11 replies to this topic

[STick220]

This is kind of my second time around on the forums. I previously had a Mondeo ST220 and then after that a Focus ST, which is still in my signature below. Along came two dogs and my beloved ST had to go in order to make way for a sensible Japanese 4WD to accommodate the pooches, it was a nice enough car but I think two words to sum it up would be sole-less and boring.
Late last year we moved to within a ten minute walk of my workplace and since then the 4WD has sat on the drive, going out once or twice a week and depreciating £400-£500 a month so I decided to cut my (big) losses, sell it and buy a cheaper, older estate car as a replacement.
So what could fit the bill? Another ST220 of course! This time in estate form and old enough not to qualify for the £400-odd per year road tax. I found a 55 plate 90,000 mile final facelift example on eBay finished in Machine Silver and after asking the chap some questions regarding condition & history I decided to bid!
Unfortunately the auction ended below reserve but after some emailing we were able to reach a deal and two weeks ago we took the 320 mile round trip and collected it!
So far I'm very pleased, I think it drives as well as my old 07 plate, sub 20,000 mile ST220 did, in fact I'm sure it's got a bit more mid-range torque than the other one - maybe they take a high mileage to properly run in?
It was originally owned by Ford and then one private owner since with a pile of invoices and old MOTs, including every service and huge bill for a clutch, slave cylinder, flywheel and starter motor at about 65,000 miles. I had it put on the Ford IDS diagnostic machine and it didn't show a single fault code, which I hope is a good sign.
Being a previous Ford company car it's nicely kitted with touch-screen navigation, Bluetooth, xenon headlamps, privacy glass, rear park assist and full leather. The only thing I miss is the lack of a sunroof, but I'm sure as I now do less than 2000 miles a year I won't miss it too much!
Problem wise, the CD changer in the boot is dead, the wheels have the usual problem, and it's got a few battle scars here and there - mainly a little scuff on the N/S/F bumper & wing and a small crack at the bottom of the front bumper - I guess this is quite fair for nearly 7 years and 90,000 miles. The final problem is it smells like an ashtray inside but this is slowly improving as I leave the windows open as often as possible and I hope when I give it a good clean I can make it better, any tips for helping get rid of the smell would be greatly appreciated!
So all in, I'm very pleased with my new purchase, I'm hoping it will last me a good few years without many expenses. One thing is for sure, I won't be in a hurry to buy another Japanese car again!
Thanks for listening,

[DEMA]

Welcome back

[YORKSHIRENEO]

Welcome back and yet another proper ST around the forums. At this rate we could start to outnumber the tractor brigade!!

[Stu C]

Welcome back!

Pics?

[ST220Paul]

Welcome back. Hope the new car serves you well. And with the sixe of boot the estate has I don't think a few dogs will be a problem!

[Catman]

Good on you, need more estates around, oh, and don't worry about the cig smell, it will smell of wet dog soon!

[STick220]

Thanks everyone! I'll get some pictures up once I've given it a bit of a clean up Stu C, although in the meantime I'll see if I can find the ones from the original eBay listing. I think you've got a good point with the dog smell Catman, that tends to over-power most things lol.

[NEIL]

Hello & welcome back 2 STdrivers ...

[STick220]

As promised here are some pictures taken by the previous owner when he listed it on eBay:

http://www.stdrivers...-ebay-pictures/

[NEIL]

Nice car ....
Love the seats ....

[STick220]

Nice car ....
Love the seats ....

Thanks very much! The seats are in need of a good clean up, as is the whole interior. I got some Dr Leather cleaner which is supposed to be really good, even if the name suggests it should be in a dungeon somewhere lol. I just need the weather to warm up and stop raining now so I can get started - did someone mention British Summertime!

[NEIL]

British summer just means no ice on roads ...