The Mondeo ST24 is an excellent car. There is little else that is as good at everything the Mondeo is for the same money that isn't either considerably older or lacking in other areas.
The standard fit bodystyling on the hatchback and later saloons turns the Mk2 Mondeo from a rather dull car into something which really looks rather good - whilst most standard Mondeo's don't even stand out, there is something rather nice about a clean RSAP kitted Mondeo. They are reasonably quick, reliable, and cheap to buy.
There is, however, one issue with them - the waterpump on pre 2000 examples has a plastic impellor. This snaps, and kills the head gasket. This is very expensive. But fear not - you can buy an uprated pump to cure this before it actually happens for about 40 quid.
Now onto the bad points..
The engine is the same as you'll find in the Ghia and Ghia X - 167bhp of 2.5 litre V6. Becuase the engine is the same, the performance is the same. Infact other than the bodykit, the only difference between an ST24 and a Ghia X is the fact the ST24 has half the kit removed, and 15mm lower suspension.
And costs more.
Consider a Ghia X V6 instead. You get everything the ST24 has but you also get full leather, cruise control, heated seats (Although the late 99 on ST24 has heated seats), a sunroof, Climate on late 99 on, trip computer, etc. The ST24 does not have these things (Some had sunroofs).
The RSAP bodystyling which makes the ST24 look so nice was also available as a factory fit option on 2.0 and 2.5 Ghia X models - so you might even find what is IMHO the best non ST200 Mondeo, a Ghia X V6 with the same bodykit as the ST24.
Even if you don't with the cash you save going for a Ghia X over an ST24 you can buy the kit and stick it on, like I did.
If a better all rounder exists for under £3.5k then I've yet to find it. Primera is nice, but the interior is gash, 406 is good but not as reliable, Vectra is rubbish...
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Oh and it most certainly doesn't handle like a pig. It's not a Ford Focus but it was top of its class for handling throughout its production life.
And talking of its production life, relevant dates for you...
ST24 introduced in October 1996 with rest of Mk2 range, but only in saloon form. No bodykit.
ST24 hatchback with RSAP bodystyling introduced in August 1997 on an R plate. Bodystyling added to option list of ST24 saloon and Ghia X hatch/saloon.
ST200 with 202bhp 2.5 V6, Recaro interior, and all the toys a Ghia X had bar the cruise control introduced in mid 1999. Only available in Imperial Blue, with 17" alloys and twin exhuast.
ST24 and ST200 discontinued in October 2000. Few kicked around and are registered on Y plates. Small amount of white 51 plate ST200's around, cancelled police order.
Great cars. ST200's are very expensive for what they are though. Doesn't stop me wanting one, though.
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Adam, MichealR posts are excellent. very discriptive and well put i have to say.
Remember before my current company car i had a 1998(S) 2.5 Ghia X saloon manual and I was most certainly delighted with it, no problems at all. No intentions of selling it until circumstances changed. Agree with MichaelR if your considering a ST24 go for a Ghia X instead. Maybe you could find some ST24 alloys on eBay and hey presto!
MichaelR, do you know the story behind later Mondeos and why the door ajar warning display and fluid level warnings were deleted?
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The ST24 ia a great car, I nearly had one as a co car in '98 though went for a Vectra SRi V6 estate because I wanted the practicality at the time, the Vectra estate was fairly sporty being only the same plan area as the hatch though the Mondeo estate (as with the current model) was a rather lardy bottomed load carrier. I should say that the Ford 2.5 V6 engine is more silky at low revs than the Vauxhall though the latter is a fair bit more torquey and punchy in the mid range so feels quicker, at higher revs they are comparable. The Mondeo has the advantage of a cam chain, a belt job is not cheap on a four cam V6.
A Vectra is worthy of consideration, 98 model SRi's on 16" not 15" alloys had suspension mods that had them steer and handle fairly well, this was transposed to all models at the time of the facelift so (as with Michael R's Ghia X point above) a late CDX Vectra could be a good buy.
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MichaelR, do you know the story behind later Mondeos and why the door ajar warning display and fluid level warnings were >> deleted?
In very late 1998, Ford did a minor facelift to the interior of the Mondeo. Out went the dark blue 'Alchemy' interior colour, in came Midnight Black which was more appealing and a very dark grey colour instead. They also fitted a revised steering wheel, chrome interior handles, chrome handbrake handle. Very subtle but it does look nicer. However..
They also went on an economy drive as well. The Ghia X lost the doorhandle lights, the AWS (Auxillery Warning System so the door ajar warning etc), the stereo was downgraded from an RDS7000 to an RDS5000 and the carpeting on the outside of the door bins were removed. It was purely a cost cutting measure but it was largely pointless. To this end, almost all 1999 onwards Mondeos do not have the AWS etc but do have a slightly nicer interior.
Adam - yes, the later Ghia X's have climate. Specifically, all Ghia X's built after July 1999 are fitted with SATC (Climate Control)and traction control as standard on the 2.0, as well as side airbags. You can easily identify these models - the B pillar is black, not bodycoloured.
Despite the lack of the standard bodykit, both the saloon and the hatch ST24 are the same insurance Group 16 - Ghia X V6 is also Group 16. IMHO the bodykit makes a HUGE difference, turns the car from a dull looking hatch into something really rather nice.
Please do not consider a 1995-2002 Vectra as an alternative to a V6 Mondeo. With the notable exception of the GSi, it just doesn't compare, SRi or not. I looked at some CDX's when I bought my Ghia X, the interior was not as nice, they did not feel as well built, it certainly did not handle as well. I could find nothing to put it above the Mondeo in any regard, so I bought the Mondeo.
No regrets whatsoever. Brilliant cars - half the reason why I'm so content to sit here and wax lyrical about them :p
Few pictures for you..
www.ocuk-motors.co.uk/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=co...2
www.ocuk-motors.co.uk/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=co...2
No, thats not oil from the car its water :p
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