New Motor

Don't know about the MkIII Mondeo, but the MkI and II had a major
problem with fucked gearboxes. Lucky to reach 50k miles without needing
major attention.

They traced the previous shape Passat when designing it and copied the
interior, although used lower quality materials. Ghias tend to be loaded
with kit and they're supposed to drive very well. Diesel engines are
nicked from Peugeot. It'll be worth about 10p in a couple of years time.

 

I appear to have put a deposit down on a 2004 Mondeo Ghia Auto for SWMBO.

What views do the FOAK have on this particular make / model?


--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Dan L amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Don't know about the 2004 but I'm more than happy with my Mk1.

 

We've had 2 black cars. They look the business when clean, but I seem to
spend more time cleaning black cars and bikes than I do any other
colour.

 

Wopuldn't it have been better to ask this question before you put down
the deposit?

 

Lucky bastard.

I'm the only one who cleans cars around here. Although the job has been
made easier by a 'Flash' car wash kit.

 

(oops, I seem to have emailed you as well)

Heh, she saw it, drove it, wants it, I was powerless (and her happiness is
of paramount importance to me [1])

[1] Theres'a also a good chance it won't fit in the garage, which means I
can reclaim it for the bike.

Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

Is it an auto? - if it is he's very lucky.

The general advice with MkI & II autos is to run away, quickly.

 

It's nothing like a Passat in shape, layout or quality, and certainly no
where near as sturdy.

It certainly has loads of toys, and being metallic black is a good looking
car.

As SWMBO prefers a slushbox, it's the 16V Petrol Duratec 2.0 engine, which
she reckons is not as pokey as her current 1600 Megane Auto.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

My mate had the estate version as his last company car. Surprisingly
a very nice motor but an odd clutch. Though yours being an auto that
won't be a problem.

 

Bet you never buy another black cage . . . . .

 

It's a 16V, 2.0 Litre petrol autobox.

I reckon car salesmen have definitely improved over the yaers. Both garages
we visited today (Toyota and Ford) were really good, not at all pushy and
very cutomer centered.

Almost a pleasure to deal with, which has not always been my past
experience.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

Yes.

 

Heh, I used to have a pearlescent black Renault 19 many moons ago,
surprisingly the metallic balck didn't look dirty as quickly as a
colleague's plain black Sierra.

Also, SWMBO washes and polishes her car at least once a week, so I reckon I
could start doing wedding runs on the weekends in it.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

I test drove one earlier in the year, but went for the Passat instead as it
felt far more solid and sturdy. However, for the money, I don't reckon we
could have got more car for what we are going to pay.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

Heh Steve, *I* clean my (company) car about twice a year. SWMBO cleans and
polishes *her* car weekly, so it's of no concern to me at all really
(which is nice)

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

Of course it is - it shares the Passat floorpan, which as any fule kno
is only a Golf floorpan that's been stretched a bit.

 

Mine is fanatical about keeping her car clean and shiny, whereas I couldn't
care less.

The Zephyr, mind you, gets washed about once a month.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

ROFLMAO

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Dan L amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

I haven't cleaned my (rat) bike in the two years I've owned it, I've
never cleaned the GS and I've cleaned (via a jetwash) The Mondeo twice
since March this year.