RiP Ford Mondeo...
Discussion
irocfan said:
I thought we knew this at least a year ago. 
Doofus said:
irocfan said:
I thought we knew this at least a year ago. irocfan said:
Doofus said:
irocfan said:
I thought we knew this at least a year ago. 
When I’ve been going through the leasing thread, and doing my own research over the last few years that we have been leasing, I can’t think of a time when I’ve ever seen a mondeo on any kind of decent deal, yet Ford seem to have supported a myriad Kuga deals over the same period.
Personally, I would have taken a Mondeo if they had supported it, and I firmly believe would make more sense as an approved used that they had kept control of. I know the estates are particularly well thought of among tradesmen who can use them instead of a van, but still use them for family duties. Doubt they would cough up for a brand new one though.
Surprised me that Ford hadn’t taken this route to shifting them.
Personally, I would have taken a Mondeo if they had supported it, and I firmly believe would make more sense as an approved used that they had kept control of. I know the estates are particularly well thought of among tradesmen who can use them instead of a van, but still use them for family duties. Doubt they would cough up for a brand new one though.
Surprised me that Ford hadn’t taken this route to shifting them.
Doofus said:
It's not an SUV or a crossover, I think is more pertinent.
It's going to become one apparently. I guess soiling the name of the Puma wasn't enough. Can't wait for a generic crossover named the Capri to come out to fill a niche within a niche within a niche within the jacked up hatchback market https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/mondeo/103341/f...
FA57REN said:
Shows the power of branding and marketing.
There's nothing wrong with how a Mondeo drives, it has always been top of its class.
But it's not 'aspirational' or 'prestige' so now it barely shifts 40,000 units per year instead of ten times that at its peak.
I'm not quite sure what people are aspiring to or what prestige there is in driving a car that has a VAG or BMW "badge" that millions of other cars also have.There's nothing wrong with how a Mondeo drives, it has always been top of its class.
But it's not 'aspirational' or 'prestige' so now it barely shifts 40,000 units per year instead of ten times that at its peak.
Faux off road SUV/crossovers are very popular.
When I told my wife about the end of the Mondeo, she asked, "What will you get next time then?"
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 26th March 09:22
I'll miss the Mondeo. Having driven a current-shape model, not for the way it drove, but because Ford was a stalwart name in that segment of the market. The Mondeo I drove was very numb. It may well have been a competent steer on a longer journey but for the few miles I had it, it just didn't feel communicative.
If only they could manage to put a four-door out on the Mustang platform and pitch it squarely at enthusiasts, I'd be happy. Plainly they know nobody wants a Mondeo - so using the parts bin, don't give them one. Aim for a smaller market of enthusiasts who might want something engaging. To see one last RWD saloon from Ford would make me very happy, even if it's probably just fantasy.
If only they could manage to put a four-door out on the Mustang platform and pitch it squarely at enthusiasts, I'd be happy. Plainly they know nobody wants a Mondeo - so using the parts bin, don't give them one. Aim for a smaller market of enthusiasts who might want something engaging. To see one last RWD saloon from Ford would make me very happy, even if it's probably just fantasy.
This has been coming for a long time. I think the writing was on the wall by the end of the Mk3's time, the lack of an ST version of the Mk4&5 was pretty telling. Especially since Ford had everything there in the parts bin waiting for it. There was nothing stopping a Turbo V6, AWD Mondeo Mk5.... The US had it, and you could get a ST body kit here, but only on a diesel for some stupid reason.
I suspect they semi abandoned the Mondeo during the Mk4 era, perhaps because the margins were lower than on the other models. Wouldn't be surprised if there was a change of management too. It might not have sold very well, but I think Ford have themselves to blame for a lot of that, since they promoted it so poorly, especially later in its life.
By the time it came to the Mk5, they'd given up and just brought in lightly modified US Ford Fusions. That's why those late cars drive so much number than the old ones did.
I suspect they semi abandoned the Mondeo during the Mk4 era, perhaps because the margins were lower than on the other models. Wouldn't be surprised if there was a change of management too. It might not have sold very well, but I think Ford have themselves to blame for a lot of that, since they promoted it so poorly, especially later in its life.
By the time it came to the Mk5, they'd given up and just brought in lightly modified US Ford Fusions. That's why those late cars drive so much number than the old ones did.
Ford in america seem to be letting cars fade away as they know they can make more money off of SUV's and pickups. And these are not exactly costly to make but generate a lot of profit compared to a modeo.
It is a sad time indeed to see Ford walking away from mid sector saloon cars. Was always going to happen with the way that premium sector cars seem to get the customers in. A mondeo was a good car, it was when it came out one of the best front wheel drivers out.
It is a sad time indeed to see Ford walking away from mid sector saloon cars. Was always going to happen with the way that premium sector cars seem to get the customers in. A mondeo was a good car, it was when it came out one of the best front wheel drivers out.
I reckon that the MK5 was the car that ruined it all. I've got the facelift MK4 and it drives great for a heavy car, and no superfluous crap, a spec that makes it comfortable and great for a commute or long journey. Having driven a few MK5s, they are not as comfy (maybe something to do with the US platform adapted) and also not as good to drive which was part of the appeal. I also get the feeling that they won't last the test as much, that quality isn't up there with the price given it's the same as an E-Class for a similar spec here! Add in the stupid Vignale offshoot (who wants a 50 grand Mondeo with diamond-stitched leather) and they've put all their eggs in the wrong baxsket. Not that the new Kuga is nice, nor the new Focus or Fiesta either. Don't know what's going on with their styling department. but the 2015 facelift of them all was as good as it was going to get
Levin said:
I'll miss the Mondeo. Having driven a current-shape model, not for the way it drove, but because Ford was a stalwart name in that segment of the market. The Mondeo I drove was very numb. It may well have been a competent steer on a longer journey but for the few miles I had it, it just didn't feel communicative
I changed some of the software settings, including the anti-weave/drift correction feature in mine and it improved steering a lot. The steering is better than most other modern cars I've driven.Mine is on 18" wheels, which I wouldn't have chosen myself, but it rides very well on them. 16" wheels may make it a little too soft and lacking sharpness.
(My Mk4 was on 16" rims, but had smaller rolling tyre radius than the Mk5 does, and it handled similarly to my Mk5, albiet with hydrauilc steering)
mercedeslimos said:
I reckon that the MK5 was the car that ruined it all. I've got the facelift MK4 and it drives great for a heavy car, and no superfluous crap, a spec that makes it comfortable and great for a commute or long journey. Having driven a few MK5s, they are not as comfy (maybe something to do with the US platform adapted) and also not as good to drive which was part of the appeal
The Mk4 was great. I kept mine for 7 years because it just carried on going and cost nothing other than oil and filter changes, brakes, tyres and a thermostat.Although it's a shame that the car was based on a Fusion and not an evolution of the Mk4, the Mk5 is much better than some early reviews had suggested. i wasn't expecting to like it. Mine is a Titanium estate on 18" rims and standard suspension. Despite the silly rims and electric steering, it rides very well and steers very well -maybe that was the wheel/suspension combination that the car was designed around? It is also very stable and composed at speed.
The interior might not look like a Mercedes, and is a little American, but is well-specced, spacious and comfortable, with proper knobs and buttons for heating and volume controls. The cup holders are magnificent!
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