hi all,

have finally got some cash together to replace my 306td and wondered what your opinions are. im after a mondeo st and it would seem the options are either a cheaper 200 or a more expensive 24. would it be worth getting a slightly less mint 200 over a well-kept 24??

chris

 

I would say the 200 if you can find a half decent one

 

I would suggest a 200 providing you could find a real tidy one for that kinda money. The interiors are much nicer, there faster and they generally look nicer too imo.

Either way, you will be happy as there both cracking cars. Don't settle on your first though. ST200's and ST24's are bloody everywhere, so you will find a nice one eventually.

P.S. If you go for a ST24, make sure it's had a Metal Impellor water pump fitted. ST24's come with a plastic impellor one, and these shatter. ST200's already have a metal one though.

 

ST200 would be my choice mate

 

i would avoid both, the performace is pants considering how much fuel they drink

heavy car, sh1t brakes i prefer my zetec-s does the job and insurance cheaper

 

Sorry to hear you had to settle for the slower, cheaper and less highly specced Zetec-S mate.

May my prayers be with you that you find a decent car in your lifetime.

 

my grandmas got 1 for sale..............shes gatting rid of it due to a newer zimmer frame on offer haha

 

You will get a good ST200 for that amount, ignore the dreamers asking too much.

Definitely go for the 200, a much better car.

 

2k for an old Mondeo in this climate? You'll have them queueing up at your door mate, ST200 or not.

 

whats funny about this post is that a 306 td is the sort of car you buy when you get shut of a thirsty v6 mondeo.
i reckon it will be like a honeymoon,great at first and then when the fuel bills start you will want rid and the diesel 306 back

 

heres a nice estate for sale.....from a good source to good old Dan lol
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1251864.htm

if i had the cash i would buy it and sort the little problems and keep it on the road, i think its a stunning car

heres another not as well known as dans but still half about
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1173112.htm

this is very good fopr the miles imo
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1266869.htm

 

the reason for looking at these is that they seem to be the only cars available for the budget that offer a good blend of practicality and performance. i need a big boot for tools etc but dont want to go for an estate.

thanks to all the helpful posters!

 

come on matey,how can they be the "only" etc when a vectra gsi does everything the mondeo does.

 

Vectra GSi

 

except handle

 

I'd go for the ST200, if you can find a nice one anyway.

If it was between the ST24 and GSI, I'd possibly lean towards the GSI, but not compared to the 200.

I've been in all of em plenty, and whatever the Vauxhall fans say, the Ford rides better, handles better, looks better, is better built, better interior, it's just no contest. The ST200 sounds just as good, and has better seats, full leather in a lot of cases.

I like the GSI, but I still think the ST200 is a cut above it.

 

thats bollocks matey

 

I noticed you completely avoided the subjects of brakes and performance

And TBH, I dont agree on half the others either, vectra gsi interior is really nice, and I think it looks good too.

Handling? Neither of them handle very well TBH, but both are reasonable enough to be fine for most driving, but both would be like a boat round a racetrack compared to a 500 quid clio etc, but thats not what they are about, so it doesnt matter

 

1 word understeer i agree the vectra gsi is a bloody good machine but compared to the st200 i would choose the 200 becasue in my handling is everything

 

i am aware of the vectra but have personally never been a fan of the styling. admittedly the boot is bigger so maybe worth a second look... whatre they like for reliabilityy?

 

pretty good but i would have more faith in the mondeo, have you considered a 1999 bmw e46 323 or similar, they can be picked up for app 2000 now

 

just check for rust on the st200 as they all go on rear arches, same as st24

st200s are nice, i just fitted the interior in my st24 and tbh im a bit disappointed its not heated like my old seats and its not as comfy but im sure i can get used to it

for that price you should get a resonable one but poss high miles

try and get a late one as possible though as im sure i read somewhere after a certain year the bodies were galvanised how true i dont know but my st has no rust on it and its a 99v but seen a w reg st200 with rotten arches

 

the Mondeo is my daily runner mate and a decent car you say? lol already have, Impreza Type-R

 

ST200 for definite mate. My one was fine on the fuel, averaged 30mpg without too much hassle, on a run down the motorway would do 32-34mpg at a steady 80mph... sounded good, looked well (specially once polished up), was pretty quick in a straight line and got round the bends ok considering the size and (surprisingly heavy) weight.

I'd be really surprised if the Vectra GSi Hatchback has a bigger boot than the Mondeo...... the ST200 Hatchback has a MASSIVE boot?!


Cheers,
Grant

 

why not get an ultima cosworth? cheaper, good power RWD, as long as you dont mind the yank looks

 

I would have a ST24 or ST200 over a Vectra GSI anyday.

I had a GSI estate for 6 months and it was rubbish. For ever throwing up fault codes and the rear bushes, which are a very common fault, are outragously expensive to buy, let along get fitted. I had an ST24 for a year, only just sold it, and it was as good as gold, just put petrol in it and topped up the screen wash.

The GSI way be a little quicker but lets be honest none of these cars are really fast are they....

2p

 

I have a 9 year old ST24 its done 95000 miles, the last 35000 it has been my tow car. In that time I have changed the oil 5ish times, one set of spark plugs, one front wishbone and one rear wheel bearing. It still is on its origonal exhaust and clutch. You could say its been 100% reliable and cost nothing to run (not including fuel).

Simon.

 

I paid £800 for my W reg st24 with only 77k on the clock full service history about 14 months ago, i upgraded alot of parts to st200 items engine wise and had the ecu remapped its now runing a healthy 212bhp soon to be more with the help of MSD style headers and a different chip. As mentioned before a good service history is a must with these cars.
2k will get you a good st200 with service history

 

Got to say st24 had one for bout 3 years and never let me down yep power is
nothing like my old s2 but as a good all rounder i would say st24

 

Nuf said!!!!!

 

Both handle pretty well for a big car, but I think the Mondeo is nicer. It just has a better ride IMO. The Vectra always just felt harsh and a bit crappy to me.

Didn't find either had much to give in the way of brakes, think both could be improved to be honest, not picking out either one really.

Performance difference is pretty negligable in my experience, between ST200 and GSI at least. The ST24 lacks a bit in my eyes.

Interior is entirely personal preference of course, but I don't think the GSI's Recaro's are nearly as nice as the ST200, and the dash in the Vectra is ok, if you like Cavaliers. It's a bit of a slab compared to the Mondeo one IMO. But styling is purely a matter of taste really

Mondeo has a much bigger boot, my Mondeo hatch could swallow a stack more stuff than a Vectra hatch...

 

Er oops, too late! Sorry!!

 

such a shame, whats happening with it now then, scrap?

 

Yup! Sad, but was by far the most economically viable thing to do!

 

was it rotten?

shirely someone would want a st200 estate shell

 

I would also get a st 200 too.

DAN its a shame about your car but life goes on.Now its time for you to get a cossie.

 

you did not hang about with that then lol. shame was a really nice looking car that was to. have you got your new one yet Dan

 

No was pretty much rust free, arches were mint! No one wanted the car as it was, so I doubt anyone wants the shell! They've got till tuesday to claim it!

I wish! Sadly I need something equally big, reliable and cheap to run and cheap to buy... TDCi here I come.

Not yet, got a car to look at at the weekend that looks promising.

 

whast left on it i will ask my mate

 

Pretty much what you see there. Seats gone, engine/box gone.

I've still got the wheels/tyres, and a bunch of ST200 bits, so see if he wants anything

(Sorry about the thread hijack - Post questions about bits here or PM please!