Attempt 2 (update)

"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
12/02/2015 at 09:10 • Filed to: None

Looked at this Mondeo and it was pretty nice, ran and drove really well. Bit rough around the edges (a bit of questionable paint repair at the front) but no serious damage or anything. Interior is fantastic.

The Mondeo we looked at the other day was absolute junk. We have since raised the budget a little and found this for £1500. If it’s nice in person it’s a good buy, fully kitted out (leather, climate control etc) and reasonable mileage.

DISCUSSION (29)

dogisbadob > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/01/2015 at 20:50

Cool wagon! Too bad we never got those over here. Can you get an Accord wagon for that price over there?

pjhusa > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/01/2015 at 20:53

How’s Ford leather?

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/01/2015 at 20:57

Again man, just damn. For $2000 USD you're lucky to buy a car in the States that *moves*, let alone is so nice. Good luck.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/01/2015 at 21:01

Srsly. 406 hdi...

Ask duurtlang!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/01/2015 at 21:12

It seems your budgets are quite low. I’m not surprised it was junk at that price point. Sometimes spending a bit more up front saves you a lot later

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
12/01/2015 at 21:48

For $3000 I bought a meticulously maintained 1993 Ranger with the big 4.0L V6, a 5 speed stick, a 3.55 LSD, 104,000 well documented miles and a 1000 mile old clutch. I think he’ll do just fine

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
12/02/2015 at 04:40

My friends brother (who were buying for) is a bit cheap... That said you can get a nice car for £1500 here.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
12/02/2015 at 04:40

I haven’t found an estate one that isn’t battered though. I did find one but it was the 90 hp version. No thanks.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
12/02/2015 at 04:42

Cars are much cheaper here I guess. My car was about $5000 usd and was under 35k miles and 4 years old.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > pjhusa
12/02/2015 at 04:43

Not sure yet, it was a pricey car new so it’ll probably have decent quality leather.

Cé hé sin > dogisbadob
12/02/2015 at 04:43

Accords are a rare sight.....

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > dogisbadob
12/02/2015 at 04:44

Na they’re hard to come across and hold their value well. I haven’t seen an accord on the road in quite some time.

duurtlang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
12/02/2015 at 09:20

A 406 is great, but I’m not entirely sure about the first gen of HDI diesel engines. I’ve heard mixed stories about them.

Besides, in a country where the value of cars plummit as dramatically as the UK it sometimes makes sense to buy something newer. Simply because your 14 year old great quality (from the factory) used car has already had an economic value of almost zero for quite a long time, and is usually maintained accordingly. Where I live cars hold their value a little longer, which (probably) also means people are more willing to invest money into their older cars.

To summarize: had I been in the UK I’d probably be looking at that (newer) Mondeo rather than an (older) 406 as well, had I been looking for a family car.

bob and john > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
12/02/2015 at 09:23

but at the end of the day you ended up with a ranger.

djmt1 > dogisbadob
12/02/2015 at 09:24

Yeah but the vast majority of them are diesels. No VTEC for wagon.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > duurtlang
12/02/2015 at 09:24

Well, that pisses on my chips.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/02/2015 at 09:27

Not going for another Laguna estate? How about Citroens and Saabs?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

Or just be boring and sensible:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

djmt1 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/02/2015 at 09:29

Are they? I’ve sent plenty and luckily for you they are pretty much all diesels.

MultiplaOrgasms > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/02/2015 at 10:07

You can never go wrong with a 2nd Gen Mondeo (If it is a good one, obivousle).

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > djmt1
12/02/2015 at 11:38

Strange I haven’t seen many at all around here. Maybe its different in other regions.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > MultiplaOrgasms
12/02/2015 at 11:39

Agreed, they’re good solid cars and drive really nicely for what they are.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111
12/02/2015 at 11:42

Xsara is a worse car than the Mondeo in my eyes (we’ve owned both) and the guy im looking on behalf of isn't a fan of saabs. That Avensis would do but the interior is a bit drab.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/02/2015 at 12:54

The Avensis is boring, but by far the best car there in practical terms.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111
12/02/2015 at 13:45

Get similar practicality out of the Mondeo with a nicer overall drive and interior though. They're extremely common for a reason.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > bob and john
12/02/2015 at 14:01

Whats wrong with that? I love my Ranger

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/02/2015 at 14:19

I meant reliability-wise. Mondeos are junk compared to Avensises of the same age, and that’s reflected in the pricing.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111
12/02/2015 at 14:55

The Toyotas are more reliable but the 2.0 tdcis can make 200k miles no problem.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
12/03/2015 at 09:02

The Ford engines are good. They’re let down by the rest, though, once they get to this kind of age. The Toyota was a worse car to start with, in most respects, but it’s much better built.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111
12/03/2015 at 15:13

Yeah the interior fit and finish is so so, few bits are loose. Everything electronic works though and the engine feels strong. We ended up buying it, going to pick it up tomorrow.