Milamber

iTrader: (2)

We are looking to replace the wife's Focus 1.8 with the above. Is the LX hugely different to the zetec? Does the extra weight make it feel underpowered, Would we be better buying a 2.0 litre LX?

Clearly we are not making comparisons with the scoob but need to fit in the babyseat and go on holiday in it. the boot on the focus is a bit small for our needs.

Any help would be appreciated.

BTW We have been offered a "51" model for £8,300 with 19,000 miles on the clock. Does this seem around right?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Had a Y reg 1.8 LX, the Zetec had more shiny bits like alloys. It wasnt fast but it still had 125 bhp so it wasnt that embarrasing.

Very practicle, lovely to drive, cheap to service, cant really see any downsides apart from the fact its a Mondeo, I sold mine for a Fiat Coupe turbo and on every measure apaprt from looks and performance the Mondeo won hands down, you know simple stuff like knowing its going to start and when it does it wont brake down or use a pint of oil going to the shops.

Have driven the new Vectra as well and the Mondeo is a nicer drive, dare I say it, even quite good fun, the 2.0 engine may be worth trying to see if it makes much difference.

I paid 3 grand for my Y plater this time last year, guy didnt know what it was worth, it needed a service, 2 tyres and some damage repairing on one door, sold it for 5 grand to a trader as private punters are hopeless when it comes to seing past a scratch, it only had 45k on it as well.

8 grand plus sounds way over the odds for 3 year old mondeo, they have dropped below 5, think I may get another one.

The Quick Clear windscreen is wonderful !

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Mine was the later shape as well, the older ones arent nearly as good.

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

Having a look on 'trader they seem to be going for about £7250 upwards though.

Used to have a VECTRA sri 140 which was great HUGE boot decent power and traction control too, don't like the new shape much.

hades

I think at that age the 1.8 mondeo had shorter gears than the 2.0. Therefore, the 2 didn't feel any faster, it could just go a little quicker in each gear. Then again, I may be wrong and that was the last of the previous shape or something . . . .

I'd try driving both, to be honest, rather than relying on my hazy recollections or anyone else's opinion - it'd be you that has to live with the decision.

fatherpierre

High in miles but they're all gonna be in 5th gear on the motorway:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW

Or go for this fully loaded bitch. Much nicer to drive and not bad on juice:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

RAOTFLMAO at that description! I see where you are coming from though, fully loaded and a decent engine size, you are such a liar about juice though!

fatherpierre

No I'm not!

I had one for a year and they give a good 35mpg+ on long runs and not much under 30mpg around town.

Smooth as a baby's bum.

The Chief

Drove a mates company car once and although not quite as torquey as my 2.0i Cavalier it was almost as fast but it drove superbly and the handling was light years ahead of my Cav (although that is not too hard) also i was surprised at how well built they are. Dont let the badge put you off an absolute great family car with build quality to match if not better anything the German marques can throw at us.

brickboy

As above, don't knock Mondeos, they really do handle well for a family barge, and the harder you push the better they are.

The 1.8 really doesn't lose anything to the 2 litre, because of shorter gearing. In 5th on a m-way you're doing about 3500rpm at 80-ish.

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for all your help. The garage are offering us £5k trade in on our 'v' focus 1.8 zetec against £8k for the mondeo so doesn't seem like a bad deal really. They will match any %apr I throw at them for finance too.

Rob Walker

I recently swapped my Focus Zetec 1.8 for a mondeo st220. Well impressed with the mondeo so far (apart from fuel consumption lol) feels very solid.

Smiler

Have you tried Car Supermarkets? That's a lot of money for a 3 year old car.

www.fow.co.uk have '04' for £8.5K

Yes the trade in will be slightly lower but you'll sell a sensibly priced Focus easy

Cabinet Enforcer

Agreed on the pricing, mondeos are way too cheap for what you get. Our 52 plate 2.0l zetec was valued at 5.5 last week by the dealer.

Family has had a 1.8 and a 2.0l, the 1.8 was a bit of a dog (for various reasons) but the 2.0 is a lovely car. 40mpg on a 85mph run and it only drops below 35 if you just do short journeys, who'd have a diesel ?

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

We have actually gone for this one now, got 2 years free servicing and a host of other things thrown in. For convenience sake it was the one to go for.