X with leather & cruise control for around about 12k give or take a hundred quid or so. And got an ok trade-in on our Audi A3.

Fingers crossed, shall be picking it up this coming Sunday Can't wait.

Justin