Mondeo Verona 1.8

My best friend, I never intended to get "attached" to a car, but this one....

What can I say about my "Mondy". Yes thats HIS (I never drive She's) name, he's more than a car, he's my friend! He has a personality all of his own....

I bought my Mondeo in May 2007 for 400 quid as dealer part ex. It was my 10th car in as many years as I didn't start driving cars till I was 20. I am now 36. It had 85k on the clock (now has 107k) and was MOT'd for 6 monthes at the time of buying. It was the best 400 quid I ever spent! Now in Dec 2011 this car is STILL going, and it's nearly 14 years old!!! It's been to Belgium, and all over the UK as I am a DJ and hence travel a lot to various gigs.

This car can hold an entire mobile disco with the rear seats dropped (it's a hatchback) and that includes several cases of CD's (as I refuse to be a laptop Dj).

Performance - 120mph plus (fully laden with full mobile disco). I did that speed test on private land by the way not on the M1. Accleration is amazing for a 1.8, putting a lot of 2.0 Litre cars to shame *grin*. Fuel economy on the motorway is brilliant approx 450-480 miles per tank at steady cruising 70ish mph. Lower fuel economy on short journeys (to be expected) approx 280-320 per tank. At current fuel prices it costs approx 75-80 quid to fill from fuel light.

Handling - nifty, sweet, and responsive. Nice light power steering, and good grip from my after market 205-55-16 tyres.

Comfort - Eaisily adjustable seats that you can sit in for hours on end, electric windows still working, front/rear demister still working. Original clutch still nice and soft (no slipping problems here). Air conditioning still working (hot/cold whenever needed). No engine noise even fully laden at 100mph, just road noise or wind/road noise. Engine noise does increase at 110 plus but still quiet enough to talk over.

Tax - Expensive due to age of car/emmisions, currently 260 quid a year. But he keeps passing his emmissions on the MOT's :-)

Money spent since purchase - Obviously we can't include tyres/break pads/fuel (which is outrageous) in this section as they are par for the course. All the following MOT pass prices were PLUS the actual MOT Fee (which I get reduced approx 35 quid for using the same garage every year).
1st MOT - Pass.
2nd MOT - Needed new wishbones on the front, I bought these from sutton auto factors for 36 quid, and my mechanic friend fitted them for the same.
3rd MOT - Needed new front discs as one was scored, I bought the discs and pads from sutton auto factors for approx 40 quid, again my mechanic friend fitted them for about the same. Needed a length of break pipe replacing, again sutton auto factors approx 30 quid, friend fitted them for free same time he did discs/pads.
4th MOT - Needed another length of break pipe, and welding to offside sill. Total cost 100 quid.

Overall - Excellent car that just KEEPS going. It has never failed to start once, even when we had that cold snap last year and tempratures where I live were minus 10-15 plus every morning for like 6 weeks! My three neices all call the car "Mondy", they look forward to riding in it, even saying "Hello Mondy, " when they get in it!

Accidents - I've been hit three times over the last 4 and a half years by other drivers! (sucks huh?)Repairs are cheap in comparision. Most expensive repair was when I had to replace rear nearside door as a VW Golf had damaged it so it wouldn't shut properly. There insurance paid out and I did the repairs myself, because the car was simply too good to lose. I paid 40 quid for the door in a matching colour from a breakers yard.

Servicing - My mechanic friend does a full engine service every 5k. It costs me about 60 - 70 quid a time including parts. Air filter/Fuel filter/Spark plugs/Oil change/Oil Filter. When I bought the car I replaced the timing belt to be sure, it cost me 40 quid for the timing belt kit and 50 quid for the actual work. It does help admitidily having a mechanic as a friend, so my maintenince costs are reletivly low in comparison to main dealer prices. We ALL know a friendly mechanic. If you want a reliable low maintence cost workhorse that is actually comfortable and fun to drive I would highly reccomend the Mondeo Mk2 1.8 Verona.

Will I keep it? - Absolutly without question! In nearly 5 years this car has cost me less (not including tyres wear and tear etc) than I paid to buy it. I can hearby say that unless petrol hits 2 quid a litre (which is a very real possibilty now) I will keep my "Mondy" for another 5 years. He's my best friend......

And as you can see from the photo along with me and my father in law on remberance day, even "Mondy" wears his poppy with pride!!!

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