So, this is goodbye.

I’ve never possessed any car longer than this one, and for someone who gets bored with cars quite easily it’s been a surprisingly easy three years, three months, and three days.

This car was a last-minute choice. I was all set to order a Focus Estate when MrsG-T pointed out that a Mondeo had more luggage capacity with all the seats up, so I ordered the highest specification I could get. I had to compromise on engine to get this Ghia version, but as it turned out the 115PS diesel hasn’t been a struggle and I’ve enjoyed the additional equipment.

The colour was my choice too, and one I haven’t regretted. In sunlight it looks absolutely great and there aren’t too many around in this shade of Tango Metallic (Ford’s name!)

Ford Mondeo used to be shorthand for the average man’s car, although the BMW 3-series now outsells it which must make BMWs average I guess! But this car has been properly screwed together, easy to drive, capacious, versatile, economical and, importantly, fun.

It’s a mature drive, a car eminently suitable for a 40-ish year old man. Outwardly it exudes sensibility but underneath there is the heart and mind of a teenager. Most of the time it hauls children, animals and luggage around, looks respectable in the office car park and turns out decent fuel consumption figures.

But, when no-one is looking, it reminds itself of what youth was all about, enjoying a surprisingly brisk drive on quiet A and B-roads. It gathers speed in much the same way that a middle-aged bloke runs at the school sports day in the dad’s race; initial acceleration is briefly quick but it maintains a decent pace until the end. Corners are relished, and on yumps and switchbacks it’s easy to pretend that you might have been a decent racing driver given the right breaks as the car sweetly negotiates with the road surface. It’s not hooligan fun like MrsG-T’s Ford Puma, rather when you get home it’s as if you and the Mondeo share a discreet smile. You’re both still young at heart!

The only thing that broke was the cooling fan (at 44k miles) and nothing else was replaced other than the usual tyres, brake discs/pads and a windscreen. The only lasting irritations are that the backlight in the mileometer doesn’t work, the speedo is surprisingly optimistic and one major design flaw – opening the tailgate when it’s wet results in water sliding off either side into the boot/trunk.

These minor issues aside (and a colleague informs me that the new model Mondeo has the same issue with rain/luggage-compartment interface) I’ve been very content to drive around in this car. Key features that have been used time and again were the cruise control, Sony CD player (with mp3 socket in the glovebox) and the enormous 500 litre boot.

This car has taken us to places as far apart as Inverness, Scotland and St Gilles Croix de Vie, France.

So, what next? Same segment (large family hatchback) but more space, more power, more equipment and even a different colour. More on that later.

However, in conclusion, if you are thinking about buying a car of this type I’d recommend the Mondeo very highly indeed and can think of no more fitting tribute to NV56 HLF than suggesting that you read this piece which I wrote a couple of years ago. The feeling and sensations are all still true. Well done, Ford. The Mondeo is a truly great car.

Key stats:

November 2006 Ford Mondeo Ghia TDCi. 2-litre 115PS turbo diesel engine with 5-speed manual transmission. 5-door hatchback. No optional equipment other than the Tango metallic paint.

• Mileage covered: 51,472
• Average fuel consumption: 40.38 mpg
• No. of drivers: 17
• Total fuel cost: £5,724.20
• Front tyre life: approx 20k miles

Best things:

• Cruise control
• Sony hifi
• Fuel consumption
• Space
• Handling/roadholding

Worst things:

• Tailgate water drainage design
• Noise at speed

From Blog

On the day it was delivered, 15th November 2006.

From Blog

A few days before I handed it back, 5th February 2010.