Graham 'Smithy' Smith reviews the used Ford Mondeo 1995-2001, its fine points, its flaws and what to watch for when you are buying it.
The Mondeo’s arrival was heralded as a sign of things to come as Ford signed up for the company’s world-wide car program but like many models the company’s local arm has introduced here in recent times it fizzled rather than flew.
It wasn’t a bad car, it was highly regarded in its European home territory, and was warmly praised by local road testers, but the Mondeo just didn’t get off the ground.
Ford’s plan for the Mondeo, a replacement for the popular Telstar, was to tackle the mid-sized heavyweights, the four-cylinder Magna and Camry, but it was a new nameplate to a market comfortable with the rival badges and not willing to switch brands without good reason. The bottom line was that there wasn’t.
MODEL WATCH
Ford unveiled a range of four models and three body styles when it lifted the wraps on the car it dubbed “the affordable European”.
There were two sedans, the LX and GLX, a GLX hatchback and an LX wagon. The lines were softly rounded, clean but ultimately bland.
Unfortunately the Mondeo was one of those cars you simply didn’t notice. Even when its masters finally put it down it was still relatively unknown by the car buying public at large. Maybe that says as much about Ford’s marketing as it does about the car itself.
Inside it was also a bit of a yawn with grey-on-grey plastics and bland velour trim. By comparison to the cars it was aimed at cutting down, it wasn’t as roomy inside.
A 16-valve, twin cam Zetec 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine powered all models. With 97 kW at 6000 revs and 175 Nm at 4500 revs, the fuel injected Zetec four was relatively smooth and quiet, and a willing revver if you were prepared to bury the right foot in the cut-pile.
There was a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed auto. While the manual ’box was well geared the shift was stiff and awkward, but improved when the shift was changed to a cable type in 1996. The auto meanwhile was smooth, but dulled the performance.
Ford hoped the Mondeo’s European chassis dynamics would prove to be the thing that swayed mid-sized car buyers to switch from the Japanese cars they were buying. It wasn’t enough, but it has to be said that the Mondeo rode, steered, braked and handled well.
It was a delight to drive on a winding road where the chassis balance and response could be fully appreciated.
Four-wheel disc brakes provided powerful stopping performance, and there was the option of ABS if you wanted added stopping safety.
The LX sedan and wagon opened the bidding with wheel trims, colour-coded bumpers, velour trim, central locking, power steering, power mirrors, adjustable steering column, and a driver’s airbag.
Add to that air-conditioning, upgraded trim, power windows and intermittent wipers, and you had a GLX sedan or hatch.
A restyled model brought a bright new look in 1996 along with an array of new standard features.
Air-conditioning became standard across the range, while the GLX got standard cruise control, power driver’s seat, and remote locking.
Ford also retuned the 2.0-litre engine to extract more form the mid-range to make it more drivable for the average motorist who wasn’t interested in revving it into the next world to realise its performance.
Another minor upgrade followed in 1999, before the final fling in 2000 that brought a new look, new model line-up, and a hot new sports sedan.
Gone were the LX and GLX badges, in their place came the new Verona and Ghia nameplates respectively. The ST24 sports sedan was new to the range.
The Verona then had power front windows, remote locking with deadlocks and GLX-level trim. The Ghia had alloys, plush velour trim, woodgrain, trip computer, traction control, dual front and side airbags.
The ST24 came with sports suspension, a 125 kW 2.5-litre V6, five-speed manual gearbox and an aggressive body kit.
ON THE LOT
Because the Mondeo was rather invisible to car buyers its value hasn’t held up.
Early HA/HB LX sedans from 1995/96 can be bought for $8000 to $9000, add $1000 for a wagon. GLX sedans meanwhile go for $9000-$10,000, add $800 for a hatch.
Later HC/HD LX sedans from 1996/2000 run from $9000-$12,500, add $800 for a wagon. GLX sedans are running from $10,500 to $13,000, add $500 for a hatch.
The HE Verona sedan is priced at $14,500, the Ghia hatch at $16,500, and the hot ST24 at $18,000.
IN THE SHOP
With odos averaging close to 100,000 km the Mondeo motor is due for a cam belt change so carefully check for a service record to see that it has been changed when due.
You can also expect to replace disc brake rotors at around the same distance if they haven’t already been replaced. Pads are likely to have been changed around 50,000 km so they may also need doing again.
Some owners are reporting problems with the auto trans at 100,000-plus km, which can mean a $2500 rebuild.
Look for minor bumps and scrapes, particularly poorly repaired and painted bumpers, which are prone the damage.
IN A CRASH
A nicely balanced chassis with four wheel disc brakes means good crash avoidance, and a driver’s airbag is standard if you can’t avoid the impact.
Top models had dual airbags and side airbags from 2000.
Used car safety survey rated the Mondeo significantly above average for crash protection.
OWNERS SAY
Bryce Webb has owned his 1995 Mondeo hatch for about two years now and cannot fault it. It had 120,000 km on the clock, had been serviced regularly and the cam timing belt had been changed at 100,000 as per service book. He says the engine is responsive, it handles like a dream, is economical, and there is no visible rust.
Ray Crampton bought his Mondeo new in 1995. It has now done 75,000 km and over that time hasn't been too bad. It is still taut in the suspension and steering and has only required minimal repairs, including brake pads and tyres at 50,000 km. It handles well, the performance is adequate, the engine is noisy, but the auto gearbox is clunky and thumps into gear.
Ken Dickson is the happy owner of a 1995 LX auto that has been trouble free over 82,000 km. He rates the road holding terrific, the brakes great, the auto smooth and quiet, and the air-con perfect.
LOOK FOR
• Bland styling
• Well equipped
• Modest performance from 2.0-litre engine
• Good value to buy, but resale is poor
• High cost of parts
• Generally quite reliable
• Squeezy interior
RIVALS
• Mitsubishi Magna – 1996-1999 – 1996-2002 – $8000-$17,000
• Toyota Camry – 1997-2002 – $10,000-$20,000
• Holden Vectra – 1997-2002 – $10,000-$23,000
THE BOTTOM LINE
Forgettable styling means Mondeo has been forgotten, but with good chassis, brakes and steering, it’s worth a look.
RATING
60/100
