2.5 V6 ST200

An awesome car - if you can afford it

I have had the pleasure of owning a large number of Fords, from the Mk3 Mondeo (in three engine varients) to a Focus and a Fiesta. I have driven even more Fords than I own. But none have given me as much of a grin as the ST200 has.

The looks alone are stunning, and even though the car is 11yrs old - it still looks amazing on the road and stands out a mile with the beautiful colour and RSAP kit.

Driving the ST200 makes you feel like a kid again. It makes you grin like a Cheshire Cat thanks to the beautiful sounding V6 Engine, the responsive steering and the well proportioned gearing. The Traction Control helps in the wet, but turning it off in the dry gives an even more thrilling ride. Country roads are a joy to drive on, while motorways are eaten by the car.

The ride is stiffer than the normal Mondeo's thanks to a completely different suspension setup. Infact, if anyone tries to tell you that the ST200 is just Mk2 Mondeo with a bit more power, tell them to learn their facts.

The ST200 is not a standard Mondeo with a bit more power. The Engine has a number of different parts on it from the Throttle Body to the Upper Inlet Manifold, the Lower Inlet Manifold to the ECU. There are so many different components to the ST200 in comparrison to the 2.5V6 found in the Zetec-S that it is almost impossible to convert one to the ST200 version.

The suspension is also different. The Wishbones on a standard Mondeo will run you £25-£30 each new - the ST200 ones require an extra £100 on each of the wishbones! And this is just for starters.

The ST200 is a stunning car, but it is expensive to maintain. It's thirsty, very thirsty. If you can get 25MPG average from the ST200, then you are doing well. Furthermore it is a pain to work on for even the most seasoned mechanic - meaning labour costs spiral if you are not mechanically minded. The engine seems to like the taste of oil - a common theme with the V6 engines in both the Mk2 and Mk3 Mondeos - so checking the levels is a MUST on a monthly basis.

If you have the money to service and to maintain the car, along with fuelling it, you will not be dissapointed. It is quick, it is fast and it handles like a dream. But if you fail to look after it even in the slightest - it will hit you right where it hurts.

This is a car that I am glad that I owned, but a car that I will be glad to get rid of too.

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