It's gone, and I am now officially 'Mondeo Man'

[neildavies]

Saturday was a mixed emotions day. Good part was picking up my new car, but as a result, had to leave them with my 406. It's not that I regret changing, just that I'll never own a car like the coupe again. But 24 hours later, I'm happy I did the right thing, the Mondeo is a much better drive and better to be inside than the 406 (don't shoot me!!), but it'll never compare to the coupe for exterior looks, no car will in my eyes.

For anyone who's interested in getting a good high miler HDi SE coupe, it's currently in Evans Halshaw Ford in Cardiff and they'll soon be shipping it to BCA auctions. It's absolutely immaculate!

This was the last moment I saw the coupe:



And this is my new car, a Mondeo 2.0TDCi Titanium X, loaded with optional extras:

[FarmerPug]

damm thats a nice car, and a hatchback so you can put big things in it. Good luck, and many years happy motoring. By the way whats the big scrren in the instrument cluster do.

[neildavies]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

I didn't expect many nice comments on a Peugeot forum (and didn't get much on another one I've used regularly). It really is a lovely drive, and after a couple of days driving it, I'm now totally convinced I've done the right thing. My 406 was a nice drive, but this puts it to shame.

The small screen by the speedo and rev counter does all sorts of things, it's like an information screen. Can show the next sat nav instructiuon, Radio info, phonebook, trip computer etc. There's a bigger 7" touchscreen then in the middle of the dashboard. It's one of the things that made me go for the car, and not wait till next year, as I'd originally planned.

Thanks again.

[FarmerPug]

Its hard to beat good car tech like that, i love plenty of buttons and digital displays in a car. is there any cool cupholders/storage compartments in the new mondeo?

[neildavies]

No fancy cupholders unfortunately, just 2 holders in the centre console, very similar to the D9 406's. I've not sure on the back seat, there may be some in the armrest.

And nothing out of the ordinary in storage either (not that I've found yet anyway). It's got MUCh bigger door pockets than the coupe though.

Thinking of it, I haven't had a good look around yet, I've just been playing with the screen!

[Busman]

We've had various Modeo diesels as pool cars at work over the years. They have all been driven hard and generally abused and have all done at least 250,000 miles. The biggest critisisum was that the interiors could be a bit bland. Looks like they've sorted that with yours. Perhaps it could be my next after the 406. Cheap parts etc.... I'm sure you'll enjoy it for many years.

[rwb]

So sad looking at that lovely 406 coupe over the Mondeo dash

It does kinda look nice on the inside though.
Might have to have a look at some Fords. 407s just don't do it for me.

[Doggy]

Hope you enjoy the new car Neil, but don't abandon us Pugsters

Like the look of the Mondeo estate, just wish they did armrests for the 'vertically challenged'.

[STALLED]

NOICE! *in Aussie accent*

The new Mondeos are such a good looking car in XR5 or Titanium X trim - a worthy 406 replacement! What kind of economy are you getting off the TDCI?

[Welly]

I'm lookin', and I'm likin'

Didn't know they had a funky instrument cluster but then again cars have moved on so much since the design of the 406 then they're almost in a different league altogether.

Good luck with the car fella

[sirwiggum]

The Mondeo looks newer than a 3 year old car.
You should put NI plates on it and hide the age!

If I had the money, would love an HDi coupe, yours looks a minter.

Enjoy yer Mondeo! Remember that it is a more exclusive car than the fleets of 316is

[neildavies]

Aw lads, I'm overwhelmed at the niceness and warmth here.

At a coupe forum I use, it was a different tone altogether. The general attitude was "oh, you've got a Mondeo have you. Never mind, someone's got to buy 'em. Shut the door on your way out".

I've got to say, this Mondeo is growing on me big time more and more by the drive, and my 406 is already a distant memory. I'm now totally convince I'd done the right thing.

That's not to say anything bad about the 406, they are brilliant cars, it's the reason I've had 2 of them. Their looks are way ahead of their time and the comfort and handling are excellent. And with my coupe, it was a very hard decision for me, believe me (Dairees can vouch for that)

My mpg at the moment is 40, but keep in mind it's still my 'new' car, so that should get better as the novelty wears off!

It was the interior that was the straw that broke the camels back and made me go for the Mondeo in the end, here's a (poor quality) photo for who's interested:

[DiscoPol]

OOOOhhhhhhh shiny shiny, I like the look of that there ford.

enjoy the new car mate and screw the pretentious arse$ over on which ever coupe forum it is, you are always welcome here mate.

I think it says a lot that we have a few members now who are ex 406ers but have stayed around, I am one for starters then there is one of our "God Like Mods" who shall remain nameless yourself and Im sure there are a few more, hmm maybe a 'fred on its own is raising its head here

anywho the new car looks nice and shiny and full of toys, you enjoy it mate.

Disco

[TooT]

Bloody lovely. Just like my brothers Titanium but he doesn't have the Alcantara

Every time i get out of my brothers Mondy (yesterday) i start thinking maybe a Focus for me next

[sirwiggum]

Is the 2.0TDCi related to the HDi?
Does the steering wheel screen display

It was the interior that was the straw that broke the camels back and made me go for the Mondeo in the end, here's a (poor quality) photo for who's interested:

Where's the tape deck?

It really is a leaps and bounds improvement from the old mk1 facelift (mk2?) Mondeo (a hire car I drove years ago). Looks more Starship Enterprise! Enjoy!