Ford Mondeo MK3 Mistral 2002

[120y]

She may not be retro enough yet but I thought id write about her anyway as they made the last MK3 in 2007.

I was looking for another car and I fancied something a little bigger than the Micra id been running around in, anyway I was out with the wife at Morrisons and saw the car

parked up with a  for sale sighn.

The wife liked it straight away the sighn said £350 I thought no MOT at the price. I called the number and the guy says £350 as is or £500 moted for a year, needs a tyre and a wheelbearing.

Test drove it and it was surprisingly good for a Ford that's covered 180000 miles, it needs some trim repairs inside as it looks to have had a hard life, glove box is broken and heater controls are pushed away from the centre console at one side.

Saying that though everything works including power drivers seat and the AC.

Plans are possibly lower it and buy some black alloys and change the backbox to give her a nice sound.

I really cant explain what made me buy her but I'm glad I did

More updates later

[turbotechnics]

So many people slate the mk3 mondeo, get a good one and look after it and it'll go on forever. I've got a mildly tuned ST tdci and love it. Enjoy your new ride.

[Woofwoof]

I really like these. My woman had one, a 1.8. A bit lacking in power but the car made up for it with a lovely chassis and steering to match. Enjoy the new motor.

[steptoeshaw]

Great cars. I had a 2001 mondeo tddi with 248,000 miles sold it on i loved that car. I currently have an st220 and love that too just hate the mpg, great cars, enjoy.

[retroade]

I have several trade customers who only buy these, Focus's and Galaxies and have constant turnover. Most are 150k miles plus, come up like new with a good valet, and despite looking a little tatty are still going strong. Loads of the cheap ones are crash repaired and still do a decent job for people wanting cheap reliable motoring. I like the Mondeo estates, if you need space they are just huge! The Ford Modern Edge design on these ages well, I always thought the mk1 and mk2 were fairly forgettable and tame but the mk3 has some amazing lines if you look closely at one. I had an '04 2.0 TDCi Ghia X as a company car in gold with 17" alloys and black leather with full heated + A/C front seats - I loved it.

The one to look for now is the early Zetec S with the V6, proper Q car. They're now nearly 15 years old, so good V6s and STs are worth looking after.

[griffo20022]

My dad has had one for a couple years now and tbh his has been a little hit and miss it's the 2L TDCi 130. When it works I gotta be honest it works bloody good! One common recurring problem it's had a few times though is injectors losing their coding? Ashame really as like I say when it does run properly it runs bloody well! I've always liked the estates in these

[Knugcab]

I remember that when the Mk3 came out, I thought that it was one of the few good looking cars in its class back then, at least on this side of the BMW/Merc money.

I especially liked the retro flirt with the taillamps that looked like 60s US Ford units when lit up in the dark, and the front that was a bit of a "upside down" Taunus P5 front.

The Mk4 was a bit more dull design-wise, I was a bit disappointed when I first saw it, it was a step in the wrong direction, even if I still prefer it over i.e. similar age Passats, Insignias and most of the japanese offerings.

[turbotechnics]

Has anyone put the focus ST 5pot into a mk3 mondeo? Could be interesting.

[120y]

Thanks for the kind comments

[120y]

Well slight update have bought another Mondeo mk3 1.8 in gold not in bad condition cost me £200 with test till Jan 16

These are the sellers pictures will post more myself tomorrow.

Was bought as a spares car but now I'm not so sure? One thing it will be donating its interior to mine as its same colour but in better condition

[120y]

My 2 Mondys together

[omegod]

I'm breaking a very tidy 04 TDCI ghia in Panther black if you want any goodies to tart it up, chrome,wood etc

[120y]

Latest pic of my Mondy