Thanks Chris! Once again great news and further confirmation that the reviewers were wrong.

Also test drove the ST today and have to say the reviews of some of the mags are complete bulls**t. The grip is amazing, theres tons of it. The salesman told me to floor it in 3rd, so i happily obliged, and boy does it shift, around 90 at 6500rpm. The short test drive brought a massive smile to my face and im definately buying one in the near future

That's great news Rick! Funny that I've not heard anyone whose test driven one say that the magazines were even close to being accurate. I reckon my thread (So what the hell) explaining it might be closer to the truth!

Oh, and I think there's something wrong with your keyboard. When you wrote bullshit it put two stars in it.

Lol Hugh @ the Stars... What can you say Ford have done it again with the car, maybe it could have done with a bit more power but then the insurance would have been 2 high.

Lol Hugh!!! now i no that its alright to use a bit of foul language, ill be doing a whole fucking lot more

The bit more power is one of the easiest to do aftermarket. Ford have done the brakes and the handling YOu do the power.

Just wondering what tuning has been done to the engine on Mondeos, it is the engine from it afterall. People must've been tweaking all ready and getting their cars rolling roaded. Be interesting to see what works best.

Black cars... no thanks! This was the Zetec S that I had with incredibly just 60 miles on the clock, looking awful already.



Sorry, but silver looks amazing when really clean and still clean when dirty! You can't beat it!

That said, red would probably be my pick of the colours available on the ST.

I do love Mondeos.
300bhp RWD please.

Zetec S chassis with ST220 engine, styling and interior would be an awesome mix. It kind of exists now, but with a detuned engine.

The ST220 has a lot going for it, but I never felt 100% in tune with the chassis even on the Prodrive track day.

Unfortunately I don't think I could afford the depreciation on a Mondeo again.

I remember you saying that about the chassis, odd I must admit. Mine fills me full of confidence and feels beautifully poised even when really being thrown about. Not quite the same though I guess being diesel powered as a different driving style is required.

Love the chassis on the standard Mondeo, I think the Zetec S is great, just think some of that edge was lost in the ST220. The ST170 had a similar problem I think although not quite so pronounced.

Anyway, time for some sleep I think.

have to agree dirt never shows up on my moondust silver foci...

I would however go to white with blue stripes it the

I had a test drive in a Performance Blue ST at the weekend (Cheltenham Ford) and I have to agree that this is a cracking car. I have read all the reviews - as have most of you I suspect! - and conclude that the reviews are unfair.

Just for reference and as a guide to how good I think it is, I normally drive an '04 Civic Type-R and have to say - and I never thought I would - that the fun factor is just as good and handling, feel and steering are better than the Civic (although its no secret that the Type-R hasn't the best steering). It has better grip and turn in than the R but then it hasn’t got 200bhp going through the front wheels so have to keep it in perspective.

It also has good brakes and a perfectly acceptable ride (you wanna try a 206 Gti 180!), more fluent than the R. The most notable thing is the high seating position as mentioned by others, but comfortable none the less and I’m over 6ft. As for the noise issues, that’s just rubbish, sounds good to me, does have a minor rumble but not intrusive besides that’s what you buy a performance car for!

As for performance I was pleasantly surprised, obviously no where as quick as the Type-R but it has a good power band, seems to have a very progressive pull and good in gear acceleration. I was very surprised how high it revs to, doesn’t quite get the red line as quick as the R but is good for overtaking. 1st and 2nd gears weren’t blistering but at least there is no wheelspin!

Conclusion: Very good car, I think it is perfectly balanced – not too fast not too slow. Good handling, good brakes, comfy, practical and good value for money. Personally I think the Insurance group is too high, group 11 seems more reasonable, especially when you consider the Zetec S is group 7.

Dare I say it .. easier to live with than Type-R and ultimately as much (or maybe more) fun, I would miss the sound and power of the VTEC though (there's nothing else like it) Here we go again ‘what colour to have! Anyone wanna buy an R?