Anyone else have a Mondeo?

[motorsportnerd]

After browsing through the Focus/Mondeo section, I didn't notice any threads dedicated to the Mondeo.
So, here goes, with a review of my car. I've got a 1997 Ford Mondeo LX with the 2.0 litre Zetec engine fitted. Just 70,000kms on the clock. I've had it for four years, and it has been mostly very reliable and economical. Mechanical problems amount to two. First, the battery died back in 2001 just after I bought it, so that doesn't really count. Second, the main airconditioning vents on the dashboard have stopped working, leaving only the vents for the windscreen and legs in operation. Apparantly a rotary switch has died, which would involve removing the dashboard to fix. Probalby case of a $5 part that will cost $100s to fix, so I'll rely on the remaining working vents and old fashioned winding down the window for my air conditioning.
Even after four years of ownership, I have to say that the Mondeo remains one of the best handling front wheel drive cars I've driven. I get the opportunity to drive a number of rental cars each year through work, and can say that only the Mazda6 (drove one in NZ recently) is better and Focus is equal. Course I've never driven an Integra Type R, Accord Euro, any recent Peugeot or the Renault Clio, so doubt there are better. But the Mondeo is certainly a major cut above Camry, Corolla, Hyundai Lantra, Pulsar, Magna, etc.
The Mondeo has great steering feel - well weighted at highway speed and provides plenty of info. Handling is generally neutral - turn the wheel and it will go where pointed. There is understeer if starting to press on, but you've got to be really motoring at that point. If the corner tightens up, it will respond immediately to the steering to an easing of the accelerator and tightening of the line. I'd describe the handling as fool proof and enjoyable if rear wheel drive oversteer isn't what you're after. The Mondeo does lack power to be a truly fast, great handling, point A to B car however. The lack of power is obvious in the fact there is more grip available than power to exploit the handling capabilities. Any of the multitude of lighter and more powerful hot hatches will clean it up, and the Mondeo couldn't even keep up with the more powerful Vectra.
The ST24 would solve the power problem and provide even better handling with the sports suspension and wider 16inch tyres. Wish I could've afforded one back in 2001 and I don't see the point now that they're cheap enough. There's now better stuff available.
The handling/steering is the Mondeo's best virtue. Followed by solid construction (the doors give a reasuring "thunk" when closed), good build quality, reasonable seating position, comfortable seats (even after hours behind the wheel, I get no aches or pains), and good equipment levels (for a car built circa 1997). The ride is excellent on smooth and moderately good road surfaces, but bumps and thumps badly on potted and rough road surfaces.
However, the engine lets it down badly. Not only is it underpowered, it can be noisy when revved hard and the Zetec is also prone to a fair bit of jerking under power (mine's always been that way, and I've heard the problem in others), which makes it sometimes difficult to drive smoothly. I vaguely remember reading something about ECU not linking properly with the throttle cable. I've never worried about the engine jerking under power - I just drive around it.
The interior packaging could be better also. I understand why many prospective owners would've bought a Vectra or Camry instead. Rear seat space in particular is tight.
Overall, I'd rate the car as a 7.5/10 for dynamics, 5/10 for packaging, only 3.5/10 for performance and 8/10 for ownership/reliability. Not an exciting car to own, but certainly a reliable car with a little more character than equivilant Japanese cars of the era.
Also, I make no apologies for being proud to own a standard, family sedan. I'm still a major car enthusiast - I just didn't/don't need a car to fulfill my ego, rather I wanted something to meet my needs (reliability, not too large, easy to insure, more character/driver involvement than some blander cars) and this car did at the time.
I'm keen on updating to a Mazda6 now though - hopefully in the next year or so.
I've attached some photos of the car. Note, I have put better looking wheel covers on it since the photos were taken.
So, that's my car. Any other Mondeo owners out there who want to share their thoughts?