Mondeo Estate - Opinions?

rubberdecky

Hi all,

Currently own a 2.0TDCi Mondeo (2005 reg) which I am looking to trade for a new model (07+) Estate version (need more room with growing family). Went to see one the other night (very nice 1.8TDCi model in excellent shape) but the guy was looking €7k for the switch.

My wife scratched our car a few months back (ran along the side of a lorry at about 10kmph) so I had to replace both passenger doors, front wing and rear bumper and get them repainted. The dealer insisted the paint job was so poor that he couldnt take the car as a retail switch, hence he was only willing to give €4k for it (Estate sticker price is €10,950).

Now I was honest about the scratch with the dealer but I really contest the quality of the paintwork, I am no pro but I can't see a visual difference between the painted panels and the unpainted. 05 Mondeos are online for anything from €4k - €6k and ours is a very nice model, full black leathers, 6 CD changer.

Am I mad to be considering paying up to €6k to switch this (no way I am going as high as €7k)? New type Mondeo estates are rare enough so my options are limited. Anyone have any feedback on the 07 Mondeo Estate?

-Chris-

How much did you pay for the repair?

mikedragon32

So, if 05 Mondeos are going for 4k-6k and you were offered 4k for yours, where's the problem?

Dealers will rarely give you the full value for a trade-in and all those extras don't add value to the car, they only help in shifting it. Remember, the dealer has to stand over the sale when it comes to selling your old car, so there has to be some margin for profit.

How about selling it privately and going to a dealer with the cash in your pocket?

rubberdecky

-Chris- wrote: »

How much did you pay for the repair?

Cost Just under €900 for all the bits and the paintwork.

rubberdecky

mikedragon32 wrote: »

So, if 05 Mondeos are going for 4k-6k and you were offered 4k for yours, where's the problem?

Dealers will rarely give you the full value for a trade-in and all those extras don't add value to the car, they only help in shifting it. Remember, the dealer has to stand over the sale when it comes to selling your old car, so there has to be some margin for profit.

How about selling it privately and going to a dealer with the cash in your pocket?

I would like to try and sell privately but don't have the time.
I have a 5 month old baby and very busy work schedule, haven't time to be showing it in the evenings.

Hard to know what Mondeos are really making, I was saying 4-6k but that is looking at carzone and knocking off 20-30% off asking prices. I was expectig to be at the upper end of that with the spec of the car and its condition. Maybe I am just being a bit emotive about it, just expected to get more for my own. Doesnt help that there are a good few 05 Mondeos for sale and not many 07 estates.

-Chris-

rubberdecky wrote: »

Cost Just under €900 for all the bits and the paintwork.

That would be an incredibly low price for the work you mentioned above. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't that good a job at that price. Your eyes may not be as sharp as the dealers, but poor paintwork is poor paintwork...

rubberdecky

-Chris- wrote: »

That would be an incredibly low price for the work you mentioned above. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't that good a job at that price. Your eyes may not be as sharp as the dealers, but poor paintwork is poor paintwork...

Wing and back bumper were brand new.
Two doors from parts yard but in good nick.
Paint job was done by friend of family with great rep. (He prob didnt charge me full whack)

squod

Paint can be a bugger to apply. Lots of independents went out of business when water based paints came into fashion. You might want the job done again like.

rubberdecky

squod wrote: »

Paint can be a bugger to apply. Lots of independents went out of business when water based paints came into fashion. You might want the job done again like.

Might give the car a proper clean this weekend and have a good look at it when it dries, see if there is anything noticeable.
Was thinking of bringing it to other dealers (not those selling Mondeo estates) to see if t hey agree it is noticeable or if yer man was pulling my chain.

The guy who did the paintwork has been in the business for 30 years, very popular down home. Will give it a good check mind you, might be blinkered a bit by the fact he is a family friend.