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The Mondeo is unloved because it hasn't lived up to its early promise. The first year was great, with a memorable cruise-controlled-in-sixth journey up to Scotland and good MPG. Since then...loads of trim niggles/rattles, noticeable wear inside, paint flaking off the alloys, bodywork which just isn't wearing its age well and an unsolved brake problem which has cost £400 and rising. It feels like it's going to turn tatty within a couple of years, so I've decided the sensible thing to do was bail out while it still had £4-4.5k left in it.
The V50 I looked at was slightly older than the Mondeo, had a slightly lower mileage, but looked and felt younger and far more solid. The one concern is space, hence me gazing longingly at a V70.
Having moved house last year and committed to an extension this year, it could be three or four years before I gather a useful chunk of cash to go towards a car...by which time dear old Mondy will be several bills down the line and worth a lot less.
The V50 ain't perfect (though it might do with a top box for holidays), but I wonder whether a V70 - indeed, any older, high miles car - will cost more to fettle. Have also looked for Accords or Saab 9-3. Did look at a Mazda but it's right up there with the Avensis in the charisma stakes and there aren't many around. Ditto X-Type estates, unless you're willing to swallow V6 fuel bills. I also looked at an 02 BMW 525d with 90k miles on the clock, but it had gone by the time I got to the dealer.
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