Ford Mondeo 1.8 GLX

More families than ever need two cars. Some need a second car with lots of seats so they buy a people carrier. For others their environment demands a 4 wheel drive. But for many all they need is a cheap, reliable family hatchback that’s not going to cost an arm and a leg to run.

Which means that you will be confronted with a huge selection of new cars. You can spend as little as £9,000 or as much as £18,000. All will do the job nicely.   

But the biggest problem with buying a new car is depreciation. And the more you spend the bigger the problem becomes.

In 3 years time most cars are worth about one third of what you paid for them. Depreciation like that translates into between £6,000 and £12,000 on your second car.

So how about a car that will cost you only £1,000 per year in depreciation? It comes with power steering and has air conditioning. You will be protected by twin front airbags and be able to enjoy your latest CDs on the stereo. Ladies and gentlemen, the Ford Mondeo.

In 1999 a new Ford Mondeo 1.8GLX had a list price of £16,000. Today with 50,000 miles on the clock and a full service history you can buy one for just £4,000.

Second hand Ford Mondeos are cheap, but not because they are bad. They are cheap because there are more cars than customers. And there always will be, because Ford are not interested in how many Ford Mondeos we need, just how many they need to build and sell to make a profit.

And second hand that over supply translates into low prices. Just think about it, with the thousands of pounds you saved in depreciation you can buy tank after tank of petrol. Or pay for your insurance and servicing for the next 3 years.

And you don’t have to settle for the 1.8 engine just a few hundred pounds more will buy you a 2.0 litre or even a V6 2.5. Even the extra fuel and higher insurance premiums will do little to eat into the pile of cash that you’ve already saved.

And don’t worry about your second hand Mondeo being reliable. These cars are well made and well sorted. The sheer numbers of cars that Ford build ensures that problems are corrected before too many owners complain. And if you want belt and braces, buy a car from a Ford main dealer and slap on an extended warranty and join the RAC or AA. For a few hundred quid extra you will have new car peace of mind for used car money.

But if you are worried what the neighbors may say about you buying a used Ford Mondeo take one of the following options. With all the money you have saved, buy a personalized number plate and tell them it’s a new car. Or book a foreign holiday so you don’t have to see them for a couple of weeks.

Check the following

Economy – 1.8 petrol will give 30mpg plus in mixed driving. 2.0 diesels will top 40mpg

Air conditioning – standard on all models after Feb 98

ABS and power steering – standard on all models

Avoid the 1.6 litre model – underpowered and no more economical than the 1.8

Limited editions – many have alloys and metallic paint as standard

Service history – over 80% of new Mondeos are sold to companies, but don’t be put off so long as the service history verifies the mileage

High performance models like the ST200 are joy riders dream - HPI the car if you are buying privately and walk away from a stolen/recovered vehicle even if it seems very cheap

Estate cars are truly cavernous but check rear suspension many will have been carrying very heavy loads

Latest 2.0CDi diesel (Intro Nov 01) is a massive improvement over the old unit

Check for smokey engines on high mileage 2.5 V6

The one to buy

Ford Mondeo 1.8 GLX

5dr hatch, manual gearbox

1999 ‘T’ with 50K miles

Pay £4,495 at a Ford main dealer or £3,850 privately

© Jason Dawe Productions Limited November 2002